1.Rapid Qualitative Analysis Methods and Their Application in Implementation Science
Xuehan WEI ; Xiaoying CHEN ; Runze WANG ; Yingqian ZHANG ; Xuehan LIU ; Jin SUN ; Guoyan YANG ; Wei XIAO ; Chunli LU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(2):546-556
Implementation science (IS) aims to systematically analyze and address the real-world gaps from evidence to practice and the influencing factors of the context. It is necessary to carry out qualitative research to gather relevant implementation outcomes. Nevertheless, traditional qualitative analysis has issues such as consuming a great deal of time and energy, and it is unable to promptly provide the crucial data required for implementation science research. The Rapid Qualitative Analysis (RQA) method, through semi-structured interviews and the adoption of techniques such as immediate data condensation and matrix analysis, can effectively shorten the cycle of qualitative data collection and data processing. RQA can promptly identify social determinants of health such as structural barriers, facilitators, and the behavioral characteristics of target groups. It provides a real-time basis for public health decision-making, the interpretation of complex social phenomena, and the process and effectiveness evaluation of research projects. Although RQA is difficult to conduct in-depth theoretical analysis based on grounded theory, its efficiency and flexibility make it the preferred tool for large-scale and time-sensitive research. Thus, it has been widely applied in implementation science research. This paper sorts out the core concepts and commonly used technical methods of RQA, as well as the differences between RQA and traditional qualitative analysis. It also explores the applications of RQA in intervention optimization, process evaluation, and implementation outcome evaluation. By integrating specific cases, this paper clarifies its application value in the field of implementation science. In the future, it is advisable to explore the integration of RQA with technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, in order to bridge the gap between the transformation of scientific research achievements into practice. Under circumstances of limited resources or tight time constraints, RQA can be used to efficiently conduct implementation science research, providing convenient and scientific methodological and technical support for accelerating evidence-based practice.
2.Challenges and Recommendations for Implementing Key Technologies in Decentralized Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Runze WANG ; Xuehan WEI ; Xiaoying CHEN ; Yingqian ZHANG ; Jin SUN ; Chunli LU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):926-934
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical trials face challenges such as low participant compliance, insufficient geographical coverage, and cost-effectiveness imbalances. Decentralized clinical trials (DCT), enabled by digital technology for remote data collection and monitoring, offer a new direction for TCM clinical trial research. This article systematically reviews three novel clinical trial design models. Combining the holistic concept and indivi-dualized treatment characteristics of TCM, it analyzes the challenges currently faced in TCM DCT practice, including the digitization and standardization of TCM theory, data security, privacy protection and patient engagement difficu-lties, insufficient ethical review and regulatory system adaptation, inadequate personnel training, and a shortage of interdisciplinary talent. Addressing these challenges, the article proposes methodological recommendations for DCT implementation that align with the principles of TCM diagnosis and treatment. These recommendations include promoting the intelligentization and standardization of TCM practices, constructing a full-chain data security and privacy protection system, improving the ethical framework and clarifying regulatory responsibilities, and cultivating and building interdisciplinary talent and capabilities, which provide theoretical and technical references for establishing standardized DCT practices in TCM.
3.Challenges and Recommendations for Implementing Key Technologies in Decentralized Clinical Trials of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Runze WANG ; Xuehan WEI ; Xiaoying CHEN ; Yingqian ZHANG ; Jin SUN ; Chunli LU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):926-934
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical trials face challenges such as low participant compliance, insufficient geographical coverage, and cost-effectiveness imbalances. Decentralized clinical trials (DCT), enabled by digital technology for remote data collection and monitoring, offer a new direction for TCM clinical trial research. This article systematically reviews three novel clinical trial design models. Combining the holistic concept and indivi-dualized treatment characteristics of TCM, it analyzes the challenges currently faced in TCM DCT practice, including the digitization and standardization of TCM theory, data security, privacy protection and patient engagement difficu-lties, insufficient ethical review and regulatory system adaptation, inadequate personnel training, and a shortage of interdisciplinary talent. Addressing these challenges, the article proposes methodological recommendations for DCT implementation that align with the principles of TCM diagnosis and treatment. These recommendations include promoting the intelligentization and standardization of TCM practices, constructing a full-chain data security and privacy protection system, improving the ethical framework and clarifying regulatory responsibilities, and cultivating and building interdisciplinary talent and capabilities, which provide theoretical and technical references for establishing standardized DCT practices in TCM.
4.New perspectives on the neuro-immune mechanisms of itch in allergic conjunctivitis
Yuhua MA ; Lu ZHANG ; Junyang PAN ; Chunli WU ; Dinghuan NIE ; Yanting WANG ; Ao PENG ; Nan MA
International Eye Science 2026;26(7):1203-1209
Allergic conjunctivitis is a common ocular inflammatory disease, with intense itching being the most typical and distressing symptom for patients. In recent years, with the in-depth study of the interaction between the nervous and immune systems, significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of itching in allergic conjunctivitis. This review elaborates on the neurobiological basis of itching in allergic conjunctivitis, with a focus on the complex dialogue between immune cells and sensory neurons, particularly the core role of the IL-33-ST2-CGRP signaling axis in mediating itching. Additionally, this article introduces new findings in genetic susceptibility research, including the identification of susceptibility genes for allergic conjunctivitis through transcriptome-wide association studies. The sensory nervous system not only transmits itch signals but also actively participates in the formation of antigen channels related to conjunctival goblet cells, thereby regulating the local uptake of allergens and the initiation of the immune response. Moreover, targeted novel therapeutic strategies offer hope for patients with refractory allergic conjunctivitis. Exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms of itching in allergic conjunctivitis will provide a theoretical basis for the development of more effective treatment methods.
5.Professor ZHOU Shaohua's Experience in Staged Treatment of Parkinson's Disease Based on the "Disease-Symptom-Syndrome Integration" Approach
Dinglin XU ; Jiayi WANG ; Liwei GE ; Chunli GUO ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(13):1373-1377
This paper aims to summarize Professor ZHOU Shaohua's clinical experience in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) based on the "disease-symptom-syndrome integration" approach. It is believed that kidney essence deficiency is the root cause of the disease, and phlegm-stasis accumulating toxin is the key factor for its deterioration. PD could be divided into the prodromal stage, early stage and middle-late stage. In the prodromal stage, treatment focuses on tonifying the kidney and replenishing marrow, choosing Zuogui Pill (左归丸) or Yougui Pill (右归丸) to prescribe with modifications according to accompanying non-motor symptoms such as constipation and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. For the early stage, the disease is differentiated into three syndromes, liver-kidney yin deficiency with stirring wind, spleen-kidney yang deficiency, and excessive phlegm turbidity, then following the principle of "calming wind by regulating blood first", the basic prescriptions of Dading Fengzhu Pill (大定风珠), Yougui Pill (右归丸) and Jinshui Liujun Decoction (金水六君煎) are applied respectively, combined with Siwu Decoction (四物汤) to nourish blood and extinguish wind. For the middle-late stage, therapies of tonifying the kidney and conso-lidating original qi are combined with detoxifying and resolving turbidity, prescribing fleshy and nourishing medicinals such as deer-horn glue (Cervus nippon Temminck) and turtle shell glue (Colla Carapacis et Plastri Testudinis), together with Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (黄连解毒汤) to clear heat, detoxify and resolve turbidity, implementing simultaneous tonification and elimination. Integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine intervention is emphasized for non-motor symptoms including orthostatic hypotension and dysphagia.
6.Mechanism of Huazhuo Xingxue Decoction on the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Based on Network Pharmacology
Meng CHEN ; Yuejin DU ; Chunli GUO ; Nana WANG ; Fei HOU ; Yuchen ZHANG ; Zipeng DIAO ; Juaner ZHENG ; Qiang FU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(5):1461-1470
Objective The mechanism of Huazhuo xingxue decoction(HZXXD)in the treatment of ischemic stroke was explored through network pharmacology,molecular docking and cell validation.Methods TCMSP,TCMID,BATMAN-TCM database and literature search were used to get the chemical components and related target proteins of Huazhuo Xingxue Decoction,and the targets of dementia,stroke and amnesia were obtained from Genecards database and OMIM database.The traditional Chinese medicine-active components-target-network and protein interaction map were constructed by using Cytoscape,and the target was enriched by KEGG pathway by David database.Western blot was used to investigate the effect of HZXXD on inflammation-related core targets expression using oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation cell model.Finally,Autodock was used for molecular docking of key active ingredients and important targets to evaluate their binding activity.Results 76 active molecules and 33 common targets of herb-disease were screened out.KEGG bioaccumulation results involve multiple inflammatory signal pathways such as TNF,chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species and HIF-1.TNF-α was found to be the core target of HZXXD by oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation cell experiments.Five compounds with the strongest binding ability to TNF-α,kaempferol,apigenin,aloe-emodin,baicalein and stigasterol,were screened by traditional Chinese medicine-active ingredient-target network map and molecular docking.Conclusion Huazhuo Xingxue Decoction may down regulate the expression of core target TNF-α,kaempferol,apigenin,aloe emodin,baicalein and stigasterol may be the main active substances for TNF-α binding.
7.Investigating the Anti-hepatocellular Carcinoma Mechanism of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.via Network Pharmacology,Molecular Docking Techniques,and Experimental Verification
Xingyu XIAO ; Xiaoli HOU ; Yuanyuan SHEN ; Chunli OU ; Dandan MO ; Xianghua XIA ; Xiaolei ZHOU ; Wenyu ZHANG ; Xiaomei GONG ; Shuo WANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(8):2390-2405
Objective To investigate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma mechanism of Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.via network pharmacology,molecular docking techniques and in vitro experiments.Methods Chemical composition of Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.was searched by literature.Swiss Target Prediction was used to find corresponding targets.STRING was used to construct protein-protein interactions network(PPI).DAVID was used to enrich GO analysis and KEGG pathway.AutoDock Vina 1.1.2 and Pymol visualisation was used for docking and validation.Results Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.had 61 active components,685 targets,and 279 intersections with disease targets.The PPI showed that the main active components were Luteolin,Chloranthalactone C,Shizukanolide H,Esculetin,7-Hydroxycoumarin.The key targets were GAPDH,VEGFA,STAT3,JUN,HSP90AA1,AKT1,CTNNB1,CASP3,and ALB.Biological process(BP)involved protein phosphorylation,signal transduction,regulation of RNA polymerase II promoter transcription,cell proliferation,apoptosis.Cellular component(CC)involved cytoplasm,nucleus,cell membrane,cellular exosome.Molecular function(MF)involves protein binding,ATPase,threonine kinase,protein kinase activity.KEGG involved cancer pathway,metabolic pathway,PI3K-Akt signalling pathway,cancer proteoglycans,lipids and atherosclerosis,cytomegalovirus infection,microRNAs in cancer,human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1,Ras signalling pathway,MAPK signalling pathway.Molecular docking showed that silverweed lactone H had a strong affinity for each of the other target proteins,indicating that this component plays a key role.The results of RT-qPCR assay and WB assay showed that there were significant differences in gene and protein expression levels before and after drug administration.Conclusion The Chinese medicine in Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.can treat hepatocellular carcinoma through the MAPK pathway,and the main active ingredients have good docking effects with the core target proteins of the disease.
8.Effect of miR-532-3p on macrophage polarization in rats with chronic kidney disease through targeted inhibition of Notch1 signal pathway
Mingzhi XU ; Na AN ; Yafei BAI ; Ruman CHEN ; Jiqing HE ; Chunli WANG ; Yonghui QI ; Mingjiao PAN
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2025;41(2):310-314,319
Objective:To analyze effect of miR-532-3p on macrophage polarization in rats with chronic kidney disease(CKD)through targeted inhibition of Notch1 signal pathway.Methods:A total of 75 SD rats were divided into control group,CKD group,ago-NC group,ago-miR-532-3p group and FLI-06 group,except for control group,CKD models were constructed and corresponding plas-mids and inhibitors were injected,control group and CKD group were replaced with same amount of normal saline.Serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-10 were measured by ELISA,HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe renal tissue pathology and renal fibrosis in rats,flow cytometry was used to detect CD11c+and CD206+of macrophages,miR-532-3p expression in rat kidney tissue was detected by qRT-PCR,Notch1 protein was detected by Western blot;target binding of miR-532-3p to Notch1 was determined by double luciferase reporter gene.Results:Structure of glomerulus,renal tubules and epithelial cells was complete,cell boundaries were clear,and cells were arranged neatly in control group;glomerular epithelial cell necrosis,mesangial matrix,glomerulosclerosis,inflammatory cell infiltration and renal fibrosis were increased in CKD group;compared with CKD group,damage degree of glomerulus and tubules,inflammatory infiltration cells and renal fibrosis degree in ago-miR-532-3p group and FLI-06 group were reduced;compared with control group,serum Scr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-1β,proportion of CD11c+,CD11c+/CD206+and Notch1 protein expression in macrophages of renal tissue were increased,serum IL-10 level,CD206+and miR-532-3p in renal tissue were decreased(P<0.05);compared with CKD group,serum Scr,BUN,TNF-α,IL-1β,proportion of CD11c+,CD11c+/CD206+and Notch1 protein expression in macrophages of renal tissue in ago-miR-532-3p group and FLI-06 group were decreased,serum IL-10 level,CD206+and miR-532-3p in renal tissue were increased(P<0.05);miR-532-3p targeted Notch1,and overexpression of miR-532-3p inhibited Notch1 protein expression.Conclusion:Promoting expression of miR-532-3p protects kidney tissue of CKD rats by inhibiting Notch1 pathway,which may be due to regulating polarization of macrophages.
9.Investigating the Anti-hepatocellular Carcinoma Mechanism of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.via Network Pharmacology,Molecular Docking Techniques,and Experimental Verification
Xingyu XIAO ; Xiaoli HOU ; Yuanyuan SHEN ; Chunli OU ; Dandan MO ; Xianghua XIA ; Xiaolei ZHOU ; Wenyu ZHANG ; Xiaomei GONG ; Shuo WANG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(8):2390-2405
Objective To investigate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma mechanism of Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.via network pharmacology,molecular docking techniques and in vitro experiments.Methods Chemical composition of Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.was searched by literature.Swiss Target Prediction was used to find corresponding targets.STRING was used to construct protein-protein interactions network(PPI).DAVID was used to enrich GO analysis and KEGG pathway.AutoDock Vina 1.1.2 and Pymol visualisation was used for docking and validation.Results Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.had 61 active components,685 targets,and 279 intersections with disease targets.The PPI showed that the main active components were Luteolin,Chloranthalactone C,Shizukanolide H,Esculetin,7-Hydroxycoumarin.The key targets were GAPDH,VEGFA,STAT3,JUN,HSP90AA1,AKT1,CTNNB1,CASP3,and ALB.Biological process(BP)involved protein phosphorylation,signal transduction,regulation of RNA polymerase II promoter transcription,cell proliferation,apoptosis.Cellular component(CC)involved cytoplasm,nucleus,cell membrane,cellular exosome.Molecular function(MF)involves protein binding,ATPase,threonine kinase,protein kinase activity.KEGG involved cancer pathway,metabolic pathway,PI3K-Akt signalling pathway,cancer proteoglycans,lipids and atherosclerosis,cytomegalovirus infection,microRNAs in cancer,human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1,Ras signalling pathway,MAPK signalling pathway.Molecular docking showed that silverweed lactone H had a strong affinity for each of the other target proteins,indicating that this component plays a key role.The results of RT-qPCR assay and WB assay showed that there were significant differences in gene and protein expression levels before and after drug administration.Conclusion The Chinese medicine in Chloranthus fortunei(A.Gray)Solms-Laub.can treat hepatocellular carcinoma through the MAPK pathway,and the main active ingredients have good docking effects with the core target proteins of the disease.
10.The shared mechanisms of three common chronic diseases and the discovery of traditional Chinese medicine from the perspective of ageing
Chunli CUI ; Haochen YAN ; Min WANG ; Chuan WANG ; Jijia SUN
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(1):101-111
Objective To explore the shared mechanisms of genes related to three common chronic diseases non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and atherosclerosis(AS)with ageing as well as potential therapeutic agents by using bioinformatics analysis,machine learning algorithms and molecular docking methods and techniques.Methods Ageing-related genes were collected and organized from AgeingAtlas,CellAge,GenAge,and MSigDB databases.After taking the intersection of genes related to NAFLD,T2DM and AS obtained from databases such as CTD,DisGeNET,GeneCards,OMIM,PharmGKB,and TTD and the gene sets obtained based on the GEO differential gene analysis,we obtained the set of related disease genes for these three common chronic diseases.The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed on the ageing gene set and the three disease-related gene sets using the clusterProfiler package,and the intersection was taken.The enriched genes in the KEGG pathway were merged and imported into the STRING database;the PPI network was constructed.We analyzed the core sub-modules in the PPI network using the MCODE tool and calculated the essential values of Nim and Cim for each node and module.Meanwhile,three machine learning models were used to screen the feature genes:the Lasso regression model,the Boruta algorithm,and the random forest model.The HIT2.0 database was utilized to find the targeted TCM small molecules related to the key feature genes.Small molecules were evaluated and analyzed by ADMET using SwissADME and ADMETlab 3.0 online system.The molecular docking method was utilized to dock the key action targets and screen small molecules.Results A total of 1 325,616,78,and 597 genes related to ageing,NAFLD,T2DM,and AS were obtained.The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results for ageing and the three diseases were taken to intersect to get two shared intersecting pathways containing 243 genes.The PPI network was constructed,and Cluster 2 had the highest Cim value among the three core submodules.According to the results of signature gene screening,combined with PPI network module analysis results,four signature genes related to ageing were found:CDK6,CDKN1A,MYC,and PTEN.These four targets have 94 potential TCM small molecule candidates,among which resveratrol(RSV)is a TCM small molecule common to these four targets.The ADMET evaluation showed that it had good drug-forming properties.The PTEN target had a high Nim value,and molecular docking of RSV with PTEN showed good binding stability.Conclusion A potential herbal small molecule,RSV,was identified from the perspective of ageing,which may prevent and treat three common chronic diseases,namely,NAFLD,T2DM and AS,by regulating the key gene PTEN.

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