AIM:To analyze the efficacy of modified Zhujing formula combined with intravitreal ranibizumab(IVR)injection in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration(wARMD).METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on wARMD patients at the Ophthalmology Department of Yulin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2022 to October 2024. The study subjects were divided into the experimental group and the control group according to the random number table method. The control group received IVR treatment, while the experimental group was treated with modified Zhujing formula in addition to IVR injection. The clinical efficacy, TCM symptom scores, central retinal thickness(CRT), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), macular hemorrhage area, choroidal neovascularization area(CNV), ocular hemodynamic parameters [resistance index(RI), maximum diastolic blood flow(EDV), maximum systolic blood flow(PSV)], and 1-year recurrence rate were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: This study included 60 eyes from 60 wARMD patients. Among them, the control group consisted of 30 patients and 30 eyes, while the experimental group consisted of 30 patients and 30 eyes. The age of the control group was 67.52±3.12 y, with 17 males and 13 females. The age of the experimental group was 67.62±3.04 y, with 18 males and 12 females.The clinical efficacy of the experimental group(97%)was higher than that of the control group(73%)(P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of blurred vision, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, restlessness and insomnia, dizziness and tinnitus in the experimental group were all lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05); the EDV and PSV in the experimental group were both higher than those in the control group(both P<0.05); the BCVA, CRT, macular hemorrhage area, CNV and RI of the experimental group were all lower than those of the control group(all P<0.05), and the 1-year recurrence rate in the experimental group(3%)was lower than that in the control group(27%)(P<0.05). CONCLUSION:The combined use of modified Zhujing formula and IVR can effectively alleviate symptoms such as blurred vision and retinal hemorrhage in wARMD patients, improve vision and ocular hemodynamic conditions, and reduce the recurrence rate. This suggests that there may be a synergistic enhancing effect.

Currently, the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) encounters substantial technical challenges, necessitating the urgent development of innovative evaluation methods for key quality attributes. This study proposes the construction of a quality assurance system centered on key quality attributes, with systems biology and chemical biology serving as its core components: utilizing multi-omics technologies to systematically analyze the core functional modules of TCM, integrating pharmacological approaches to precisely identify key bioactive components; applying chemical biology to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between components and their targets, while screening for quality markers associated with specific functions and clinical indications; establishing an integrated quality control system based on quality markers and biological potency to ensure comprehensive quality management from raw herb materials through to finished products. Additionally, it emphasizes the formulation of compatibility rules grounded in TCM theory, integrates clinical practice and multi-dimensional value assessments, and establishes a novel quality evaluation model with distinct TCM characteristics.This offers a comprehensive and systematic approach to ensuring the safety and efficacy of TCM while facilitating the high-quality development of the TCM industry.

Objective To explore the clinical value of albumin-globulin ratio(AGR)combined with prostate-specific antigen(PSA)and Gleason score in predicting biochemical recurrence(BCR)after radical resection in patients with localized prostate cancer, and to provide reference for early identification of BCR high-risk patients and individualized treatment. Methods The clinical data of 114 patients with localized prostate cancer treated during Sep.2019 and Sep.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to postoperative BCR status, patients were divided into the BCR group(n=43)and non-BCR group(n=71).Preoperative clinical and pathological data were compared between the two groups.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to assess the correlation between these indicators and BCR.The predictive performance of the combined model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare biochemical recurrence-free survival(BFS)among patients with different AGR, PSA levels and Gleason scores.Results Compared with the non-BCR group, the BCR group had significantly higher PSA level and ISUP grading, but significantly lower AGR level(P＜0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that AGR was negatively correlated with BCR(HR=0.031, 95%CI:0.008-0.119, P＜0.001), PSA was positively correlated with BCR(HR=1.009, 95%CI:1.002-1.016, P=0.017), and Gleason score was positively correlated with BCR(HR=1.551, 95%CI:1.199-2.005, P＜0.001).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for the combined prediction model(AGR + PSA + Gleason score)was 0.886, with a sensitivity of 90.7% and a specificity of 78.9%.Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that patients in the low AGR group, high PSA group, and high Gleason score group had significantly lower BFS than those in the high AGR group, low PSA group and low Gleason score group, respectively(all P＜0.0001).Conclusion The combination of AGR, PSA and Gleason score is closely associated with postoperative BCR in patients with localized prostate cancer.The combined prediction model demonstrates high predictive efficacy and can provide an important reference for the early identification of high-risk BCR patients and for guiding individualized postoperative treatment.

ObjectiveTo investigate the associations of multiple glycolipid metabolic indicators and their cumulative abnormality burden with incident colorectal cancer risk in a general population-based prospective cohort, and to examine the mediating role of glycolipid metabolic abnormalities in the relationships between smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and colorectal cancer incidence. MethodsA total of 17 897 eligible participants recruited from the Taizhou Cohort between 2011 and 2014 were included. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the associations of conventional and derived glycolipid indicators, as well as a glycolipid abnormality index constructed from total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and insulin, with incident colorectal cancer risk. Restricted cubic spline models were applied to evaluate dose-response relationships for major indicators. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to compare predictive performance across indicators. Mediation analyses were conducted to assess the mediating effects of the glycolipid abnormality index on the associations of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with colorectal cancer incidence. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 11.2 years, 102 incident colorectal cancer cases were identified, with an incidence density of 51.2 per 100 000 person-years. After adjustment for potential confounders, Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a 1.74-fold higher risk of colorectal cancer (HR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.03‒2.95), elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a 1.78-fold higher risk (HR=1.78, 95%CI: 1.05‒3.02), and abnormal fasting plasma glucose was associated with a 1.86-fold higher risk (HR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.15‒3.02). Triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose showed an approximately linear increasing association with colorectal cancer risk in multivariable restricted cubic spline models. The glycolipid abnormality index showed a clear gradient association with colorectal cancer risk; participants with three or more abnormal indicators had a 3.08-fold higher risk than those without abnormalities (HR=3.08, 95%CI: 1.60‒5.92). The area under the curve was 0.795, higher than that of individual glycolipid indicators and other combined indices, and gender-stratified analyses showed generally consistent patterns. Glycolipid metabolic abnormalities partially mediated the associations of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with colorectal cancer incidence, with mediation proportions of 8.33%, 9.45%, and 9.04%, respectively. ConclusionGlycolipid metabolic abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of incident colorectal cancer. The glycolipid abnormality index shows an increasing relationship with colorectal cancer risk and demonstrates better discrimination, and it partially mediates the associations of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity with colorectal cancer incidence in the overall population.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of Indigo Naturalis on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. Methods The mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) was established using the filament ligation method. Mice were randomly divided into five groups: sham surgery, model, positive drug control, low-dose Indigo Naturalis, and high-dose Indigo Naturalis. After 7 d of drug administration, the relevant experiments were performed. Neurological function was assessed via behavioral scoring, balance beam test, forelimb grip strength, and tail lift test. Brain infarct volume was quantified using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Histopathological changes and neuronal apoptosis were systematically analyzed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Nissl staining, and TUNEL staining. Finally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and microglial polarization markers (CD32, CD206) in the mouse cerebral cortex. Results Compared with the model group, the neurological function scores of mice in the high-dose Indigo Naturalis group showed significant improvement, and the motor ability recovery in each drug-administration group was remarkable (P<0.05, P<0.01). The cerebral infarct volume in the high-dose Indigo Naturalis group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Histological results revealed that Indigo Naturalis could alleviate pathological damage in brain tissue and reduce neuronal apoptosis (P<0.01). PCR results demonstrated that after treatment with Indigo Naturalis, the expression of inflammatory factors and CD32 was significantly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the expression of CD206 was significantly upregulated (P<0.05). Conclusion Indigo Naturalis could improve motor function in mice with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and its effects might be related to regulating inflammatory responses and reducing neuronal damage.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of particulate matter and ozone with the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a district of Shanghai, and to provide epidemiological evidence for the further identification of early health hazards of air pollution and for the prevention and control of NAFLD. MethodsBased on Songjiang Sub-cohort of Shanghai Natural Population Cohort, a cross-sectional survey design was used to recruit participants from 2016 to 2017. Annual average exposure levels to air pollution from 2009 to 2017 were matched to the participant’s residential address using a high-resolution and high-quality ambient air pollutants dataset in China. NAFLD was diagnosed according to the “Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of metabolism⁃associated (non⁃alcoholic) fatty liver disease” by the Chinese Medical Association. Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to analyze the association between air pollution and the prevalence of NAFLD, and stratified analyses were used to compare differences by age, gender, obesity, and lifestyle habits within subgroups. ResultsA total of 32 791 individuals were included in the study. The prevalence of NAFLD among community residents in suburban Shanghai was 38.88%. For every 1 μg·m^-3 increase in PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, or O₃, the risk of NAFLD increased correspongdinglt, with the odds ratios (95%CI) of 1.071 (1.043‒1.099), 1.065 (1.042‒1.089), 1.041 (1.027‒1.055), or 1.061 (1.032‒1.091), respectively. There were differences in effects across different gender, age, and obesity status subgroups. ConclusionPM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and O₃ are positively associated with an increased risk of NAFLD. Stratified analyses reveal that individuals aged 65 years old or above exhibited greater susceptibility to PM₁, PM_2.5, and O₃, whereas those aged less than 65 years old are more vulnerable to PM₁₀. Males are more sensitive to PM₁ and O₃, and females are more susceptible to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀. The association between air pollutant exposure and NAFLD risk is more pronounced among obese participants compared to that in non-obese counterparts.

Obesity, as a chronic recurrent disease, has become a major public health challenge in China. To implement the requirements of the Healthy China Initiative (2019—2030), under domestic guidelines or consensus statements on overweight and obesity, and in alignment with the latest scientific advances globally, the Quality control protocol for adult overweight and obesity screening in health management (examination) institutions (2025 edition) was developed. This protocol was drafted by the Health Management Center of Shanghai Changzheng Hospital and formulated through multiple rounds of deliberation by experts in China’s health examination quality control field. The protocol establishes unified standards for screening facilities, personnel qualifications, and measurement or testing procedures. It defines specific screening items, outlines a standardized screening pathway, and sets requirements for the final medical review, ensuring the scientific validity, effectiveness, and safety of the screening process. The implementation of this protocol will enhance the consistency of weight management practices for adults across health examination institutions and strengthen the quality control of overweight and obesity screening programs.

Platelets are indispensable for physiological hemostasis and pathological thrombus formation, and platelet adhesion to endothelial collagen is a critical initial step in thrombus formation, often overlooked in current antiplatelet therapies. This study aims to elucidate how ginsenoside CK enhances hemodynamic circulation, alleviates stasis, and proposes therapeutic mechanisms. Inspired by the effects on improving microcirculatory disturbances in an acute soft tissue injury model, CK was identified as a PHD2 inhibitor, effectively suppressing platelet adhesion to collagen. It was proposed that targeting PHD2 regulates collagen hydroxylation modification, thereby influencing the formation of its three-dimensional structure, reducing the binding affinity between VWF and collagen, and ultimately suppressing thrombotic events. The efficacy of this mechanism was subsequently confirmed through a mouse DIC model, demonstrating the feasibility of CK in alleviating circulatory disorders. It is worth noting that when Phd2 was knocked down in mice's lungs, pulmonary embolism was significantly reduced. Additionally, PHD2 inhibitors approved for other diseases have exhibited similar anti-thrombotic effects. Moreover, when PHD2 inhibitors were combined with aspirin, they more effectively inhibited arterial thrombosis in rats. The findings offer valuable insights into potential targets for developing antiplatelet drugs or expanding therapeutic applications for existing PHD2 inhibitors in treating thrombotic diseases.

Objective:To analyze the changes in the incidence trend of liver cancer in Taizhou of Jiangsu Province, from 2012 to 2020 and provide reference for tumor prevention and control and management.Methods:Liver cancer incidence data from 2012 to 2020 were extracted from the Taizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention's tumor registry system. Demographic data were used to calculate the crude incidence rate, age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), Chinese age-standardized incidence rate (CASIR; based on China's 2010 standard population), and world age-standardized incidence rate (WASIR; based on Segi's world standard population). The Joinpoint regression model was applied to identify inflection points in liver cancer incidence trends during 2012-2020, and annual percentage change (APC) with average annual percentage change (AAPC) were calculated.Results:In 2020, the crude incidence ratio (CIR) of liver cancer in Taizhou was 34.6 per 100 000, with CASIR and WASIR at 19.6 per 100 000 and 14.9 per 100 000, respectively. From 2012 to 2020, the male-to-female ratio of new liver cancer cases was 2.94∶1 (10 455 males vs. 3 559 females), with male incidence consistently higher than female. Overall liver cancer incidence in Taizhou initially increased and then decreased after 2017 (2012-2017: APC=6.4%, P=0.014; 2017-2020: APC=-9.5%, P=0.035), peaking at a CASIR of 26.2 per 100 000 in 2017. The trend in male incidence mirrored the overall pattern, rising before 2017 and declining thereafter (2012-2017: APC=6.2%, P=0.005; 2017-2020: APC=-9.0%, P=0.016). Female incidence remained relatively stable (2012-2016: APC=11.0%, P=0.054; 2016-2020: APC=-6.5%, P=0.130). Conclusions:Liver cancer incidence in Taizhou increased before 2017 and declined thereafter, with 2017 as the turning point. Amid population aging, liver cancer remains a persistent public health challenge requiring sustained attention.

Objective:To investigate the effects of PRND downregulation on the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of human renal carcinoma cells.Methods:Clinical and transcriptomic data from renal carcinoma patients were analyzed using the TCGA database, with bioinformatics methods employed for differential gene expression analysis and survival analysis [including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS)]. Postoperative pathological specimens from 50 renal carcinoma patients admitted to Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2022 and January 2023 were collected for immunohistochemical staining to assess PRND expression in renal carcinoma tissues. Two distinct small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were used to downregulate PRND expression in renal carcinoma cell lines ACHN and 769P. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting were performed to validate the knockdown efficiency of PRND at the mRNA and protein levels. The proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities of ACHN and 769P cells were evaluated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), cell migration assay, and invasion assay, which was compared between the negative control group (NC) and the two PRND knockdown groups (si1 and si2). Western blotting was used to measure the expression levels of MMP-9, E-cadherin, C-myc, Vimentin, β-catenin, and PD-L1 proteins in ACHN and 769P cell lines.Results:TCGA database analysis revealed that PRND expression was significantly higher in renal carcinoma tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues (1.172 vs. 0.383, P<0.01). Survival analysis indicated that high PRND expression was significantly negatively correlated with both OS ( P<0.01) and DFS ( P<0.01). CCK-8 assay results showed no statistically significant differences in cell viability between the experimental and control groups at 6 hours (ACHN-si1: 1.238±0.659, ACHN-si2: 1.437±0.359, ACHN-NC: 3.234±2.165, P>0.05). However, significant differences were observed at 24 hours (ACHN-si1: 5.608±0.716, ACHN-si2: 7.088±0.308, ACHN-NC: 9.764±1.088, P<0.01), 48 hours (ACHN-si1: 40.422±1.419, ACHN-si2: 41.238±2.623, ACHN-NC: 65.823±4.337, P<0.01), and 72 hours (ACHN-si1: 53.667±4.565, ACHN-si2: 54.533±2.572, ACHN-NC: 78.800±0.265, P<0.01). Similar trends were observed in 769P cells (6 hours: P>0.05; 24 hours: P<0.05; 48 and 72 hours: P<0.01). Cell migration assays demonstrated significantly reduced migration in the experimental groups (ACHN-si1: 31±10, ACHN-si2: 62±19, ACHN-NC: 175±45, P<0.01; 769P-si1: 79±16, 769P-si2: 62±14, 769P-NC: 236±77, P<0.05). Invasion assays also showed significant suppression in the experimental groups (ACHN-si1: 13±9, ACHN-si2: 15±8, ACHN-NC: 54±12, P<0.01; 769P-si1: 17±13, 769P-si2: 19±17, 769P-NC: 91±29, P<0.01). Western blotting revealed that C-myc, β-catenin, MMP-9, Vimentin, and PD-L1 protein levels were lower in the experimental groups, while E-cadherin expression was higher compared to the control groups. Conclusions:PRND is significantly overexpressed in renal carcinoma tissues and closely associated with poor patient prognosis. Downregulation of PRND markedly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of renal carcinoma cells, potentially through modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and key molecules involved in tumor metastasis.