1.Traditional Chinese herbal medicine in European Union: State of art, challenges, and future perspectives focusing on Italian market.
Anna Rita BILIA ; Rebecca BALLERINI ; Liping QU ; Mei WANG
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2025;17(1):3-18
Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCM) has been used in China for thousands of years as an integral part of the healthcare system.The use of botanical products deriving from plants from TCM has become very spread and rooted in European Union (EU), generating a manufacturing industry of pronounced size, in particular the segment of food supplements, but recently also medical devices and cosmetics based on plants from TCM, especially in Italy. Only seven Herbal Medicinal Products (HMP) based on plants from TCM are present in EU besides more than 100 monographs on TCM plants are present in the European Pharmacopoeia. Indeed, the number of herbal monographs of European Medicine Agency (EMA) which report the main data on safety and efficacy of medicinal plants from TCM are very limited and this could be a reason for the limited number of HMP based on herbal drugs used in TCM. It is clear that those botanicals based on TCM but not classified as HMP can represent a sort of "borderline" products. Very likely, they are present on the European market because of the simpler authorization when compared with HMP. Some examples of these categories (food supplements and medical devices) containing plants from TCM and marketed in Italy are reported in this review. Consequently, it is urgent the need to clarify their categorization, also fundamental for the consumer protection. It is imperative the establishment of EU quality standards and official registration for Chinese herbal medicinal products, even if they are marketed as food supplements, medicinal devices or cosmetics because the international quality standards International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 249-Traditional Chinese Medicine (ISO/TC249) can harmonize the quality control and promote the trading internationally. Governmental organizations together with companies producing TCM should work together to accelerate the legislation of laws pertaining to TCM, and generate an environment where TCM does not just continue to exist but truly develop.
2.Epidemiological characteristics and spatio-temporal evolution of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Henan Province from 2011 to 2022
Shaoning QU ; Su YAN ; Qiongli CHEN ; Chengcheng AN ; Xiaobo LIU ; Jingjing PAN ; Liping YANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(7):749-754
This study was aimed at exploring the epidemic characteristics and spatio-temporal evolution patterns of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)in Henan Province from 2011 to 2022,to provide a reference for prevention and control ef-forts.Data on SFTS in Henan Province from 2011 to 2022 were collected from the Information Management System for Infectious Dis-ease Reporting,and epidemiological characteristics and spatio-temporal evolution patterns were investigated through spatial autocorre-lation analysis,standard deviation ellipse analysis,and spatial-centered transfer curves,on a district-county basis.From 2011 to 2022,a total of 5 471 SFTS cases associated with 81 deaths were reported in Henan Province.The incidence rate showed an increasing trend(χ2trend=23.24,P<0.001),and the average annual incidence was 0.4 677/100 000.The case-fatality rate showed a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2019(χ2trend=8.86,P=0.003),but an increasing trend from 2020 to 2022(χ2trend=12.93,P<0.001).The average an-nual case-fatality rate was 1.48%.The peak incidence period was from May to July;this period accounted for 58.75%of the total cases.Females(59.39%),individuals 60-80 years old(55.40%),and farmers(96.64%)were the high prevalence groups.The disease was distributed primarily in Xinyang City,and Shangcheng County had the highest incidence rate(27.411 8/100 000).Spatial aggregation was observed in the southeastern region(Moran's I>0,P<0.001),and the disease centers were all located in Guangshan County,Xin-yang City,and showed southeast-northwest-southeast-northwest-southeast-northeast-southwest movement during the 12-year pe-riod.In conclusion,from 2011 to 2022,SFTS in Henan Province had a high incidence in May to July,and females,older people,and farmers were the high-risk groups.Spatial aggregation was observed in the southeastern region,along with spread to surrounding areas.Xinyang City is therefore a key area for the prevention and control of SFTS.
3.Innovative strategies for improving CAR-T cell therapy: A nanomedicine perspective.
