1.Construction and Validation of a Large Language Model-Based Intelligent Pre-Consultation System for Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yiqing LIU ; Ying LI ; Hongjun YANG ; Linjing PENG ; Nanxing XIAN ; Kunning LI ; Qiwei SHI ; Hengyi TIAN ; Lifeng DONG ; Lin WANG ; Yuping ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(9):895-900
ObjectiveTo construct a large language model (LLM)-based intelligent pre-consultation system for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to improve efficacy of clinical practice. MethodsA TCM large language model was fine-tuned using DeepSpeed ZeRO-3 distributed training strategy based on YAYI 2-30B. A weighted undirected graph network was designed and an agent-based syndrome differentiation model was established based on relationship data extracted from TCM literature and clinical records. An agent collaboration framework was developed to integrate the TCM LLM with the syndrome differentiation model. Model performance was comprehensively evaluated by Loss function, BLEU-4, and ROUGE-L metrics, through which training convergence, text generation quality, and language understanding capability were assessed. Professional knowledge test sets were developed to evaluate system proficiency in TCM physician licensure content, TCM pharmacist licensure content, TCM symptom terminology recognition, and meridian identification. Clinical tests were conducted to compare the system with attending physicians in terms of diagnostic accuracy, consultation rounds, and consultation duration. ResultsAfter 100 000 iterations, the training loss value was gradually stabilized at about 0.7±0.08, indicating that the TCM-LLM has been trained and has good generalization ability. The TCM-LLM scored 0.38 in BLEU-4 and 0.62 in ROUGE-L, suggesting that its natural language processing ability meets the standard. We obtained 2715 symptom terms, 505 relationships between diseases and syndromes, 1011 relationships between diseases and main symptoms, and 1 303 600 relationships among different symptoms, and constructed the Agent of syndrome differentiation model. The accuracy rates in the simulated tests for TCM practitioners, licensed pharmacists of Chinese materia medica, recognition of TCM symptom terminology, and meridian recognition were 94.09%, 78.00%, 87.50%, and 68.80%, respectively. In clinical tests, the syndrome differentiation accuracy of the system reached 88.33%, with fewer consultation rounds and shorter consultation time compared to the attending physicians (P<0.01), suggesting that the system has a certain pre- consultation ability. ConclusionThe LLM-based intelligent TCM pre-diagnosis system could simulate diagnostic thinking of TCM physicians to a certain extent. After understanding the patients' natural language, it collects all the patient's symptom through guided questioning, thereby enhancing the diagnostic and treatment efficiency of physicians as well as the consultation experience of the patients.
2.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin Decoction in Treating Chronic Heart Failure with Qi and Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, and Blood Stasis
Yiming YAO ; Hongjun ZHU ; Yang ZHAO ; Man SHI ; Yujin GONG ; Yuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):151-158
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin decoction in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis. MethodsA total of 68 patients diagnosed with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type were randomly assigned to an observation group (34 cases) and a control group (34 cases). Both groups received conventional Western medical treatment, while the observation group was additionally administered Shengmai Jiuxin decoction. Parameters compared before and after treatment included: TCM syndrome score, TCM syndrome efficacy, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), Caspase-3, and the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. ResultsThere were no significant differences in sex, age, vital signs, or underlying diseases between the two groups. Compared with baseline, both groups exhibited significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores, NT-proBNP, and HIF-1α levels (P<0.01), as well as significant increases in 6MWD, LVEF, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group showed significantly greater reductions in TCM syndrome score, NT-proBNP, HIF-1α, and Caspase-3 levels compared with the control group (P<0.05) and significantly greater increases in 6MWD, TCM syndrome efficacy, and VEGF-A levels (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in NYHA functional classification, LVEF, or the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. No drug-related adverse events were reported in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionShengmai Jiuxin decoction can improve cardiac function and clinical symptoms in patients with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type. Its mechanisms may be related to the regulation of the HIF-1 signaling pathway by modulating targets such as HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3.
3.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin Decoction in Treating Chronic Heart Failure with Qi and Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, and Blood Stasis
Yiming YAO ; Hongjun ZHU ; Yang ZHAO ; Man SHI ; Yujin GONG ; Yuan WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):151-158
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and potential mechanism of Shengmai Jiuxin decoction in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pattern of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis. MethodsA total of 68 patients diagnosed with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type were randomly assigned to an observation group (34 cases) and a control group (34 cases). Both groups received conventional Western medical treatment, while the observation group was additionally administered Shengmai Jiuxin decoction. Parameters compared before and after treatment included: TCM syndrome score, TCM syndrome efficacy, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), six-minute walk distance (6MWD), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), Caspase-3, and the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. ResultsThere were no significant differences in sex, age, vital signs, or underlying diseases between the two groups. Compared with baseline, both groups exhibited significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores, NT-proBNP, and HIF-1α levels (P<0.01), as well as significant increases in 6MWD, LVEF, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3 levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the observation group showed significantly greater reductions in TCM syndrome score, NT-proBNP, HIF-1α, and Caspase-3 levels compared with the control group (P<0.05) and significantly greater increases in 6MWD, TCM syndrome efficacy, and VEGF-A levels (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the groups in NYHA functional classification, LVEF, or the number of rehospitalizations for heart failure within one month after discharge. No drug-related adverse events were reported in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionShengmai Jiuxin decoction can improve cardiac function and clinical symptoms in patients with ADHF of Qi and Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, and blood stasis type. Its mechanisms may be related to the regulation of the HIF-1 signaling pathway by modulating targets such as HIF-1α, VEGF-A, and Caspase-3.
4.Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Modified Sinisan in Ameliorating Anxiety-like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress in Mice
Jie ZHAO ; Zhengyu FANG ; He XIAO ; Na GUO ; Hongwei WU ; Hongjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):70-79
ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan (MSNS) in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, high-dose (2.4 g·kg-1) MSNS, medium-dose (1.2 g·kg-1) MSNS, low-dose (0.6 g·kg-1) MSNS, and positive control (fluoxetine, 2.6 mg·kg-1). Except the control group, the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and light/dark box (LDB) test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was adopted to identify differential metabolites (VIP>1.0, P<0.05). MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT (P<0.05), the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test (P<0.01), and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test (P<0.05), which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in the serum (P<0.01), and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups (P<0.05). UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group presented declined DA, GABA, 5-HIAA, 5-HT, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and raised Glu, NE, Kyn, and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose MSNS increased the GABA, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05) and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, TCA cycle, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes, including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation, TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization, and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways, and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, and TCA cycle.
5.Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Mechanism of Modified Sinisan in Ameliorating Anxiety-like Behaviors Induced by Chronic Restraint Stress in Mice
Jie ZHAO ; Zhengyu FANG ; He XIAO ; Na GUO ; Hongwei WU ; Hongjun YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):70-79
ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanism of modified Sinisan (MSNS) in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in mice at the metabolic level based on serum untargeted metabolomics and identify key metabolites and metabolic pathways regulated by MSNS. MethodsSeventy-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into six groups: control, model, high-dose (2.4 g·kg-1) MSNS, medium-dose (1.2 g·kg-1) MSNS, low-dose (0.6 g·kg-1) MSNS, and positive control (fluoxetine, 2.6 mg·kg-1). Except the control group, the other groups were subjected to CRS for the modeling of anxiety. Mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage 2 h before daily restraint for 14 days. Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated by the open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and light/dark box (LDB) test. Serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) were measured via ELISA to assess stress levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to detect 9 metabolites in the brain tissue and serum metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was adopted to identify differential metabolites (VIP>1.0, P<0.05). MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed reductions in the central activity time and central distance in the OFT (P<0.05), the proportions of open-arm residence time and open-arm residence times in the EPM test (P<0.01), and the proportions of open box activity time and open box activity distance in the LDB test (P<0.05), which were increased in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in the serum (P<0.01), and the elevations were diminished in the medium- and high-dose MSNS groups (P<0.05). UPLC-MS results indicated that compared with the control group, the model group presented declined DA, GABA, 5-HIAA, 5-HT, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) and raised Glu, NE, Kyn, and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, high-dose MSNS increased the GABA, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/Trp levels (P<0.05) and lowered the Glu and Kyn/Trp levels (P<0.05). Untargeted metabolomics identified that 16 CRS-induced metabolic disturbances were reversed by MSNS. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSNS primarily modulated eight core pathways including alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, TCA cycle, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism. The mechanisms involved multidimensional biological processes, including neurotransmitter homeostasis regulation, TCA cycle energy metabolism optimization, and inflammatory response suppression. ConclusionMSNS alleviates CRS-induced anxiety-like behaviors in mice by mitigating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity, improving hippocampal neurotransmitter and tryptophan metabolic pathways, and regulating alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, butyrate metabolism, arginine-proline metabolism, and TCA cycle.
6.miR-125b promotes EMT and metastasis via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human gastric cancer
Shuai CHANG ; Yao ZHAO ; Shunle LI ; Di ZHANG ; Li ZHANG ; Hongjun ZHAI ; Hong JI
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2024;45(5):718-725
Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of miR-125b promoting invasion,metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of gastric cancer cells.Methods The expression of miR-125b in gastric cancer and its adjacent tissues was studied by qRT-PCR.After upregulating or downregulating miR-125b in gastric cancer cells,the protein expressions of DKK3 and SERPINA4 were detected by Western blotting.Dual luciferase reporting assay was used to verify whether miR-125b can target DKK3 and SERPINA4.MKN45 cells were co-transfected with miR-125b inhibitor and target gene siRNA.Migration and invasion experiments were conducted to explore whether miR-125b can regulate the biological function of MKN45 cells through DKK3 and SERPINA4.Then,the regulatory mechanism of SRF on miR-125b was investigated.Finally,by in vivo experiments,the expression of SRF in gastric cancer cells was upregulated or downregulated by lentivirus transfection;the number of lung metastases in nude mice was detected to explore the effect of SRF on gastric cancer cell metastasis.Results In this study,the expression of miR-125b increased in gastric cancer tissues,which was correlated with clinical stage and lymph node metastasis.Dual luciferase reporting experiments showed that DKK3 and SERPINA4 were the direct targets of miR-125b in gastric cancer cells,and could activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,thereby promoting the transcription process of EMT-related transcription factors Twist1 and Slug,inducing the occurrence of EMT,and promoting the metastasis of gastric cancer.In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that SRF promoted the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells by positively regulating the expression of miR-125b.Conclusion Taken together,SRF/miR-125b axis promotes the EMT and metastasis of gastric cancer cells,and these regulators represent new potential therapeutic targets or biomarkers for gastric cancer.
7.Prevalence and 5-year mortality of dementia and association with geriatric syndromes in elderly population in Beijing
Shimin HU ; Fang LI ; Shaochen GUAN ; Chunxiu WANG ; Xiaowei SONG ; Hongjun LIU ; Jinghong MA ; Yan ZHAO ; Chunxiao LIU ; Huihui LI ; Yanlei ZHANG ; Jian WU ; Xianghua FANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2024;45(11):1573-1581
Objective:To investigate the prevalence and mortality of dementia and assess the impact of geriatric syndromes (GS) on the risk for dementia and death in elderly population in Beijing.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the elderly population aged ≥65 years and selected by a multi-stage sampling in Beijing during 2013-2015. Cognitive function was screened using the Chinese Revised Version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Then, neurological examination and psychiatric assessment were performed for those with the MMSE score lower than the cut-off value. The information about GS prevalence was also collected. The study also collected death records for all individuals from baseline until December 31, 2019. Based on the age and gender distribution from Beijing data of the 2010 Six th National Population Census, the dementia prevalence in the study population was directly standardized. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of different forms of dementia with GS, and Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio ( HR) and 95% CI of death. Results:During 2013-2015, a total of 2 935 individuals completed dementia assessments, of which 167 were diagnosed with dementia. The standardized prevalence of dementia was 5.9% (95% CI: 5.0%-17.4%). The individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) accounted for 58.7% and 28.1% of total individuals with dementia, respectively. Aging, lower education level, urinary incontinence, and fall were risk factors for AD, while disability of activity of daily life dependence, hypertension, and stroke were found to be risk factors for VaD. After a median follow-up of 5.44 person-years, 399 deaths were recorded. The 5-year mortality risk was 2.87 (95% CI: 1.92-4.17) times and 4.93 (95% CI: 3.23-7.53) times higher for the elderly individuals with AD and VaD, respectively, compared to non-demented individuals. After adjusting for demographic, GS, and cardiovascular risk factors, the mortality risk in the elderly individuals with AD showed no significant difference compared with non-demented individuals ( HR=1.32, 95% CI: 0.89-1.97), while the mortality risk in those with VaD was 2.46 (95% CI: 1.49-4.05) times higher than that in non-demented individuals. Conclusions:The prevalence of dementia in Beijing increased significantly in the context of population aging, especially the prevalence of AD. The presence of GS increased the risks for AD and VaD, as well as the risk for death. Close attention needs to be paid to GS management in dementia prevention in elderly population.
8.Interpretation of group standards for nursing care of patients with infusion of vasoactive agents
Yanyan YU ; Qingyin LI ; Xueqin GAO ; Xiaofeng KANG ; Zhuqing ZHONG ; Hongjun ZHANG ; Haiyan ZHANG ; Siqing DING ; Shumei ZHUANG ; Zhenjuan ZHAO ; Yaping LIU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2024;59(20):2444-2446
0n December 31,2021,the Chinese Nursing Association released the group standard"nursing care of patients with infusion of vasoactive agents(T/CNAS 22-2021)",which outlines the fundamental requirements for intravenous infusion of vasoactive drugs and standardizes the evaluation,administration,and monitoring.This article provides an interpretation of the key parts and sections of the standard to ensure nursing safety during the administration of vasoactive drugs,aiming to reduce complications.Additionally,it serves as a crucial reference for nurses during the administration of the medication.
9.Application progress of ROX index in evaluating the efficacy of pediatric high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(11):1230-1232
Respiratory support is one of the key technologies for treating pediatric respiratory diseases. High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) represents a novel method of assisted respiratory support. The commonly used indicator for assessing HFNC efficacy in clinical practice is oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2). However, this parameter has several limitations when evaluating the efficacy of HFNC in pediatrics. The ROX index, introduced in recent years, offers a more sensitive and specific assessment tool. This article reviews the application of the ROX index in assessing the efficacy of HFNC for pediatric respiratory failure, aiming to provide a more accurate assessment method.
10.Cigarette Smoke Extract-TreatedMouse Airway Epithelial Cells-Derived Exosomal LncRNA MEG3 Promotes M1 Macrophage Polarization and Pyroptosis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Upregulating TREM-1 via m6A Methylation
Lijing WANG ; Qiao YU ; Jian XIAO ; Qiong CHEN ; Min FANG ; Hongjun ZHAO
Immune Network 2024;24(2):e3-
Cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated mouse airway epithelial cells (MAECs)-derived exosomes accelerate the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by upregulating triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1); however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of CSE-treated MAECs-derived exosomes on M1 macrophage polarization and pyroptosis in COPD. In vitro, exosomes were extracted from CSE-treated MAECs, followed by co-culture with macrophages.In vivo, mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) to induce COPD, followed by injection or/and intranasal instillation with oe-TREM-1 lentivirus. Lung function and pathological changes were evaluated. CD68 + cell number and the levels of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β (M1 macrophage marker), and pyroptosis-related proteins (NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-1 recruitment domain, caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, gasdermin D [GSDMD], and GSDMD-N) were examined. The expression of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3), spleen focus forming virus proviral integration oncogene (SPI1), methyltransferase 3 (METTL3), and TREM-1 was detected and the binding relationships among them were verified. MEG3 increased N6-methyladenosine methylation of TREM-1 by recruiting SPI1 to activate METTL3. Overexpression of TREM-1 or METTL3 negated the alleviative effects of MEG3 inhibition on M1 polarization and pyroptosis. In mice exposed to CS, EXO−CSE further aggravated lung injury, M1 polarization, and pyroptosis, which were reversed by MEG3 inhibition. TREM-1 overexpression negated the palliative effects of MEG3 inhibition on COPD mouse lung injury. Collectively, CSE-treated MAECs-derived exosomal long non-coding RNA MEG3 may expedite M1 macrophage polarization and pyroptosis in COPD via the SPI1/METTL3/TREM-1 axis.

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