1.Current Research Status,Challenges,Differentiation and Treatment Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Fengyun WANG ; Mi LYU ; Bingduo ZHOU ; Beihua ZHANG ; Yi WANG ; Tingting XU ; Cong HE ; Xiaokang WANG ; Xin LIU ; Yang WANG ; Kaiyue HUANG ; Lusi XU ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):392-396
This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Studies demonstrate that TCM, based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach, exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes, promoting mucosal repair, regulating emotions, and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy, strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions, promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory, human experience and clinical trial evidence, and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.
2.Clinical Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of 1293 Non-Severe Adult Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Treated by the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases:A Multicenter,Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Ye MA ; Yeqing JI ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):966-974
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and economic value of the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases (abbreviated as the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol) in adult patients with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) based on real-world clinical data. MethodsA retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records of adult patients hospitalized for non-severe CAP from September 1st, 2023 to December 31st, 2024 across 10 TCM hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were classified into an exposure group and a non-exposure group based on whether they received Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) according to the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol. The non-exposure group received only conventional western medicine, while the exposure group additionally received differentiated CHM for at least five consecutive days. Outcomes were compared between two patient groups, including cough resolution rate, sputum resolution rate (assessed by volume, color, and consistency), incidence of abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP), incidence of abnormal white blood cell (WBC) count, and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing clinical efficacy. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, gender, smoking status, history of hypertension, and pneumonia severity score (CURB-65), and the efficacy of treatment for cough and sputum was analyzed within each subgroup. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using cough resolution rate as the outcome measure, evaluating the pharmacoeconomics of the two groups. ResultsA total of 1688 patients were included with 1293 in the exposure group and 395 in the non-exposure group. Compared to the non-exposure group, the exposure group demonstrated significantly higher resolution rates of cough, sputum volume, color, and consistency, as well as a significantly lower incidence of abnormal CRP (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of abnormal WBC count and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the cough resolution rate in the exposure group was 1.83 times that of the non-exposure group, while the probabilities of resolution in sputum volume, color, and consistency were 1.37, 2.09, and 1.56 times those of the non-exposure group, respectively (P<0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that the exposure group achieved significantly higher cough resolution rates across most subgroups except for populations with a CURB-65 score ≥2 or those with a history of hypertension (P<0.05). Specifically, among females, patients aged ≥18 and <65 years, non-smokers, those without hypertension, and those with a CURB-65 score of 0, the exposure group showed a higher cough resolution rate than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). From an economic perspective, total hospitalization cost, length of stay, antibiotic cost, and CHM cost all differed significantly between groups (P<0.05). The cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) was 10,788.80 CNY/case in the exposure group, while 22,513.80 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. This implies that, compared with the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 17,302.27 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution. When the willingness-to-pay threshold ranged from 0 to 50,000 CNY, the probability of economic advantage was consistently higher in the exposure group than in the non-exposure group. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine, the addition of CHM in accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol can effectively improve clinical symptoms, reduce inflammatory markers, promote clinical recovery, and is more cost-effective in treating adults with non-severe CAP.
3.Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方)in the Treatment of Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Syndrome:A Multicenter Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Yeqing JI ; Ye MA ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):975-984
ObjectiveTo observe the real‑world effectiveness and economic outcomes of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方, WQF) in the treatment of adult community‑acquired pneumonia (CAP) with phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome. MethodsBased on a multicenter, real-world retrospective cohort study, clinical data were collected from hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with non‑severe CAP and phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome in 10 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were divided into an exposure group (those who received oral WQF) and a non‑exposure group (those who did not). The following outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, which were remission rates of clinical symptoms including cough, expectoration (sputum volume, color, consistency), and chest pain, levels of inflammatory markers including C‑reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC), and the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age, gender, smoking status, presence of hypertension, and the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CURB‑65) score, comparing the two groups in terms of cough remission rate, chest pain remission rate, and chest CT absorption rate. For health economic evaluation, cost‑effectiveness analysis was used to calculate the cost‑effectiveness ratio (CER) and incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio (ICER). Univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 647 patients in the exposure group and 1491 patients in the non-exposure group were included in the final statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay, gender, marital status, smoking history, bronchoscopy history, and comorbidities between the groups (P>0.05), but age, CURB-65 score, and antibiotic use. The exposure group had significantly higher remission rates of cough and sputum consistency than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders using propensity score matching and logistic regression, the cough remission rate in the exposure group was 1.49 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between groups in the reduction rates of CRP and WBC, and in the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT (P>0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the cough remission rate in the exposure group was significantly better than that in the non-exposure group except for patients aged ≥65 years, smokers, hypertensive patients, those using other type antibiotics or not using antibiotics, and those with a CURB-65 score ≥1 (P<0.05). Among smokers, the chest pain remission rate in the exposure group was 4.38 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference in chest CT absorption rate was found between groups across subgroups of gender, age, hypertension status, or antibiotic type (P>0.05). In terms of economic evaluation, CER was 10,877.60 CNY/case in the exposure group and 16,773.10 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. Compared to the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 15,034.26 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution, indicating a more favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded results consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis, confirming the robustness of the findings. ConclusionWQF demonstrates significant efficacy in improving cough symptoms in the treatment of adult CAP with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome, and also exhibits favorable economic benefits.
4.Clinical Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of 1293 Non-Severe Adult Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Treated by the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases:A Multicenter,Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Ye MA ; Yeqing JI ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):966-974
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and economic value of the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Dominant Diseases (abbreviated as the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol) in adult patients with non-severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) based on real-world clinical data. MethodsA retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records of adult patients hospitalized for non-severe CAP from September 1st, 2023 to December 31st, 2024 across 10 TCM hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were classified into an exposure group and a non-exposure group based on whether they received Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) according to the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol. The non-exposure group received only conventional western medicine, while the exposure group additionally received differentiated CHM for at least five consecutive days. Outcomes were compared between two patient groups, including cough resolution rate, sputum resolution rate (assessed by volume, color, and consistency), incidence of abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP), incidence of abnormal white blood cell (WBC) count, and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates on chest imaging. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing clinical efficacy. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age, gender, smoking status, history of hypertension, and pneumonia severity score (CURB-65), and the efficacy of treatment for cough and sputum was analyzed within each subgroup. Cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using cough resolution rate as the outcome measure, evaluating the pharmacoeconomics of the two groups. ResultsA total of 1688 patients were included with 1293 in the exposure group and 395 in the non-exposure group. Compared to the non-exposure group, the exposure group demonstrated significantly higher resolution rates of cough, sputum volume, color, and consistency, as well as a significantly lower incidence of abnormal CRP (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of abnormal WBC count and radiographic resolution rate of pulmonary infiltrates (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the cough resolution rate in the exposure group was 1.83 times that of the non-exposure group, while the probabilities of resolution in sputum volume, color, and consistency were 1.37, 2.09, and 1.56 times those of the non-exposure group, respectively (P<0.05). Subgroup analyses showed that the exposure group achieved significantly higher cough resolution rates across most subgroups except for populations with a CURB-65 score ≥2 or those with a history of hypertension (P<0.05). Specifically, among females, patients aged ≥18 and <65 years, non-smokers, those without hypertension, and those with a CURB-65 score of 0, the exposure group showed a higher cough resolution rate than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). From an economic perspective, total hospitalization cost, length of stay, antibiotic cost, and CHM cost all differed significantly between groups (P<0.05). The cost-effectiveness ratio (CER) was 10,788.80 CNY/case in the exposure group, while 22,513.80 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. This implies that, compared with the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 17,302.27 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution. When the willingness-to-pay threshold ranged from 0 to 50,000 CNY, the probability of economic advantage was consistently higher in the exposure group than in the non-exposure group. ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine, the addition of CHM in accordance with the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol can effectively improve clinical symptoms, reduce inflammatory markers, promote clinical recovery, and is more cost-effective in treating adults with non-severe CAP.
5.Efficacy and Economic Evaluation of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方)in the Treatment of Adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung Syndrome:A Multicenter Retrospective Real-World Cohort Study
Yeqing JI ; Ye MA ; Zhichao WANG ; Fanchao FENG ; Mingzhi PU ; Hong LYU ; Xiaodong HU ; Gaohua FENG ; Xiaoqian FANG ; Guicai ZHANG ; Yanfen TANG ; Yeqing ZHANG ; Yao ZHUFU ; Wenpan PENG ; Hao WANG ; Cheng GU ; Zhichao ZHANG ; Shuang YANG ; Xinyu SUN ; Qi ZHAO ; Aojie GUO ; Xin TONG ; Zhuoyue WU ; Xiaoxiao WANG ; Jia LIU ; Hailang HE ; Xianmei ZHOU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(9):975-984
ObjectiveTo observe the real‑world effectiveness and economic outcomes of Weishi Qingjin Formula (苇石清金方, WQF) in the treatment of adult community‑acquired pneumonia (CAP) with phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome. MethodsBased on a multicenter, real-world retrospective cohort study, clinical data were collected from hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with non‑severe CAP and phlegm‑heat obstructing the lung syndrome in 10 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals in Jiangsu province. Patients were divided into an exposure group (those who received oral WQF) and a non‑exposure group (those who did not). The following outcomes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, which were remission rates of clinical symptoms including cough, expectoration (sputum volume, color, consistency), and chest pain, levels of inflammatory markers including C‑reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC), and the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age, gender, smoking status, presence of hypertension, and the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CURB‑65) score, comparing the two groups in terms of cough remission rate, chest pain remission rate, and chest CT absorption rate. For health economic evaluation, cost‑effectiveness analysis was used to calculate the cost‑effectiveness ratio (CER) and incremental cost‑effectiveness ratio (ICER). Univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 647 patients in the exposure group and 1491 patients in the non-exposure group were included in the final statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in length of hospital stay, gender, marital status, smoking history, bronchoscopy history, and comorbidities between the groups (P>0.05), but age, CURB-65 score, and antibiotic use. The exposure group had significantly higher remission rates of cough and sputum consistency than the non-exposure group (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders using propensity score matching and logistic regression, the cough remission rate in the exposure group was 1.49 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between groups in the reduction rates of CRP and WBC, and in the rate of pulmonary inflammatory absorption on chest CT (P>0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the cough remission rate in the exposure group was significantly better than that in the non-exposure group except for patients aged ≥65 years, smokers, hypertensive patients, those using other type antibiotics or not using antibiotics, and those with a CURB-65 score ≥1 (P<0.05). Among smokers, the chest pain remission rate in the exposure group was 4.38 times that of the non-exposure group (P<0.01). No significant difference in chest CT absorption rate was found between groups across subgroups of gender, age, hypertension status, or antibiotic type (P>0.05). In terms of economic evaluation, CER was 10,877.60 CNY/case in the exposure group and 16,773.10 CNY/case in the non-exposure group. Compared to the exposure group, the non-exposure group incurred an additional 15,034.26 CNY to achieve one case of cough resolution, indicating a more favorable cost-effectiveness profile. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded results consistent with the cost-effectiveness analysis, confirming the robustness of the findings. ConclusionWQF demonstrates significant efficacy in improving cough symptoms in the treatment of adult CAP with phlegm-heat obstructing the lung syndrome, and also exhibits favorable economic benefits.
6.Construction and analysis of miRNA-mRNA regulatory network during progression of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice
Xin AN ; Da LYU ; Xuepei REN ; Chuncheng LIU ; Guojun LIU ; Hongyu ZHAO ; Lu CAI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):565-574
Background Regulatory interactions between microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are involved in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, which can either promote or inhibit the development of this disease. Objective To explore the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network during the progression of silica (SiO2)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice using integrated mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq analysis. Methods A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by dynamic SiO2 dust exposure. The experimental design included a blank control group and four SiO2-exposed groups (7, 14, 28, and 56 d, n=10 per group). Successful model induction was confirmed by histopathological analysis (HE and Masson staining), hydroxyproline (HYP) quantification, and expression of key fibrosis-related cytokines [fibroblast growth factor (FGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)]. Lung tissues from mice in each group were subjected to sequencing, and Mfuzz was used for time-series gene clustering to identify dynamic progression patterns. DESeq2 was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs. Enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed to identify critical signaling pathways and biological processes underlying pulmonary fibrosis progression. Expression of four selected miRNAs was subsequently validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The target mRNAs of key miRNAs were comprehensively predicted by integrating miRBase, starBase, and miRTarBase to construct the regulatory networks and investigate potential functions. Results SiO2 exposure led to time-dependent aggravation of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, evidenced by increased fibrous deposition, elevated HYP levels (P < 0.01), and up-regulation of four kinds of pro-fibrotic cytokines (P < 0.01) compared with the NT group. Mfuzz clustering revealed the stage-specific characteristics. Compared to controls, 231, 662, 448, and 1020 DEGs were identified after SiO2 exposure at 7, 14, 28, and 56 d, respectively, primarily enriched in immune responses and chemokine signaling. During critical fibrotic phases—7 d (acute inflammation and initiation) and 28 d (chronic inflammation and establishment)—18 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified; notably mmu-miR-135b-5p was significantly dysregulated at both time points. The expression trends of the four key miRNAs (mmu-miR-135b-5p, mmu-miR-708-5p, mmu-miR-21a-3p, and mmu-miR-205-5p) were consistent with the sequencing results. Furthermore, bioinformatics databases were used to predict the target mRNAs of key miRNAs. The constructed network highlighted critical miRNA-mRNA pairs—including mmu-miR-135b-5p and Meis1, mmu-miR-708-5p and Mmp25, mmu-miR-21a-3p and Cacna1d, mmu-miR-205-5p and Ereg which were closely associated with inflammatory response, extracellular matrix deposition, and fibroblast activation. Conclusion The progression of pulmonary fibrosis is accompanied by dynamic changes in miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks. The identified miRNA-target axes (e.g., miR-135b-5p and Meis1, mmu-miR-708-5p and Mmp25, mmu-miR-21a-3p and Cacna1d, and mmu-miR-205-5p and Ereg—) may play important roles in fibrogenesis and provide potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis.
7.Construction and analysis of miRNA-mRNA regulatory network during progression of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice
Xin AN ; Da LYU ; Xuepei REN ; Chuncheng LIU ; Guojun LIU ; Hongyu ZHAO ; Lu CAI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(5):565-574
Background Regulatory interactions between microRNAs (miRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are involved in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, which can either promote or inhibit the development of this disease. Objective To explore the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network during the progression of silica (SiO2)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice using integrated mRNA-seq and miRNA-seq analysis. Methods A mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was established by dynamic SiO2 dust exposure. The experimental design included a blank control group and four SiO2-exposed groups (7, 14, 28, and 56 d, n=10 per group). Successful model induction was confirmed by histopathological analysis (HE and Masson staining), hydroxyproline (HYP) quantification, and expression of key fibrosis-related cytokines [fibroblast growth factor (FGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)]. Lung tissues from mice in each group were subjected to sequencing, and Mfuzz was used for time-series gene clustering to identify dynamic progression patterns. DESeq2 was utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs. Enrichment analysis of DEGs was performed to identify critical signaling pathways and biological processes underlying pulmonary fibrosis progression. Expression of four selected miRNAs was subsequently validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The target mRNAs of key miRNAs were comprehensively predicted by integrating miRBase, starBase, and miRTarBase to construct the regulatory networks and investigate potential functions. Results SiO2 exposure led to time-dependent aggravation of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, evidenced by increased fibrous deposition, elevated HYP levels (P < 0.01), and up-regulation of four kinds of pro-fibrotic cytokines (P < 0.01) compared with the NT group. Mfuzz clustering revealed the stage-specific characteristics. Compared to controls, 231, 662, 448, and 1020 DEGs were identified after SiO2 exposure at 7, 14, 28, and 56 d, respectively, primarily enriched in immune responses and chemokine signaling. During critical fibrotic phases—7 d (acute inflammation and initiation) and 28 d (chronic inflammation and establishment)—18 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified; notably mmu-miR-135b-5p was significantly dysregulated at both time points. The expression trends of the four key miRNAs (mmu-miR-135b-5p, mmu-miR-708-5p, mmu-miR-21a-3p, and mmu-miR-205-5p) were consistent with the sequencing results. Furthermore, bioinformatics databases were used to predict the target mRNAs of key miRNAs. The constructed network highlighted critical miRNA-mRNA pairs—including mmu-miR-135b-5p and Meis1, mmu-miR-708-5p and Mmp25, mmu-miR-21a-3p and Cacna1d, mmu-miR-205-5p and Ereg which were closely associated with inflammatory response, extracellular matrix deposition, and fibroblast activation. Conclusion The progression of pulmonary fibrosis is accompanied by dynamic changes in miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks. The identified miRNA-target axes (e.g., miR-135b-5p and Meis1, mmu-miR-708-5p and Mmp25, mmu-miR-21a-3p and Cacna1d, and mmu-miR-205-5p and Ereg—) may play important roles in fibrogenesis and provide potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis.
8.Effect of Yishen Tongluo Prescription on Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index and Sperm Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Patients with Asymptomatic Idiopathic Asthenospermia Infertility
Gaoli HAO ; Xin HE ; Lipeng FAN ; Jianshe CHEN ; Xun LI ; Hui ZHANG ; Xiang CHEN ; Shuilin LYU ; Xiaojun FU ; Zixue SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):145-151
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Yishen Tongluo prescription on sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in patients with asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia infertility. MethodsA total of 128 patients with asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia were randomly assigned to an experimental group (64 cases) and a control group (64 cases). The experimental group received Yishen Tongluo prescription, while the control group was treated with Wuzi Yanzongwan combined with L-carnitine oral solution. One treatment course lasted 12 weeks. Spouse pregnancy rate, sperm progressive motility (PR), total sperm motility (PR+NP), sperm function (sperm tail hypotonic swelling rate, sperm acrosin activity), sperm DFI, and sperm MMP were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Adverse reactions were observed and recorded during the study, and clinical efficacy and safety were systematically evaluated. ResultsA total of 121 patients completed the study, including 61 in the experimental group and 60 in the control group. The spouse pregnancy rate in the experimental group was 14.75% (9/61), higher than that in the control group at 6.67% (4/60), though the difference was not statistically significant. Clinical efficacy in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the results before treatment, sperm PR, PR + NP, sperm tail hypotonic swelling rate, sperm acrosin activity, sperm DFI, and sperm MMP were significantly improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05), with greater improvements in the experimental group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant change in sperm concentration in either group after treatment. During the study, no abnormal safety indicators or significant adverse reactions occurred in either group. ConclusionThe kidney-tonifying and collateral-dredging method shows good clinical efficacy in the treatment of asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia infertility. Yishen Tongluo prescription can improve sperm motility, increase spouse pregnancy rate, enhance sperm function, and demonstrates good safety. Its mechanism may be related to reducing sperm DFI and increasing sperm MMP.
9.Evaluation of cardiac involvement in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis using echocardiography combined with electrocardiography
Aiqing LU ; Ling CHEN ; Xiuyun SUN ; Xin DONG ; Xiaoyan LI ; Yongcun SUN ; Shaowen LYU ; Long YU ; Yong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(4):534-539
Objective To evaluate cardiac involvement in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) using echocardiography combined with electrocardiography. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the detailed medical records of AAV patients treated in Jining First People’s Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024. Eighty patients were enrolled in the AAV group, and the risk of heart disease was compared between the AAV group and a control group with 80 subjects matched for age, sex, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results Electrocardiographic abnormalities were observed in 78.75% of patients in the AAV group, while significant electrocardiographic abnormalities only occurred in symptomatic patients in the control group. There were no differences in left atrial enlargement or interventricular septal thickening between the AAV group and the control group. The overall left ventricular systolic function in the AAV group was lower than that in the control group (8.75% vs. 0). The incidence of reduced diastolic function in the AAV group was significantly higher than that in the control group (37.5% vs. 15%). The incidence rates of tricuspid regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, and pericardial effusion in the AAV group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Pericardial thickening, aortic stenosis, pulmonary hypertension, and rare periaortic granulomas were found in the AAV group, but not in the control group. Conclusion Echocardiography and electrocardiography are important examination methods for evaluating cardiac involvement in AAV. These methods have key roles in disease screening, diagnosis and treatment, follow-up, and prognosis judgment.
10.Efficiency analysis of a metabolic profile-based model for predicting the risk of disease progression in patients with diabetic macular edema
Haiyan YANG ; Xin WANG ; Li LYU
International Eye Science 2025;25(11):1869-1875
AIM: To screen the predictors of disease progression risk in patients with diabetic macular edema(DME), establish a joint prediction model and analyze its predictive efficiency.METHODS:A retrospective selection was made of 240 patients with DME who were treated in our hospital from July 2021 to October 2024 as the research subjects. The patients were divided into a low-risk group(n=102)and a high-risk group(n=138)based on the central macular thickness(CMT)and whether the fovea was accumulated. The basic information of the patients and relevant examination data such as glycolipid metabolism indicators and liver and kidney function indicators were collected. The indicators with differences in the univariate analysis(P<0.05)were included in the multivariate analysis to screen out the independent influencing factors of disease progression in DME patients and construct a predictive model. The fitting effect of the prediction model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the prediction model was verified by sensitivity, specificity and Youden index.RESULTS: The general data of the two groups of patients are comparable, and there was no statistically significant difference in blood pressure between the two groups of patients(both P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c), fasting blood glucose(FBG), advanced glycation end products(AGEs), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), triglycerides(TG), serum creatinine(Scr), uric acid(UA), and cystatin C(Cys-C)at 3 and 6 mo in the high-risk group at baseline, 3 and 6 mo were higher than those in the low-risk group(all P<0.01). The baseline, 3 and 6 mo estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR), total bilirubin(TBIL), and 3 and 6 mo high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)in the high-risk group were all lower than those in the low-risk group(P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that baseline HbA1c, 3 mo FBG, 3 mo AGEs, baseline LDL-C, 3 mo TG, 3 mo eGFR, baseline TBIL, and 6 mo TBIL were risk factors for disease progression in DME patients. The area under curve(AUC)of the combined prediction model was 0.909(95%CI: 0.872-0.945), with a sensitivity of 79.00% and a specificity of 94.10%.CONCLUSION: HbA1c, FBG, AGEs, LDL-C, TG, eGFR and TBIL are risk factors for the risk of disease progression in patients with DME. The combined prediction model can provide a reference for predicting the risk of disease progression in patients with DME.

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