1.Evidence-based research on the nutritional and health effects of functional components of tea
Zhijian HE ; Yuping LI ; Fan BU ; Jia CUI ; Xinwen BI ; Yuanjie CUI ; Zhiyuan GUO ; Ming LI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):190-198
As a traditional nutritional and healthy cash crop in China, tea has certain significance in promoting human health and preventing and controlling chronic diseases. Studies have shown that the nutritional health effect of tea is due to its rich functional components, mainly including tea polyphenols, tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, theanine, alkaloids and other bioactive substances. At present, researchers from the academic circles have continuously carried out animal and human experiments on the health effects of various functional components of tea, which has accumulated abundant research data and materials. Based on this, this article reviews the literature on the nutritional and health effects of the main functional components of tea, and adopts the method of evidence-based research to screen and extract relevant data for qualitative and quantitative meta-analysis. Subsequently, the nutritional health effects of the five functional components of tea, namely tea polyphenols, tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, theanine, and alkaloids, are summarized and outlined. Studies have shown that tea polyphenols, tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, theanine and alkaloids have different health effects and are expected to play their unique roles in promoting human health and preventing and controlling diseases.
2.Construction and Validation of a Large Language Model-Based Intelligent Pre-Consultation System for Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yiqing LIU ; Ying LI ; Hongjun YANG ; Linjing PENG ; Nanxing XIAN ; Kunning LI ; Qiwei SHI ; Hengyi TIAN ; Lifeng DONG ; Lin WANG ; Yuping ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):895-900
ObjectiveTo construct a large language model (LLM)-based intelligent pre-consultation system for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to improve efficacy of clinical practice. MethodsA TCM large language model was fine-tuned using DeepSpeed ZeRO-3 distributed training strategy based on YAYI 2-30B. A weighted undirected graph network was designed and an agent-based syndrome differentiation model was established based on relationship data extracted from TCM literature and clinical records. An agent collaboration framework was developed to integrate the TCM LLM with the syndrome differentiation model. Model performance was comprehensively evaluated by Loss function, BLEU-4, and ROUGE-L metrics, through which training convergence, text generation quality, and language understanding capability were assessed. Professional knowledge test sets were developed to evaluate system proficiency in TCM physician licensure content, TCM pharmacist licensure content, TCM symptom terminology recognition, and meridian identification. Clinical tests were conducted to compare the system with attending physicians in terms of diagnostic accuracy, consultation rounds, and consultation duration. ResultsAfter 100 000 iterations, the training loss value was gradually stabilized at about 0.7±0.08, indicating that the TCM-LLM has been trained and has good generalization ability. The TCM-LLM scored 0.38 in BLEU-4 and 0.62 in ROUGE-L, suggesting that its natural language processing ability meets the standard. We obtained 2715 symptom terms, 505 relationships between diseases and syndromes, 1011 relationships between diseases and main symptoms, and 1 303 600 relationships among different symptoms, and constructed the Agent of syndrome differentiation model. The accuracy rates in the simulated tests for TCM practitioners, licensed pharmacists of Chinese materia medica, recognition of TCM symptom terminology, and meridian recognition were 94.09%, 78.00%, 87.50%, and 68.80%, respectively. In clinical tests, the syndrome differentiation accuracy of the system reached 88.33%, with fewer consultation rounds and shorter consultation time compared to the attending physicians (P<0.01), suggesting that the system has a certain pre- consultation ability. ConclusionThe LLM-based intelligent TCM pre-diagnosis system could simulate diagnostic thinking of TCM physicians to a certain extent. After understanding the patients' natural language, it collects all the patient's symptom through guided questioning, thereby enhancing the diagnostic and treatment efficiency of physicians as well as the consultation experience of the patients.
3.Discussion on the Application of Warm-Yang Method in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Infertility
Pengxuan YAN ; Haiyan ZHANG ; Yukun ZHAO ; Yabei GAO ; Kun LI ; Jingchun ZHANG ; Yuping ZHAO ; Zixiao WEI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(3):312-316
It is believed that there is a pathogenesis of yang deficiency in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility, and it is concluded that warm-yang method has a better effect in improving endometrial abnormality, enhancing the quality of follicles, correcting endocrine disorders, and resolving or alleviating clinical symptoms in PCOS infertility. Based on Yanghe Decoction (阳和汤), a representative traditional Chinese medicine decoction for warming yang, Yanghe Xiaonang Decoction (阳和消囊汤) was formulated, combining with warm medicinals according to symptoms, and aerobic exercise was also advocated to help generate and develop yang qi, in order to provide ideas for clinical treatments.
