1.Current strategies and future directions in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration
Jian XU ; Jie WANG ; Haixin FU ; Chaopeng LI
International Eye Science 2026;26(1):56-62
Age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)is a progressive visual impairment fundus disease that frequently occurs in individuals aged >55 years. The main risk factors are aging, long-term smoking, genetics, and racial differences. Pathogenesis includes abnormal function of the retinal pigment epithelium, damaged blood-retinal barrier, and abnormal immune function. Currently, intravitreal injection(IVI)of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)drugs is the preferred treatment option for ARMD in clinical practice. However, it also faces challenges such as repeated treatments, high medical costs, and poor patient compliance. The predicament in the treatment of ARMD has given rise to several new treatment options. This article aims to review the treatment methods and progress of dry ARMD and wet ARMD, providing new ideas for addressing the limitations of the current clinical anti-VEGF treatment.
2.Material Basis and Its Distribution in vivo of Qili Qiangxin Capsules Analyzed by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS
Jianwei ZHANG ; Jiekai HUA ; Rongsheng LI ; Qin WANG ; Xinnan CHANG ; Wei LIU ; Jie SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):185-193
ObjectiveBased on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS), the chemical constituents of Qili Qiangxin capsules was identified, and their distribution in vivo was analyzed. MethodsUPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used to detect the sample solution of Qili Qiangxin capsules, as well as the serum, brain, heart, lung, spleen, liver and kidney tissues of mice after oral administration. Using the Thermo Xcalibur 2.2 software, the compound information database was constructed, and the molecular formulas of compounds corresponding to the quasi-molecular ions were fitted. Based on the information of retention time, accurate relative molecular mass and fragments, the compounds and their distribution in vivo were analyzed by comparing with the data of reference substances and literature. ResultsA total of 233 compounds, including 70 terpenoids, 60 flavonoids, 23 organic acids, 17 alkaloids, 20 steroids, 7 coumarins and 36 others, were identified or predicted from Qili Qiangxin capsules, 73 of which were identified matching with standard substances. Tissue distribution results showed that 71, 17, 38, 33, 32, 58 and 43 migrating components were detected in blood, brain, heart, lung, spleen, liver and kidney, respectively. Thirty-seven components were absorbed into the blood and heart, including quinic acid, benzoylaconitine benzoylmesaconine and so on. Fourteen components were absorbed into the blood and six tissues, including calycosin, methylnissolin, formononetin, alisol B, alisol A and so on. ConclusionThis study comprehensively analyzes the chemical components of Qili Qiangxin capsules and their distribution in vivo. Among them, astragaloside Ⅳ, salvianolic acid B, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rb3, ginsenoside Rd, ginsenoside Rg3, calycosin-7-glucoside, and sinapine may be the important components for the treatment of heart failure, which can provide useful reference for its quality control and research on pharmacodynamic material basis.
3.Treating diabetic kidney disease based on "using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory
Weimin JIANG ; Yaoxian WANG ; Shuwu WEI ; Jiale ZHANG ; Chenhui XIA ; Jie YANG ; Liqiao SUN ; Xinrong LI ; Weiwei SUN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;48(1):1-7
The Huangdi Neijing proposes the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory to guide clinical prescription and formulation of herbal remedies based on the physiological characteristics and functions of the five zang viscera, along with the properties and flavors of medicinal herbs. This study explored diabetic kidney disease pathogenesis and treatment based on the " using bitter herbs to nourish or purge" theory. Kidney dryness is a key pathological factor in diabetic kidney disease, and the disharmony of kidney dryness is an essential aspect of its pathogenesis. Strengthening is the primary therapeutic principle, and kidney dryness is a persistent factor throughout the occurrence and progression of diabetic kidney disease. In the early stage, the pathogenesis involves heat-consuming qi and injuring yin, leading to kidney dryness. In the middle stage, the pathogenesis manifests as qi deficiency and blood stasis in the collaterals, resulting in turbidity owing to kidney dryness. In the late stage, the pathogenesis involves yin and yang deficiency, with kidney dryness and disharmony. This study proposes the staging-based treatment based on the " need for firmness" characteristic of the kidney. The aim is to provide new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine by rationally using pungent, bitter, and salty medicinal herbs to nourish and moisturize the kidney. This approach seeks to promote precise syndrome differentiation and personalized treatment for different stages of diabetic kidney disease, thereby enhancing clinical efficacy.
4.Ethical reflections on the clinical application of medical artificial intelligence
Fangfang CUI ; Zhonglin LI ; Xianying HE ; Wenchao WANG ; Yuntian CHU ; Xiaobing SHI ; Jie ZHAO
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):159-165
Medical artificial intelligence (AI) is a new type of application formed by the combination of machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and other technologies with clinical medical treatment. With the continuous iteration and development of relevant technologies, medical AI has shown great potential in improving the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment, and service quality, but it also increases the possibility of triggering ethical issues. Ethical issues resulting from the clinical application of medical AI were analyzed, including the lack of algorithmic interpretability and transparency of medical AI, leading to information asymmetry and cognitive discrepancies; the concerning status of security and privacy protection of medical data; and the complex and unclear division of responsibilities due to the collaborative participation of multiple subjects in the clinical application of medical AI, resulting in increased difficulty in the identification of medical accidents and clarification of responsibilities. The paper proposed the principles of not harming patients’ interests, physician’s subjectivity, fairness and inclusiveness, and rapid response. It also explored the strategies and implementation paths for responding to the ethical issues of medical AI from multiple perspectives, including standardizing the environment and processes, clarifying responsibility attribution, continuously assessing the impact of data protection, guaranteeing data security, ensuring model transparency and interpretability, carrying out multi-subject collaboration, as well as the principles of being driven by ethical values and adhering to the “human health-centeredness.” It aimed to provide guidance for the healthy development of medical AI, ensuring technological progress while effectively managing and mitigating accompanying ethical risks, thereby promoting the benign development of medical AI technology and better serving the healthcare industry and patients.
5.Ethical issues and reflections on clinical research of radiopharmaceuticals
Yonglan HU ; Li WANG ; Feng JIANG ; Jiyin ZHOU ; Zhengjun CHEN ; Jie ZHANG ; Zengrui ZHANG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2025;38(2):254-260
Radiopharmaceuticals play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, malignant tumors, central nervous system diseases, and other diseases. Under the urgent need for clinical diagnosis and treatment as well as medical development, the clinical research of radiopharmaceuticals has become a hotspot in international research. By analyzing the current situation of clinical research on radiopharmaceuticals in Europe, America, and China, the ethical issues of clinical research on radiopharmaceuticals were elaborated from four aspects, including lack of relevant laws and regulations, a higher risk of radiopharmaceuticals, dilemmas in ethical review, and insufficient radiation protection. Response principles and measures were proposed from four aspects, including improving regulations and policies, enhancing radiological protection for all parties involved in the research, strengthening ethical review, and reinforcing the training of relevant personnel, to enhance the quality and level of clinical research on radiopharmaceuticals.
6.Correlation of the expression levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum with the severity of disease in patients with diabetic macular edema
Ping LI ; Jing WU ; Jie LI ; Kai WANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):461-464
AIM: To investigate the correlation of the expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)and angiopoietin like protein 4(ANGPTL4)in serum with the severity of disease in patients with diabetic macular edema(DME).METHODS: From April 2020 to August 2023, 193 patients with diabetic retinopathy who were admitted to our hospital were prospectively separated into DME group(128 cases)(56 cases in mild group, 44 cases in moderate group, 28 cases in severe group)and non DME group(65 cases)according to whether the patients had macular edema and the severity of disease. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to determine the levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum. Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the factors that affected the severity of DME; receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 levels in serum of DME patients for the severity of DME.RESULTS: The levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum of the DME group were obviously higher than those of the non DME group(P<0.01); the expression levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum of the mild, moderate, and severe groups increased obviously in sequence(P<0.05); multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum were risk factors affecting the severity of DME(P<0.01); The area under the curve(AUC)of serum SDF-1 in the diagnosis of DME severity was 0.772(95%CI: 0.690-0.842), and the AUC of ANGPTL4 in the diagnosis of DME severity was 0.801(95%CI: 0.722-0.867). The AUC of ANGPTL4 combined with SDF-1 in the diagnosis of DME was 0.884(95%CI: 0.816-0.934), the sensitivity was 87.50%, and the specificity was 85.71%, which were significantly higher than ANGPTL4 or SDF-1 alone(Z=2.658, 2.469, all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum of DME patients are significantly increased, and their levels increase with the severity of the disease. They can be used as auxiliary indicators for diagnosing the severity of DME disease, and the combined diagnosis has a better effect.
7.Correlation of the expression levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum with the severity of disease in patients with diabetic macular edema
Ping LI ; Jing WU ; Jie LI ; Kai WANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):461-464
AIM: To investigate the correlation of the expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)and angiopoietin like protein 4(ANGPTL4)in serum with the severity of disease in patients with diabetic macular edema(DME).METHODS: From April 2020 to August 2023, 193 patients with diabetic retinopathy who were admitted to our hospital were prospectively separated into DME group(128 cases)(56 cases in mild group, 44 cases in moderate group, 28 cases in severe group)and non DME group(65 cases)according to whether the patients had macular edema and the severity of disease. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to determine the levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum. Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the factors that affected the severity of DME; receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 levels in serum of DME patients for the severity of DME.RESULTS: The levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum of the DME group were obviously higher than those of the non DME group(P<0.01); the expression levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum of the mild, moderate, and severe groups increased obviously in sequence(P<0.05); multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum were risk factors affecting the severity of DME(P<0.01); The area under the curve(AUC)of serum SDF-1 in the diagnosis of DME severity was 0.772(95%CI: 0.690-0.842), and the AUC of ANGPTL4 in the diagnosis of DME severity was 0.801(95%CI: 0.722-0.867). The AUC of ANGPTL4 combined with SDF-1 in the diagnosis of DME was 0.884(95%CI: 0.816-0.934), the sensitivity was 87.50%, and the specificity was 85.71%, which were significantly higher than ANGPTL4 or SDF-1 alone(Z=2.658, 2.469, all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The levels of ANGPTL4 and SDF-1 in serum of DME patients are significantly increased, and their levels increase with the severity of the disease. They can be used as auxiliary indicators for diagnosing the severity of DME disease, and the combined diagnosis has a better effect.
8.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.
9.Impact of "Internet +" empowerment education based on timing it right on psychological craving, anxiety symptoms and relapse rates in patients with alcohol dependence
Hao WANG ; Wei LI ; Wen'ge ZHEN ; Yuanyuan LI ; Jie LIU
Sichuan Mental Health 2025;38(1):34-40
BackgroundAlcohol dependence patients are prone to relapse after their attempts to quit drinking, which poses a considerable threat to their physical and mental health and creates a heavy burden on their families. Currently, empowerment education is increasingly being utilized in the rehabilitation management of chronic diseases, but there remains a striking lack of empirical research on the application of "Internet +" empowerment education based on timing it right in alcohol dependence patients. ObjectiveTo explore the impact of "Internet +" empowerment education based on timing it right on patients with alcohol dependence, in order to maximize the reduction in relapse rates, craving for alcohol and severity of anxiety symptoms. MethodsA total of 120 patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Addiction Medicine, Hebei Provincial Mental Health Center from May 2022 to April 2023 and met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence in the International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD-10) were enrolled, and they were classified into study group (n=62) and control group (n=58) using random number table methods. Both groups received standard medication and routine care. Additionally, study group underwent a 6-month "Internet +" empowerment education based on timing it right. At baseline, all subjects were assessed using Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Three months and six months after intervention, assessments were conducted using PACS, SAS and Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST). ResultsThe relapse rates after three and six months of intervention were both lower in study group than those in control group, with statistically significant differences (χ2=8.575, 8.828, P<0.01). ANOVA with repeated measures on PACS total score and scores of each item revealed a significant time effect, group effect and time×group interaction effect (F=159.714~837.751, 84.645~393.606, 24.302~137.896, P<0.01). And significant time effect, group effect and time×group interaction effect were also reported on SAS scores (F=166.237, 65.325, 24.724, P<0.01). Conclusion"Internet +" empowerment education based on timing it right may help reduce relapse rates, alcohol cravings and severity of anxiety symptoms among patients with alcohol dependence. [Funded by 2023 Annual Hebei Provincial Medical Scientific Research Project Plan (number, 20231537)]
10.Connotation and Prevention Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Panvascular Diseases
Jie WANG ; Jun LI ; Yan DONG ; Cong CHEN ; Yongmei LIU ; Chao LIU ; Lanchun LIU ; Xuan SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(7):1-14
Panvascular disease, with vascular diseases as the common pathological feature, is mainly manifested as atherosclerosis. Panvascular disease mainly affects the important organs of the heart, brain, kidney, and limbs. It is one of the leading causes of death for Chinese residents at present. Previously, due to the narrow branches of disciplines, too much attention was paid to local lesions, resulting in the neglect of panvascular disease as a systemic one. The fact that panvascular disease has overall pathology and comprehensive and individualized treatment strategies, makes the disease highly compatible with the principles of holism concept and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is believed that blood stasis is the core pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis. The theories of ''blood vessel'', ''meridians'', ''visceral manifestation'', and ''organs-meridians'' in TCM are helpful to comprehensively understand the complexity of panvascular diseases. Moreover, those theories can provide systematic treatment strategies. The TCM syndromes of panvascular diseases evolve from ''phlegm, stasis, stagnation, and deficiency''. Panvascular arteriosclerosis is related to the syndrome of ''stasis and phlegm'', and the treatment mainly promotes blood circulation and removes phlegm. There are different specific drugs and mechanisms of action for coronary atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and renal artery atherosclerotic stenosis. Panvascular venous lesions are related to the syndrome of ''deficiency and stasis'' in TCM, and the TCM treatment mainly invigorates Qi and promotes blood circulation, which can inhibit venous thrombosis, improve venous ulcers, and resist venous endothelial damage. Panvascular microcirculatory lesions are inseparable from the ''stagnation and stasis'' in TCM, and the treatment mainly promotes Qi and dredges collaterals, which has a good effect on coronary microvascular lesions, diabetic microvascular lesions, pulmonary microvascular lesions, and pancreatic microvascular lesions. Panvascular lymphatic lesions are related to the syndrome of ''water and stasis'' in TCM. The treatment method focuses on promoting blood circulation and water excretion, which can promote lymphangiogenesis and enhance lymphatic reflux. In addition, the combination of TCM and modern technology, especially the application of artificial intelligence, can improve the efficiency of early identification and personalized treatment, resulting in early screening and comprehensive management of panvascular diseases. Therefore, TCM will play a vital role in the prevention and treatment of panvascular diseases.


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