1.Construction of a methodological system for medical humanities from the perspectives of ontology and epistemology
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(2):188-193
The construction of a methodological system for medical humanities is the inevitable path for medical humanities research towards maturity. In response to existing practical dilemmas in this field, such as the lack of disciplinary norms and the fragmentation of research methods, this paper systematically integrated the philosophical methodologies of phenomenology and hermeneutics from the theoretical dimensions of ontology and epistemology. Grounded in the disciplinary nature and characteristics of medical humanities, it also strived to construct a three-dimensional methodological system that included methodological principles, general research methods, and specific research techniques. It also emphasized returning to the pursuit of the essence of knowledge, advocating for “integrated methodology,” and flexibly selecting and organically integrating multiple research methods based on specific research questions. The aim was to provide researchers with a reference for method selection, enhance their methodological self-awareness, and offer essential theoretical support for establishing a research system with disciplinary autonomy.
2.Spermine Synthase : A Potential Prognostic Marker for Lower-Grade Gliomas
Chen LIU ; Hongqi LI ; Xiaolong HU ; Maohui YAN ; Zhiguang FU ; Hengheng ZHANG ; Yingjie WANG ; Nan DU
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(1):75-96
Objective:
: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).
Methods:
: A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway.
Results:
: The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased.
Conclusion
: High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.
3.Spermine Synthase : A Potential Prognostic Marker for Lower-Grade Gliomas
Chen LIU ; Hongqi LI ; Xiaolong HU ; Maohui YAN ; Zhiguang FU ; Hengheng ZHANG ; Yingjie WANG ; Nan DU
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(1):75-96
Objective:
: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).
Methods:
: A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway.
Results:
: The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased.
Conclusion
: High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.
4.Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis in Chronic Heart Failure and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention
Kun LIAN ; Peiyao LI ; Zhiguang SONG ; Jianhang ZHANG ; Junxian LEI ; Lin LI ; Zhixi HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(16):165-172
Chronic heart failure is the terminal stage of various cardiovascular diseases, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis is the turning point of decompensation. Studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could regulate apoptosis-related signaling pathways and factors and inhibit or up-regulate the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Thus, TCM can reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis, protect the myocardial tissue and improve the cardiac function, demonstrating remarkable clinical effects. In recent years, the research on the treatment of chronic heart failure based on the inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis is increasing and becomes the current research hotspot. On the basis of literature review, this paper discovers that TCM regulates apoptosis factors and multiple signaling pathways to inhibit apoptosis and inflammation and delay the progression of chronic heart failure through classical pathways such as the death receptor pathway, the mitochondrial pathway, and the endoplasmic reticulum pathway. At the same time, the studies in this field have the following problems: Repeated studies with shallow, simple, and fragmented contents, treating animal models with TCM prescriptions without syndrome differentiation, treating diseases with drugs at only one concentration which is insufficient to indicate efficacy, and lacking comprehensive, holistic, and systematic studies on the relationships of apoptosis with inflammatory responses, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy. In the future, more scientific, reasonable, comprehensive, and feasible experimental schemes should be designed on the basis of comprehensively mastering the research progress in this field, and the communication and cooperation between researchers in different disciplines should be strengthened. The specific pathological mechanism of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in chronic heart failure and the signaling pathways, active components, and action targets of TCM in inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis in chronic heart failure should be elucidated. Such efforts are expected to provide sufficient reference for the clinical treatment of chronic heart failure.
5.Spermine Synthase : A Potential Prognostic Marker for Lower-Grade Gliomas
Chen LIU ; Hongqi LI ; Xiaolong HU ; Maohui YAN ; Zhiguang FU ; Hengheng ZHANG ; Yingjie WANG ; Nan DU
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(1):75-96
Objective:
: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).
Methods:
: A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway.
Results:
: The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased.
Conclusion
: High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.
6.Spermine Synthase : A Potential Prognostic Marker for Lower-Grade Gliomas
Chen LIU ; Hongqi LI ; Xiaolong HU ; Maohui YAN ; Zhiguang FU ; Hengheng ZHANG ; Yingjie WANG ; Nan DU
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(1):75-96
Objective:
: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).
Methods:
: A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway.
Results:
: The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased.
Conclusion
: High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.
7.Preliminary clinical observations on endoscopic multi-band ligation for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease combined with esophageal hiatal hernia (with video)
Xue JIA ; Ying ZHAO ; Hongrui LI ; Shuaishuai FAN ; Guanlan LIU ; Zhiguang HU ; Haiqing HU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(3):229-235
Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of endoscopic multi-band ligation (EMBL) in the management of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD) combined with esophageal hiatal hernia (HH).Methods:This study was a prospective, multicenter, small-sample cohort study. Patients who were diagnosed as having RGERD combined with HH at Inner Mongolia Medical University Cancer Hospital and Inner Mongolia Medical University Hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were selected to undergo EMBL. The 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and high-resolution manometry (HRM) related indicators, gastroesophageal reflux index (GERI), gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GERD-Q) scores, and gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) scores were compared before and after the operation. The patient satisfaction and complications were also investigated.Results:A total of 25 patients were included, all of whom were successfully treated with EMBL. Reflux symptoms were relieved to varied degrees in all patients. There were no serious complications during or after the operation, such as perforation, bleeding, and dysphagia. Postoperative follow-up at 6 and 12 months showed a significant decrease in DeMeester scores [18.00 (5.83, 54.75) points, 16.30 (4.38, 60.00) points] compared to preoperative baseline [105.00 (60.80, 147.70) points, Z=-3.72, P<0.001; Z=-3.82, P<0.001]. The percentage of time of pH<4 [8.80 (6.10, 11.80)%, 8.95 (5.15, 10.90)%] significantly decreased compared to the baseline [31.15 (16.75, 54.75)%, Z=-3.72, P<0.001; Z=-3.72, P<0.001], the number of long refluxes [7.90 (4.93, 11.75) times, 6.90 (4.00, 10.75) times] significantly decreased compared to the baseline [33.00 (13.00, 43.00) times, Z=-3.82, P<0.001; Z=-3.58, P<0.001], and the number of acid refluxes (14.86±8.71 times, 12.93±5.51 times) significantly decreased compared to before (30.42±17.99 times, t=5.88, P<0.001; t=4.79, P<0.001). Lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure [9.70 (5.80, 19.58) mmHg, 11.70 (5.40, 19.78) mmHg] was significantly higher compared to before [4.70 (3.25, 7.00) mmHg, Z=-2.84, P<0.001; Z=-3.10, P<0.001]. GERD-Q scores (10.00±2.01 points, 9.43±1.74 points) were significantly higher compared to before (15.34±1.51 points, t=8.90, P<0.001; t=9.87, P<0.001), GERD-HRQL scores [7.00 (5.00, 7.75) points, 6.00 (5.75, 8.25) points] significantly decreased compared to preoperative baseline [13.50 (11.00, 21.25), Z=-3.73, P<0.001; Z=-3.72, P<0.001], and GERI (2.26%±1.58%, 2.07%±1.17%) significantly decreased compared to before (5.72%±2.27%, t=8.92, P<0.001; t=9.86, P<0.001). At 6 and 12 months postoperative follow-up, patient satisfaction [68.00% (15/25), 84.00% (21/25)] significantly increased compared to before [0.00% (0/25), Z=-4.63, P<0.001; Z=-6.48, P<0.001]. Conclusion:Preliminary small-sample study has shown that EMBL is safe, reliable and effective for the treatment of RGERD with HH.
8.Association of unhealthy dietary habits with cardiovascular disease and mortality in Chinese residents
Xinyue LANG ; Huihan YANG ; Lei LAN ; Guoliang HAN ; Bo HU ; Zhiguang LIU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(12):1626-1631
Objective To explore the potential impact of unhealthy diets on cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality.Methods This study included the individuals aged 35-70 years from 45 cities and 70 rural communities across 12 provinces in China,as part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology(PURE)study.Dietary habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire.The dietary health status was scored using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index(AHEI),with participants in the lowest tertile of AHEI being categorized into the unhealthy diet group,while others were classified as the healthy diet group.The primary endpoints included major cardiovas-cular diseases(myocardial infarction,stroke,or heart failure)and all-cause mortality.Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HR)for each group.Results A total of 40 925 participants were in-cluded in the study,with a median follow-up time of 11.9 years(interquartile range 9.6-12.6 years).During this period,2 066 deaths and 3 099 cases of major cardiovascular diseases were reported.The results showed that un-healthy diet increased the risk of major cardiovascular diseases by 10%(HR=1.10,95%CI:1.02-1.20,P<0.05)and all-cause mortality by 7%(HR=1.07,95%CI:1.00-1.18,P<0.05).Among male residents,un-healthy diet did not increase the risk of major cardiovascular diseases or all-cause mortality.However,among female residents,those with an unhealthy diet had a higher risk of major cardiovascular diseases(HR=1.12,95%CI:1.00-1.25,P<0.05)and all-cause mortality(HR=1.26,95%CI:1.08-1.46,P<0.05)compared to those with a healthy diet.Conclusions Unhealthy diet increases the risk of major cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality,particularly among women.There is a need to raise awareness about healthy dietary to prevent death and the occurrence of major cardiovascular diseases.
9.Association of unhealthy dietary habits with cardiovascular disease and mortality in Chinese residents
Xinyue LANG ; Huihan YANG ; Lei LAN ; Guoliang HAN ; Bo HU ; Zhiguang LIU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(12):1626-1631
Objective To explore the potential impact of unhealthy diets on cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality.Methods This study included the individuals aged 35-70 years from 45 cities and 70 rural communities across 12 provinces in China,as part of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology(PURE)study.Dietary habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire.The dietary health status was scored using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index(AHEI),with participants in the lowest tertile of AHEI being categorized into the unhealthy diet group,while others were classified as the healthy diet group.The primary endpoints included major cardiovas-cular diseases(myocardial infarction,stroke,or heart failure)and all-cause mortality.Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HR)for each group.Results A total of 40 925 participants were in-cluded in the study,with a median follow-up time of 11.9 years(interquartile range 9.6-12.6 years).During this period,2 066 deaths and 3 099 cases of major cardiovascular diseases were reported.The results showed that un-healthy diet increased the risk of major cardiovascular diseases by 10%(HR=1.10,95%CI:1.02-1.20,P<0.05)and all-cause mortality by 7%(HR=1.07,95%CI:1.00-1.18,P<0.05).Among male residents,un-healthy diet did not increase the risk of major cardiovascular diseases or all-cause mortality.However,among female residents,those with an unhealthy diet had a higher risk of major cardiovascular diseases(HR=1.12,95%CI:1.00-1.25,P<0.05)and all-cause mortality(HR=1.26,95%CI:1.08-1.46,P<0.05)compared to those with a healthy diet.Conclusions Unhealthy diet increases the risk of major cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality,particularly among women.There is a need to raise awareness about healthy dietary to prevent death and the occurrence of major cardiovascular diseases.
10.Preliminary clinical observations on endoscopic multi-band ligation for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease combined with esophageal hiatal hernia (with video)
Xue JIA ; Ying ZHAO ; Hongrui LI ; Shuaishuai FAN ; Guanlan LIU ; Zhiguang HU ; Haiqing HU
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(3):229-235
Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of endoscopic multi-band ligation (EMBL) in the management of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD) combined with esophageal hiatal hernia (HH).Methods:This study was a prospective, multicenter, small-sample cohort study. Patients who were diagnosed as having RGERD combined with HH at Inner Mongolia Medical University Cancer Hospital and Inner Mongolia Medical University Hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were selected to undergo EMBL. The 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and high-resolution manometry (HRM) related indicators, gastroesophageal reflux index (GERI), gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GERD-Q) scores, and gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) scores were compared before and after the operation. The patient satisfaction and complications were also investigated.Results:A total of 25 patients were included, all of whom were successfully treated with EMBL. Reflux symptoms were relieved to varied degrees in all patients. There were no serious complications during or after the operation, such as perforation, bleeding, and dysphagia. Postoperative follow-up at 6 and 12 months showed a significant decrease in DeMeester scores [18.00 (5.83, 54.75) points, 16.30 (4.38, 60.00) points] compared to preoperative baseline [105.00 (60.80, 147.70) points, Z=-3.72, P<0.001; Z=-3.82, P<0.001]. The percentage of time of pH<4 [8.80 (6.10, 11.80)%, 8.95 (5.15, 10.90)%] significantly decreased compared to the baseline [31.15 (16.75, 54.75)%, Z=-3.72, P<0.001; Z=-3.72, P<0.001], the number of long refluxes [7.90 (4.93, 11.75) times, 6.90 (4.00, 10.75) times] significantly decreased compared to the baseline [33.00 (13.00, 43.00) times, Z=-3.82, P<0.001; Z=-3.58, P<0.001], and the number of acid refluxes (14.86±8.71 times, 12.93±5.51 times) significantly decreased compared to before (30.42±17.99 times, t=5.88, P<0.001; t=4.79, P<0.001). Lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure [9.70 (5.80, 19.58) mmHg, 11.70 (5.40, 19.78) mmHg] was significantly higher compared to before [4.70 (3.25, 7.00) mmHg, Z=-2.84, P<0.001; Z=-3.10, P<0.001]. GERD-Q scores (10.00±2.01 points, 9.43±1.74 points) were significantly higher compared to before (15.34±1.51 points, t=8.90, P<0.001; t=9.87, P<0.001), GERD-HRQL scores [7.00 (5.00, 7.75) points, 6.00 (5.75, 8.25) points] significantly decreased compared to preoperative baseline [13.50 (11.00, 21.25), Z=-3.73, P<0.001; Z=-3.72, P<0.001], and GERI (2.26%±1.58%, 2.07%±1.17%) significantly decreased compared to before (5.72%±2.27%, t=8.92, P<0.001; t=9.86, P<0.001). At 6 and 12 months postoperative follow-up, patient satisfaction [68.00% (15/25), 84.00% (21/25)] significantly increased compared to before [0.00% (0/25), Z=-4.63, P<0.001; Z=-6.48, P<0.001]. Conclusion:Preliminary small-sample study has shown that EMBL is safe, reliable and effective for the treatment of RGERD with HH.

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