1.Clinical Pathological Features and Prognostic Analysis of Primary Osteosarcoma of the Breast
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2026;17(3):798-804
This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of primary osteosarcoma of the breast (POB), providing evidence for optimizing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this rare malignancy. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from patients with pathologically confirmed breast tumors containing osteosarcomatous components. All patients were treated at the Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, between February 2006 and July 2025. Collected data included clinical presentation, imaging findings, pathological features, treatment modalities, and follow-up outcomes. A single-cohort analysis was performed in POB patients, and intergroup comparisons were conducted between POB patients and non-POB patients which were defined as those with other breast malignancies containing osteosarcomatous components, including malignant phyllodes tumor with osteosarcoma (MPTB-OS) and metaplastic breast carcinoma with osteosarcoma (MBC-OS). Disease-free survival (DFS) was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method to compare prognostic differences between the two groups and evaluate the impact of surgical modalities and adjuvant therapies on DFS in POB patients. A total of 16 female patients were included, aged 37 years-76 years (median, 53 years). Among them, 8 (50.0%) were POB patients, 5 (31.3%) were MPTB-OS patients, and 3 (18.8%) were MBC-OS patients. All patients underwent surgery. Six patients received sentinel lymph node biopsy or axillary lymph node dissection, and none showed nodal metastasis. No deaths occurred during follow-up, and the 1-year and 2-year recurrence or metastasis rates were 37.5% (95% CI: 8.5%-75.5%) and 62.5% (95% CI: 24.5%-91.5%), respectively, whereas those for the non-POB patients were 0 (95% CI: 0-36.9%) and 12.5% (95% CI: 0.3%-52.7%). POB patients exhibited significantly poorer DFS than non-POB patients ( POB patients exhibited a significantly higher risk of recurrence and distant metastasis and poorer DFS than non-POB patients. Survival analysis didn't indicate that mastectomy surgery, axillary lymph node surgery, or postoperative adjuvant therapy was associated with a significant difference in DFS among POB patients.
2.Modified Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction Alleviates Gastric Precancerous Conditions in Mice by Regulating Mitochondrial Function via FoxO3/ROS Signaling Pathway
Yueqiang WEN ; Li ZHOU ; Dan LUO ; Maoyuan ZHAO ; Jun HAN ; Xueyi LI ; Jianguo LI ; Zhelin HE ; Tao SHEN ; Jinhao ZENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):216-225
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of modified Huangqi Jianzhong decoction (HQJZ) on gastric precancerous conditions (GPC). MethodsIn the cell experiment, human gastric mucosal epithelial cells underwent malignant transformation induced by N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) for the modeling of GPC (MC cells). The cells were allocated into four groups: control , model, low-dose HQJZ (HQJZ-L), and high-dose HQJZ (HQJZ-H). The control and model groups were cultured with the complete medium, while HQJZ-L and HQJZ-H groups received additional interventions with HQJZ at low (0.5 g·L-1) and high (1.0 g·L-1) doses, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity, Transwell assay to assess cell invasion, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining to detect apoptosis, immunofluorescence assay to analyze reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression and mitochondrial autophagy, and Western blot to verify expression of proteins in key pathways. In the animal experiment, the GPC model was established in healthy BALB/c mice through MNNG induction. Twenty-four mice were allocated into four groups: control, model, HQJZ-L, and HQJZ-H. Control and model groups received normal saline (10 mL·kg-1·d-1) orally, while HQJZ-L and HQJZ-H groups were administrated with low-dose (6.24 g·kg-1·d-1) and high-dose (12.48 g·kg-1·d-1) HQJZ, respectively. After treatment, hematoxylin‑eosin (HE) staining and AB-PAS staining were performed to observe histopathological changes in the gastric tissue. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) levels in the gastric mucosa, TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining to assess apoptosis rates, and Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to analyze the expression levels of Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and foxhead box O3 (FoxO3). ResultsCell viability assays showed that HQJZ dose-dependently reduced MC cell viability compared with the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Transwell assays revealed that the model group exhibited enhanced cell invasion compared with the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, HQJZ treatment attenuated the cell invasion (P<0.05). Gastric mucosal pathology in mice demonstrated that compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated HE and AB-PAS pathological scores (P<0.05), while HQJZ treatment reduced these scores (P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed increased mitochondrial number and volume in the model group compared with the control group. HQJZ treatment resulted in abnormal mitochondrial structure and significant alterations in rough endoplasmic reticulum morphology and distribution, presenting as dilated and hollow forms. Mitochondrial and apoptosis assessments indicated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited enhanced Mito Tracker Green fluorescence (P<0.05), no significant change in DCFH-DA fluorescence, Mito Tracker Red CMXRos fluorescence, ROS immunofluorescence, or malondialdehyde (MDA) level, increased GSH level (P<0.05), enhanced LC3 fluorescence (P<0.05), no significant change in apoptosis rate, and elevated ATP content in cells and mouse serum (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, HQJZ treatment reduced Mito Tracker Green fluorescence (P<0.05), increased DCFH-DA fluorescence, Mito Tracker Red fluorescence, MDA level, LC3 fluorescence, and apoptosis rate (P<0.05), and decreased cellular ATP content (P<0.05). The HQJZ-L group showed no significant change in ROS immunofluorescence or GSH level, whereas the HQJZ-H group demonstrated enhanced ROS immunofluorescence and glutathione (GSH) level (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting revealed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased numbers of PCNA- and Ki67-positive cells (P<0.05) and elevated protein levels of FoxO3, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6) (P<0.05). HQJZ treatment reduced the numbers of PCNA- and Ki67-positive cells (P<0.05) and lowered the protein levels of FoxO3, SIRT1, and Bcl-6 (P<0.05). ConclusionHQJZ alleviates the progression of gastric precancerous lesions by regulating mitochondrial function via the FoxO3/ROS pathway and promoting apoptosis of GPC-malignant cells.
3.5G remote robot-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy/segmentectomy for ten patients
Fan SHEN ; Jia HUANG ; Yu TIAN ; Hanbo PAN ; Jiantao LI ; Long JIANG ; Hong GUO ; Bentong YU ; Qingquan LUO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):908-912
Objective To explore the safety and feasibility of 5G remote robot-assisted thoracoscopic anatomic lobectomy and segmentectomy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent 5G remote robot-assisted thoracoscopic anatomic lobectomy or segmentectomy between July and September 2024. The surgeries were performed collaboratively by Shanghai Chest Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Perioperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results Ten patients were included, comprising 4 anatomic lobectomies and 6 segmentectomies. The median age was 61.0 (56.0, 72.0) years. The median intraoperative bi-directional network latency was 52.5 (39.0, 54.0) ms. There were no instances of network interruption, robot-related adverse events, or conversions to open thoracotomy. The median postoperative chest tube drainage volume was 500.0 (375.0, 600.0) mL, and the median hospital stay was 5.5 (4.0, 6.0) days. No complications of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱor higher occurred. All patients were recurrence-free and alive during the 6-month postoperative follow-up period. Conclusion 5G remote robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery demonstrates high safety and operational stability. This technology shows promising potential for clinical application and is worthy of further development and utilization.
