1.Phenomics of traditional Chinese medicine 2.0: the integration with digital medicine
Min Xu ; Xinyi Shao ; Donggeng Guo ; Xiaojing Yan ; Lei Wang ; Tao Yang ; Hao LIANG ; Qinghua PENG ; Lingyu Linda Ye ; Haibo Cheng ; Dayue Darrel Duan
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(3):282-299
		                        		
		                        			Abstract
		                        			Modern western medicine typically focuses on treating specific symptoms or diseases, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) emphasizes the interconnections of the body’s various systems under external environment and takes a holistic approach to preventing and treating diseases. Phenomics was initially introduced to the field of TCM in 2008 as a new discipline that studies the laws of integrated and dynamic changes of human clinical phenomes under the scope of the theories and practices of TCM based on phenomics. While TCM Phenomics 1.0 has initially established a clinical phenomic system centered on Zhenghou (a TCM definition of clinical phenome), bottlenecks remain in data standardization, mechanistic interpretation, and precision intervention. Here, we systematically elaborates on the theoretical foundations, technical pathways, and future challenges of integrating digital medicine with TCM phenomics under the framework of “TCM phenomics 2.0”, which is supported by digital medicine technologies such as artificial intelligence, wearable devices, medical digital twins, and multi-omics integration. This framework aims to construct a closed-loop system of “Zhenghou–Phenome–Mechanism–Intervention” and to enable the digitization, standardization, and precision of disease diagnosis and treatment. The integration of digital medicine and TCM phenomics not only promotes the modernization and scientific transformation of TCM theory and practice but also offers new paradigms for precision medicine. In practice, digital tools facilitate multi-source clinical data acquisition and standardization, while AI and big data algorithms help reveal the correlations between clinical Zhenghou phenomes and molecular mechanisms, thereby improving scientific rigor in diagnosis, efficacy evaluation, and personalized intervention. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including data quality and standardization issues, shortage of interdisciplinary talents, and insufficiency of ethical and legal regulations. Future development requires establishing national data-sharing platforms, strengthening international collaboration, fostering interdisciplinary professionals, and improving ethical and legal frameworks. Ultimately, this approach seeks to build a new disease identification and classification system centered on phenomes and to achieve the inheritance, innovation, and modernization of TCM diagnostic and therapeutic patterns.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Differential mRNA expression in fractional low-dose radiation-induced senescence of HBE cells
Lingyu ZHANG ; Weixu HUANG ; Yashi CAI ; Huixian LI ; Min ZHANG ; Changyong WEN ; Ping YANG ; Jianming ZOU ; Huifeng CHEN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(2):116-122
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the differentially expressed mRNAs and related biological processes and pathways in fractional low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR)-induced senescence of normal human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells by high-throughput mRNA sequencing and bioinformatics techniques. Methods Senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining and senescence-associated secretion phenotype gene mRNA and protein expression levels were measured at 24 and 48 h after irradiating HBE cells 7 times at doses of 0, 50, 100, and 200 mGy, respectively. The differentially expressed genes were screened by high-throughput sequencing for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Results The senescence-positive area of fractional low-dose irradiated HBE cells increased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels and protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) genes were increased in the 100 mGy × 7 and 200 mGy × 7 groups at 24 and 48 h after the end of irradiation compared with the control group. High-throughput sequencing showed that there were 882, 475, and 1205 differentially expressed mRNAs in each dose group compared with the control group. GO analysis showed that the differentially expressed mRNAs in each dose group were mainly enriched in biological processes such as cell cycle regulation, regulation of nitrogen compound metabolic process, regulation of cell division and response to stimulus. KEGG analysis showed that the differentially expressed mRNAs were mainly enriched in the pathways of cell cycle, cell senescence, and ferroptosis. Conclusion Fractional LDIR induced senescence in HBE cells, and differentially expressed mRNA-associated biological processes and pathways in senescent cells are related to cell cycle and cell senescence.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Researchon the training model of innovative talents in traditional Chinese medicine with the integration of science and education in local high-level universities