Mengyao WANG ; Zhengyu YU ; Liping YUAN ; Peipei YANG ; Caixia JING ; Ying QU ; Zhiyong QIAN ; Ting NIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(21):2769-2782
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells have reshaped the treatment landscape of hematological malignancies, offering a potentially curative option for patients. Despite these major milestones in the field of immuno-oncology, growing experience with CAR-T cells has also highlighted several limitations of this strategy. The production process of CAR-T cells is complex, time-consuming, and costly, thus leading to poor drug accessibility. The potential carcinogenic risk of viral transfection systems remains a matter of controversy. Treatment-related side effects, such as cytokine release syndrome, can be life-threatening. And the biggest challenge is the inadequate efficacy related to poor infiltration and retention of CAR-T cells in tumor tissues and impaired T cell activation caused by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Innovative strategies are urgently needed to address these problems, and nanomedicine offers good solutions to these challenges. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of recent advancements in the application of nanomaterials to enhance CAR-T cell therapy. We examine the role of innovative nanoparticle-based delivery systems in the production of CAR-T cells, with a particular focus on polymeric delivery systems and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Furthermore, we explore various strategies for delivering immune stimulators, which significantly enhance the efficacy of CAR-T cells by modulating T cell viability and functionality or by reprogramming the immunosuppressive TME. In addition, we discuss several novel therapeutic approaches aimed at mitigating the adverse effects associated with CAR-T therapies. Finally, we offer an integrated perspective on the future challenges and opportunities facing CAR-T therapies.
Humans
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Nanomedicine/methods*
;
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism*
;
Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods*
;
T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
;
Nanoparticles/chemistry*
;
Animals
4.Burden of family caregivers for hemodialysis patients:a scoping review
Tiantian LI ; Liping CUI ; Ling WEI ; Ling WANG ; Nan QU ; Yang ZHANG ; Lifeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(17):2165-2171
Objective A scoping review of studies related to the burden on family carers of haemodialysis patients was conducted with the aim of comprehensively dissecting the current state of research in this area and informing subsequent studies.Methods A scope review reporting framework was used to search the CNKI,China Biomedical Literature Database,Vip Database,Wanfang Database,Chinese Medical Journal Full Text Database,PubMed,CINAHL,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Scopus,and Embase,with a timeframe for searching the database from its construction to 29 March 2025.The included literature was summarised and analysed.Results A total of 25 papers were included,of which 21 reported scores/incidence of family carer burden,with overall results dominated by mild to moderate burden,involving 5 tools for assessing family carer burden,influencing factors(including demographic,disease-related,psychosocial,economic social,caregiving factors)and 6 other aspects.Intervention covers peer support groups,the 5-A model of self-management,health behaviours teaching,problem-focused strategies,etc.Conclusion The burden of family caregivers of haemodialysis patients at home and abroad is a common problem,which is affected by many factors,and it is urgent to carry out multi-centre,large-sample longitudinal studies and family-centred intervention studies in the future,so as to reduce the adverse effects of the burden of family caregivers,and to improve the patients' adherence to the treatment as well as the physical and mental health of the family caregivers.
5.Application of divisional design in composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction
Kang YIN ; Guoping WU ; Xiangxu LI ; Yuming QU ; Kaili YAN ; Liping ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2025;31(5):502-506
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of the divisional design in composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 57 patients diagnosed with labia minora and clitoral hood hypertrophy at Department of Plastic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital between July 2018 and May 2021. The ages of the patients ranged from 24 to 45 years with an average of (31.0±8.2) years. Preoperative symptoms and surgical demands included: appearance concerns in 57 cases (100%), irritation during friction in 49 cases (86.0%), and discomfort during intercourse in 22 cases (38.6%). The complex hypertrophy was divided into simple labia minora hypertrophy and clitoral hood hypertrophy. Then the reduction of clitoris hood was performed according to the prepuce morphology, and labiaplasty was performed using edge resection. The operative effects, patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications were assessed.Results:All incisions healed primarily with no flap necrosis or marginal infections. Hematoma occurred in 1 case which recovered well after timely treatment. All patients were followed up for 3-12 months. 54 cases were satisfied with the labia minora and clitoral hood shape and reported no sensory abnormality. Bilateral asymmetry occurred in 2 cases, one of which required further surgical repair. Scar hyperplasia occurred and was gradually softened after 6 months in 1 case. Of the 57 patients with appearance concerns, 55 (96.5%) patients reported improved appearance postoperatively. Of the 49 patients with preoperative friction discomfort, 47 (95.9%) patients achieved symptom relief. Of the 22 patients reporting sexual discomfort, 15 (68.1%) patients noted enhanced sexual satisfaction postoperatively. Overall, 54 (94.7%) patients were satisfied, 2 (3.5%) patients were moderately satisfied, and 1 (1.8%) patient was unsatisfied.Conclusions:For patients with labia minora and clitoral hood hypertrophy, the application of divisional design is surgically simple and safe. It achieves satisfactory outcomes with no severe adverse reactions.