4.Research progress on risk assessment and predictive early warning of severe perioperative complications in elderly lung cancer patients
Zixiao HE ; Ziyue LUO ; Ruihao ZHOU ; Yanbingshi WANG ; Le SHEN ; Guo CHEN ; Tao ZHU ; Lunxu LIU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1129-1141
With the aging population and the widespread implementation of lung cancer screening programs, an increasing number of elderly patients are undergoing curative lung resection. Due to diminished physiological reserve and complex comorbidities, this demographic exhibits a significantly higher incidence of severe perioperative complications (defined as Clavien-Dindo grade≥Ⅲ), which adversely affects both perioperative safety and long-term prognosis. In recent years, the research paradigm has shifted from univariate analysis toward multidimensional risk integration and the development of predictive models. This article systematically reviews the key risk factors for severe perioperative complications in elderly lung cancer patients, encompassing biological aging processes, frailty and sarcopenia, cardiopulmonary and renal functional reserves, inflammatory-immune and coagulation status, and perioperative interventions. Furthermore, it traces the evolution of risk assessment tools from traditional regression models to machine learning models that integrate multimodal data. The review also discusses common challenges in this field, including the standardization of outcome definitions, external validation, calibration assessment, and clinical translation. Future efforts should prioritize the deep integration of predictive tools with clinical decision support systems to establish a closed-loop care pathway from risk identification to stratified intervention, thereby effectively reducing complication rates and enhancing surgical outcomes for elderly lung cancer patients.
5.Pathogen detection and genetic characteristic analyses of hand-foot-and-mouth disease in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province in 2023
Zhuoya GAO ; Jiangli ZHU ; Dingfu LUO ; Bingjun TIAN ; Kang YANG ; Zengjiao DUAN ; Runbo ZHANG ; Yinghao CHEN ; Zhuo SHEN
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(6):446-452
ObjectiveTo genotype the specimens from hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province in 2023 by gene sequencing, and to analyze the genetic characteristics of Coxsackievirus A4 (CVA4), CVA6, CVA10, CVA16 and enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), so as to clarify the serotypes of enteroviruses causing endemic HFMD and the genotype composition of CVA4, CVA6, CVA10, CVA16 and EV-A71 prevalent in HFMD, and to provide baseline genotype data for monitoring the dynamic changes of the five virus genotypes. MethodsStool specimens from HFMD cases in Dehong Prefecture in 2023 that tested positive for EV-A71, CVA16 and other enteroviruses by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were first subjected to gene sequencing and typing of the VP4/VP2 junction region to determine the viral types. Subsequently, the complete VP1 gene of each virus was amplified in two segments using group-specific VP1 gene primers corresponding to enterovirus groups (i.e., enterovirus group A, B, and C) and sequenced (group A virus: primers 486/488 and 487/489, group B virus: primers 490/492 and 491/493, group C virus: primers 494/496 and 495/497). The representative reference sequences of VP1 genes for CVA4, CVA6, CVA10, CVA16 and EV-A71 were downloaded from the literature, and the VP1 gene phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA 6.0 software for genetic characterization. ResultsA total of 256 stool specimens were collected from HFMD cases in Dehong Prefecture in 2023, of which 94 tested positive for nucleic acid by RT-qPCR, yielding a positive rate of 36.72%. Of the 94 positive specimens, 83 were identified as group A viruses, and were classified into 5 serotypes (17 strains of CVA4, 3 of CVA6, 6 of CVA10, 49 of CVA16, and 8 of EV-A71). Nine strains were group B viruses, comprising 2 serotypes: 2 strains of echovirus type 3 (E3) and 7 strains of Coxsackievirus B type 5 (CVB5). The remaining 2 strains were group C viruses, both identified as poliovirus type 3 (PV3). Genetic analyses of the VP1 region showed that all 17 CVA4 strains were identified as subgenotype C2, all 3 CVA6 strains as subgenotype D3a, all 6 CVA10 strains as genotype C. Among the 49 CVA16 strains, 46 were identified as subgenotype B1a and 3 as subgenotype B1b, and all 8 EV-A71 strains were identified as subgenotype C4a. ConclusionIn 2023, group A viruses dominated the pathogenic spectrum of HFMD in Dehong Prefecture. Among them, CVA16 had the highest positivity rate. Genetic characteristic analyses showed that CVA4, CVA6, CVA10 and EV-A71 were each composed of a single genotype (subgenotype), while CVA16 was composed of two subgenotypes (B1a and B1b), with B1a being the predominant one. It is recommended that molecular epidemiological surveillance of HFMD pathogens, particularly group A viruses, be continuously strengthened in Dehong Prefecture.
6.Clinical Efficacy of Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia with Syndrome of Phlegm Turbidity and Obstruction
Lele YANG ; Danmei LUO ; Jiao CHEN ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Wei SONG ; Wenyu ZHU ; Xin ZHOU ; Xueping LI ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):29-37
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. MethodsIn this study, hyperlipidemia patients treated in the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from September 2022 to December 2023 were randomly assigned into a control group and an observation group. Finally, 162 valid cases were included, encompassing 74 cases in the control group and 88 cases in the observation group. The control group was treated with atorvastatin calcium tablets, and the observation group with atorvastatin calcium tablets + Zhuyuwan extract granules. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The efficacy in terms of blood lipid level recovery, blood lipid levels, TCM syndrome distribution, efficacy in terms of TCM syndrome, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the two groups as well as between before and after treatment. Liver and kidney functions were monitored for safety assessment. ResultsIn terms of blood lipid level recovery, the total response rate in the observation group was 86.36% (76/88) and that in the control group was 86.49% (64/74), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After treatment, both groups showed declines in levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.05) and elevations in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.05). Moreover, the observation group outperformed the control group in recovering the levels of TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C (P<0.05, P<0.01). In terms of TCM syndrome, hyperlipidemia was mostly caused by phlegm turbidity and obstruction. The total response rate in terms of TCM syndrome in the observation group was 87.30% (55/63), which was higher than that (63.46%, 33/52) in the control group (χ2=9.102, P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of total TCM symptoms, primary symptoms, and secondary symptoms decreased in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.01). The observation group was superior to the control group in alleviating obesity, chest tightness, and low food intake (P<0.05). In terms of safety, the level of aminotransferase was slightly elevated in the control group, and no obvious adverse reaction was observed in the observation group, with no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse reactions. ConclusionZhuyuwan combined with atorvastatin can not only recover blood lipid levels and alleviate TCM symptoms but also reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.
7.Mechanisms of Zhuyuwan in Treating both Intrahepatic Cholestasis and Ulcerative Colitis Based on Homotherapy for Heteropathy
Jun HAN ; Yueqiang WEN ; Zongying XU ; Dan LUO ; Li ZHOU ; Xueyi LI ; Yufan DAI ; Lele YANG ; Tao SHEN ; Han YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):46-53
ObjectiveThe theory of homotherapy for heteropathy is one of the classical rules in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking this theory as a breakthrough point, this study employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to elucidate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of Zhuyuwan on both intrahepatic cholestasis (IC) and ulcerative colitis (UC) from the viewpoint of serum metabolic homeostasis. MethodsThe rat models of α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis and 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced UC were treated with low (0.6 g·kg-1) and high (1.2 g·kg-1) doses of Zhuyuwan by gavage. In the experiment regarding IC, 24 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into four groups: normal, ANIT model, low-dose Zhuyuwan, and high-dose Zhuyuwan. In the experiment regarding UC, 24 SD rats were randomly allocated into four groups: normal, TNBS model, low-dose Zhuyuwan, and high-dose Zhuyuwan. Firstly, the two disease models and the intervention effects of Zhuyuwan on the two diseases were evaluated based on serum levels of biochemical indicators [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), and total bile acid (TBA)], colon damage score, colon weight index, disease activity index, and histopathological changes in rats. Secondly, the rat serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to screen the common core pathways of the two disease models, and the expression of core genes in the pathways was determined by Real-time PCR, on the basis of which the biological mechanism of the treatment of the two disease models by Zhuyuwan was ultimately elucidated. ResultsThe results of the experiment regarding IC showed that the ANIT model group had higher ALT, AST, γ-GT, and TBA levels than the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the ANIT model group, the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showed declined ALT and TBA levels (P<0.01) and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed lowered ALT, TBA, AST, and γ-GT levels (P<0.01). The results of the experiment regarding UC showed that compared with the normal group, the TNBS model group presented increases in the colonic damage score, colon weight index, and disease activity index (P<0.01). Compared with the TNBS model group, the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showcased declines in colon weight index (P<0.01) and disease activity index (P<0.05), and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed reductions in the colon damage score, colon weight index, and disease activity index (P<0.01). GC-MS metabolomics analysis combined with qRT-PCR demonstrated that Zhuyuwan had a similar inverse regulatory effect on arginine metabolism disruption in the above two disease models. ConclusionZhuyuwan exhibited definite therapeutic effects on both IC and UC, and the regulation of arginine biosynthesis pathway is the core mechanism for the treatment of both diseases by Zhuyuwan.
8.Clinical Efficacy of Zhuyuwan in Treatment of Hyperlipidemia with Syndrome of Phlegm Turbidity and Obstruction
Lele YANG ; Danmei LUO ; Jiao CHEN ; Xiaobo ZHANG ; Wei SONG ; Wenyu ZHU ; Xin ZHOU ; Xueping LI ; Tao SHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):29-37
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Zhuyuwan in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. MethodsIn this study, hyperlipidemia patients treated in the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from September 2022 to December 2023 were randomly assigned into a control group and an observation group. Finally, 162 valid cases were included, encompassing 74 cases in the control group and 88 cases in the observation group. The control group was treated with atorvastatin calcium tablets, and the observation group with atorvastatin calcium tablets + Zhuyuwan extract granules. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The efficacy in terms of blood lipid level recovery, blood lipid levels, TCM syndrome distribution, efficacy in terms of TCM syndrome, and TCM symptom scores were compared between the two groups as well as between before and after treatment. Liver and kidney functions were monitored for safety assessment. ResultsIn terms of blood lipid level recovery, the total response rate in the observation group was 86.36% (76/88) and that in the control group was 86.49% (64/74), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. After treatment, both groups showed declines in levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.05) and elevations in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P<0.05). Moreover, the observation group outperformed the control group in recovering the levels of TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C (P<0.05, P<0.01). In terms of TCM syndrome, hyperlipidemia was mostly caused by phlegm turbidity and obstruction. The total response rate in terms of TCM syndrome in the observation group was 87.30% (55/63), which was higher than that (63.46%, 33/52) in the control group (χ2=9.102, P<0.01). After treatment, the scores of total TCM symptoms, primary symptoms, and secondary symptoms decreased in both groups (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.01). The observation group was superior to the control group in alleviating obesity, chest tightness, and low food intake (P<0.05). In terms of safety, the level of aminotransferase was slightly elevated in the control group, and no obvious adverse reaction was observed in the observation group, with no statistical significance in the incidence of adverse reactions. ConclusionZhuyuwan combined with atorvastatin can not only recover blood lipid levels and alleviate TCM symptoms but also reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.
9.Mechanisms of Zhuyuwan in Treating both Intrahepatic Cholestasis and Ulcerative Colitis Based on Homotherapy for Heteropathy
Jun HAN ; Yueqiang WEN ; Zongying XU ; Dan LUO ; Li ZHOU ; Xueyi LI ; Yufan DAI ; Lele YANG ; Tao SHEN ; Han YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):46-53
ObjectiveThe theory of homotherapy for heteropathy is one of the classical rules in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking this theory as a breakthrough point, this study employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to elucidate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of Zhuyuwan on both intrahepatic cholestasis (IC) and ulcerative colitis (UC) from the viewpoint of serum metabolic homeostasis. MethodsThe rat models of α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis and 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced UC were treated with low (0.6 g·kg-1) and high (1.2 g·kg-1) doses of Zhuyuwan by gavage. In the experiment regarding IC, 24 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into four groups: normal, ANIT model, low-dose Zhuyuwan, and high-dose Zhuyuwan. In the experiment regarding UC, 24 SD rats were randomly allocated into four groups: normal, TNBS model, low-dose Zhuyuwan, and high-dose Zhuyuwan. Firstly, the two disease models and the intervention effects of Zhuyuwan on the two diseases were evaluated based on serum levels of biochemical indicators [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), and total bile acid (TBA)], colon damage score, colon weight index, disease activity index, and histopathological changes in rats. Secondly, the rat serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to screen the common core pathways of the two disease models, and the expression of core genes in the pathways was determined by Real-time PCR, on the basis of which the biological mechanism of the treatment of the two disease models by Zhuyuwan was ultimately elucidated. ResultsThe results of the experiment regarding IC showed that the ANIT model group had higher ALT, AST, γ-GT, and TBA levels than the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the ANIT model group, the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showed declined ALT and TBA levels (P<0.01) and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed lowered ALT, TBA, AST, and γ-GT levels (P<0.01). The results of the experiment regarding UC showed that compared with the normal group, the TNBS model group presented increases in the colonic damage score, colon weight index, and disease activity index (P<0.01). Compared with the TNBS model group, the low-dose Zhuyuwan group showcased declines in colon weight index (P<0.01) and disease activity index (P<0.05), and the high-dose Zhuyuwan group showed reductions in the colon damage score, colon weight index, and disease activity index (P<0.01). GC-MS metabolomics analysis combined with qRT-PCR demonstrated that Zhuyuwan had a similar inverse regulatory effect on arginine metabolism disruption in the above two disease models. ConclusionZhuyuwan exhibited definite therapeutic effects on both IC and UC, and the regulation of arginine biosynthesis pathway is the core mechanism for the treatment of both diseases by Zhuyuwan.
10.External stigma in patients with visible skin diseases: A qualitative study.
Hongjin GUAN ; Zhongling LUO ; Yehong KUANG ; Yi XIAO ; Minxue SHEN
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(3):373-381
OBJECTIVES:
Most dermatological conditions fall under visible skin diseases (VSDs), where lesions are exposed and readily seen, increasing patients' risk of experiencing external stigma from the public and specific professional groups (e.g., service providers). This stigma imposes psychological and social burdens that far exceed the psychological symptoms of the disease. To date, no systematic research has been conducted in China specifically on the external stigma associated with VSDs. Taking psoriasis, vitiligo, and acne as representative conditions, this study aims to explore the external stigma experienced by VSD patients across various social settings and to provide a scientific foundation for the development of measurement tools, quantitative research, and targeted interventions.
METHODS:
A purposive sample of 23 outpatients diagnosed with psoriasis, acne, or vitiligo was recruited from the Xiangya Hospital Dermatology Clinic of Central South University between December 2023 and July 2024. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using Mayring's qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis. Reporting followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. The interviews focused on the experience of external stigma across different social settings.
RESULTS:
Patients with VSDs reported experiencing external stigma in various contexts including family, community, recreational service venues, healthcare institutions, and others. The main motivation behind stigmatizing behaviors was disease avoidance (e.g., fear of contagion, aversion, social distancing). Stigmatization in school settings was also reported by patients with all 3 types of VSDs. Psoriasis patients reported stigma across all examined scenarios, while vitiligo and acne patients reported stigma in only some contexts.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with VSDs experience significant external stigma, with psoriasis patients facing a higher burden compared to those with vitiligo or acne. The predominant stigma-driving factor is the public's desire to avoid disease, which underscores the need for public education to correct misconceptions about VSDs. External stigma from family, school, social networks, healthcare providers, and structural stigma should be the focus of policy and intervention efforts aimed at protecting the rights and well-being of patients with VSDs.
Humans
;
Social Stigma
;
Female
;
Male
;
Qualitative Research
;
Acne Vulgaris/psychology*
;
Skin Diseases/psychology*
;
Adult
;
Psoriasis/psychology*
;
Vitiligo/psychology*
;
Middle Aged
;
China
;
Young Adult

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail