1.Study on the role of sex hormones and prolactin induced proteins in keratoconus
Zhaoqian CHEN ; Wenfang ZHANG ; Lu GAO ; Nina ZHANG ; Jixin LI
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):410-415
Keratoconus(KC)is a blinding eye disease caused by a variety of factors, with its pathogenesis still not well understood. In recent years, it has been discovered that sex hormones and prolactin-induced protein(PIP)have a profound impact on the cornea, with more noticeable changes when there are abnormalities in their body content. It has been found that various sex hormone receptors are distributed in the cornea. Based on this, this article reviews a multitude of studies on how sex hormones and PIP affect the cornea, along with relevant clinical research. It has been observed that sex hormones and PIP also play a role in KC patients and influence the occurrence and progression of KC. Additionally, it has been noted that pregnant and lactating women may be more susceptible to KC. Sex hormones and PIP have the potential to become new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. This article not only provides new insights but also offers important references for clinical practice.
2.Study on the role of sex hormones and prolactin induced proteins in keratoconus
Zhaoqian CHEN ; Wenfang ZHANG ; Lu GAO ; Nina ZHANG ; Jixin LI
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):410-415
Keratoconus(KC)is a blinding eye disease caused by a variety of factors, with its pathogenesis still not well understood. In recent years, it has been discovered that sex hormones and prolactin-induced protein(PIP)have a profound impact on the cornea, with more noticeable changes when there are abnormalities in their body content. It has been found that various sex hormone receptors are distributed in the cornea. Based on this, this article reviews a multitude of studies on how sex hormones and PIP affect the cornea, along with relevant clinical research. It has been observed that sex hormones and PIP also play a role in KC patients and influence the occurrence and progression of KC. Additionally, it has been noted that pregnant and lactating women may be more susceptible to KC. Sex hormones and PIP have the potential to become new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. This article not only provides new insights but also offers important references for clinical practice.
3.Effects of PD-1 monoclonal antibody combined with chemotherapy on lymphocyte subsets and their correlation with treatment efficacy and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer
LYU Qingfang ; ZHANG Peng ; LI Guixiang
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(1):73-78
[摘 要] 目的:探索淋巴细胞亚群对非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者接受程序性死亡受体1(PD-1)单抗联合化疗的疗效预测及预后评估的价值。方法:回顾性分析2022年1月至2023年12月在兰州大学第二医院确诊的接受PD-1单抗联合化疗的50例NSCLC患者的临床资料,收集患者治疗前及治疗2周期后的外周血淋巴细胞亚群(包括总T细胞、CD4+ T细胞、CD8+ T细胞、NK细胞、总B淋巴细胞、CD4+/CD8+ T细胞比值等)的数据。治疗2周期后进行影像学检查评价治疗的疗效,分为疾病控制(DC)组和疾病进展(PD)组。使用卡方检验、秩和检验和Logistic回归分析淋巴细胞亚群表达水平与NSCLC患者近期疗效的关系,采用Kaplan-Meier法分析无进展生存期(PFS)预测疗效的价值。结果:PD-1单抗联合化疗对NSCLC患者的免疫状态产生了显著影响,接受免疫联合化疗后,患者外周血CD4+ T细胞、CD4+/CD8+ T细胞比值均显著升高(均P < 0.01),CD8+ T细胞下降。近期疗效显示,DC组患者血清CD4+ T细胞比例及CD4+/CD8+ T细胞比值均高于PD组(均P < 0.01)。Logistic多因素分析显示,CD4+/CD8+ T细胞比值是PD-1单抗联合化疗疗效的独立影响因素。通过ROC曲线分析,CD4+/CD8+ T细胞比值变化量AUC为0.820 > 0.5,截断值为0.15,CD4+/CD8+ T细胞比值变化量 ≥ 0.15的患者的PFS更长。结论:晚期NSCLC患者外周血中CD4+ T细胞和CD8+ T细胞比例、CD4+/CD8+ T细胞比值可以预测PD-1单抗联合化疗的疗效和预后。
4.Outcome Indicators in Randomized Controlled Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Ulcerative Colitis
Yasheng DENG ; Lanfang MAO ; Jiang LIN ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Jinzhong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):245-251
To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention in ulcerative colitis (UC), and analyze the characteristics of these studies and their outcome indicators, thereby providing references for the design of future RCTs of TCM intervention in UC and offering evidence supporting the clinical application of TCM in UC. A computerized search was conducted in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science databases for RCTs of TCM intervention in UC published from January 2021 to August 2024. The risk of bias was assessed, and outcome indicators were qualitatively analyzed. A total of 555 RCTs were included, with a sample size of 44 853 participants. The largest sample size was 218 cases, and the smallest was 28 cases, with most studies focusing on 60-100 participants. Of the 386 RCTs that explicitly reported TCM syndrome types, the top three were large intestine dampness-heat syndrome (31.05%), spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome (12.47%), and spleen deficiency with dampness syndrome (9.17%). The interventions, ranked by frequency of use, included internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations (64.5%), Chinese medicine compounds/preparations with retained enema (18.2%), internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations + external TCM treatment (5.95%), and external TCM treatment alone (4.86%). The treatment duration was mainly 4-8 weeks (64.86%), with 61 studies (10.99%) reporting follow-up time. A total of 157 outcome indicators were used, with a frequency of 3 460 occurrences, classified into six domains: TCM syndromes and symptoms (346 occurrences, 10%), symptoms/signs (541 occurrences, 15.64%), physical and chemical examinations (2 119 occurrences, 61.24%), quality of life (107 occurrences, 3.09%), long-term prognosis (61 occurrences, 1.76%), and safety events (284 occurrences, 8.21%). The analysis reveals several limitations in the outcome indicators of TCM intervention in UC, including the lack of a basis for sample size calculation, non-standardized TCM syndrome classification, absence of trial design and registration, inadequate blinding and allocation concealment, adherence issues with interventions, imbalanced selection of surrogate and endpoint indicators, inconsistency in the timing of outcome measurements, design issues that require standardization, and ethical and safety concerns. It is recommended that future studies actively construct a set of core indicators for UC that include standardized TCM syndrome classification, clear efficacy evaluation indicators, key endpoint indicators, and reasonable measurement time points. Long-term prognostic impacts, comprehensive assessments of patients' quality of life, and consideration of economic benefits should be emphasized, providing a basis for the clinical practice of TCM in the treatment of UC.
5.Outcome Indicators in Randomized Controlled Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Ulcerative Colitis
Yasheng DENG ; Lanfang MAO ; Jiang LIN ; Yanping FAN ; Wenyue LI ; Yonghui LIU ; Zhaobing NI ; Jinzhong YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):245-251
To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention in ulcerative colitis (UC), and analyze the characteristics of these studies and their outcome indicators, thereby providing references for the design of future RCTs of TCM intervention in UC and offering evidence supporting the clinical application of TCM in UC. A computerized search was conducted in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, and Web of Science databases for RCTs of TCM intervention in UC published from January 2021 to August 2024. The risk of bias was assessed, and outcome indicators were qualitatively analyzed. A total of 555 RCTs were included, with a sample size of 44 853 participants. The largest sample size was 218 cases, and the smallest was 28 cases, with most studies focusing on 60-100 participants. Of the 386 RCTs that explicitly reported TCM syndrome types, the top three were large intestine dampness-heat syndrome (31.05%), spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome (12.47%), and spleen deficiency with dampness syndrome (9.17%). The interventions, ranked by frequency of use, included internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations (64.5%), Chinese medicine compounds/preparations with retained enema (18.2%), internal Chinese medicine compounds/preparations + external TCM treatment (5.95%), and external TCM treatment alone (4.86%). The treatment duration was mainly 4-8 weeks (64.86%), with 61 studies (10.99%) reporting follow-up time. A total of 157 outcome indicators were used, with a frequency of 3 460 occurrences, classified into six domains: TCM syndromes and symptoms (346 occurrences, 10%), symptoms/signs (541 occurrences, 15.64%), physical and chemical examinations (2 119 occurrences, 61.24%), quality of life (107 occurrences, 3.09%), long-term prognosis (61 occurrences, 1.76%), and safety events (284 occurrences, 8.21%). The analysis reveals several limitations in the outcome indicators of TCM intervention in UC, including the lack of a basis for sample size calculation, non-standardized TCM syndrome classification, absence of trial design and registration, inadequate blinding and allocation concealment, adherence issues with interventions, imbalanced selection of surrogate and endpoint indicators, inconsistency in the timing of outcome measurements, design issues that require standardization, and ethical and safety concerns. It is recommended that future studies actively construct a set of core indicators for UC that include standardized TCM syndrome classification, clear efficacy evaluation indicators, key endpoint indicators, and reasonable measurement time points. Long-term prognostic impacts, comprehensive assessments of patients' quality of life, and consideration of economic benefits should be emphasized, providing a basis for the clinical practice of TCM in the treatment of UC.
6.Protective effect of Rhodiola rosea bionic nanomedicine on pancreas of acute pancreatitis rats and its mechanism
Tongzhe Zhang ; Xirong Zhao ; Peiwu Li
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):1-9
Objective:
To explore the protective effect and mechanism of Rhodiola rosea(Rho) bionic nanomedicine in rats with acute pancreatitis.
Methods:
Erythrocyte membrane vesicles(EMV) were used as biomimetic nanomedicine coating materials to construct Rho biomimetic nanomedicine. Meanwhile, rat models of acute pancreatitis were constructed and divided into acute pancreatitis model(AP) group, Rho group, EMV group and Rhodiola rosea erythrocyte membrane vesicles(R-EMV) group. R-EMV group rats were further treated with NLRP3 activator BMS-986299(R-EMV+BMS-986299 group) and inhibitor MCC950(R-EMV+MCC950 group). The changes of abdominal water volume were observed, and serum levels of interleukin(IL-6), IL-1β, endothelin(ET), diamine oxidase(DAO), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione(GSH) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of pancreatic tissue. Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to analyze the expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) and nuclear transcription factor-Kappa B(NF-κB) in pancreatic tissue.
Results:
The prepared R-EMVs were nearly circular, the average particle size was(244.61±1.08) nm, and the Zeta potential was-(11.13±1.25) mV. At the same time, the EMV could load(58.67±0.79) μg of Rho. Compared with Sham group, the abdominal water volume of rats in AP group was significantly higher(t=33.79,P<0.01), and the levels of peripheral blood immune indexes IL-1β, IL-6, ET and DAO increased(t=38.25, 42.54, 29.20, 34.92, allP<0.01). In AP group, there were obvious tissue hyperemia and edema, widening of lobular space, infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells, and increased pancreatic pathological score(t=30.06,P<0.01). Compared with AP group, abdominal water volume, dry-wet weight ratio of pancreas, pathological score, amylase and lipase levels in Rho group decreased(F=1 523.7, 543.3, 839.9, 446.1, 172.2,P<0.05). Compared with other groups, the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6, ET and DAO in AP group decreased to some extent. Compared with AP group, NF-κB p65 and NLRP3 protein levels and NF-κB and NLRP3 immunohistochemical staining scores decreased in R-EMV group(t=24.54 and 26.91, bothP<0.001). At the same time, the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6, ET, DAO, MDA, SOD and GSH in R-EMV+MCC950 group were significantly lower than those in AP group, R-EMV group and R-EMV+BMS-986299 group.
Conclusion
R-EMV has a good pancreatic protection effect in acute pancreatitis, which is related to reducing the activity of NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and down-regulating the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and oxidative stress indicators such as MDA.
7.Programmed Cell Death in Endometriosis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention: A Review
Zuoliang ZHANG ; Wanrun WANG ; Wen LI ; Xue HAN ; Xiaohong CHEN ; Nan SU ; Huiling LIU ; Quansheng WU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):48-57
Endometriosis (EMT) is a common disease with frequent occurrence and difficult to be cured in modern clinical practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. It is characterized by progressively worsening dysmenorrhoea, pelvic mass, and infertility. The incidence of EMT is growing and increasingly younger patients are diagnosed with this disease, which poses a serious threat to the reproductive and psychological health of women of childbearing age and adolescent females. However, the pathogenesis of EMT is still not completely clear, and the disease has a long course. Therefore, developing new therapies is an urgent clinical problem to be solved. Great progress has been achieved in the treatment of EMT with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), while the underlying mechanism remains in exploration. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a cell death mode mediated by a variety of bio-molecules with specific signaling cascades. The known PCD processes include apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis, which all play a pivotal role in the development of EMT. Researchers have made achievements in the treatment of EMT with TCM, which regulates PCD via multiple pathways, routes, targets, and mechanisms. However, the progress in the regulation of PCD in the treatment of EMT with TCM remains to be reviewed. This paper reviews the research progress in the treatment of EMT with TCM from five PCD processes (apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis), with the aim of providing a theoretical basis for the clinical prevention and treatment of EMT.
8.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Signaling Pathways Related to Precancerous Lesions of Gastric Cancer: A Review
Maofu ZHANG ; Xinyu LI ; Yanyun SHEN ; Yeyuan LIU ; Jialin ZHONG ; Lulu CHEN ; Haihong ZHAO ; Zhongyang SONG ; Zhiming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):297-306
Precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC) are a group of pathological changes caused by abnormalities in the structure, morphology, and differentiation of gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Since the early symptoms are hidden and non-specific, PLGC is not easy to be diagnosed and it has often developed into intermediate or advanced gastric cancer once being diagnosed and missed the best time for treatment. Accordingly, the incidence of this disease is increasing year by year, which lifts a heavy burden on the patients. The pathogenesis of PLGC is complex, involving inflammatory microenvironment, bile reflux, glycolysis, autophagy, and apoptosis. Currently, PLGC is mainly treated with anti-inflammatory and endoscopic therapies, which are difficult to curb the development of PLGC. Therefore, seeking a safe and effective therapy is an important topic of modern research. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), characterized by treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic view, exerts effects via multiple pathways, mechanisms, and targets. Recent studies have confirmed that TCM can regulate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic Hedgehog, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), neurogenic locus notch homolog protein (Notch), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and other signaling pathways. By targeting these pathways, TCM can inhibit aerobic glycolysis, reduce oxidative stress, repair the inflammatory microenvironment, regulate cellular autophagy, and promote vascular normalization, thereby delaying or reversing PLGC. However, few researchers have systematically summarized the TCM regulation of PLGC-associated pathways. By reviewing the relevant articles at home and abroad, this paper summarized the roles of the above signaling pathways in the development of PLGC and the research progress in the regulation of signaling pathways by TCM in the treatment of PLGC, with a view to providing a new theoretical basis for the clinical research on PLGC and the drug development for this disease.
9.Recent advances in Müller cells in retinal vein occlusion macular edema
International Eye Science 2025;25(2):220-224
Müller cells(MCs)are the most common glial cells in the human retina. They provide homeostatic, metabolic, and functional support to neurons. MCs play a critical role in regulating extracellular space volume, ion and water homeostasis, and maintaining the blood-retinal barrier. They release gliotransmitters and other neuroactive molecules, influencing synaptic activity through neurotransmitter recycling. All these functions directly or indirectly alter neuronal activity. MCs support the survival of photoreceptors and neurons, are responsible for the structural stability of the retina, and act as regulators of immune and inflammatory responses. They are activated in response to almost all pathogenic stimuli. Reactive MCs have neuroprotective effects, but excessive activation of MCs under pathological conditions can withdraw neuronal protection and lead to neuronal degeneration. Thus, MCs may play a double-edged sword role in the pathogenesis of macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME). Understanding the response of MCs to pathological stimuli and their protective and damaging effects on the retina and macula is crucial for studying the pathogenesis and guiding the treatment of RVO-ME. This article reviews the role of MCs in RVO-ME, aiming to provide new strategies for the treatment of RVO-ME.
10.STAR Guideline Terminology (I): Planning and Launching
Zhewei LI ; Qianling SHI ; Hui LIU ; Xufei LUO ; Zijun WANG ; Jinhui TIAN ; Long GE ; Yaolong CHEN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(1):216-223
To develop a guideline terminology system and promote its standardization, thereby enhancing medical staff's accurate understanding and correct application of guidelines. A systematic search was conducted for guideline development manuals and method ological literature (as of October 25, 2024). After screening, relevant terms from the guideline planning and launching stages were extracted and standardized. The term list and definitions were finalized through discussion and evaluation at a consensus conference. A total of 36 guideline manuals and 14 method ological articles were included, and 27 core terms were identified. The standardization of guideline terminology is essential for improving guideline quality, facilitating interdisciplinary communication, and enhancing other related aspects. It is recommended that efforts to advance the standardization and continuous updating of the terminology system should be prioritized in the future to support the high-quality development of guidelines.


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