1.Current Status,Strategies and Prospects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Yandong WEN ; Zhi YANG ; Shaogang HUANG ; Zhongyu LI ; Xiangxue MA ; Qing XU ; Liqing DU ; Bochao YUAN ; Yibing TIAN ; Wentong GE ; Xiaofan ZHAO ; Chang LIU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):404-409
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized primarily by abdominal pain and altered defecation habits. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has made progress in multiple aspects of IBS research and treatment, including syndrome distribution, development of TCM formulas, clinical efficacy evaluation, external therapies, and psychosocial regulation. However, it still faces challenges such as over-reliance on symptomatic manifestations rather than biomarkers for diagnostic criteria, and the lack of high-quality evidence-based data supporting the efficacy of TCM formulas in treating IBS. This paper proposed that TCM diagnosis and treatment of IBS should adhere to the strategy of integrating the holistic concept with syndrome differentiation and treatment, combining TCM external therapies such as acupuncture, moxibustion and acupoint application), and emphasizing individualized diagnosis and treatment for psychosomatic abnormalities. Future research should integrate multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence and other methods to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis of IBS and the mechanisms of TCM formulas, so as to promote the standardization and internationalization of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of IBS.
2.Three-dimensional Electrical Impedance Tomography for Monitoring Gastric Hemorrhage
Zi-Han ZHAO ; Bo SUN ; Jing-Shi HUANG ; Zhi-Wei LI ; Yang WU ; Nan LI ; Jia-Feng YAO ; Tong ZHAO
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1062-1075
ObjectiveGastric hemorrhage is one of the most common and life-threatening emergencies of the upper digestive tract. Early identification and continuous monitoring are essential for reducing rebleeding rates and mortality, particularly within the critical early hours after onset. Although endoscopy and radiological imaging can accurately localize bleeding sites, these approaches are invasive, resource-intensive, and unsuitable for continuous bedside monitoring. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT), as a noninvasive and radiation-free functional imaging technique, offers real-time visualization of conductivity distribution and has the potential for detecting intragastric bleeding based on the electrical contrast between blood and surrounding gastric tissues. In this study, a three-dimensional gastric EIT (3D-gEIT) framework is proposed to achieve noninvasive, real-time, and dynamic monitoring of gastric hemorrhage, with emphasis on spatial localization and quantitative volume assessment. MethodsA three-dimensional upper-abdominal simulation model incorporating the stomach, gastric wall, gastric contents, and surrounding tissues was established. Three electrode configurations, namely the dual layer ring, the four layer staggered ring, and the opposed dual plane array, were designed and systematically compared to evaluate their influence on depth sensitivity and spatial resolution. Based on the Tikhonov-Noser hybrid regularization scheme, a region-clustering constraint was introduced to develop the TK-Noser-RCC algorithm. This approach aggregates spatially adjacent elements with similar conductivity variations, thereby enhancing structural continuity and suppressing isolated noise artifacts. To validate the proposed framework, an upper-abdominal physical phantom was constructed using agar to simulate background tissue conductivity. Hemispherical high-conductivity inclusions with volumes ranging from 10 ml to 50 ml were attached to the inner gastric wall to mimic localized bleeding under different gastric filling states. Boundary voltages were acquired under a 120 kHz excitation current and reconstructed using the TK-Noser-RCC algorithm. Furthermore, an in vivo animal experiment was performed using a porcine model with adult-scale abdominal dimensions. A total of 100 ml of autologous blood was injected incrementally into the stomach to simulate progressive gastric hemorrhage, and time-difference EIT reconstruction was conducted at each injection stage to assess the dynamic system response under physiological conditions. ResultsSimulation results demonstrated that the opposed dual-plane electrode array achieved superior depth sensitivity distribution and spatial resolution. For a 40 ml hemorrhage model, the average ICC and SSIM improved by 55.9% and 38.8% compared with the dual-layer ring configuration, and by 64.0% and 39.5% compared with the four-layer staggered configuration. The proposed region-clustering constraint significantly enhanced reconstruction stability. Under added Gaussian noise of 40 dB and 30 dB, ICC values remained approximately 0.85, indicating effective artifact suppression and preservation of boundary integrity. In physical phantom experiments, reconstructed hemorrhage volumes increased approximately linearly with the preset hemispherical volumes, and the reconstructed high-conductivity regions closely matched the actual bleeding locations. Both empty-stomach and full-stomach conditions were evaluated, demonstrating that the opposed dual-plane configuration maintained stable imaging performance across varying gastric contents. In the animal experiment, reconstructed low-impedance regions expanded progressively with increasing injected blood volume. The spatial localization of the hemorrhage remained stable throughout the procedure, and no significant artifacts were observed. Quantitative analysis showed that reconstructed volume and average conductivity variation exhibited an approximately linear growth trend with injected blood volume, confirming the sensitivity of the system to dynamic intragastric conductivity changes. ConclusionThe proposed 3D-gEIT framework enables quantitative reconstruction of gastric hemorrhage volume and spatial distribution with improved depth sensitivity, structural continuity, and noise robustness compared with conventional EIT approaches. By integrating optimized electrode configuration and a region-clustering-constrained reconstruction algorithm, the system provides stable dynamic monitoring under both controlled phantom conditions and in vivo physiological environments. This method offers a noninvasive, real-time, and low-cost imaging strategy for early diagnosis, postoperative monitoring, and bedside surveillance of gastric bleeding.
3.Comparative analysis of the characteristics of imported malaria cases in Nanning City in 2024 and the same period of the previous year
Shu-lin WEI ; Zhi-qiang QU ; Yuan-yuan LUO ; Yan-cui HUANG ; Shu-qin DIAO ; Xue LI ; Sheng-long YANG ; Xiao-yu HUANG ; Mi-fang LUO
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):81-84
Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of malaria and provide a basis for developing improved prevention and control measures. Methods Data were obtained from the Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Malaria surveillance data for Nanning City from January 1,2023, to December 31,2024, were exported from the Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management Subsystem. The characteristics of the two groups of malaria cases were compared. Results A total of 103 imported malaria cases were reported in Nanning City in 2024, representing a 38.32% decrease compared with the same period of the previous year. No statistically significant difference were observed between cases reported in 2023 and 2024 in terms of average age, gender ratio, proportion of parasite species, and monthly reporting distribution;however, statistically significant differences were found in the proportion of reporting areas and current residence areas(χ2= 13.572 and 10.355, respectively; P = 0.001 and 0.035, respectively). The proportion of cases reported in Shanglin County and the proportion of cases residing in Shanglin County were both lower than those during the same period of the previous year. Conclusions The high aggregation of imported malaria cases in Nanning City has decreased. Medical institutions in areas other than Shanglin County should strengthen their vigilance against malaria.
4.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
5.Key Factors and Improving Paths of Promoting Long-Acting Injections in Communities in Beijing.
Yu XIN ; Chen CHEN ; Yao DONG ; Jin-Qi ZHU ; Yun CHEN ; Qing-Zhi HUANG ; Jun-Li ZHU
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(3):414-424
Objective To investigate the key factors influencing the implementation of long-acting injection-promoting policies and propose effective improving paths.Methods Qualitative interviews were carried out for stakeholders involved in the promotion of long-acting injections,based on the consolidated framework for implementation research.Additionally,countermeasures for identified barriers were proposed based on expert recommendations for implementation changes.Results A total of 46 health administrators,healthcare workers,and patients in Beijing were interviewed.The study identified several barriers in the strength and quality of evidence,adaptability,relative advantage,complexity and cost,patient needs and resources,external collaboration,external policies and incentives,organizational structural characteristics,and self-efficacy.Conclusions From the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders,the promotion of long-acting injections has shown initial success but still faces multiple obstacles.It is recommended that efforts should be made to coordinate and adapt policies,improve and incentivize relative organizations,and continuously strengthen the advocacy and education for individuals.
Humans
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Beijing
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Delayed-Action Preparations
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Health Personnel
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Health Policy
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Injections
6.Analysis on Care Service Preferences of Community Patients With Severe Mental Disorders in Beijing Based on Discrete Choice Experiment.