Lanwen GAO ; Ye GAO ; Ronghua ZHANG ; Li YANG ; Huan WANG ; Xiaoyun LI ; Lingyu LI ; Yu CAI
Modern Hospital 2024;24(1):127-129
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history and plays a decisive role in the fields of modern medicine and pharmacy.It is an important part of our country's traditional medicine.With the progress of the times,people are paying more and more attention to the innovation and development of traditional Chinese medicine.However,the current traditional Chinese medicine talents trained by major universities cannot meet the needs and requirements of society.This is closely related to the current talent training model of universities.Local high-level universities have unique advantages and potential in cultivating inno-vative talents in traditional Chinese medicine.They can incorporate traditional Chinese medicine culture with local characteristics into the teaching content and practical links of training traditional Chinese medicine talents,and build innovative traditional Chi-nese medicine talents integrating science and education.The training model is more conducive to cultivating top innovative talents that meet the needs of society and and the development of traditional Chinese medicine.This article analyzes and discusses how local high-level universities can develop innovative talent training models that suit the needs of traditional Chinese medicine by combining local characteristics and disciplinary advantages,so as to provide useful reference and inspiration for local high-level u-niversities in cultivating talents in traditional Chinese medicine.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Interaction Between Bruceoside B and Intestinal Flora and Its Inhibitory Effect on Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells
Lingyu SHI ; Wenmin WANG ; Yulin FENG ; Shilin YANG ; Yang WAN ; Daofeng CHEN ; Quan WEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(13):160-166
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the interaction between bruceoside B and gut microbiota and the inhibitory activity of its metabolites on human lung cancer A549 cells, and to explore the value of bruceoside B in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). MethodBruceoside B was co-incubated with the human gut microbiota under anoxic conditions in vitro, and ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to analyze the metabolic transformation products. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay was performed to determine the effects of bruceoside B and its metabolites on the proliferation of human lung cancer A549 cells and the half inhibitory concentration(IC50) was calculated. Five healthy male rats were gavaged with bruceoside B(2 mg·kg-1) for 7 days after adaptive feeding. The feces of rats were collected before and after administration. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to assess gut microbiota. ResultBruceoside B was mainly metabolized to brusatol by human gut microbiota, the IC50 of bruceoside B and the conversion product to A549 cells were 1 755.50, 19.57 μmol·L-1, respectively, and the conversion product had a better activity at inhibiting A549 cells proliferation than bruceoside B. Additionally, The results of intestinal flora analysis showed no significant differences in α diversity and β diversity of gut microbiota after administration. In terms of species abundance, at the phylum level, bruceoside B decreased the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria, increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Patescibacteria and Cyanobacteria. At the genus level, bruceoside B decreased the relative abundance of Staphylococcus, Aerococcus and Psychrobacter, increased the relative abundance of Romboutsia, Lactobacillus, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Norank-f-norank-o-Clostridia-UCG-014, Turicibacter, Allobaculum and Candidatus Saccharimonas. The results of functional prediction showed that the gut microbiota functional compositions were relatively stable. ConclusionBruceoside B can be deglycosylated by intestinal flora and converted into brusatol, with a significant increase in antitumor activity. The administration of bruceoside B will not cause significant changes in the structure and function of the intestinal flora, resulting in intestinal microecological balance disorders, and the administration appears to be beneficial to the intestinal flora of NSCLC patients. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Impacts of X-rays at varying doses on liver injury and oxidative stress in mice
Mingfang LI ; Lingyu ZHANG ; Lina CAI ; Sufen ZHANG ; Yashi CAI ; Yuhua YANG ; Huifeng CHEN ; Jianming ZOU ; Weixu HUANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2024;44(9):734-740
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the changes in liver injury and oxidative-antioxidant level in mice exposed to X-rays at varying doses.Methods:Fifty-four 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups, namely the control, 2 Gy irradiation, and 4 Gy irradiation groups. Then, each of the groups was further divided by days post-irradiation (i.e., 1, 3, and 7 d), and so nine sub-groups ( n = 6). After irradiation was performed as planned, all the mice were dissected and weighed, and their liver indexes were calculated to determine any histopathological changes in the liver. The peripheral blood cell count and the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were detected. Furthermore, spectrophotometry was also used to determine the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and the reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in liver tissues. Results:Compared to the control group, mice undergoing irradiation exhibited a significant reduction in body weight ( F = 84.03, 27.11, 25.50, P < 0.001), but significantly increased liver indexes ( F = 28.40, 17.75, P <0.001) at 1, 3, and 7 d post-irradiation. Pathological observations of these mice revealed liver injury, which proved related to dose and time course. The counts of leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes in peripheral blood decreased significantly ( F = 8.42-22.91, P < 0.05), trending downward with an increase in the radiation dose. For mice in the 4 Gy irradiation group, their AST and ALT levels increased significantly at 1 d post-irradiation ( H = 7.24, 7.82, P < 0.05), and their ALP levels rose notably at 1 and 3 d post-irradiation ( F = 11.86, 9.75, P < 0.05). Furthermore, their MDA and SOD levels initially rose and then dropped but their GSH levels exhibited an opposite trend at 1, 3, and 7 d post-irradiation. There was a positive correlation between their MDA levels in the liver and the degree of damage to histopathological lesions at 1, 3, and 7 d post-irradiation ( r = 0.30, P < 0.001). Conclusions:A model for radiation-induced liver injury of mice was preliminarily established in this study. It can be concluded that X-rays at varying doses affect the severity of liver injury, pathological grade, peripheral blood cell count, liver function index, and liver oxidative and antioxidant levels of mice, presenting a certain relationship between dose and time course effects.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Expression and significance of ubiquitin-specific proteases 20 and hypoxia inducible factor-1α in breast cancer
Lingyu FANG ; Jinghua HU ; Junfeng WEN ; Shiqi HAN ; Yali WANG ; Lulan PU ; Jingjia LI ; Yi YANG ; Shishan DENG ; Lingmi HOU ; Fangfang ZHOU
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(16):2270-2276
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the changes and significane of USP20 and HIF-α expression in breast cancer.Methods Following transfection of shRNA-USP20 lentivirus into breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells,the gene and protein expression levels of USP20 were detected using fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western Blot.Subsequently,the overexpression of USP20 was observed to determine its effect on HIF-α expression.Similarly,siRNA-USP20 was used to knock down USP20 in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells,followed by detection of gene and protein expression levels using fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western Blot.The subsequent changes in HIF-α expression were then examined.Rusults The positive expression rates of USP20 and HIF-α in breast cancer tissues were 69.6%and 46.83%,respectively,while they were negatively expressed in the adjacent normal tissues,with statistically significant differences(P<0.01).The positive expressions of USP20 and HIF-α were predomi-nantly observed in the cytoplasm of breast cancer tissue,with a smaller amount present in the nucleus.There was a significant positive correlation between USP20 and HIF-α in breast cancer.Following transfection of shRNA-USP20 lentivirus into MDA-MB-231 cells,both the protein and gene expression levels of USP20 significantly increased(P<0.01).Over-expression of USP20 did not affect HIF-α mRNA levels but led to a significant increase in HIF-α protein expression(P<0.01).Conversely,siRNA-USP20 interference resulted in a significant decrease in both the protein and gene expression levels of USP20(P<0.01),without affecting HIF-α mRNA levels;however,it caused a notable reduction in HIF-α protein expression(P<0.01).Conclusion The expression of USP20 exhib-ited a significant positive correlation with HIF-α in breast cancer.Overexpression of USP20 led to a substantial increase in HIF-α protein expression,while knock-down of the USP20 gene resulted in a significant decrease in HIF-α protein levels.Therefore,it can be inferred that USP20 may exert its influence on the development of breast cancer through modulation of HIF-α expression,thereby providing crucial experimental evidence for clinical treat-ment,prognosis,and further investigations.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Effects of electroacupuncture at Fengchi(GB20)on motor function and GFAP/NeuN expression around the ischemic tissue of the motor cortex in MCAO rats
Lüjia CHEN ; Lingyu HAO ; Yingjie ZHANG ; Mingshu XU ; Yanping YANG
Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science 2024;22(5):363-370
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the potential mechanism of electroacupuncture(EA)at bilateral Fengchi(GB20)in treating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and to provide a scientific basis for future experimental research and clinical applications. Methods:Forty male specific-pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:a normal group,a normal with EA group,a model group,and a model with EA group,with 10 rats in each group.The normal group received no intervention.The normal with EA group received EA at bilateral Fengchi(GB20).The model group underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)using the suture.The model with EA group underwent MCAO and received EA at bilateral Fengchi(GB20).Cerebral blood flow was monitored using a laser Doppler cerebral blood flow meter.Neurologic damage was assessed using the neurologic deficit score,and motor ability was observed using the CatWalk gait system.The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and neuronal nuclei(NeuN)protein,the neuron markers,was detected by Western blotting.The protein expression levels of GFAP and NeuN,as well as the number of positive cells in the motor cortex,were detected using immunofluorescence. Results:Compared to the normal group,the cerebral blood flow values in the model group and the model with EA group decreased by more than 50%during the modeling process(P<0.01)and returned to pre-modeling levels after reperfusion(P>0.05).The neurologic deficit score increased(P<0.05),the average motor velocity decreased(P<0.05),GFAP protein expression and the number of positive cells in the motor cortex increased(P<0.05),and the NeuN protein expression and the number of positive cells decreased(P<0.05)in the model group.Compared to the model group,the neurologic deficit score decreased(P<0.05),the average motor velocity accelerated(P<0.05),GFAP and NeuN protein expression and the number of positive cells in the motor cortex increased(P<0.01)in the model with EA group. Conclusion:EA at bilateral Fengchi(GB20)can reduce neuronal loss and increase GFAP and NeuN protein expression in the motor cortex of rats after ischemia-reperfusion,improve the motor function after ischemic stroke,and accelerate the recovery of balance and stability of the affected limbs.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Oxidative stress and its correlation with nuclear factor-κB and transforming growth factor-β1 in liver injury induced by different doses of X-rays in mice
Lina CAI ; Sufen ZHANG ; Weixu HUANG ; Lingyu ZHANG ; Yashi CAI ; Linqian ZHOU ; Weiyi KE ; Huifeng CHEN ; Yuhua YANG ; Ri’an YU
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2023;40(2):202-208
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Background Radiation-induced liver damage is a major complication for primary liver cancer and other upper abdominal tumors during radiation therapy. The early biological effects of radiation-induced liver damage at different doses of radiation and its mechanisms of action have not yet been elucidated. Objective To establish X-ray-induced radioactive mouse liver damage model and explore the level of oxidative stress and its correlation with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Methods A total of 24 male C57BL/6J mice aged 6 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups (control, 0.8 Gy, 1.6 Gy, and 4 Gy), with 6 mice in each group. X-rays irradiated the whole body of mice singly in each dose group. At 24 h after radiation, histopathological changes in mouse liver were evaluated; peripheral blood cell count, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, as well as liver tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, reduced glutathione (GSH) level, and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) level were measured; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect liver tissue NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1 mRNA expression levels; the correlations of oxidative stress indicators with NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1 mRNA expression levels were analyzed by Pearson correlation. Results Compared with the control group, at 24 h after different doses of X-ray radiation, early injury-related histopathological changes were observed in liver, and the serum levels of AST and ALT were significantly increased in the 4 Gy group (P<0.05); the numbers of peripheral blood leukocytes and lymphocytes were decreased in the radiation exposure groups (P<0.05), showing a decreasing trend with increasing radiation doses; the levels of liver oxidative stress indicators (MDA, SOD, and GSH) in exposed mice were significantly increased (P<0.05), showing an increasing trend with increasing radiation doses. The liver 8-OHdG were significantly increased in the 1.6 Gy and 4 Gy groups compared with the control and the 0.8 Gy groups, respectively (P<0.05). The NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1 mRNA expression levels in the liver of mice were significantly increased in the 1.6 Gy and 4 Gy groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). The TGF-β1 mRNA expression level also exhibited an increasing trend with increasing radiation doses. The results of correlation analysis showed that the levels of MDA, SOD, GSH, and 8-OHdG in liver tissues were significantly and positively correlated with the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1 mRNA (P<0.05). Conclusion X-rays of various doses can affect the degree of liver injury, peripheral blood cell count, serum levels of AST and ALT, and liver oxidative stress levels in mice. The level of oxidative stress induced by X-ray is positively correlated with NF-κB and TGF-β1 in liver tissues, and it may participate in the process of radiation-induced liver injury.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Effects and mechanism of Curcumin solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with flower-shaped lactose for inhalation on pulmonary inflammation in COPD model mice
Nan LI ; Xu LI ; Zi WANG ; Ping YANG ; Lingyu KONG
China Pharmacy 2023;34(14):1691-1696
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of curcumin (Cur) solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) loaded with flower-shaped lactose (Cur-SLN-FL) for lung inhalation on lung inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model mice. METHODS Firstly, the irritation of Cur-SLN-FL to lung tissue was investigated, and the local safety of inhalation materials was determined. Then, 10 mice were randomly selected and injected with normal saline through the trachea, and the other 50 mice were all injected with porcine trypsin solution (concentration of 33.3 mg/mL, dosage of 1.0 mL/kg) to induce the COPD model. After normal feeding for 28 days, the mice were divided into sham operation group, model group, budesonide group (20 mg/kg), Cur-SLN-FL high-dose and low-dose groups (100, 50 mg/kg), with 10 mice in each group. The corresponding drugs were given to each group, once a day, for 14 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice in each group was collected and the differential count of white blood cells was determined. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathology of the trachea and lung tissue in each group. Masson staining was used to detect collagen deposition in the lung tissue of mice in each group. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the positive expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domains-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3), caspase-1 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in lung tissue of mice. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and nuclear factor of kappa B(NF-κB) in lung tissue. RESULTS Cur-SLN-FL had no obvious pulmonary irritation. Compared with the sham operation group, the total number of white blood cells, neutrophils and eosinophils in BALF of the model group increased significantly, while the number of lymphocytes decreased significantly (P<0.05); ciliated columnar epithelium proliferated, thickened and exfoliated in the trachea, mucus accumulated in the cavity and interstitial inflammatory cells infiltrated in the lung tissue;the deposition of collagen fibers in lung tissue increased significantly, the positive expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β in lung tissue increased significantly, and the expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and NF-κB protein in lung tissue all increased significantly (P<0.05). After giving Cur-SLN-FL, the above indexes were all improved to certain extent. CONCLUSIONS Cur-SLN-FL can improve the pulmonary inflammatory reaction in COPD model mice,and its mechanism may be through regulating the NLRP3 signaling pathway, inhibiting the expressions of caspase-1, NF-κB and IL-1β, thus alleviating the process of pulmonary fibrosis in COPD model mice.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Effect of low frequency or high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia
Xueyan HU ; Xiaofeng JIANG ; Lei SHAN ; Lingyu YANG ; Yudong CHEN ; Lin MA ; Lixu LIU ; Tong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2023;29(3):249-255
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo explore the effect of low frequency or high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on right Broca's homologue in stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia. MethodsFrom January, 2019 to August, 2022, 80 inpatients in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were randomly divided into control group (n = 20), sham stimulation group (n = 20), low-frequency (1 Hz) rTMS (LF-rTMS) group (n = 20) and high-frequency (10 Hz) rTMS (HF-rTMS) group (n = 20). All the patients received routine language therapy. LF-rTMS group and HF-rTMS group received ten days of rTMS (1 Hz or 10 Hz), and the sham group received ten days of sham rTMS. The Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) was used to evaluate the language function before, after treatment, and two months after treatment. ResultsBefore treatment, there was no significant difference in the scores of WAB among four groups (P > 0.05). All the scores improved in the four groups immediately after treatment and two months after treatment (P < 0.05). Compared with immediately after treatment, all the scores of WAB improved in LF-rTMS group (P < 0.05), and the scores of recall, name and aphasia quotient (AQ) improved in HF-rTMS group (P < 0.05) two months after treatment. Immediately after treatment, the scores of content and fluency, auditory comprehension and AQ were higher in LF-rTMS group than in HF-rTMS group (P < 0.05). Two months after treatment, the scores of content and fluency were higher in LF-rTMS group than in HF-rTMS group (P < 0.05). ConclusionBoth 1 Hz and 10 Hz rTMS could improve the language function of stroke patients with nonfluent aphasia, especially 1 Hz. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail