1.Analysis of Animal Models of Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration Based on Clinical Disease-syndrome Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Xiaoyu LI ; Lina LIANG ; Yun GAO ; Jiahao LI ; Jianying YANG ; Xiaoshan ZHANG ; Honghao BI ; Menglu MIAO ; Huiyi GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):191-197
ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old, and dry AMD (dAMD) is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine, this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models, and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database, and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present, the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors, chemokines, oxidative damage, lipid/glucose metabolism, and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD, showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However, the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes, is missing, and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards, which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
2.Analysis of Animal Models of Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration Based on Clinical Disease-syndrome Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Xiaoyu LI ; Lina LIANG ; Yun GAO ; Jiahao LI ; Jianying YANG ; Xiaoshan ZHANG ; Honghao BI ; Menglu MIAO ; Huiyi GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):191-197
ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old, and dry AMD (dAMD) is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine, this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models, and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database, and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present, the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors, chemokines, oxidative damage, lipid/glucose metabolism, and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD, showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However, the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes, is missing, and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards, which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
3.Mediating effect of self-efficacy on family health and health literacy among middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic diseases in rural areas
LI Yanbing ; ZHOU Shutong ; LI Yingying ; BI Shanlin ; LI Youwei
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(1):75-78,84
Objective :
To explore the mediating effect of self-efficacy on family health and health literacy among middle-aged and elderly chronic diseases patients in rural areas, so as to provide a basis for developing targeted health literacy improvement strategies.
Methods:
Based on the publicly available 2021 "Survey of Chinese Residents' Psychology and Behavior" database, rural chronic diseases patients aged >45 years were selected as the study subjects. Data on demographic information, family type, and chronic diseases comorbidities were collected. The Chinese simplified Family Health Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Health Literacy Scale were used to assess family health, self-efficacy, and health literacy, respectively. Correlation analysis was employed to explore the relationships between variables, and the 4.1 Process program was used to analyze the mediating effect of self-efficacy on family health and health literacy. The Bootstrap method was applied to test the significance of the mediating effect.
Results:
A total of 449 participants were included, of whom 241 were male (53.67%) and 208 were female (46.33%). The majority (205 cases, 45.66%) were aged 60-<76 years. There were 168 cases (37.42%) with chronic disease comorbidities. The total score for family health was (37.96±6.25) points. The self-efficacy score was (27.28±5.40) points, the health literacy index was (27.72±8.08) points, and the health literacy proficiency rate was only 14.90% (67 patierts). Mediating effect analysis showed that family health could directly and positively influence health literacy, with a direct effect value of 0.090 (95%CI: 0.001-0.179). It could also indirectly and positively influence health literacy through self-efficacy, with a mediating effect value of 0.164 (95%CI: 0.099-0.234). The mediating effect accounted for 64.31% of the total effect.
Conclusion
Self-efficacy plays a positive mediating role between family health and health literacy among middle-aged and elderly chronic diseases patients in rural areas.
4.Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis from Impediment
Siyu CHEN ; Zhenghua CAO ; Rong XU ; Qingrong LI ; Yanze BI ; Boyi SHANG ; Shaodan HU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):254-264
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and fibrotic lethal interstitial lung disease with poor prognosis. It is mainly treated by organ transplantation and administration of chemical drugs, which have poor efficacy and induce side effects, failing to meet the clinical needs. Therefore, it is urgent to develop more safe and effective drugs to treat IPF. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered increasing attention in recent years in the treatment of IPF due to its unique advantages. Increasing studies have shown that TCM has remarkable therapeutic effects on IPF and thus demonstrate broad application prospects. Modern medical research shows that the pathogenesis of IPF can be discussed from inflammation (macrophage polarization), oxidative stress, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy inhibition and other related signaling pathways, while few studies systematically explain the relationship between the signaling pathways and TCM theory. According to the theory of TCM, lung collateral obstruction is the basic pathogenesis of IPF. Therefore, according to the principle of dredging and replenishing lung collaterals, IPF can be treated with the methods of reinforcing healthy qi and eliminating pathogen, replenishing qi and activating blood, and detoxifying and dredging collaterals, which demonstrate definite curative effect and can effectively relieve clinical symptoms, restore the lung function and blood oxygen partial pressure, improve the quality of life of patients, and reduce adverse reactions. Experimental studies have found that dredging and replenishing lung collaterals have significant effects on IPF inflammation (macrophage polarization), oxidative stress, EMT, autophagy inhibition and other signaling pathways. Therefore, from the perspective of impediment, this article reviews pathogenesis of IPF, the research progress in TCM treatment of IPF, and the treatment of IPF from active components, single herbs, and compound prescriptions of TCM, with the aim of revealing the scientific connotation of the treatment of IPF from impediment and providing a new theoretical basis for enriching the TCM methods of treating IPF.
5.The Regulatory Effects and Mechanisms of Piezo1 Channel on Chondrocytes and Bone Metabolic Dysregulation in Osteoarthritis
Yan LI ; Tao LIU ; Yu-Biao GU ; Hui-Qing TIAN ; Lei ZHANG ; Bi-Hui BAI ; Zhi-Jun HE ; Wen CHEN ; Jin-Peng LI ; Fei LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):564-576
Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca2+, K+, and Na+, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca2+ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca2+ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca2+ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.
6.Three-dimensional displacement and risk factors of midshaft clavicle fractures treated with titanium elastic intramedullary nailing
Junwei ZHANG ; Lingling CHEN ; Zhenyuan MA ; Weizhi NIE ; Chaohui LI ; Haitao WANG ; Laibao DUAN ; Jinyong HOU ; Hongzheng BI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(2):269-277
BACKGROUND:Titanium elastic intramedullary nailing for the treatment of significantly displaced midshaft clavicle fractures has the characteristics of minimally invasive and elastic fixation.The displacement of the fracture is closely related to the later function.However,there are few studies on the three-dimensional displacement analysis of the fracture ends before surgery and after intramedullary fixation such as titanium elastic intramedullary nailing.OBJECTIVE:To explore the three-dimensional displacement of fracture ends after midshaft clavicle fracture and fixation with titanium elastic intramedullary nails,and to analyze the risk factors.METHODS:A total of 91 patients with midshaft clavicle fracture(fracture end shortening ≥15 mm)admitted to Wendeng Orthopedic Hospital of Shandong Province from April 2019 to April 2024 were selected,including 57 males and 34 females,aged(51.73±10.21)years old.All patients received closed reduction and internal fixation with titanium elastic intramedullary nail.CT scans of the affected clavicle were performed before and on the first day after surgery.The CT data were imported into Mimics software for modeling.The length of the clavicle,lateral displacement of the fracture end,and rotation of the distal end of the fracture along the X,Y,and Z axes were measured and recorded before and after surgery.Pearson correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis of various parameters,and generalized linear regression was used to evaluate risk factors.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Preoperatively,the variable that increased the risk of lateral displacement was the number of comminuted bone fragments,the variable that increased the risk of shortening displacement was male patients,and the variable that increased the risk of Z-axis rotation was the left limb.Shortening displacement was significantly positively correlated with lateral displacement(r=0.715,P<0.001);shortening displacement was significantly positively correlated with X-axis rotation displacement and Y-axis rotation displacement(r=0.265,P=0.028;r=0.303,P=0.011);lateral displacement was significantly positively correlated with Y-axis rotation and Z-axis rotation(r=0.258,P=0.032;r=0.250,P=0.038);X-axis rotation was significantly positively correlated with Y-axis rotation(r=0.382,P=0.001),and Z-axis rotation was significantly positively correlated with Y-axis rotation(r=0.280,P=0.020).(2)Postoperatively:The number of scapula fractures and comminuted bone fragments were variables that increased the risk of postoperative shortening and lateral displacement:Preoperative X-,Y-,and Z-axis rotation displacements were risk variables that increased postoperative X-,Y-,and Z-axis rotation displacements,respectively.Postoperative lateral displacement was significantly positively correlated with postoperative shortening and displacement(r=0.584,P=0.000),and postoperative lateral displacement was also significantly positively correlated with postoperative Y axis rotation and Z axis rotation(r=0.360,P=0.002;r=0.250,P=0.038).Postoperative Y axis rotation was significantly positively correlated with postoperative Z axis rotation(r=0.248,P=0.040).(3)The results showed that the three-dimensional displacement of the clavicle end before and after surgery was affected by many factors,especially the number of comminuted bone fragments,scapula fractures,gender,and original rotation displacement.At the same time,there were complex correlations between various displacements,especially the correlation between shortening displacement and lateral displacement was the strongest.
7.Analysis of factors influencing temporary deferral and return to donation due to abnormal blood pressure in pre-donation screening
Jin YANG ; Li SUN ; Qiyong BI ; Jingyao WANG ; Yong WANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(1):56-61
Objective: To analyze the demographic characteristics, return donation patterns, and risk of adverse reactions among donors temporarily deferred due to blood pressure abnormalities, so as to provide an evidence-based foundation for optimizing pre-donation blood pressure screening strategies, enhancing donor retention, and ensuring blood supply safety. Methods: Data from 2.939 million donor instances were collected through the Information Management System at the Beijing Red Cross Blood Center between January 2015 and August 2025. The analysis specifically focused on the 11 600 instances of donors temporarily deferred due to abnormal blood pressure, examining demographic characteristics (age, and gender) and donation-related features (number of donations, donation site, and type of donation). Further analysis was conducted on the return donation patterns, including the return rate, time interval to return, and the incidence, type, and severity of adverse reactions among returned donors. Results: Distribution of abnormal blood pressure: Among the 11 600 instances of abnormal blood pressure, the prevalence was significantly higher in males (0.48%, 10 111/2 086 909) than in females (0.17%, 1 465/852 090). The 46-55 age group had the highest prevalence (0.88%, 2 925/329 235), and the differences across age groups were statistically significant. The prevalence was, higher among repeat donors (0.41%, 5 242/1 276 452) than first-time donors (0.38%, 6 334/1 662 547). The prevalence at mobile donation sites outside the blood center (0.06%, 350/596 104) was higher than fixed donor centers (0.50%, 10 225/2 052 290) and group donation drives (0.34%, 1 001/290 608). Return donations: A total of 19.49% (2 256 out of 11 576) deferred donors returner and successfully donated. Among these donors, 36.17% (816 out of 2 256) returned within 7 days, while the highest proportion of returns was observed within 31-182 days (25.44%, 574/2 256). A higher return rate was observed among male donors (20.17%, 2 039/1 0111) compared to female donors (14.81%, 217/1 465). The return rate for repeat donors (43.02%, 2 255/5 242) was significantly higher than that of first-time donors (0.02%, 1/6 334). Individual donors showed a higher return rate (20.95%, 1 986/9 479) than group donors (12.88%, 270/2 097), with all differences being statistically significant (P<0.05). The differences in return rates across age groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Adverse reactions: The incidence of adverse reactions after return was 0.09% (2/2 256), significantly lower than the overall adverse reaction incidence during the same period (0.20%, 5 981/2 938 999). Both adverse reactions were local reaction (category A1, pain or bruising at the puncture site), with no reported cases of systemic vasovagal reactions (VR) or severe adverse events. Conclusion: The current blood pressure screening criteria may lead to the unnecessary deferral of eligible donors. The risk of adverse reactions is extremely low among returned donors who were deferred for abnormal blood pressure. A relaxation of the blood pressure screening criteria is therefore suggested, coupled with the optimization of donation site environment and blood pressure measurement procedure with reference to expert consensus to enhance donor retention and blood supply safety.
8.Clinical Application of Harmonizing and Regulating Pivot Method in Pulmonary Fibrosis:Based on the Characteristics of Essence-Attribute-Function
Mingsheng LYU ; Hongsheng CUI ; Jia ZHU ; Weibo BI ; Ruifeng JIN ; Zhijie ZHANG ; Qiuyi CHEN ; Siyang YU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):381-385
Based on the theory of "shaoyang(少阳) resembling the pivot" and collateral diseases, this article proposes that pulmonary fibrosis (PF) can be divided into three stages including wind bi (痹), constraint bi, and atrophy bi. The core pathogenesis of PF is the obstruction of the pivot and pulmonary collateral obstruction. In terms of treatment, the basic principles are to harmonize and regulate the pivot, and to promote the circulation of the lung collaterals. Depending on the different characteristics of the "essence-attribute-function", treatment methods such as harmonizing and regulating the pivot, resolving phlegm and removing stasis, supplementing deficiency and harmonizing collaterals are suggested. This approach ensures the regulation of the pivot, smooth circulation of qi and blood, unblocking of the lung collaterals and nourishing the lung body, achieving the goals of balancing the ascending and descending of qi, removing phlegm and stasis, and relieving cough and wheezing.
9.Effect of Optimized New Shengmai Powder (优化新生脉散方) on Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure of Qi Deficiency,Blood Stasis and Fluid Retention Syndrome:A Randomized,Double-Blind,Placebo-Controlled Trial
Xianliang WANG ; Jingyi ZHANG ; Zhao GE ; Tongzuo LIU ; Maozhe ZHANG ; Shuai WANG ; Zhiqiang ZHAO ; Yingfei BI ; Ruijuan ZHOU ; Ying ZHENG ; Jingyuan MAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(4):425-431
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects and safety of the optimized new Shengmai Powder (优化新生脉散方) on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of qi deficiency, blood stasis, and fluid retention syndrome. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 78 CHF patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and fluid retention syndrome were recruited and randomly assigned to a treatment group (39 cases) and a control group (39 cases). On the basis of conventional western medical therapy, patients in the treatment group additionally received the optimized new Shengmai Powder granules, while the control group was given an oral placebo of optimized new Shengmai Powder granules. Patients in both groups took 30.6 g each time, twice a day, mixed with water for administration, with a total treatment course of 4 weeks. The primary outcomes were 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and peak oxygen uptake (Peak VO2) measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Secondary outcomes included New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, cardiac function indexes including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventri-cular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) scores, and scores of four diagnostic information of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). All indicators were assessed once before and after treatment respectively. Safety indicators were evaluated, and adverse events during the trial were recorded. ResultsAll patients in both groups were included in the full ana-lysis set (FAS) and safety set (SS). Compared with baseline, the 6MWD and Peak VO₂ of cardiopulmonary exercise test in the treatment group significantly increased after treatment, while the MLHFQ scores, serum BNP levels and scores of TCM four diagnostic information significantly decreased, and the NYHA cardiac function grade significantly improved (P<0.01). After treatment, the 6MWD and Peak VO₂ of cardiopulmonary exercise test, as well as their changes from baseline in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group; the MLHFQ scores, serum BNP levels and scores of TCM four diagnostic information in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group; and the improvement of NYHA cardiac function grade in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant differences in all indicators after treatment in the control group (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse events was 5.1% (2/39) in the treatment group and 2.6% (1/39) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference between groups (P>0.05). ConclusionOn the basis of conventional western medicine treatment, the addition of the optimized new Shengmai Powder can further improve exercise tolerance, cardiac function and quality of life in patients with CHF of qi deficiency, blood stasis and fluid retention syndrome, and show good safety.
10.Mechanisms and treatments of cognitive decline induced by cranial radiation
Yifan HU ; Wenjing YANG ; Shufang CUI ; Xiaoying BI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(1):128-135
While cranial radiotherapy effectively kills tumor cells and significantly prolongs patient survival, it often leads to progressive cognitive decline. To date, the specific mechanisms underlying radiation-induced cognitive decline have not been fully elucidated, which greatly limits the development of related therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of post-radiation changes in neurogenesis, neuronal synaptic plasticity, myelin injury plasticity, and parenchymal cells such as microglia in the brain, systematically elucidates the potential mechanisms of radiation-induced cognitive decline, and summarizes feasible therapeutic approaches. These findings provide a solid foundation for developing novel strategies to mitigate radiation-induced cognitive decline.


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