This paper summarizes Professor Gao Jiansheng's clinical experience in treating herpes simplex keratitis （HSK） based on the theory of hidden pathogens. It is believed that the core pathogenesis of HSK involves deficiency of vital qi and the internal presence of pathogenic factors. In the early stage， the pathogenesis is characterized by lung and spleen qi deficiency and invasion of external pathogens. In the middle stage， pathogenesis worsens due to latent pathogens damaging the vital qi and spleen deficiency with dampness. In the late stage， kidney yang deficiency and lingering pathogenic toxins are the root cause of recurrent attacks. In clinical practice， it is recommended to strengthen and protect the vital qi. In the early stage， the Modified Yupingfeng Powder （玉屏风散） is used. In the middle stage， the Modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction （苓桂术甘汤） is used. In the late stage， a self-formulated Modified Bushen Tuodu Fomulation （补肾托毒方） is applied. Additionally， herbs of tonifying qi and strengthening the exterior are used throughout the treatment to reduce recurrence.

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between iron metabolism parameters and various syndrome types of unstable angina pectoris （UAP）. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to October 2023， encompassing 213 patients diagnosed with UAP at Xiyuan Hospital of Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Additionally， 30 healthy individuals were selected as control cases. Single-factor analysis was used to investigate the differences in clinical data among different Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） syndrome types of UAP and their correlation with iron metabolism indices. The study conducted a comparative analysis of the aforementioned clinical data among patients with and without heat-toxic and blood-stasis syndrome. Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between TCM syndrome types and related factors. The receiver operator characteristic （ROC） curve was employed to assess the predictive value of iron metabolism indices， along with their sensitivity and specificity. ResultsCompared to those in the control group， serum iron （SI） and serum ferritin （SF） levels were significantly increased in the UAP group （P<0.01）， while transferrin （TRF） and total iron binding capacity （TIBC） levels were decreased （P<0.01）. However， there was no significant difference in unsaturated iron binding capacity （UIBC）. Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis identified apolipoprotein A1 （ApoA1）， homocysteine （HCY）， high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， and SF as independent influencing factors for the UAP patients （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Additionally， statistically significant differences were observed in SI， SF， TRF， and TIBC among 213 patients with different TCM types （P<0.01）. Patients with heat-toxic and blood-stasis syndrome had higher SI and SF values than those without the syndrome （P<0.01）， while their TIBC and TRF values were lower （P<0.01）. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that SI and LDL-C levels were closely associated with the differentiation of heat-toxic and blood-stasis syndrome. ConclusionUAP patients often experience iron metabolism disorders， and the heat-toxic and blood-stasis syndrome are significantly correlated with iron metabolism parameters. The SI and LDL-C levels have high specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing heat-toxic and blood-stasis syndrome.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Siegesbeckiae Herba water decoction （SWD） at different doses on atherosclerosis （AS） in a mouse model induced by a high-fat diet and analyze its potential mechanism of action. MethodsThirty-six male ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into six groups： blank control group， model group， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose SWD groups， and positive control group. Firstly， the AS mouse model was created by feeding mice a high-fat diet. After successful modeling， the low-， medium-， and high-dose SWD groups were intragastrically administered with SWD at 0.65， 1.3， 2.6 g·kg^-1， respectively. The positive control group was intragastrically administered with 30 mg·kg^-1 of atorvastatin calcium aqueous solution， while the blank and model groups received an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution via oral gavage， all administered for 12 weeks. During the administration period， the general condition of the mice was observed and recorded daily. Before sampling， color Doppler ultrasound was performed to observe the pathological changes in atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic wall of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in aortic tissue in mice， and oil red O staining was used to detect the atherosclerotic plaque area in the aorta. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the serum lipid indices and the levels of interleukins （IL-1β， IL-4， IL-6， and IL-10） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in mice. Protein expression levels of IKKα， IKKβ， and NF-κB p65 in mouse aortic tissue were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group showed a significant increase in body weight. The results of color Doppler ultrasound showed enhanced vascular wall echo， suggesting the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. HE staining showed foam cell aggregation， fibrous connective tissue proliferation， and vascular intima injury in the aortic tissue. Oil red O staining showed a significant increase in the plaque area in the aortic tissue （P<0.01）. ELISA results indicated significantly elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein （LDL） in mouse serum （P<0.01）， as well as significantly decreased levels of IL-4， IL-10， and high-density lipoprotein （HDL） （P<0.01）. Western blot results showed that the expression of IKKα， IKKβ， and NF-κB p65 in mouse aortic tissue increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， mice in the middle- and high-dose SWD groups showed significant weight loss. In the high-dose group， the aortic vascular wall echoes were weakened， and the atherosclerotic plaques were reduced. The aortic lesions of mice in the medium- and high-dose SWD groups were significantly alleviated. The plaque area percentage showed an inverse correlation with the administered dose in all groups treated with SWD （P<0.05）. In the medium-dose SWD group， serum levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while those of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. In the high-dose SWD group， levels of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while IL-4， IL-10， and HDL were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The IKKα and IKKβ expression was significantly decreased in the low-dose SWD group （P<0.05）， and IKKα， IKKβ， and NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased in the medium- and high-dose SWD groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSWD may exert therapeutic effects on AS by regulating the expression of related inflammatory factors through the NF-κB signaling pathway， thereby reducing inflammation， plaque area， and lipid content in the body.

Benign essential blepharospasm(BEB)is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary contractions of periocular muscles, which can lead to functional blindness and significantly impair patients' quality of life. This article systematically reviews the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and therapeutic advances in BEB. Epidemiological data indicate that the global prevalence of BEB is approximately 1 in 200000, with a predilection for individuals over 50 years of age and a significantly higher incidence in female than in male. The exact pathogenesis of BEB remains incompletely understood, though current evidence suggests close associations with neurotransmitter dysfunction, reduced cortical inhibition, and genetic susceptibility. Therapeutic strategies primarily focus on symptomatic management. Botulinum toxin type A(BTX-A)injection remains the first-line treatment but requires repeated administrations due to transient efficacy. Other treatments, including oral drugs, surgery, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, also have major limitations. By synthesizing recent research progress from domestic and international studies, this review aims to provide novel insights for the clinical management of BEB, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Objective: In ovarian cancer (OvCa), tumor cell high glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been associated with poor patient prognosis. In vitro, GR activation inhibits chemotherapyinduced OvCa cell death in association with transcriptional upregulation of genes encoding anti-apoptotic proteins. A recent randomized phase II study demonstrated improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for heavily pre-treated OvCa patients randomized to receive therapy with a selective GR modulator (SGRM) plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. We hypothesized that SGRM therapy would improve carboplatin response in OvCa patient-derived xenograft (PDX). Methods: Six high-grade serous (HGS) OvCa PDX models expressing GR mRNA (NR3C1) and protein were treated with chemotherapy +/− SGRM. Tumor size was measured longitudinally by peritoneal transcutaneous ultrasonography. Results: One of the 6 GR-positive PDX models showed a significant improvement in PFS with the addition of a SGRM. Interestingly, the single model with an improved PFS was least carboplatin sensitive. Possible explanations for the modest SGRM activity include the high carboplatin sensitivity of 5 of the PDX tumors and the potential that SGRMs activate the tumor invasive immune cells in patients (absent from immunocompromised mice). The level of tumor GR protein expression alone appears insufficient for predicting SGRM response. Conclusion The significant improvement in PFS shown in 1 of the 6 models after treatment with a SGRM plus chemotherapy underscores the need to determine predictive biomarkers for SGRM therapy in HGS OvCa and to better identify patient subgroups that are most likely to benefit from adding GR modulation to chemotherapy.

Objective:To analyze the incidence and impact on the auditory prognosis of vertigo/dizziness in sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with moderately severe hearing loss and above. Methods:Clinical data of patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss hospitalized from January 2008 to December 2022, aged 18-60 years, PTA≥50 dB HL, and within 14 days of onset were selected. Based on the clinical records of sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients, we determined whether they were accompanied by vertigo/dizziness. The degree of hearing loss is referenced to the 2021 WHO grading criteria and divided into the moderately severe, severe, profound, and total deafness groups. The SPSS 22.0 software was applied to analyze the difference in the auditory prognosis between sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with moderately severe hearing loss and above who have dizziness/vertigo and those who do not. Results:A total of 697 patients with moderately severe hearing loss and above were collected, including 382 males and 315 females, with an average age of（40.8±11.0） years. The proportions of sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with dizziness/vertigo among those with moderately severe to total deafness hearing loss were 18.4%, 35.7%, 47.9%, and 76.4% respectively. Compared to the moderately severe, severe, profound, and total deafness groups, the difference was statistically significant（P<0.001）. The complete recovery rates of sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with moderately severe to total deafness hearing loss were 28.2%, 25.2%, 18.2%, and 1.9% respectively, and the total effective rates were 72.8%, 83.5%, 86.7%, and 78.0% respectively. There were statistically significant differences in complete recovery rate（P<0.001）, significant efficiency rate（P<0.001）, effective rate（P=0.026）, and no recovery rate（P=0.022） among the moderately severe, severe, profound, and total deafness groups. The differences in complete recovery between sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with and without vertigo/dizziness were statistically significant in the moderately severe, severe, profound, and total deafness groups（P<0.05）, while the total effective rates were only statistically significant in the profound group compared to those without vertigo/dizziness（P<0.05）. After inpatient treatment, sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients with dizziness/vertigo had statistically significant final hearing thresholds at 4 000 and 8 000 Hz for moderately severe hearing loss patients, 2 000-8 000 Hz for severe hearing loss patients, 500-8 000 Hz for profound hearing loss patients, and 2 000-8 000 Hz for total deafness patients compared to those without dizziness/vertigo（P<0.05）. Conclusion:The higher the degree of hearing loss in patients with moderately severe hearing loss and above, the higher the proportion of accompanied vertigo/dizziness. Patients with vertigo/dizziness have poorer recovery of high-frequency hearing, and the complete recovery rate is significantly lower than the patients without vertigo/dizziness.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sudden/complications* ; Adult ; Dizziness/complications* ; Prognosis ; Middle Aged ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/complications* ; Vertigo/complications* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent

Objective: In ovarian cancer (OvCa), tumor cell high glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been associated with poor patient prognosis. In vitro, GR activation inhibits chemotherapyinduced OvCa cell death in association with transcriptional upregulation of genes encoding anti-apoptotic proteins. A recent randomized phase II study demonstrated improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for heavily pre-treated OvCa patients randomized to receive therapy with a selective GR modulator (SGRM) plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. We hypothesized that SGRM therapy would improve carboplatin response in OvCa patient-derived xenograft (PDX). Methods: Six high-grade serous (HGS) OvCa PDX models expressing GR mRNA (NR3C1) and protein were treated with chemotherapy +/− SGRM. Tumor size was measured longitudinally by peritoneal transcutaneous ultrasonography. Results: One of the 6 GR-positive PDX models showed a significant improvement in PFS with the addition of a SGRM. Interestingly, the single model with an improved PFS was least carboplatin sensitive. Possible explanations for the modest SGRM activity include the high carboplatin sensitivity of 5 of the PDX tumors and the potential that SGRMs activate the tumor invasive immune cells in patients (absent from immunocompromised mice). The level of tumor GR protein expression alone appears insufficient for predicting SGRM response. Conclusion The significant improvement in PFS shown in 1 of the 6 models after treatment with a SGRM plus chemotherapy underscores the need to determine predictive biomarkers for SGRM therapy in HGS OvCa and to better identify patient subgroups that are most likely to benefit from adding GR modulation to chemotherapy.

Objective: In ovarian cancer (OvCa), tumor cell high glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been associated with poor patient prognosis. In vitro, GR activation inhibits chemotherapyinduced OvCa cell death in association with transcriptional upregulation of genes encoding anti-apoptotic proteins. A recent randomized phase II study demonstrated improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for heavily pre-treated OvCa patients randomized to receive therapy with a selective GR modulator (SGRM) plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. We hypothesized that SGRM therapy would improve carboplatin response in OvCa patient-derived xenograft (PDX). Methods: Six high-grade serous (HGS) OvCa PDX models expressing GR mRNA (NR3C1) and protein were treated with chemotherapy +/− SGRM. Tumor size was measured longitudinally by peritoneal transcutaneous ultrasonography. Results: One of the 6 GR-positive PDX models showed a significant improvement in PFS with the addition of a SGRM. Interestingly, the single model with an improved PFS was least carboplatin sensitive. Possible explanations for the modest SGRM activity include the high carboplatin sensitivity of 5 of the PDX tumors and the potential that SGRMs activate the tumor invasive immune cells in patients (absent from immunocompromised mice). The level of tumor GR protein expression alone appears insufficient for predicting SGRM response. Conclusion The significant improvement in PFS shown in 1 of the 6 models after treatment with a SGRM plus chemotherapy underscores the need to determine predictive biomarkers for SGRM therapy in HGS OvCa and to better identify patient subgroups that are most likely to benefit from adding GR modulation to chemotherapy.

Objective To compare functional differences of CD8+T cells in lung tissues between young and aged C57BL/6J mice during the contraction phase and memory immune response phase after infection with influenza A(H1N1)virus.Methods Lung tissues from young(3-month-old)and aged(24-month-old)C57BL/6J female mice without influenza virus infection were collected to prepare single-cell suspensions,which were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)/ionomycin or cluster of differentiation(CD)3/CD28 antibodies(T-cell antigen receptor/co-stimulatory signals)respectively(non-specific antigens stimulation).Flow cytometry intracellular cytokine staining(ICS)was performed on lung CD8+T cells to detect their secretion capacity of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ).Young and aged C57BL/6J mice were infected intranasally with 490 PFU PR8 influenza virus,and reinfected with homologous influenza virus 28 days later.Lung tissues were isolated on day 28(the contraction phase)and day 32(the memory immune response phase)after primary infection.Influenza virus-specific MHC-Ⅰ tetramer staining was used to detect the proportion of virus-specific CD8+T cells in lung tissue CD8+T cells,and ICS was used to analyze TNF-α,IFN-γ,and granzyme B expression in CD8+CD44high T cell subset.Results After non-specific antigen stimulation,TNF-α and IFN-γ secretion capacity in lung tissue CD8+T cells of aged group mice was significantly higher than that of young group(P＜0.05).After virus-specific antigen stimulation,there were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of virus-specific CD8+T cells and the expression levels of TNF-α,IFN-γ,and granzyme B between the two groups of mice during the contraction phase(P＞0.05),while during the memory immune response phase,the proportion of virus-specific CD8+T cells and the expression levels of TNF-α,IFN-γ,and granzyme B in the aged group mice were significantly lower than those in the young group(P＜0.05).Conclusion CD8+T cells in aged mice maintain normal immune-related factor expression function under non-specific antigen stimulation,but show impaired immune-related factor expression function during antigen-specific memory immune response phase,suggesting that aging leads to defects in the formation or maintenance of CD8+T cell immune memory.