Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of sodium hyaluronate （0.3%） eye drops combined with herbal self-heating steam eye mask in the treatment of dry eye disease. Methods A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 patients diagnosed with dry eye at the ophthalmic clinic of a Grade A, Class Ⅲ hospital in Shanghai from June 2023 to September 2024. Specifically, patients were randomly divided into control group and study group. Patients in the control group were treated with sodium hyaluronate （0.3%） eye drops for six weeks; while in the study group, patients received the eye drops combined with the herbal self-heating steam eye mask mainly containing powders of Flos Buddlejae. Subsequently, comparisons and analysis were performed before and after treatment between the two groups in the clinical symptom questionnaire score traditional Chinese medicine （TCM syndrome score），the Chinese dry eye questionnaire score and determination of tear film fluorscein breakup time （FBUT）, and curative effect. Results The quality control standard of the herbal powder in the self-heating steam eye mask was established through TLC and HPLC, and good heating behavior of the herbal self-heating steam eye mask was ascertained heating temperature （43±5）℃; heating duration （≥20 min）, meeting requirements of the product quality control. After treatment for 6 weeks, FBUT was increased, while TCM syndrome score and the Chinese dry eye questionnaire score were both decreased in the study group （P<0.001）. Besides, compared with the control group, TCM syndrome score and the Chinese dry eye questionnaire score were much lower, while the FBUT were higher in the study group （P<0.001）. Moreover, the overall response rate in the study group （81.7%） was much better than that in the control group （25.9%）. Conclusion The combination of sodium hyaluronate （0.3%） eye drops with herbal self-heating steam eye mask could be applied to the clinical treatment of dry eye disease due to its good clinical effects on relieving dry eye symptoms.

Gouty arthritis （GA） is an inflammatory disorder caused by monosodium urate （MSU） crystal deposition， accompanied by elevated oxidative stress and aberrant release of inflammatory cytokines， resulting in joint tissue damage and intense pain. Nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， a key transcription factor regulating the antioxidant defence system， exerts cytoprotective effects through dissociation from Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1） and activates downstream antioxidant response element （ARE）-mediated pathways. It can upregulate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and glutathione transferase （GST） to preserve redox homeostasis. Moreover， Nrf2 can suppress activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasomes， reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production and release， modulate nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） transcriptional activity， regulate gut microbiota balance， enhance mitophagy， and inhibit apoptosis， so as to reduce joint inflammation and pain and promote body recovery. This review systematically examined recent advancements in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） for GA prevention and treatment via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. It delineated Nrf2's molecular mechanisms and its role in GA pathogenesis and elucidated how TCM intervenes in multiple pathways including Keap1/Nrf2/ARE， Nrf2/HO-1（NQO1）， and Nrf2/NF-κB/NLRP3 to exert therapeutic effects. The study demonstrated that TCM monomers and compounds effectively counteract oxidative damage， attenuate inflammatory responses， promote autophagy， and inhibit apoptosis via regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings not only clarify the scientific basis of TCM in GA treatment but also offer strategic insights for developing novel Nrf2-targeted anti-gout drugs.

The liver has diverse functions such as metabolism， detoxification， and immune defense， and the maintenance of hepatic microenvironment homeostasis is crucial for overall bodily health. The hepatic microenvironment consists of the components such as parenchymal cells， non-parenchymal cells， and non-cellular components. Chronic inflammatory responses induced by various etiological factors may promote the formation and progression of liver fibrosis. During the dynamic progression of liver fibrosis， from the early to advanced stages， various components within the hepatic microenvironment undergo a series of changes， which can promote the malignant progression of liver fibrosis. An in-depth exploration of the mechanisms underlying such changes in each component of the liver fibrosis microenvironment is of great significance for understanding the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and discovering potential treatment strategies.

AIM: To investigate the influence of relevant inflammatory markers in peripheral blood on the progression of neovascular glaucoma(NVG)secondary to diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients.METHODS: Retrospective case-control study. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of NVG: those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)alone(PDR group, n=148)and those with NVG secondary to PDR(NVG secondary to PDR group, n=142). Peripheral blood inflammatory markers were evaluated, including white blood cell-related indices, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(MLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index(SII). The distinctions in peripheral blood inflammatory markers between the two groups of patients and their relationships with NVG secondary to PDR were analyzed.RESULTS:No statistically significant differences were observed in basic characteristics between the two groups, confirming their comparability. However, significant differences were found in eosinophil percentage and MLR between the PDR group and the NVG secondary to PDR group(all P<0.05), with both values being significantly higher in the NVG secondary to PDR group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that the eosinophil percentage and the MLR were factors influencing the development of patients with NVG secondary to PDR.CONCLUSION: Eosinophil percentage and MLR may be associated with the progression of PDR to NVG, and could serve as potential predictive markers for NVG development in PDR patients.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shuanghua drink in treating primary dysmenorrhea in the rat model and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsAn oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model was established to evaluate the analgesic effect of Shuanghua drink. Forty-eight non-pregnant female institute of cancer research （ICR） mice were randomly divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （85.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （7.14 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （14.28 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （28.57 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight mice. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration at corresponding doses for 10 consecutive days. One hour after the final administration， 2 U of oxytocin was intraperitoneally injected per mouse. The writhing latency and number of writhing within 20 minutes were recorded. A primary dysmenorrhea rat model was established by using estradiol benzoate and oxytocin to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Shuanghua drink on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle. Forty-eight non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （51.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （4.28 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （8.57 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （17.10 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight rats. Rats received subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate for 10 consecutive days to enhance uterine sensitivity. On the eleventh day， oxytocin （2 U/rat） was intraperitoneally administered to induce abnormal uterine contractions for establishing the primary dysmenorrhea model. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration from the second day of modeling for 10 days. The effects of Shuanghua drink were evaluated by using parameters including uterine motility and the variation rate of uterine motility. The mechanism of action was investigated in rats with primary dysmenorrhea. The content of prostaglandin F_2α （PGF_2α）， prostaglandin E₂ （PGE₂）， thromboxane B₂ （TXB₂）， prostacyclin metabolite （6-keto-PGF_1α）， and β-endorphin （β-EP） in uterine tissue of rats was detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The changes in the content of nitric oxide （NO） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） were analyzed via colorimetric assay. Western blot was performed to determine the content of phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta （p-IKKβ）/IKKβ， phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B alpha （p-IκBα）， IκBα， phosphorylated p65 （p-p65）， p65， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） proteins in uterine tissue of rats. ResultsIn the oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model， the model group exhibited significantly shortened writhing latency and increased writhing frequency compared to the control group （P<0.01）. Both the ibuprofen group and the high-dose group of Shuanghua drink displayed prolonged writhing latency （P<0.05）， while the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink exhibited reduced writhing frequency （P<0.01）. In the primary dysmenorrhea rat model， the uterine motility and its variation rate in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group （P<0.01）. These parameters were markedly suppressed by ibuprofen and Shuanghua drink at all tested doses （P<0.01）. For the mechanism of action， the model group showed significantly increased PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， NO， and iNOS in uterine tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significantly decreased β-EP （P<0.01）. These parameters were significantly attenuated in the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink. The PGF_2α/PGE₂ （P<0.01）， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α （P<0.01）， NO （medium-dose group P<0.05）， and iNOS （P<0.01） were reduced， and the β-EP （medium-dose group P<0.05） was up-regulated. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink showed significantly increased content of β-EP in the serum of rats （P<0.05）. Compared to the blank group， the model group showed significantly elevated expressions of COX-2， p-IKKβ/IKKβ， p-IκBα/IκBα， and p-p65/p65 proteins （P<0.01） and significantly reduced anti-inflammatory protein IκBα （P<0.05）. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink showed significantly reduced expressions of COX-2 （P<0.01）， p-IKKβ/IKKβ （P<0.01）， p-IκBα/IκBα （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and p-p65/p65（P<0.01） and up-regulated expression of IκBα protein （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShuanghua drink effectively alleviates primary dysmenorrhea through analgesia and suppression of abnormal contractions of uterine smooth muscle. Its mechanism may be mediated by reduced levels of PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， iNOS， and NO， elevated β-EP level， and inhibited COX-2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shuanghua drink in treating primary dysmenorrhea in the rat model and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsAn oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model was established to evaluate the analgesic effect of Shuanghua drink. Forty-eight non-pregnant female institute of cancer research （ICR） mice were randomly divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （85.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （7.14 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （14.28 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （28.57 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight mice. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration at corresponding doses for 10 consecutive days. One hour after the final administration， 2 U of oxytocin was intraperitoneally injected per mouse. The writhing latency and number of writhing within 20 minutes were recorded. A primary dysmenorrhea rat model was established by using estradiol benzoate and oxytocin to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Shuanghua drink on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle. Forty-eight non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （51.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （4.28 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （8.57 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （17.10 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight rats. Rats received subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate for 10 consecutive days to enhance uterine sensitivity. On the eleventh day， oxytocin （2 U/rat） was intraperitoneally administered to induce abnormal uterine contractions for establishing the primary dysmenorrhea model. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration from the second day of modeling for 10 days. The effects of Shuanghua drink were evaluated by using parameters including uterine motility and the variation rate of uterine motility. The mechanism of action was investigated in rats with primary dysmenorrhea. The content of prostaglandin F_2α （PGF_2α）， prostaglandin E₂ （PGE₂）， thromboxane B₂ （TXB₂）， prostacyclin metabolite （6-keto-PGF_1α）， and β-endorphin （β-EP） in uterine tissue of rats was detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The changes in the content of nitric oxide （NO） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） were analyzed via colorimetric assay. Western blot was performed to determine the content of phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta （p-IKKβ）/IKKβ， phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B alpha （p-IκBα）， IκBα， phosphorylated p65 （p-p65）， p65， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） proteins in uterine tissue of rats. ResultsIn the oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model， the model group exhibited significantly shortened writhing latency and increased writhing frequency compared to the control group （P<0.01）. Both the ibuprofen group and the high-dose group of Shuanghua drink displayed prolonged writhing latency （P<0.05）， while the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink exhibited reduced writhing frequency （P<0.01）. In the primary dysmenorrhea rat model， the uterine motility and its variation rate in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group （P<0.01）. These parameters were markedly suppressed by ibuprofen and Shuanghua drink at all tested doses （P<0.01）. For the mechanism of action， the model group showed significantly increased PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， NO， and iNOS in uterine tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significantly decreased β-EP （P<0.01）. These parameters were significantly attenuated in the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink. The PGF_2α/PGE₂ （P<0.01）， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α （P<0.01）， NO （medium-dose group P<0.05）， and iNOS （P<0.01） were reduced， and the β-EP （medium-dose group P<0.05） was up-regulated. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink showed significantly increased content of β-EP in the serum of rats （P<0.05）. Compared to the blank group， the model group showed significantly elevated expressions of COX-2， p-IKKβ/IKKβ， p-IκBα/IκBα， and p-p65/p65 proteins （P<0.01） and significantly reduced anti-inflammatory protein IκBα （P<0.05）. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink showed significantly reduced expressions of COX-2 （P<0.01）， p-IKKβ/IKKβ （P<0.01）， p-IκBα/IκBα （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and p-p65/p65（P<0.01） and up-regulated expression of IκBα protein （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShuanghua drink effectively alleviates primary dysmenorrhea through analgesia and suppression of abnormal contractions of uterine smooth muscle. Its mechanism may be mediated by reduced levels of PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， iNOS， and NO， elevated β-EP level， and inhibited COX-2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the environmental radioactive safety level in China, monitor the radioactivity of strontium-90 (⁹⁰Sr) in seafood from selected marine regions of China, and optimize the di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) extraction chromatography method for determining Sr-90 in seafood. Methods In 2023, seafoods of fish, shrimp, shellfish, and seaweed were collected from the Shandong Province (Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea) and Hainan Province (South China Sea). The levels of Sr in the samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The ⁹⁰Sr separation were performed using HDEHP extraction chromatography, while the recovery of ⁹⁰Sr were determined by the gravitmetry with the assistant of ICP-AES. Results The content of strontium in seafoods varies greatly, and excessive strontium and calcium in seafood may lead to overestimated recovery due to insufficient leaching during chromatographic separation by HDEHP extraction. Therefore, the yttrium content in the eluent should be analyzed by ICP . The radioactivity of ⁹⁰Sr in seafood from the sea areas in Shandong Province was 0.22-1.85 Bq/kg (dry weight), and that of seafood from Hainan Province was 0.19-1.82 Bq/kg (dry weight). Conclusion For the analysis of shirmp and seaweed samples, the recovery rate of ⁹⁰Sr should be analyzed using both gravimetry and ICP-AES. There is no significant linear correlation between total Sr and ⁹⁰Sr in seafood. There is no significant difference in ⁹⁰Sr radioactivity between the seafood samples collected from Shandong and Hainan. The ⁹⁰Sr radioactivity levels of all 28 samples are below the limit specified in the Limited concentrations of radioactive materials in foods (GB 14882—1994) and are within the range of environmental background fluctuations.

Objective To organize a nationwide interlaboratory comparison for measurement of gross α and gross β radioactivity in water, and improve the laboratory analysis of gross α and gross β radioactivity in water. Methods A unified comparison protocol was developed by the organizers. The groundwater with high natural radioactivity was used as water sample and distributed randomly to the participating laboratories. The participating laboratories used routine analytical methods to measure the samples and provided information such as analytical results, original records, and test reports. The results were evaluated using z-score. Results A total of 76 laboratories participated in the comparison, all employing the evaporation concentration-α/β counting method. Among them, 69 laboratories achieved |z| ≤ 2 for both gross α and gross β radioactivity measurements, and 32 laboratories achieved |z| ≤ 0.50 for both gross α and gross β radioactivity measurements. There were 69 laboratories with qualified results and 30 laboratories with excellent results, yielding a qualified rate of 90.8% and an excellent rate of 39.5%. Seven laboratories showed unqualified results and the unqualified rate was 9.2%. Conclusion Most laboratories have the ability to analyze gross α and gross β radioactivity in water. The main reasons for the deviation in comparison results are calibration efficiency, errors in the total residue mass caused by improper water sample processing operations. By analyzing the main technical problems existed in unqualified laboratories, their ability for measurement of gross α and gross β radioactivity in water has been improved.

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) has been a safe and viable alternative to conversion to laparotomy in cases of severe cholecystitis. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of intraoperative choledochoscopy in LSC for the exploration of the gallbladder, cyst duct, and subsequent stone clearance of the cystic duct in cases of severe cholecystitis. A total of 72 patients diagnosed with severe cholecystitis received choledochoscopy-assisted laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (CALSC). A choledochoscopy was performed to explore the gallbladder cavity and/or cystic duct, and to extract stones using a range of techniques. The clinical records, including the operative records and outcomes, were subjected to analysis. No LSC was converted to open surgery, and no bile duct or vascular injuries were sustained. All stones within the cystic duct were removed by a combination of techniques, including high-frequency needle knife electrotomy, basket, and electrohydraulic lithotripsy. A follow-up examination revealed the absence of residual bile duct stones, with the exception of one common bile duct stone, which was extracted via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In certain special cases, CALSC may prove to be an efficacious treatment for the management of severe cholecystitis. This technique allows for optimal comprehension of the situation within the gallbladder cavity and cystic duct, facilitating the removal of stones from the cystic duct and reducing the residue of the non-functional gallbladder remnant.

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) has been a safe and viable alternative to conversion to laparotomy in cases of severe cholecystitis. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of intraoperative choledochoscopy in LSC for the exploration of the gallbladder, cyst duct, and subsequent stone clearance of the cystic duct in cases of severe cholecystitis. A total of 72 patients diagnosed with severe cholecystitis received choledochoscopy-assisted laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (CALSC). A choledochoscopy was performed to explore the gallbladder cavity and/or cystic duct, and to extract stones using a range of techniques. The clinical records, including the operative records and outcomes, were subjected to analysis. No LSC was converted to open surgery, and no bile duct or vascular injuries were sustained. All stones within the cystic duct were removed by a combination of techniques, including high-frequency needle knife electrotomy, basket, and electrohydraulic lithotripsy. A follow-up examination revealed the absence of residual bile duct stones, with the exception of one common bile duct stone, which was extracted via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In certain special cases, CALSC may prove to be an efficacious treatment for the management of severe cholecystitis. This technique allows for optimal comprehension of the situation within the gallbladder cavity and cystic duct, facilitating the removal of stones from the cystic duct and reducing the residue of the non-functional gallbladder remnant.