4.Effect of Wulao Qisun Prescription on Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of AS Fibroblasts by Regulating Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway
Juanjuan YANG ; Ping CHEN ; Haidong WANG ; Zhendong WANG ; Haolin LI ; Zhimin ZHANG ; Yuping YANG ; Weigang CHENG ; Jin SU ; Jingjing SONG ; Dongsheng LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):67-73
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the Wulao Qisun prescription on pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MethodsSynovial fibroblasts were isolated from the hip joints of AS patients and observed under a microscope to assess cell morphology. The cells were identified using immunofluorescence staining. The isolated AS fibroblasts were divided into blank group, low drug-containing serum group, medium drug-containing serum group, high drug-containing serum group, and positive drug group. After drug intervention, cell proliferation was measured using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay to observe fibroblast growth and determine the optimal intervention time. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured using the alkaline phosphatase assay. Protein expression of osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a, β-catenin, and Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, each drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription and the positive drug group inhibited the proliferation of AS fibroblasts and reduced ALP expression (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription downregulated β-catenin mRNA expression (P<0.05). The medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group significantly downregulated Wnt5a and β-catenin mRNA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the positive drug group showing the most pronounced effect (P<0.01). The high drug-containing serum group and the positive drug group significantly upregulated DKK-1 mRNA expression (P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription inhibited the expression of OPN and Runx2 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group inhibited the expression of OCN, OPN, and Runx2 proteins (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe Wulao Qisun prescription can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts, thereby delaying the formation of pathological new bone in AS. The possible mechanism involves the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related gene expression, further inhibiting the transcription of downstream target genes.
5.Effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma Before and After Steaming with Wine on Intestinal Flora and Immune Environment in Constipation Model Mice
Yaya BAI ; Rui TIAN ; Yajun SHI ; Chongbo ZHAO ; Jing SUN ; Li ZHANG ; Yonggang YAN ; Yuping TANG ; Qiao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):192-199
ObjectiveTo study on the different therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma(RH) before and after steaming with wine on constipation model mice. MethodsFifty-four male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, lactulose group(1.5 mg·kg-1), high, medium and low dose groups of RH and RH steaming with wine(PRH)(8, 4, 1 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the constipation model was replicated by gavage of loperamide hydrochloride(6 mg·kg-1) in the other groups. After 2 weeks of modeling, each administration group was gavaged with the corresponding dose of drug solution, and the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline, 1 time/d for 2 consecutive weeks. After administration, the feces were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing, the levels of gastrin(GAS), motilin(MTL), interleukin-6(IL-6), γ-interferon(IFN-γ) in the colonic tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), the histopathological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion changes of CD4+, CD8+ and regulatory T cell(Treg) in peripheral blood. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed significantly decrease in fecal number in 24 h, fecal quality and fecal water rate(P<0.01), the colon was seen to have necrotic shedding of mucosal epithelium, localized intestinal glands in the lamina propria were degenerated, necrotic and atrophied, a few lymphocytes were seen to infiltrate in the necrotic area in a scattered manner, the contents of GAS and MTL, the proportions of CD4+, CD8+ and Treg were significantly reduced(P<0.01), the contents of IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly elevated(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the fecal number in 24 h, fecal quality and fecal water rate of high-dose groups of RH and PRH were significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), the pathological damage of the colon was alleviated to varying degrees, the contents of GAS, MTL, IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly regressed(P<0.05, P<0.01), and the proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ were significantly increased(P<0.01), although the proportion of Treg showed an upward trend, there was no significant difference. In addition, the results of intestinal flora showed that the number of amplicon sequence variant(ASV) and Alpha diversity were decreased in the model group compared with the control group, and there was a significant difference in Beta diversity, with a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and an increase in the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter. Compared with the model group, the ASV number and Alpha diversity were increased in the high-dose groups of RH and PRH, and there was a trend of regression of Beta diversity to the control group, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased, and the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter decreased. ConclusionRH and PRH can improve dysbacteriosis, promote immune system activation, inhibit the release of inflammatory factors for enhancing the gastrointestinal function, which may be one of the potential mechanisms of their therapeutic effect on constipation.
6.Risk factors for liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B patients with high metabolic risks and establishment of a predictive model
Yuping ZOU ; Li YAO ; Jun ZOU ; Liwei LI ; Fuqing CAI ; Jiean HUANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(6):1105-1112
ObjectiveTo investigate the main risk factors for liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with high metabolic risk, to establish a noninvasive predictive model, and to compare the diagnostic efficiency of this model and other models including fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (GPR), and Forns index. MethodsA total of 527 CHB patients with high metabolic risks who were admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from September 1, 2017 to October 31, 2022 were enrolled as subjects, and they were randomly divided into modeling group with 368 patients and validation group with 159 patients at a ratio of 7∶3. The LASSO regression analysis and the multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed for the modeling group to identify independent risk factors, and a nomogram model was established. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the calibration curve, and the decision curve analysis were used to validate the nomogram prediction model in the modeling group and the validation group and assess its discriminatory ability, calibration, and clinical practicability. The Delong test was used to compare the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the nomogram prediction model and other models. ResultsThe multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that prealbumin (odds ratio [OR] = 0.993, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.988 — 0.999, P= 0.019), thrombin time (OR=1.182, 95% CI: 1.006 — 1.385, P=0.047), log10 total bilirubin (TBil) (OR=1.710, 95%CI: 1.239 — 2.419, P=0.001), and log10 alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (OR=1.327, 95%CI: 1.052 — 1.683, P=0.018) were independent influencing factors for liver cirrhosis in CHB patients with high metabolic risks. A nomogram model for risk prediction was established based on the multivariate analysis, which had an AUC of 0.837 (95%CI: 0.788 — 0.888), a specificity of 73.5%, and a sensitivity of 84.7%, as well as a significantly higher diagnostic efficiency than the models of FIB-4 (0.739), APRI (0.802), GPR (0.800), and Forns index (0.709) (Z=2.815, 2.271, 1.989, and 2.722, P=0.005, 0.017, 0.045, and 0.006). ConclusionThe nomogram model established based on prealbumin, thrombin time, log10 TBil, and log10 AFP has a certain clinical application value.
7.Design and application of clinical probation log based on subjective-objective-assessment-plan
Zhifeng WU ; Li MING ; Zhangya YANG ; Min WANG ; Yizhen SUN ; Wang YANG ; Zhiqiang CHEN ; Zhangxue HU ; Yuping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(7):906-909
Objective:To investigate the application value of a new clinical probation log designed based on the subjective-objective-assessment-plan (SOAP) structured medical record.Methods:Quantitative and qualitative studies were conducted among 97 students in the autumn semester to evaluate the effect of the new clinical probation log based on the SOAP structured medical record on their academic performance and clinical thinking. SPSS 26.0 was used to perform the t-test and ANOVA. Results:The students using the new version had a significantly better score (96.29±1.38) than those using the old version (93.53±1.60) ( P<0.001), while the multivariate analysis showed that the students who first used the old version and then switched to the new version had a significantly better improvement in the score compared with those who first used the new version and then switched to the old version ( P<0.001). The qualitative interview showed that it was necessary to use handwritten internship log, and compared with the old version, the new version could better promote the ordered clinical thinking of students. The teacher comments could give feedbacks, and all the students interviewed thought that the new version held promise for clinical application. Conclusions:The clinical probation log based on the SOAP structured medical record can help to improve the effectiveness of probation and cultivate clinical thinking ability, and thus it holds promise for application in clinical probation teaching.
8.Auxiliary diagnostic value of IMA and CK index in acute ischemic stroke
Yuping FU ; Feng FU ; Ya ZHU ; Zhenshuai LIAN ; Sha YAN ; Dandan LI ; Zhi'an HE
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;45(22):2716-2720
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of ischemia-modified albumin(IMA)and the crea-tine kinase(CK)index in acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion cri-teria,totally 149 newly diagnosed and untreated AIS patients hospitalized in Henan Provincial People's Hospi-tal from October 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the AIS group.Additionally,156 healthy people who underwent the physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.Activity levels of IMA,CK,creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and hydroxybutyrate-dehydrogen-ase(HBDH)were measured using the Abbott C1600 biochemical analyzer,and the CK index(ratio of CK-MB to CK)was calculated.Relative risk factors were analyzed,receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve was constructed,data were analyzed using SPSS27.0.1,graphs were plotted using GraphPad Prism 9.4.1,and differences in area under the curve(AUC)were compared using MedCalc(version 20.0.22).Results The AIS group exhibited significantly higher levels of IMA,CK-MB,and the CK index,and significantly lower levels of CK compared to the control group(all P<0.05).Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both IMA and the CK index were risk factors for AIS(both P<0.001).After adjusting for gender and age in a multivariate binary logistic regression analysis,IMA emerged as an independent risk factor for AIS(OR=1.901,95%CI:1.649-2.190,P<0.001).IMA,CK-MB and CK index in the AIS group were significantly higher than those in the control group,and CK levels were significantly lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that IMA and CK index were risk factors for AIS(P<0.001).After adjusting for sex and age in multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis,IMA was an independent risk factor for AIS(OR=1.901,95%CI:1.649-2.190,P<0.001).The ROC curve demonstrated that AUC,the sensitivity and the specificity of sin-gle detection for IMA were 0.922,81.2%,and 90.4%,respectively.There was no significant difference compared to combined detection using IMA+CK index or IMA+CK index+CK(all P>0.05).Conclusion IMA is an independent risk factor for AIS,which has strong diagnostic value and is worthy of clinical application.
9.Literature analysis of finite element model and material characteristics of cervical vertebra
Bifeng FU ; Xingyu JIANG ; Chao ZHANG ; Jin SU ; Guang YANG ; Aifeng LIU ; Yuping GAO ; Ping WANG ; Yuandong LI
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2024;47(5):463-471
Objective:To provide references for the application of finite element model in the study of cervical vertebra by statistically analysing the frequency, numerical value, properties, and boundary setting of the finite element model and the corresponding material features as well as boundary settings in the literature.Methods:The literature on cervical vertebra-related finite element models was collected from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from January 2013 to December 2023. The quality assessment was followed by manual screening. The data sources, application classification, material properties (Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio), and boundary conditions of cervical vertebra, cervical intervertebral, and cervical ligaments were statistically analyzed.Results:A total of 102 papers were included. The finite element models of the cervical vertebra were derived from medical image reconstruction modeling techniques, predominantly CT plain scan and magnetic resonance imaging. Among the 102 cervical vertebra models, the C3-C7 (lower cervical segment) model appeared with the highest frequency (19). The Young’s modulus of the cortical bone, cancellous bone, and posterior structure of cervical vertebrae were set at about 12 000 or 10 000, 440, and 3 600 MPa, respectively, and the Poisson’s ratios were mainly set at about 0.29 or 0.30, 0.29, and 0.29. The Young’s modulus of the cervical intervertebral disc endplate, nucleus pulposus, and annulus fibrosus were concentrated around 500 or 2 000, 1, and 100 MPa, respectively, and the Poisson’s ratios were set at about 0.40, 0.50, and 0.40, respectively. The Young’s modulus of the anterior longitudinal ligament, posterior longitudinal ligament, transverse ligament, ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligament, capsular ligament, and articular cartilage of the cervical spine were set around 30, 20, 20, 6-10, 4-8, 10 or 20, 10 MPa, and the Poisson’s ratios were set at aoubt 0.30, 0.30, 0.30, 0.30, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.30, respectively. The Young’s modulus of the upper cervical interdental ligament, lamina, cruciate ligament, nuchal ligament, and pterygoid ligament were set at about 10, 10, 10 or 20, 20, and 5 MPa, respectively, and the Poisson’s ratios were set at about 0.30. Head weight settings were more common at 50, 74, and 100 N.Conclusions:The finite element model of the cervical vertebra has great value in the study of cervical spondylosis, but further optimization is still needed in the assignment of material properties, mesh division, and model verification to improve the accuracy and clinical applicability of the model.
10.Effect of particulate matter 2.5 on hepatic lymphangiogenesis in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease model mice
Shibin DING ; Yang LI ; Yuping CHEN ; Jinjin JIANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2024;32(8):985-991
Objective To study the effect of fine particulate matter(particulate matter 2.5,PM2.5)exposure on hepatic lymphangiogenesis in C57BL/6J mice and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)model mice,and to provide a novel target for prevention and treatment of PM2.5-induced liver injury.Methods Forty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group,PM2.5 group,MAFLD group,and PM2.5-MAFLD group.Mice in the MAFLD and PM2.5-MAFLD groups were fed high-fat diet for 12 weeks,and mice in the other groups were fed normal chow diet.From weeks 13 to 16,mice in the PM2.5 and PM2.5-MAFLD groups were exposed to PM2.5 by tracheal instillation(twice per week),and mice in the other groups were instilled with saline at the same time.All animals were euthanized 24 h after the last PM2.5 instillation.Serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were measured,and the expression of LYVE1 in liver tissues was visualized using immunofluorescence staining.Hepatic oxidative stress markers levels(4-HNE and GSH/GSSG)were measured.The protein expression levels of lymphangiogenesis markers(PROX1 and LYVE1),lymphangiogenesis regulatory protein VEGF-C,and the lymphatic junctional function marker VE-cadherin in liver tissue were determined using Western Blot.Results PM2.5 exposure significantly increased the levels of serum AST and ALT,markedly decreased the protein expression of PROX1 and LYVE1,increased the protein expression of VEGF-C and VE-cadherin in the liver,increased the level of 4-HNE,and decreased the T-GSH/GSSG ratio in livers of mice in the MAFLD group(P<0.05).However,PM2.5 exposure did not affect the levels of serum AST and ALT,protein expression of PROX1,LYVE1,or VEGF-C;level of 4-HNE;or T-GSH/GSSG ratio in the livers of the C57BL/6J mice(P>0.05).Conclusions PM2.5 exposure obviously aggravated hepatic oxidative injury and reduced hepatic lymphangiogenesis by reducing the VEGF-C concentration in the livers of MAFLD model mice.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail