1.Correlation Between Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes and Rheumatoid Arthritis with Atherosclerosis:A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Chunyun JIANG ; Quan JIANG ; Jian WANG ; Kesong LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(11):1192-1199
ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for atherosclerosis (AS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and its correlation with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 16,082 RA patients from 122 medical centers nationwide. Patient demographics, disease assessment data including disease activity (DAS-28), tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), patient's global assessment (PGA), evaluator's global assessment (EGA), and visual analogue scale (VAS), major clinical symptoms including insomnia, loss of appetite, irritability, and fatigue, and laboratory indicators including blood routine, inflammatory markers, liver and kidney function, metabolic indices, and coagulation markers were collected through questionnaire. Based on the four examinations in TCM, patients were classified into eight TCM syndromes, which were wind-damp obstruction, cold-damp obstruction, damp-heat obstruction, phlegm-stasis obstruction, blood stasis obstructing the collaterals, qi-blood deficiency, liver-kidney insufficiency, and qi-yin deficiency. Patients who experienced AS events were included in the event group (564 cases), while those without AS events were included in the non-event group (15,518 cases). Intergroup difference tests were used to screen potential risk factors, and binary logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the correlation between TCM syndromes and rheumatoid arthritis with atherosclerosis (RA-AS). ResultsCompared to the non-event group, patients in the event group had longer disease duration, higher body weight, and older age (P<0.05), and showed significantly higher DAS28, TJC, SJC, PGA, EGA, VAS, ESR, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and D-dimer levels, and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), with more severe symptoms of insomnia, irritability, and fatigue (P<0.05). Damp-heat obstruction syndrome was the most prevalent in both groups, with a higher proportion in the event group (393/564, 69.68%) than in the non-event group (4578/15,518, 29.50%) showing significant difference (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with damp-heat obstruction syndrome had a 5.326-fold higher risk of developing RA-AS compared to those without this syndrome (OR=5.326, 95%CI 4.517 to 7.089, P<0.001). ConclusionThe occurrence of RA-AS is associated with TCM syndromes, disease activity, inflammatory markers and lipid metabolic indices, and damp-heat obstruction syndrome is an independent risk factor for RA-AS.
2.Activation of the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)ergic Neural Circuit in Salicylate-Induced Tinnitus: the Inferior Colliculus to the Medial Geniculate Body
Xu-Yuan PENG ; Jiang WANG ; Ming-Yue GONG ; Li-Yuan ZHANG ; Min ZHANG ; Zhi-Bin CHEN ; Zheng-Quan TANG ; Lei CHENG
Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology 2026;19(1):55-69
Objectives:
. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neural circuits from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the medial geniculate body (MGB) in salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Methods:
. Mice were treated with salicylate to induce tinnitus, and tinnitus-like behaviors were evaluated via gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Using combined viral tracing methodologies, we identified and mapped the pathways and connections from the IC to the MGB. Furthermore, we employed Gq-coupled human M3 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) and Gi-coupled human M4 DREADDs to achieve targeted excitation or suppression of GABAergic neurons in the IC and MGB. Following the administration of clozapine N-oxide, which binds to these receptors, we modulated these neural circuits to assess their impact on tinnitus severity in a mouse model.
Results:
. Our findings demonstrated that mice exposed to salicylate exhibited tinnitus-like behaviors. GABAergic neurons projecting retrogradely from the MGB to the IC were primarily concentrated in the external nucleus of the IC. After clozapine N-oxide administration, chemogenetic activation of IC-MGB GABAergic neurons aggravated salicylate-induced tinnitus. Additionally, activation of GABAergic neurons between the IC and MGB induced the perception of tinnitus even without salicylate. However, chemogenetic inhibition of the IC-MGB GABAergic circuit did not reverse salicylate-induced tinnitus.
Conclusion
. These findings suggest that activation of the IC-MGB GABAergic neural circuit may contribute to tinnitus generation through a mechanism distinct from that of salicylate-induced tinnitus. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.
3.Serological and molecular genetic study of the Ael/AelB phenotype induced by the c. 575T>C variant in the ABO gene
Yanying DONG ; Qinqin ZUO ; Peixing XU ; Minggang ZHANG ; Xia JIANG ; Zixuan WANG ; Miao WANG ; Gengyuan LIU ; Yi DING ; Tianju WANG ; Junhui QUAN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2026;39(7):922-927
Objective: To analyze the serological phenotypes and molecular genetic characteristics of a proband with ABO forward and reverse typing discrepancy and their family members, and to investigate the molecular genetic mechanism underlying the Ael/AelB phenotype caused by the c. 575T>C variant on an ABO
A1.02 background. Methods: Serological testing and adsorption-elution assays were performed for blood group identification of the proband and family members. PCR-SBT, cloning sequencing, and Nanopore third-generation sequencing were used to analyze ABO gene variants and haplotypes. Phyre2 and PyMOL were used to predict the effect of the p. Ile192Thr variant on the structure of glycosyltransferase A (GTA), and plasma GTA activity was evaluated using an in vitro transferase assay. Results: Among thirteen family members, four members showed a serological phenotype consistent with the Ael subtype and one with the AelB subtype. Cloning sequencing and third-generation sequencing confirmed that five family members carried the ABO
A1.02 (c. 575T>C) variant, which co-segregated with the weak A phenotype in the family. Structural modeling suggested that p. Ile192Thr may alter the local spatial conformation and hydrogen-bond interactions of GTA. Plasma GTA activity testing showed markedly reduced GTA activity in the tested individuals. Conclusion: The ABO
A1.02 (c. 575T>C) variant is associated with the Ael/AelB phenotype. The p. Ile192Thr substitution may weaken A antigen expression by altering GTA conformation and reducing enzymatic activity. This study provides additional evidence for the role of this variant in the Ael/AelB phenotype from the perspectives of familial inheritance, full-length haplotype analysis, and functional assessment, which is important for accurate ABO subtype identification and individualized transfusion strategies.
4.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.
5.Efficacy of defocus rigid gaspermeable contact lenses versus highly aspherical lenslets for moderate-to-high myopia control
Jingjing TANG ; Zhanyuan LI ; Junming QUAN ; Jiang LIN
International Eye Science 2026;26(9):1531-1535
AIM:To compare the clinical efficacy of defocus rigid gas permeable contact lenses(RGPCL)and highly aspherical lenslets(HAL)for myopia control in children and adolescents with moderate to high myopia.METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted, enrolling patients aged 8-17 y with moderate to high myopia who presented to Sichuan Eye Hospital, Aier Eye Hospital Group between January 2022 and January 2024. Subjects were divided into the RGPCL group and the HAL group according to myopia correction modalities. Refractive diopters, axial length, corneal curvature, and visual quality were examined at 6 and 12 mo after lens wear, and relevant data were statistically analyzed.RESULTS:A total of 96 eyes from 96 cases were enrolled, with 48 cases(48 eyes, 8 males and 40 females)allocated to the RGPCL group with a median age of 12.00(11.50, 15.00)y, and 48 cases(48 eyes, 14 males and 34 females)to the HAL group with a median age of 13.00(12.00,14.00)y. At the 6-month follow-up, no significant changes in spherical diopters were observed in either group relative to baseline. Spherical diopters increased in both groups at the 12-month visit, with a significantly smaller increment in the RGPCL group(P<0.01). At the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits, the magnitude of changes in cylindrical refractive power was markedly larger in the RGPCL group relative to the HAL group(P<0.01). At the 6-and 12-month follow-up visits, axial length in both groups had increased relative to baseline, and no significant intergroup difference was detected in axial elongation(P>0.05). At 6 and 12 mo of lens wear, no significant difference in K1,K2 was found in the HAL group compared with baseline, while the K2 value decreased significantly in the RGPCL group(P<0.0167). The RGPCL group achieved substantially higher scores in four domains including visual clarity, image scaling, glare tolerance, visual field range and total at both follow-up time points(all P<0.001).CONCLUSION:Defocus RGPCL yields superior performance in slowing the progression of spherical and cylindrical, as well as providing better overall visual experience, when compared with HAL.
6.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.
7.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.
8.Healthcare institution resilience and the influencing factors during infectious disease outbreaks
Yaqun FU ; Jiawei ZHANG ; Bing HAN ; Quan WANG ; Zheng ZHU ; Zhijie NIE ; Yiyang TAN ; Qing LIU ; Xiaoguang LI ; Jing GUO ; Rongmeng JIANG ; Li YANG
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(3):529-536
Objective:To analyze the association between healthcare workers mental health,institu-tional supplies and facilities,inter-organizational coordination during infectious disease outbreaks,and the healthcare institution resilience.Methods:An online questionnaire survey was conducted among the healthcare workforce from 146 institutions in Beijing from January 13,2023 to February 9,2023,and a total of 1 434 eligible respondents were included.The sample comprised 408 responses from tertiary hos-pitals,117 from secondary hospitals,and 909 from primary care institutions.The resilience indicator for healthcare institutions was defined as the degree to which medical services met patient demands,with in-fluencing factors including physical factors,such as material shortages and facility space adaptation or ex-pansion,organizational factors such as information sharing and patient referral,and psychological factors were evaluated using job satisfaction(extrinsic satisfaction,intrinsic satisfaction),burnout(emotional exhaustion,depersonalization,reduced personal accomplishment),and depression status.Ordered mul-ticlassification Logistic regression was used to examine the impact of various factors on the degree to which healthcare services met patient needs;additionally,demographic factors that might influence institutional resilience were controlled.Results:During the emergency response phase,93%of hospitals maintained the capacity to meet patient needs,though tertiary hospitals demonstrated significantly higher rates of service inadequacy(21.05%).Material shortages were reported across all institutions,with tertiary hos-pitals experiencing more frequent multi-item shortages.Inter-institutional collaboration patterns revealed substantial variation:87.50%of primary care facilities,42.86%of secondary hospitals,and 31.58%of tertiary hospitals.Healthcare workers across all levels reported mild depressive symptoms and moderate-to-severe burnout levels.Regression analysis showed high satisfaction(overall satisfaction β=0.04,ex-trinsic satisfaction β=0.06,and intrinsic satisfaction β=0.08),low degree of job burnout(emotional exhaustion β=-0.04,depersonalization β=-0.07 and reduced personal accomplishment β=0.01),low degree of depression(β=-0.06)were significantly associated with higher healthcare institution re-silience.In addition,material shortages were significantly associated with lower resilience,and renova-tion and expansion of treatment spaces,and information sharing,were all associated with higher resilience.Demographic factors(age,gender,marital status,educational background,etc.)had no sig-nificant impact on resilience.Conclusion:Mental health status significantly influences healthcare institu-tion resilience.As human resources constitute the core asset of healthcare institutions,strategic optimiza-tion of workforce allocation and psychological support interventions can effectively strengthen resilience.Moreover,healthcare institution resilience is positively impacted by orderly material supply chains,timely resource distribution,and adaptive reconfiguration of clinical spaces.Finally,facilitating information sharing also enhances institutional resilience.
9.Current Status of Stratified Diagnosis and Treatment of Sjögren's Syndrome and Reflections on It
Wenjing LIU ; Xinyao ZHOU ; Quan JIANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(3):244-250
Stratified diagnosis and treatment is a crucial approach in precision medicine, aiming to optimize medical care by grouping patients based on clinical manifestations, biomarkers, and pathological characteristics. Based on clinical stages, symptoms, age, gene expression, and pathology, research on Sjögren's syndrome (SS) has proposed various stratification methods, incorporating both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine perspectives. These methods provide essential support for early diagnosis, risk assessment, and personalized treatment. Key strategies include moving SS intervention time forward, to leverage TCM's preventive principles, integrating TCM and Western tools to enhance precision, innovating clinical trial designs, developing multifactorial risk prediction models and digital imaging technologies, and constructing combined prognostic models for personalized follow-up and big data-driven treatment. These insights offer a comprehensive framework for advancing SS precision medicine.
10.Correlation Between Cardiovascular Events and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis:A Cross-Sectional Study
Fuyuan ZHANG ; Quan JIANG ; Jun LI ; Yuchen YANG ; Xieli MA ; Tian CHANG ; Congmin XIA ; Jian WANG ; Xun GONG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1572-1578
ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between the occurrence of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome. MethodsThe cross-sectional study selected 6713 RA patients from 122 centres nationwide, in which general information such as name, gender, age, height, body weight, and course of disease were collected by completing a questionnaire; patients were classified into eight types of syndrome according to the information of their four examinations,i.e. wind-dampness obstruction syndrome, cold-dampness obstruction syndrome, dampness-heat obstruction syndrome, phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome, stasis-blood obstructing collateral syndrome, qi-blood deficiency syndrome, liver-kidney insufficiency syndrome, and qi-yin deficiency syndrome. According to the occurrence of cardiovascular events, they were divided into the occurrence group and the non-occurrence group, and the condition assessment data and laboratory examination indexes were recorded. The test of difference between groups was used to analyse the possible risk factors for the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events, and binary logistic regression was used to analyse the correlation between TCM syndromes and RA cardiovascular events. ResultsA total of 6713 RA patients were included, including 256 cases in occurrence group and 6457 in non-occurrence group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of height, gender, insomnia, appetite, white blood cell(WBC), hemoglobin(HGB), platelets(PLT), rheumatoid factor(RF), anti-cyclic peptide containing citrulline(CCP), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT), urea creatinine(CREA), and glucose(GLU)(P>0.05). The TCM syndromes between groups showed significant statistic differences(P<0.05). Patients in occurrence group had longer disease duration, heavier body weight, and older age; more severe conditions such as disease activity(DAS-28), number of painful joints(TJC), number of swollen joints(SJC), health questionnaire scores(HAQ), visual analog scores(VAS), restlessness, and fatigue; higher blood sedimentation rate(ESR), low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C), triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), D-Dimer, and lower high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C)(P<0.05). The distribution of syndrome types showed that dampness-heat obstruction syndrome accounted for the largest proportion of patients in both groups and was higher in RA cardiovascular events. Logistic regression analysis showed that the occurrence of RA cardiovascular events was strongly associated with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome[OR=5.937, 95%CI (4.434, 7.949), P<0.001]. ConclusionThe occurrence of RA cardiovascular events were associated with TCM syndromes, and the probability of cardiovascular events in the RA patients with dampness-heat obstruction syndrome was 5.937 times higher than patients with other TCM syndromes.

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