Jin-Qi ZHU ; Wei LU ; Yu XIN ; Yun CHEN ; Qing-Zhi HUANG ; Jun-Li ZHU
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(3):425-433
Objective To gain insights into the care service preferences and willingness of patients with severe mental disorders in Beijing,analyze the main factors affecting their participation in care services,and provide data support and decision-making reference for the optimal design of care services for patients with severe mental disorders and the improvement of relevant policies.Methods In July 2022,a questionnaire survey was conducted for a part of Beijing community patients with severe mental disorders selected by multi-stage stratified sampling,including the basic personal information and the preferences of discrete choice experiment.A mixed Logit model was used to perform regression analysis on the care service preferences,and the trade off between general and monetary attributes was quantified by willingness to pay(WTP).Results A total of 242 questionnaires were distributed,and 181 valid questionnaires were collected,with a response rate of 74.79%.The regression coefficients for the four attributes-service type,service content,service frequency,and service cost-all showed statistical significance(all P<0.05).Patients' most preferred attribute level was a service frequency covering about 90% of the time per month/year( β=1.059),while the least preferred was full-time residential care( β=-1.025).Increasing the service frequency from 30% to 90% corresponded to a WTP of 492.5 yuan,while changing the service type from home-based care to full-time residential care resulted in a WTP of -476.6 yuan.Moreover,there were differences in care service preferences and WTP among patient groups with different characteristics(all P<0.05).Conclusions Service type,service content,service frequency,and service cost all significantly affect the care service preferences of patients with severe mental disorders.There is heterogeneity in care service preferences among patient groups with different characteristics.
Humans
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Mental Disorders/therapy*
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Patient Preference
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Beijing
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Surveys and Questionnaires
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Male
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Female
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Choice Behavior
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Adult
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Middle Aged
7.Distribution of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and its association with perinatal outcomes
Jin CHEN ; Dan YANG ; Qianrong LI ; Yan SANG ; Zhi YU ; Jiao XU ; Xuemei WANG ; Heying HUANG ; Xue TANG ; Lin ZHUANG ; Xiaoyin WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(11):2343-2350
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and its association with perinatal outcomes, and to provide a basis for precise treatment based on TCM syndrome differentiation. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 275 patients with ICP who were admitted to The Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2023 to April 2025. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to summarize TCM syndromes. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the clinical features significantly associated with TCM syndrome. ResultsThe cluster analysis identified three core TCM syndromes among the 275 patients with ICP, i.e., liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome (45.8%), syndrome of blood deficiency generating wind (30.9%), and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome (23.3%). There was a significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndromes between different groups stratified by maternal age at delivery, parity, history of ICP recurrence, gestational weeks at disease onset, total bile acid (TBA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and comorbidity with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (all P<0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that<34 gestational weeks at disease onset was significantly associated with all three syndromes (damp-heat: odds ratio [OR]=3.769, P<0.001; blood deficiency: OR=4.031, P<0.001; liver stagnation: OR=3.552, P<0.001). Liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome was associated with maternal age ≥35 years at disease onset (OR=2.048, P=0.014), parity ≥2 times (OR=1.921, P=0.034), history of ICP recurrence (OR=2.404, P=0.030), ALT ≥200 U/L (OR=2.051, P=0.018), comorbidity with GDM (OR=1.944, P=0.029), and TBA ≥40 μmol/L (OR=2.542, P=0.024). The syndrome of blood deficiency generating wind syndrome was associated with maternal age ≥35 years (OR=2.939, P=0.003), parity ≥2 time (OR=3.222, P=0.003), history of ICP recurrence (OR=3.809, P=0.010), ALT ≥200 U/L (OR=2.889, P=0.006), comorbidity with GDM (OR=3.711, P=0.001), and comorbidity with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (OR=4.472, P=0.011). Liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome was associated with TBA ≥40 μmol/L (OR=2.995, P=0.044). The analysis of perinatal outcomes showed that there were significant differences in mode of delivery, gestational weeks at the time of delivery, postpartum blood loss, and neonatal birth weight between the three groups with different TCM syndromes (all P<0.05). ConclusionLiver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome, syndrome of blood deficiency generating wind, and liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome are the main TCM syndrome types in ICP, and the distribution of TCM syndromes is closely associated with clinical factors and perinatal outcomes, which provides a basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation and individualized treatment.
8.Guided by National Strategic Needs,Striving to Build a First-Class Forensic Medicine Discipline—The Construction Plan for Forensic Medicine at Southern Medical University
Dong-Fang QIAO ; Ping-Ming QIU ; Qi WANG ; Yun-Chun TAI ; Dong-Ri LI ; Jing-Tao XU ; Qi-Zhi LUO ; En-Ping HUANG ; Bo-Feng ZHU
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2025;41(1):15-19
The 2024 National Education Work Conference pointed out that at the current juncture of the critical period for achieving the goals and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan,the implementation of the Education Powerhouse Construction Plan Outline should be taken as the main line of work,and building first-class disciplines is an crucial task for a higher education powerhouse.In 2022,forensic medicine was officially listed as a first-level discipline under the medical category,presenting an un-precedented historical opportunity for the development of forensic medicine.The forensic medicine dis-cipline of Southern Medical University comprehensively improves the quality of talent cultivation and facilitates the construction of first-class disciplines as its main direction.It aims to initiate and imple-ment a high-level faculty team building plan featuring"combining recruitment and cultivation,inter-disciplinary integration";make vigorous efforts to establish a first-level doctoral program,refine advan-tageous second-level disciplines and research directions;and establish an innovative research platform from a high starting point with deep integration.The discipline adheres to moral cultivation and the Five Domains of Education simultaneous development,to build a high-quality talent joint training model.Guided by the construction of the national legal system and industry needs,the discipline will enhance social service capabilities.The forensic medicine construction in our university will continue to contribute to the rule of law in China and educational power.
9.Dahuang Zhechong pill regulates stress fiber remodeling mediated by mechanistic signaling pathway to alleviate liver cirrhosis
Yi-heng ZHANG ; Su-zhou HUANG ; Xing-xing LU ; Hui-hua FANG ; Hong-lin CHEN ; Fan-sheng MENG ; Gao-hong LYU ; Zhi-peng CHEN ; Li WU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(8):1562-1568
Aim To explore the effect of the classical famous prescription Dahuang Zhechong pill(DHZCP)on relieving liver cirrhosis by regulating the stress fiber remodeling mediated by mechanistic signaling pathway and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Mice were randomly divided into the control group,model group,DHZCP low-dose group,DHZCP high-dose group,and Colchicine-positive control group.The liver cirrhosis mouse model was constructed by intrap-eritoneal injection of olive oil-solubilized CCl4.HE staining and serologic markers were used to reflect liver injury.Masson staining was used to evaluate collagen deposition in liver tissue.ELISA was applied to detect vasoactive molecules and cancer indicators.Atomic force microscopy was employed to detect liver tissue stiffness.Color Doppler diagnostic instrument was used to assess portal blood flow velocity.Western blot was utilized to detect ROCK2 expression and phosphoryla-tion of YAP,Cofilin,and MLC.Results The liver tis-sues in the model group had obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition,accompanied by significant elevation of serum transaminases and fibrosis indexes.Similarly,vasoactive molecules and cancer in-dicators were elevated,and the mechanoregulatory pro-tein ROCK2 expression and phosphorylation of Cofilin and MLC were elevated,with YAP being strongly de-phosphorylated.Both low and high doses of DHZCP re-versed the pathological changes,serological indices,and inhibited the activation of the stress fiber(SF)re-modeling mechanistic signaling pathway.Conclusion DHZCP effectively ameliorates liver tissue lesions in mice with liver cirrhosis,and its mechanism may be re-lated to the inhibition of SF remodeling mechanistic signaling pathway.
10.Evaluation of the reliability and validity of the Chinese listening self-efficacy questionnaire
Wenling JIANG ; Junyan ZHU ; Qian ZHOU ; Yuqi JIN ; Yan REN ; Haifeng LI ; Zhi-wu HUANG
Journal of Audiology and Speech Pathology 2025;33(2):134-139
Objective To develop and translate the Chinese listening self-efficacy questionnaire(C-LSEQ)and to test its reliability and validity.Methods A total of 172 subjects aged≥60 years with age-related hearing loss completed the C-LSEQ questionnaire via direct interviews.Pure tone hearing threshold test,Mandarin hearing in noise test,and the hearing handicap inventory for elderly-screening(HHIE-S)were evaluated.Twenty subjects were randomly selected from the original group to complete the C-LSEQ questionnaire in 2 weeks after the initial evaluation.Results ① Reliability:The Cronbach's a coefficients of the three sub-dimensions and the overall ques-tionnaire were all>0.8,and the test-retest reliability coefficients of the three sub-dimensions and the overall ques-tionnaire were all>0.9(P<0.001).② Validity:The experts collectively evaluated the representativeness of the statements with good content validity.The convergent validity test showed that the composite reliability(CR)of the 2 sub-dimensions and the overall questionnaire were all>0.7,and the average variance extracted(AVE)were all>0.5.The CR value of the complex listening dimension was 0.655,and the AVE value was 0.937.The criterion validity test showed that the overall questionnaire and the three sub-dimensions of the C-LSEQ were significantly correlated with the pure-tone average,speech recognition thresholds in noise,and HHIE-S(P<0.001).Conclusion The C-LSEQ exhibits stable structure,with good reliability and validity.It can be used to assess listen-ing self-efficacy in adults with hearing loss,especially in the elderly with age-related hearing loss.


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