1.Integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) based effectiveness evaluation of a multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine formula: Taking Xiaoyao San as an example
Caiping HE ; Ye LUO ; Zhiqi LI ; Haocheng YANG ; Lu LIU ; Yingjie XU ; Xiaoyan CHEN ; Siqi HUANG ; Jincai WEN ; Xiaoyan ZHAN ; Zhaofang BAI ; Xu ZHAO ; Xiaohe XIAO
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(1):96-103
The study focuses on the concept of multifunctional traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas and aims to evaluate the efficacy of the classical formula Xiaoyao San (逍遥散). Study employs the integrated evidence chain (Eff-iEC) method to organize, integrate, and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in treating different diseases with the same therapy, and to investigate the feasibility of using Eff-iEC to evaluate the multifunctionality of TCM formulas. The evaluation covered Xiaoyao San's therapeutic effects on depression, premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Concurrently, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used for evaluation, and authoritative medical documents were incorporated to corroborate the recognition of Xiaoyao San within the medical community. Depression and menopausal syndrome received higher ratings than other conditions in the Eff-iEC, GRADE, and Medical Community Recognition assessments. The Eff-iEC evidence grade for Xiaoyao San was rated as "High" or above for chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, and menopausal syndrome. Premenstrual syndrome received a "Moderate +" rating. The GRADE evidence level was "Low-〇〇⨁⨁" for depression, premenstrual syndrome, and chronic hepatitis; "Moderate-〇⨁⨁⨁" for dyspepsia and menopausal syndrome; and "Very Low-〇〇〇⨁" for irritable bowel syndrome. Depression and menopausal syndrome had the highest inclusion frequency, appearing in all 4 categories. Premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, and dyspepsia are not recommended in Western medical guidelines, but they are included in TCM guidelines, the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List, and the China National Essential Drug List. Irritable bowel syndrome appears only in the China National Basic Medical Insurance Drug List and China National Essential Drug List. The evaluation results obtained using the Eff-iEC method align with Medical Community Recognition, providing an objective and comprehensive assessment of Xiaoyao San's efficacy. The findings suggest that Xiaoyao San has strong evidence for treating depression and menopausal syndrome. However, further experimental and clinical trials are needed to assess its efficacy in treating premenstrual syndrome, chronic hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia. These results support the clinical efficacy and rational use of Xiaoyao San, expand the application scope of the Eff-iEC method, and offer valuable insights and methodological references for the comparative evaluation of multifunctional TCM formulas.
2.Construction of PD-L1hitol-DC derived from bone marrow of DA rats and identification of its immunological function
Zhiqi YANG ; Peibo HOU ; Lang WU ; Jing LIU ; Yang DING ; Minghao LI
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(1):83-90
Objective To construct programmed cell death protein-ligand 1(PD-LI)hi tolerogenic dendritic cell (tol-DC) derived from bone marrow of DA rats and identify its immunological function. Methods DA rat bone marrow cells were extracted, combined with recombinant mouse granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and recombinant mouse interleukin (IL)-4, and cultured for 6 days in vitro to induce the differentiation of bone marrow cells into immature dendritic cells (imDC). Lipopolysaccharide was used to stimulate cell maturation and cultured for 2 days to collect mature dendritic cells (mDC). PD-L1 lentiviral vector virus stock solution or equivalent dose lentiviral stock solution was added, and PD-L1hitol-DC and Lv-imDC were collected after culture for 2 days. The morphology of PD-L1hitol-DC was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope and transmission electron microscope. Real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression level of specific markers on cell surface. CD8+T cells derived from Lewis rat spleen were co-cultured with imDC, mDC, Lv-imDC and PD-L1hitol-DC, respectively. The levels of inflammatory factors in the supernatant of each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The apoptosis of T cells and the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Treg) in each group were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The morphology of PD-L1hitol-DC modified by PD-L1 gene was consistent with tol-DC characteristics, and the expression levels of CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on the surface were low. After mixed culture with CD8+ T cells, the levels of IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF) -β1 in the supernatant of PD-L1hitol-DC group were higher, the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α and IL-17A were lower, and the apoptosis of T cells and Treg differentiation were increased. Conclusions Overexpression of PD-L1 through lentiviral vectors may successfully induce the construction of bone-marrow derived PD-L1hitol-DC in DA rats, promote the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors and T cell apoptosis, induce the differentiation of Treg, and inhibit the immune response of allogeneic CD8+T cells, which provides experimental basis for the next organ transplantation immune tolerance study.
3.Assessment of glymphatic system function in mild traumatic brain injury patients based on diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space index
Guihan YANG ; Xiaofeng CHEN ; Junliang DENG ; Yulin LIN ; Liqiang DAI ; Xiangguang CHEN ; Zhiqi YANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(4):544-548
Objective To investigate the function of glymphatic system in patients with mild traumatic brain injury via diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS)index and its relationship with clinical features.Methods The clinical and imaging data from 163 patients with mild traumatic brain injury were retrospectively collected,including 31 cases with MRI-negative findings and 132 cases with MRI-positive findings.In addition,29 healthy individuals underwent physical examinations were included as a control group.The differences in DTI-ALPS index and clinical features between mild traumatic brain injury and control group,as well as among subgroups of traumatic brain injury were analyzed.Results The DTI-ALPS index in patients with mild traumatic brain injury were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that DTI-ALPS index of traumatic brain injury patients with MRI-negative findings and MRI-positive findings were all significantly higher than those of control group(P=0.023 and 0.004,respectively).Compared to control group,DTI-ALPS index in mild traumatic brain injury patients gradually increased with the progression of injury,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.008).Conclusion Patients with mild traumatic brain injury exhibit increased functional activity of glymphatic system,as indicated by increased DTI-ALPS index,which further increase with the progression of injury.
4.Diagnostic value of combined model based on clinicopathological and MRI features in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer
Hao ZHANG ; Xiaohong CHEN ; Xinwei ZHONG ; Yi CHEN ; Bowen YUE ; Shourang CHEN ; Wenzhong HOU ; Zhiqi YANG ; Xiaofeng CHEN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(2):246-250
Objective To explore the diagnostic value of a combined model based on clinicopathological and MRI features in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.Methods The data of 132 patients with ovarian cancer who underwent pathology and BRCA gene tes-ting were analyzed retrospectively,including 52 cases of BRCA mutation group and 80 cases of BRCA wild group.The differences of MRI features and clinicopathological features between BRCA mutation group and BRCA wild group were compared.Binary logistic regression was used to construct a joint prediction model and analyze its diagnostic efficiency.Results There were significant differ-ences in cytokeratin 7(CK7),estrogen receptor(ER),Ki-67 and lymphovascular invasion(LVI)between the BRAC mutation group and the BRAC wild group(P<0.05).Univariate analysis showed that CK7,ER,Ki-67,LVI and the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value of the cystic part of tumor were risk factors for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.The combined model based on CK7,ER,Ki-67,LVI,and the ADC value of the cystic part of tumor for the diagnosis of BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer had an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.765.Conclusion CK7,ER,Ki-67,LVI and the ADC value of the cystic part of tumor are risk factors for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.The combined model based on the above characteristics demonstrates good diagnostic efficacy for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.
5.Assessment of glymphatic system function in mild traumatic brain injury patients based on diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space index
Guihan YANG ; Xiaofeng CHEN ; Junliang DENG ; Yulin LIN ; Liqiang DAI ; Xiangguang CHEN ; Zhiqi YANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(4):544-548
Objective To investigate the function of glymphatic system in patients with mild traumatic brain injury via diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS)index and its relationship with clinical features.Methods The clinical and imaging data from 163 patients with mild traumatic brain injury were retrospectively collected,including 31 cases with MRI-negative findings and 132 cases with MRI-positive findings.In addition,29 healthy individuals underwent physical examinations were included as a control group.The differences in DTI-ALPS index and clinical features between mild traumatic brain injury and control group,as well as among subgroups of traumatic brain injury were analyzed.Results The DTI-ALPS index in patients with mild traumatic brain injury were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that DTI-ALPS index of traumatic brain injury patients with MRI-negative findings and MRI-positive findings were all significantly higher than those of control group(P=0.023 and 0.004,respectively).Compared to control group,DTI-ALPS index in mild traumatic brain injury patients gradually increased with the progression of injury,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.008).Conclusion Patients with mild traumatic brain injury exhibit increased functional activity of glymphatic system,as indicated by increased DTI-ALPS index,which further increase with the progression of injury.
6.Predicting BRCA-mutated breast cancer based on a combined clinicopathological and multiparametric MRI features model
Xiaohong CHEN ; Zhiqi YANG ; Bowen YUE ; Yi CHEN ; Jianhui LI ; Xinwei ZHONG ; Hao ZHANG ; Xinhong LIANG ; Weixiong FAN ; Xiaofeng CHEN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(7):1139-1143
Objective To explore the efficacy of a model combining clinicopathological characteristics and multiparametric MRI features for predicting BRCA-mutated breast cancer(BC).Methods A total of 256 BC patients were retrospectively selected and divided into BRCA mutation group(116 cases)and BRCA wild group(140 cases)based on the BRCA results.Chi-square tests or independ-ent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and multiparametric MRI features between the BRCA mutation group and the wild group.Risk factors for BRCA-mutated BC were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression ananlyses,and a combined predictive model was constructed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to ana-lyze the diagnostic efficacy of the model.Results There were statistically significant differences in T stage,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2),Ki-67,non-mass enhancement,enhancement pattern,time-signal intensity curve(TIC)type,and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values between the BRCA mutation group and the wild group.Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,non-mass enhancement,enhancement pattern,TIC type,and ADC values were risk factors for BRCA-mutated BC(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,enhancement pattern,and TIC type were independent risk factors for BRCA-mutated BC(P<0.05).The combined model incorporating T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,enhancement pattern,and TIC type had the best diagnostic efficacy in predicting BRCA-mutated BC,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.751.Conclusion The combined model integrating T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,enhancement pattern,and TIC type has good efficacy in predicting BRCA-mutated BC.
7.Diffusion tensor imaging analysis index along the perivascular space for assessing age-related functional changes in glymphatic system
Xiaofeng CHEN ; Hao ZHANG ; Yulin LIN ; Jiada YANG ; Xiaoli XIONG ; Jialin WU ; Weixiong FAN ; Zhiqi YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(10):1659-1662
Objective To explore the value of diffusion tensor imaging analysis index along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS)for assessing age-related functional changes in glymphatic system(GS).Methods Totally 27 healthy subjects from Meizhou People's Hospital and 100 healthy subjects from neuroimaging informatics tools and resources collaborator database who underwent T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo(T1-MPRAGE)and DTI scanning were retrospectively enrolled and divided into youth group(n=38),middle-aged group(n=57)and elderly group(n=32).Automated DTI-ALPS index analysis procedure was used to minimize manual errors and derive DTI-ALPS index.The general data,neuropsychological assessment results and DTI-ALPS indices were compared among groups.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to observe the relationships of DTI-ALPS index and age,gender,as well as neuropsychological scores.Results The average age in youth group,middle-aged group and elderly group was(28.5±5.8),(53.7±6.8)and(73.8±2.3)years,respectively.No significant difference of DTI-ALPS index was found between middle-aged group and elderly group(P>0.05),which were both lower than that in youth group(both P<0.05).DTI-ALPS index was weakly negatively correlated with age(rs=-0.340,P<0.001),but not significantly correlated with gender nor neuropsychological assessment results(both P>0.05).Conclusion DTI-ALPS index was negatively correlated with age in healthy individuals,hence having potential utility for assessing age-related functional changes in GS.
8.Predicting BRCA-mutated breast cancer based on a combined clinicopathological and multiparametric MRI features model
Xiaohong CHEN ; Zhiqi YANG ; Bowen YUE ; Yi CHEN ; Jianhui LI ; Xinwei ZHONG ; Hao ZHANG ; Xinhong LIANG ; Weixiong FAN ; Xiaofeng CHEN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(7):1139-1143
Objective To explore the efficacy of a model combining clinicopathological characteristics and multiparametric MRI features for predicting BRCA-mutated breast cancer(BC).Methods A total of 256 BC patients were retrospectively selected and divided into BRCA mutation group(116 cases)and BRCA wild group(140 cases)based on the BRCA results.Chi-square tests or independ-ent sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and multiparametric MRI features between the BRCA mutation group and the wild group.Risk factors for BRCA-mutated BC were identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression ananlyses,and a combined predictive model was constructed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to ana-lyze the diagnostic efficacy of the model.Results There were statistically significant differences in T stage,human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2),Ki-67,non-mass enhancement,enhancement pattern,time-signal intensity curve(TIC)type,and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values between the BRCA mutation group and the wild group.Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,non-mass enhancement,enhancement pattern,TIC type,and ADC values were risk factors for BRCA-mutated BC(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,enhancement pattern,and TIC type were independent risk factors for BRCA-mutated BC(P<0.05).The combined model incorporating T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,enhancement pattern,and TIC type had the best diagnostic efficacy in predicting BRCA-mutated BC,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.751.Conclusion The combined model integrating T stage,HER-2,Ki-67,enhancement pattern,and TIC type has good efficacy in predicting BRCA-mutated BC.
9.Diagnostic value of combined model based on clinicopathological and MRI features in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer
Hao ZHANG ; Xiaohong CHEN ; Xinwei ZHONG ; Yi CHEN ; Bowen YUE ; Shourang CHEN ; Wenzhong HOU ; Zhiqi YANG ; Xiaofeng CHEN
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(2):246-250
Objective To explore the diagnostic value of a combined model based on clinicopathological and MRI features in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.Methods The data of 132 patients with ovarian cancer who underwent pathology and BRCA gene tes-ting were analyzed retrospectively,including 52 cases of BRCA mutation group and 80 cases of BRCA wild group.The differences of MRI features and clinicopathological features between BRCA mutation group and BRCA wild group were compared.Binary logistic regression was used to construct a joint prediction model and analyze its diagnostic efficiency.Results There were significant differ-ences in cytokeratin 7(CK7),estrogen receptor(ER),Ki-67 and lymphovascular invasion(LVI)between the BRAC mutation group and the BRAC wild group(P<0.05).Univariate analysis showed that CK7,ER,Ki-67,LVI and the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value of the cystic part of tumor were risk factors for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.The combined model based on CK7,ER,Ki-67,LVI,and the ADC value of the cystic part of tumor for the diagnosis of BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer had an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.765.Conclusion CK7,ER,Ki-67,LVI and the ADC value of the cystic part of tumor are risk factors for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.The combined model based on the above characteristics demonstrates good diagnostic efficacy for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.
10.Diffusion tensor imaging analysis index along the perivascular space for assessing age-related functional changes in glymphatic system
Xiaofeng CHEN ; Hao ZHANG ; Yulin LIN ; Jiada YANG ; Xiaoli XIONG ; Jialin WU ; Weixiong FAN ; Zhiqi YANG
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(10):1659-1662
Objective To explore the value of diffusion tensor imaging analysis index along the perivascular space(DTI-ALPS)for assessing age-related functional changes in glymphatic system(GS).Methods Totally 27 healthy subjects from Meizhou People's Hospital and 100 healthy subjects from neuroimaging informatics tools and resources collaborator database who underwent T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo(T1-MPRAGE)and DTI scanning were retrospectively enrolled and divided into youth group(n=38),middle-aged group(n=57)and elderly group(n=32).Automated DTI-ALPS index analysis procedure was used to minimize manual errors and derive DTI-ALPS index.The general data,neuropsychological assessment results and DTI-ALPS indices were compared among groups.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to observe the relationships of DTI-ALPS index and age,gender,as well as neuropsychological scores.Results The average age in youth group,middle-aged group and elderly group was(28.5±5.8),(53.7±6.8)and(73.8±2.3)years,respectively.No significant difference of DTI-ALPS index was found between middle-aged group and elderly group(P>0.05),which were both lower than that in youth group(both P<0.05).DTI-ALPS index was weakly negatively correlated with age(rs=-0.340,P<0.001),but not significantly correlated with gender nor neuropsychological assessment results(both P>0.05).Conclusion DTI-ALPS index was negatively correlated with age in healthy individuals,hence having potential utility for assessing age-related functional changes in GS.

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