6.Effect of pneumatic and electric hand training system with multiple sensory stimulation modalities combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on hand movement and tactile pressure sensation in patients with stroke
Pengcheng LIU ; Mengjian QU ; Liping LONG ; Yalin WANG ; Mingzhu YANG ; Peiyong LIU ; Jun ZHOU ; Jing LIU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(4):458-465
Objective To explore the effect of the pneumatic and electric hand training system with multiple sensory stimulation mo-dalities combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on hand movement and tactile pressure sensation in patients with stroke.Methods From May,2023 to October,2024,62 stroke patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China were randomly divided into control group(n=31)and experimental group(n=31).Both groups received conventional rehabilitation,and 1 Hz low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the primary cerebral motor cortex on the unaffected side,while the experimental group received the pneumatic and electric hand training system with multiple sensory stimulation modalities in addition,for four weeks.They were as-sessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE),Motor Assessment Scale(MAS),Semmes Weinstein Monofilament Test(SWMT)and modified Barthel index(MBI)before and after treatment.Results One case dropped out in control group and one in the experimental group.After treatment,the scores of FMA-UE,MAS,SWMT and MBI increased in both groups(|t|>5.464,P<0.001),expect the score of SWMT in the control group(P>0.05),and all scores were better in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|>2.195,P<0.05).Conclusion The pneumatic and electric hand training system with multiple sensory stimulation modalities combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve the motor and tactile pressure func-tion of stroke patients,and improve their activity of daily living.
7.Burden of family caregivers for hemodialysis patients:a scoping review
Tiantian LI ; Liping CUI ; Ling WEI ; Ling WANG ; Nan QU ; Yang ZHANG ; Lifeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(17):2165-2171
Objective A scoping review of studies related to the burden on family carers of haemodialysis patients was conducted with the aim of comprehensively dissecting the current state of research in this area and informing subsequent studies.Methods A scope review reporting framework was used to search the CNKI,China Biomedical Literature Database,Vip Database,Wanfang Database,Chinese Medical Journal Full Text Database,PubMed,CINAHL,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Scopus,and Embase,with a timeframe for searching the database from its construction to 29 March 2025.The included literature was summarised and analysed.Results A total of 25 papers were included,of which 21 reported scores/incidence of family carer burden,with overall results dominated by mild to moderate burden,involving 5 tools for assessing family carer burden,influencing factors(including demographic,disease-related,psychosocial,economic social,caregiving factors)and 6 other aspects.Intervention covers peer support groups,the 5-A model of self-management,health behaviours teaching,problem-focused strategies,etc.Conclusion The burden of family caregivers of haemodialysis patients at home and abroad is a common problem,which is affected by many factors,and it is urgent to carry out multi-centre,large-sample longitudinal studies and family-centred intervention studies in the future,so as to reduce the adverse effects of the burden of family caregivers,and to improve the patients' adherence to the treatment as well as the physical and mental health of the family caregivers.
8.Epidemiological characteristics and spatio-temporal evolution of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Henan Province from 2011 to 2022
Shaoning QU ; Su YAN ; Qiongli CHEN ; Chengcheng AN ; Xiaobo LIU ; Jingjing PAN ; Liping YANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2025;41(7):749-754
This study was aimed at exploring the epidemic characteristics and spatio-temporal evolution patterns of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)in Henan Province from 2011 to 2022,to provide a reference for prevention and control ef-forts.Data on SFTS in Henan Province from 2011 to 2022 were collected from the Information Management System for Infectious Dis-ease Reporting,and epidemiological characteristics and spatio-temporal evolution patterns were investigated through spatial autocorre-lation analysis,standard deviation ellipse analysis,and spatial-centered transfer curves,on a district-county basis.From 2011 to 2022,a total of 5 471 SFTS cases associated with 81 deaths were reported in Henan Province.The incidence rate showed an increasing trend(χ2trend=23.24,P<0.001),and the average annual incidence was 0.4 677/100 000.The case-fatality rate showed a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2019(χ2trend=8.86,P=0.003),but an increasing trend from 2020 to 2022(χ2trend=12.93,P<0.001).The average an-nual case-fatality rate was 1.48%.The peak incidence period was from May to July;this period accounted for 58.75%of the total cases.Females(59.39%),individuals 60-80 years old(55.40%),and farmers(96.64%)were the high prevalence groups.The disease was distributed primarily in Xinyang City,and Shangcheng County had the highest incidence rate(27.411 8/100 000).Spatial aggregation was observed in the southeastern region(Moran's I>0,P<0.001),and the disease centers were all located in Guangshan County,Xin-yang City,and showed southeast-northwest-southeast-northwest-southeast-northeast-southwest movement during the 12-year pe-riod.In conclusion,from 2011 to 2022,SFTS in Henan Province had a high incidence in May to July,and females,older people,and farmers were the high-risk groups.Spatial aggregation was observed in the southeastern region,along with spread to surrounding areas.Xinyang City is therefore a key area for the prevention and control of SFTS.
9.Effect of pneumatic and electric hand training system with multiple sensory stimulation modalities combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on hand movement and tactile pressure sensation in patients with stroke
Pengcheng LIU ; Mengjian QU ; Liping LONG ; Yalin WANG ; Mingzhu YANG ; Peiyong LIU ; Jun ZHOU ; Jing LIU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(4):458-465
Objective To explore the effect of the pneumatic and electric hand training system with multiple sensory stimulation mo-dalities combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on hand movement and tactile pressure sensation in patients with stroke.Methods From May,2023 to October,2024,62 stroke patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China were randomly divided into control group(n=31)and experimental group(n=31).Both groups received conventional rehabilitation,and 1 Hz low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the primary cerebral motor cortex on the unaffected side,while the experimental group received the pneumatic and electric hand training system with multiple sensory stimulation modalities in addition,for four weeks.They were as-sessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities(FMA-UE),Motor Assessment Scale(MAS),Semmes Weinstein Monofilament Test(SWMT)and modified Barthel index(MBI)before and after treatment.Results One case dropped out in control group and one in the experimental group.After treatment,the scores of FMA-UE,MAS,SWMT and MBI increased in both groups(|t|>5.464,P<0.001),expect the score of SWMT in the control group(P>0.05),and all scores were better in the experimental group than in the control group(|t|>2.195,P<0.05).Conclusion The pneumatic and electric hand training system with multiple sensory stimulation modalities combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve the motor and tactile pressure func-tion of stroke patients,and improve their activity of daily living.
10.Application of divisional design in composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction
Kang YIN ; Guoping WU ; Xiangxu LI ; Yuming QU ; Kaili YAN ; Liping ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2025;31(5):502-506
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of the divisional design in composite labia minora and clitoral hood reduction.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 57 patients diagnosed with labia minora and clitoral hood hypertrophy at Department of Plastic Surgery, Nanjing Medical University Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital between July 2018 and May 2021. The ages of the patients ranged from 24 to 45 years with an average of (31.0±8.2) years. Preoperative symptoms and surgical demands included: appearance concerns in 57 cases (100%), irritation during friction in 49 cases (86.0%), and discomfort during intercourse in 22 cases (38.6%). The complex hypertrophy was divided into simple labia minora hypertrophy and clitoral hood hypertrophy. Then the reduction of clitoris hood was performed according to the prepuce morphology, and labiaplasty was performed using edge resection. The operative effects, patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications were assessed.Results:All incisions healed primarily with no flap necrosis or marginal infections. Hematoma occurred in 1 case which recovered well after timely treatment. All patients were followed up for 3-12 months. 54 cases were satisfied with the labia minora and clitoral hood shape and reported no sensory abnormality. Bilateral asymmetry occurred in 2 cases, one of which required further surgical repair. Scar hyperplasia occurred and was gradually softened after 6 months in 1 case. Of the 57 patients with appearance concerns, 55 (96.5%) patients reported improved appearance postoperatively. Of the 49 patients with preoperative friction discomfort, 47 (95.9%) patients achieved symptom relief. Of the 22 patients reporting sexual discomfort, 15 (68.1%) patients noted enhanced sexual satisfaction postoperatively. Overall, 54 (94.7%) patients were satisfied, 2 (3.5%) patients were moderately satisfied, and 1 (1.8%) patient was unsatisfied.Conclusions:For patients with labia minora and clitoral hood hypertrophy, the application of divisional design is surgically simple and safe. It achieves satisfactory outcomes with no severe adverse reactions.

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