1.Current status of climate change-related health literacy and evaluation of comprehensive intervention effects among residents in Shenzhen
Guomin CHEN ; Jiamin JIANG ; Xun WANG ; Qiuling WANG ; Jiajia JI ; Xiaoheng LI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(4):467-474
Background Climate change poses a significant threat to public health. In China, relevant health intervention research is still in its early stages, and evidence for evaluating the effectiveness of regional climate change health adaptation strategies and measures is scarce. Objective To investigate the level of climate change-related health literacy among residents in Shenzhen, implement targeted health interventions, and assess the intervention effects as well as their influencing factors. Methods From July 2023 to January 2024, 4 communities were randomly selected in Shenzhen, and a total of 896 community residents were enrolled and divided into an intervention group (444 participants) and a control group (452 participants). Baseline and follow-up surveys on climate change-related health literacy were conducted among residents for both groups. During the period between the two surveys, the intervention group received targeted health interventions. Health literacy—comprising 3 dimensions: basic health knowledge and concepts, basic health skills, and healthy lifestyles—was defined as achieving ≥80% of the total score. A differences-in-differences model was adopted to analyze the impact of the intervention, and multiple linear regression was used to explore the factors influencing the intervention effect. Results The baseline survey showed that 240 out of the 896 surveyed residents (26.79%) possessed climate change health literacy. For the 3 dimensions, the number of residents and the proportions with corresponding literacy in descending order were: basic health skills (521, 58.15%), healthy lifestyles (345, 38.50%), and basic health knowledge and concepts (44, 4.91%). After the intervention, the intervention group showed a 3.19% increase in the total health literacy score, a 3.55% increase in basic health knowledge and concepts, and a 4.24% increase in basic health skills (t=2.79, 2.77, and 2.47 respectively) (P<0.05). No significant change was observed in healthy lifestyle scores (t=0.70, P>0.05). Further analysis showed that awareness of the “dual carbon goals” and occupation were significantly associated with the intervention effect on overall health literacy (P<0.05). For basic health knowledge and concepts, occupation, history of chronic diseases, and awareness of the “dual carbon goals” had statistically significant effects on the intervention outcomes (P<0.05). Regarding basic health skills, awareness of the “dual carbon goals” significantly influenced the intervention effect (P<0.001). In terms of healthy lifestyles, gender, educational level, occupation, and awareness of climate change were significantly associated with the intervention effect (P<0.05). Conclusion The climate change-related health literacy among community residents in Shenzhen is in urgent need of improvement. Health interventions can effectively enhance residents' basic health knowledge and concepts, basic health skills, and overall literacy level. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the popularization of climate change health knowledge based on different population characteristics and further optimize intervention strategies, to comprehensively improve residents' health adaptation capacity to climate change.
2.Clinical Characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis Complicated with Fatigue Based on Real-world Evidence
Qiuwei PENG ; Quan JIANG ; Jian WANG ; Xun GONG ; Shujuan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):181-188
Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with the aim of providing guidance for clinical treatment. Methods Based on the multicenter real-world cohort of the China Registry of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Rheumatism (CERTAIN) platform, patients with RA enrolled from 2019 to 2025 were included. Demographic data, disease assessment indicators, laboratory indices, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome patterns were collected to analyze the TCM syndromes and clinical characteristics of RA patients with fatigue. Spearman correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with fatigue in RA. Results A total of 3 021 patients with RA were included, among whom 2 007 (66.43%) had fatigue. Compared with the non-fatigue group, the fatigue group was older and had a longer disease duration, with significantly higher scores for the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28), swollen joint count (SJC), tender joint count (TJC), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), pain visual analog scale (VAS), and patient global assessment (PGA) (P<0.01). Among TCM syndromes, fatigue was more common in patients with dampness-heat obstruction, cold-dampness obstruction, and liver-kidney deficiency syndromes (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that morning stiffness duration exhibited a stepwise association with fatigue, while poor appetite, insomnia with frequent dreaming, restlessness, high HAQ scores, and high pain VAS scores were identified as risk factors. ConclusionFatigue is a prominent symptom in patients with RA and is more common among those with dampness-heat obstruction, cold-dampness obstruction, and liver-kidney deficiency syndromes. It is closely associated with disease activity, pain, functional limitation, sleep, and emotional status.
3.Real-world Cohort Study of Qingre Huoxue Prescription for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Complicated by Hyperhomocysteinemia
Ningyi WANG ; Quan JIANG ; Xun GONG ; Rouman ZHANG ; Tian CHANG ; Jiameng LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):162-170
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Qingre Huoxue prescription combined with methotrexate (MTX) and folic acid (FA) on homocysteine (Hcy) levels and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). MethodsOn the basis of a multicenter real-world cohort from the China Registry of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Rheumatism (CERTAIN) platform,408 patients with RA complicated by HHcy were selected and included in this study. Treatment with Qingre Huoxue prescription was used as the exposure factor. According to whether Qingre Huoxue prescription was combined with MTX and FA,patients were assigned into an exposure group of 281 cases and a control group of 127 cases. Follow-ups were conducted every three months,with the primary outcome indicator being the achievement rate of target Hcy level. A generalized estimating equation model was adopted to analyze the dynamic changes in Hcy level under different medication regimens. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate the cumulative achievement rate of target Hcy level in the two groups,and Cox regression analysis was conducted to explore the predictive factors affecting the achievement rate of target Hcy level. Changes in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP),28-joint disease activity score (DAS 28),and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) scores before and after the first combined treatment with Qingre Huoxue prescription were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe Hcy level in the exposure group showed a gradual decreasing trend over time,while the decrease in Hcy level was not significant in the control group. At the 12-month follow-up,the achievement rate of target Hcy level in the exposure group (124/281,44.13%) was higher than that in the control group (23/127,18.11%,P<0.01). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that treatment with Qingre Huoxue prescription [hazard ratio(HR)=3.013,95% confidence interval (CI) 2.188-4.149, P<0.001], absence of comorbidities (HR=2.035, 95%CI 1.352-3.061, P<0.001), and baseline Hcy <15 μmol·L-1 (HR=1.810, 95%CI 1.390-2.357, P<0.001) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of achieving target Hcy levels within 6 months. In contrast, higher PGA scores were associated with a reduced likelihood of achieving target Hcy levels (HR=0.991, 95% CI 0.986-0.997, P=0.003). After treatment,the exposure group demonstrated reductions in ESR,CRP,and DAS 28 scores (P<0.05) and had lower ESR,CRP and DAS 28 scores than the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionEven after taking FA supplements,some RA patients undergoing MTX treatment still have high Hcy levels. When being used in conjunction with MTX and FA,Qingre Huoxue prescription can effectively lower the Hcy level and disease activity in RA patients with HHcy,outperforming Western treatment alone.
4.Real-world Cohort Study of Qingre Huoxue Prescription for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Complicated by Hyperhomocysteinemia
Ningyi WANG ; Quan JIANG ; Xun GONG ; Rouman ZHANG ; Tian CHANG ; Jiameng LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(20):162-170
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Qingre Huoxue prescription combined with methotrexate (MTX) and folic acid (FA) on homocysteine (Hcy) levels and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). MethodsOn the basis of a multicenter real-world cohort from the China Registry of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Rheumatism (CERTAIN) platform,408 patients with RA complicated by HHcy were selected and included in this study. Treatment with Qingre Huoxue prescription was used as the exposure factor. According to whether Qingre Huoxue prescription was combined with MTX and FA,patients were assigned into an exposure group of 281 cases and a control group of 127 cases. Follow-ups were conducted every three months,with the primary outcome indicator being the achievement rate of target Hcy level. A generalized estimating equation model was adopted to analyze the dynamic changes in Hcy level under different medication regimens. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate the cumulative achievement rate of target Hcy level in the two groups,and Cox regression analysis was conducted to explore the predictive factors affecting the achievement rate of target Hcy level. Changes in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP),28-joint disease activity score (DAS 28),and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) scores before and after the first combined treatment with Qingre Huoxue prescription were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe Hcy level in the exposure group showed a gradual decreasing trend over time,while the decrease in Hcy level was not significant in the control group. At the 12-month follow-up,the achievement rate of target Hcy level in the exposure group (124/281,44.13%) was higher than that in the control group (23/127,18.11%,P<0.01). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that treatment with Qingre Huoxue prescription [hazard ratio(HR)=3.013,95% confidence interval (CI) 2.188-4.149, P<0.001], absence of comorbidities (HR=2.035, 95%CI 1.352-3.061, P<0.001), and baseline Hcy <15 μmol·L-1 (HR=1.810, 95%CI 1.390-2.357, P<0.001) were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of achieving target Hcy levels within 6 months. In contrast, higher PGA scores were associated with a reduced likelihood of achieving target Hcy levels (HR=0.991, 95% CI 0.986-0.997, P=0.003). After treatment,the exposure group demonstrated reductions in ESR,CRP,and DAS 28 scores (P<0.05) and had lower ESR,CRP and DAS 28 scores than the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionEven after taking FA supplements,some RA patients undergoing MTX treatment still have high Hcy levels. When being used in conjunction with MTX and FA,Qingre Huoxue prescription can effectively lower the Hcy level and disease activity in RA patients with HHcy,outperforming Western treatment alone.
5.Differentiation and Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease Based on the Theory of "Combined Bi (痹) Syndrome of the Body and Zang (脏) Organs"
Xieli MA ; Quan JIANG ; Xun GONG ; Congmin XIA ; Chuanhui YAO ; Tian CHANG ; Zixia LIU ; Yuchen YANG ; Zhengyao SHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(21):2286-2291
Based on the theory of "combined bi (痹) syndrome of the body and zang (脏)organs", this paper elucidates the pathogenic transmission and treatment principles of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). For the pattern in which the disease transmits from the body to the zang organs, the underlying pathogenesis is blood deficiency and liver constraint with cold congealing in the collaterals. The treatment principle is to nourish the blood and warm the channels, diffuse the lung and defend against pathogenic factors, so as to interrupt the inward transmission of the disease. For the pattern in which the disease transmits from the zang organs to the body, the pathogenesis may involve lung deficiency with insecurity of the exterior, liver fire attacking the lung and scorching the collaterals, or latent pathogens of phlegm and blood stasis permeating outward. The treatment principle is to tonify the lung and secure the exterior, clear the liver and purge the lung, and resolve blood stasis and unblock the collaterals, so that when the zang organs are restored, the body can be nourished. For the pattern in which the body and zang organs are simultaneously affected, the pathogenesis lies in violent toxin pathogens spreading throughout the three jiao (焦) and damaging both the body and zang organs. The treatment principle is to cool the blood and resolve toxins, resolve blood stasis and unblock the collaterals, thereby eliminating pathogenic factors from both the interior and exterior. Emphasis is placed on simultaneous treatment of the body and zang organs and dynamic syndrome differentiation and treatment, providing a new approach to understanding the pathogenesis of SSc-ILD in traditional Chinese medicine and to its stratified treatment.
6.Research progress of CRISPR/Cas9 in genetically inherited eye diseases
Zhangyu LIU ; Xun QIN ; Jiayu HUANG ; Qin JIANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(6):912-917
Currently, researchers have identified several mutated genes associated with hereditary eye diseases; however, effective therapeutic options remain scarce. The emergence of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)and its associated proteins(CRISPR-associated proteins, Cas)offers a promising approach for treating these diseases. CRISPR/Cas9 enables precise targeting and modification of specific genetic sequences, allowing for the correction of mutated genes, as well as knockout or replacement of pathogenic genes to achieve therapeutic effects. In ophthalmology, CRISPR/Cas9 has been applied to various hereditary eye disorders, including corneal dystrophy, congenital cataracts, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa. Additionally, significant progress has been made to utilize CRISPR/Cas9 to develop disease models. Therefore, it has great potential for clinical applications. However, challenges such as delivery efficiency and off-target effects remain. This review summarizes the mechanism of CRISPR/Cas9, its applications in genetic eye diseases and disease models, as well as the existing challenges, aiming to provide new insights for treatment.
7.Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Approaches of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Secondary Gynecological and Obstetric Diseases Based on the Theory of "Bi (痹) of both Body and Viscera"
Hui XU ; Quan JIANG ; Congmin XIA ; Rouman ZHANG ; Xun GONG ; Chuanhui YAO ; Zixia LIU ; Yuchen YANG ; Xieli MA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2438-2442
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may lead to secondary gynecological and obstetric disorders such as decreased ovarian reserve function, menstrual abnormalities, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Based on "bi (痹) of both body and viscera" theory, this paper proposed that the core mechanism of SLE secondary gynecological and obstetric diseases lies in the mutual transformation between "body bi" and "viscera bi", which together affect the uterus. Physiologically, uterus forms an internal-external network with the body and viscera through the meridians and blood vessels. Pathologically, when the healthy qi is deficient, nourishment of the body and viscera is impaired; when toxins and stasis accumulate, pathogenic factors disturb the uterus through the chong (冲) and ren (任) meri-dians. The resulting obstruction in the uterus can, in turn, manifest externally and aggravate damage to the body and viscera. Therefore, the pathogenesis of SLE secondary gynecological and obstetric diseases follows a dynamic trajectory of "body bi first, body bi affecting viscera, and then bi of both body and viscera". In treatment, the principle of harmonizing and balancing the healthy qi is emphasized. The main approach is to regulate the viscera, stabilize the body, and nourish the uterus, with the coordination of nourishing the viscera through the body, thereby achieving simultaneous treatment of both body and viscera. This highlights the guiding significance of the "bi of both body and viscera" theory in preventing and treating SLE secondary gynecological and obstetric diseases.
8.Distritution Characteristics of TCM Syndromes and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Efficacy in 2506 Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Different Course of Disease:A Real-World Retrospective Study
Zhengyao SHEN ; Jingtao LI ; Yuchen YANG ; Shujuan ZHANG ; Quan JIANG ; Xun GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2453-2459
ObjectiveTo investigate the syndrome evolution patterns, characteristics of the used herbal medicinals, and efficacy variations across different stages of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression. MethodsBased on the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN), 2,506 RA patients were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into <6 months group (166 cases), 6 months to <5 years group (1063 cases), 5 to <20 years group (1067 cases), and ≥20 years group (210 cases). Syndromes were differentiated before and after traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment, including damp-heat obstruction, wind-damp obstruction, cold-damp obstruction, blood stasis obstructed in the collaterals, phlegm-stasis obstruction, liver-kidney insufficiency, qi and blood deficiency, and qi-yin deficiency. The syndrome evolution rate was calculated for high-frequency syndromes before and after treatment. Analysis was conducted on top 20 frequently used Chinese herbs at the first diagnosis. Clinical efficacy of the 28-joint disease activity score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) and 28-joint disease activity score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) before and after treatment were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors affecting the efficacy of TCM treatment. ResultsPatients with course of disease shorter than 6 months predominantly presented with cold-dampness obstruction syndrome (49/166, 29.5%), wind-dampness obstruction syndrome (46/166, 27.7%), and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (43/166, 25.9%). For patients with course of disease logner than 6 months and shorter than 5 years and those within 5 to 20 years, the dominant syndrome was dampness-heat obstruction syndrome (324/1063, 30.5% and 318/1067, 29.8%, respectively). In patients with disease duration ≥20 years, liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome and dampness-heat obstruction syndrome both predominated, each accounting for 25.24% (53/210). The syndromes with more than 100 cases before treatment and a syndrome evolution rate greater than 10% after treatment were dampness-heat obstruction (201/738, 27.2%), liver-kidney insufficiency (119/367, 32.4%), and phlegm-stasis obstruction syndromes (73/172, 42.4%). These were classified as high-frequency syndromes. After treatment, damp-heat obstruction syndrome and liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome primarily evolved into wind-damp obstruction syndrome, while phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome evolved into damp-heat obstruction and cold-damp obstruction syndrome. The top two commonly used Chinese herbs across all groups were Gancao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) and Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba). In the <6 months group and the 6 months to <5 years group, high-frequency herbs also included Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Duhuo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), and Qianghuo (Radix et Rhizoma Notopterygii). In the 5 to <20 years group and the ≥20 years group, the usage of Huangqi (Radix Astragali), Fuling (Poria), Niuxi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae), and Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) increased, while the proportion of Fangfeng and Duhuo decreased. After treatment, the DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP scores in all groups significantly decreased (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in clinical efficacy based on DAS28-ESR and DAS28-CRP across all groups (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression revealed significantly reduced treatment efficacy in the 6 months-5 years group (OR=0.4), 5~20 years group (OR=0.5), and ≥20 years group (OR=0.4) compared to the <6 months group. ConclusionRA syndromes follow a progression pattern from excess to deficiency, with corresponding transition in herbal usage from pathogen-eliminating to healthy qi-reinforcing approaches. TCM intervention can significantly reduce disease activity of RA, with superior efficacy in patients with disease duration shorter than 6 months.
9.Progress on drug treatment for corrosive esophageal stenosis in children
Ke QI ; Lingchao ZENG ; Chunhui WANG ; Xun JIANG
International Journal of Pediatrics 2025;52(1):22-26
Children who ingest corrosive substances by mistake usually have a small amount of exploratory ingestion,so perforation caused by injury is rare,and emergency surgical treatment is rarely required in the acute stage.But it is very easy to cause esophageal stenosis in the long term.Esophageal stenosis can last for weeks to months,and the children's difficult swallowing can lead to chronic pain in the esophagus and long-term malnutrition.At present,the main clinical treatment is endoscopic esophageal dilation,which requires multiple dilation treatments.The treatment period of corrosive esophageal stenosis in children is long,if supplemented with effective drugs during treatment,it is expected to reduce the degree of esophageal stenosis,reduce the number of dilation,and shorten the treatment period.On the other hand,early administration of protective drugs can promote benign wound healing after esophageal injury.This article reviews the research progress on drug treatment for corrosive esophageal stenosis in children.
10.Research progress on molecular mechanisms of ginsenosides in alleviating acute lung injury.
Han-Yang ZHAO ; Xun-Jiang WANG ; Qiong-Wen XUE ; Bao-Lian XU ; Xu WANG ; Shu-Sheng LAI ; Ming CHEN ; Li YANG ; Zheng-Tao WANG ; Li-Li DING
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(16):4451-4470
Acute lung injury(ALI) is a critical clinical condition primarily characterized by refractory hypoxemia and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue, which can progress into a more severe form known as acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Immune cells and inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the progression of the disease. Due to its unclear pathogenesis and the lack of effective clinical treatments, ALI is associated with a high mortality rate and severely affects patients' quality of life, making the search for effective therapeutic agents particularly urgent. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the dried root of the perennial herb Panax ginseng from the Araliaceae family, contains active ingredients such as saponins and polysaccharides, which possess various pharmacological effects including anti-tumor activity, immune regulation, and metabolic modulation. In recent years, studies have shown that ginsenosides exhibit notable effects in reducing inflammation, ameliorating epithelial and endothelial cell injury, and providing anticoagulant action, indicating their comprehensive role in alleviating lung injury. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ALI and the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides act at different stages of ALI development. The aim is to provide a scientific reference for the development of ginsenoside-based drugs targeting ALI, as well as a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of ALI.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology*
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Humans
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Acute Lung Injury/immunology*
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Animals
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Panax/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal

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