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.Influence of pterygium thickness and area on corneal refractive status
Xiaodong CHENG ; Jie WANG ; Song GAO ; Yanhong LU ; Yanbo MA ; Xinming CUI ; Xihui CHEN
International Eye Science 2026;26(1):152-156
AIM: To investigate the influence of pterygium thickness and area on corneal refractive status.METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study. A total of 60 cases(60 eyes)of pterygium patients admitted to our hospital from January 2024 to September 2024 were randomly selected. All patients underwent pterygium excision combined with pedicle conjunctival flap transplantation for treatment. Optical coherence tomography(OCT)was used to measure the preoperative thickness of patient's pterygium, and a digital slit lamp microscope was used to measure the area of pterygium. The corneal refractive status(degree of corneal astigmatism and average curvature)and changes in uncorrected visual acuity of patients before surgery, 1 d, 1, and 3 mo after surgery were compared. The relationship between preoperative thickness and area of pterygium in patients and corneal refractive status indicators at different postoperative time points were analyzed, and Logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of pterygium thickness and area on postoperative visual improvement in patients.RESULTS: All patients completed follow-up after surgery for 3 mo. At 3 mo after surgery, visual acuity improved in 21 eyes(35%). The results of bivariate Pearson correlation analysis showed that the thickness and area of pterygium positively correlated with the degree of corneal astigmatism and uncorrected visual acuity before surgery and 1 d, 1, and 3 mo after surgery(all P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the average corneal curvature before surgery and 1 d, 1, and 3 mo after surgery(all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the thickness and area of pterygium before surgery, high degree of corneal astigmatism, and low uncorrected visual acuity(large LogMAR value)were all risk factors for poor postoperative visual improvement in patients(OR>1, P<0.05). The large average corneal curvature before surgery was a protective factor for poor postoperative visual improvement in patients(OR<1, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The increase in thickness and area of pterygium can, to some extent, improve corneal astigmatism, reduce the average curvature of the cornea, and affect postoperative visual recovery.
3.Effect of community comprehensive management model intervention among patients with dyslipidemia
GAO Hui ; XIE Liang ; YAO Chunyang ; WANG Linhong ; JIN Liu ; HU Jie
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(1):15-19
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of community comprehensive management model intervention among patients with dyslipidemia, so as to provide the reference for optimizing community management strategies and improving the target achievement rate for blood lipids among this population.
Methods:
From May to June 2023, a multi-stage stratified random sampling method was employed to select patients with dyslipidemia from primary healthcare institutions in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group. The control group received routine management, while the intervention group was subjected to a community comprehensive management model in addition to the routine care. Both groups were followed up for 24 months. Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, physical examination indices, and blood biochemical indicators were collected at baseline and after the intervention through questionnaires, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. Changes in obesity rate, central obesity rate, target achievement rates for blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood glucose, as well as lifestyle modifications, were analyzed. Differences between the two groups before and after the intervention were assessed using generalized estimating equations (GEE).
Results:
The control group consisted of 560 patients, including 303 females (54.11%) and 430 individuals aged ≥65 years (76.79%). The intervention group also included 560 patients, with 300 females (53.57%) and 431 individuals aged ≥65 years (76.96%). Before the intervention, no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of gender, age, educational level, history of chronic diseases, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk stratification (all P>0.05). After 24 months of intervention, interaction effects between group and time were observed for obesity rate, central obesity rate, target achievement rate for blood lipids, target achievement rate for blood glucose, composite target achievement rate, physical activity rate, and medication adherence (all P<0.05). Specifically, the intervention group demonstrated lower rates of obesity and central obesity, and higher target achievement rate of blood lipids, target achievement rate of blood glucose, composite target achievement rate, physical activity rate, and medication adherence compared to the control group.
Conclusion
The community comprehensive management model contributed to improvements in multiple metabolic parameters (including body weight, waist circumference, blood lipids, and blood glucose) among patients with dyslipidemia, and was associated with increased physical activity rate and medication adherence.
4.Mechanism of action of luteolin in treatment of liver injury
Ying JIANG ; Ning GAO ; Xiaxuan WANG ; Jie GONG ; Lili LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):472-478
Liver injury has become an increasingly serious global health problem, and existing chemical drugs face the limitations in efficacy and adverse reactions, resulting in the urgent need to develop safe and effective drugs. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of flavonoids from natural medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of liver injury. As a typical natural flavonoid, luteolin shows a good protective effect against liver injury due to various etiologies, but there is still a lack of systematic elaboration on its mechanism of action. This article summarizes related research advances in China and globally and reviews the mechanism of action of luteolin in inhibiting oxidative stress, exerting an anti-inflammatory effect, regulating cell death, alleviating hepatic fibrosis, modulating lipid metabolism disorders, and regulating the gut-liver axis, as well as the application prospect of luteolin in the treatment of liver injury, in order to provide a scientific reference for further research on this compound.
5.Mechanism of action of luteolin in treatment of liver injury
Ying JIANG ; Ning GAO ; Xiaxuan WANG ; Jie GONG ; Lili LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(2):472-478
Liver injury has become an increasingly serious global health problem, and existing chemical drugs face the limitations in efficacy and adverse reactions, resulting in the urgent need to develop safe and effective drugs. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of flavonoids from natural medicinal plants in the prevention and treatment of liver injury. As a typical natural flavonoid, luteolin shows a good protective effect against liver injury due to various etiologies, but there is still a lack of systematic elaboration on its mechanism of action. This article summarizes related research advances in China and globally and reviews the mechanism of action of luteolin in inhibiting oxidative stress, exerting an anti-inflammatory effect, regulating cell death, alleviating hepatic fibrosis, modulating lipid metabolism disorders, and regulating the gut-liver axis, as well as the application prospect of luteolin in the treatment of liver injury, in order to provide a scientific reference for further research on this compound.
6.Evaluation of the effect of clinical pharmacists participating in the treatment of chronic heart failure based on the clinical pharmacy pathway
Guanhua HOU ; Baozhen WANG ; Yuchen TANG ; Jie CHENG ; Yuan DONG ; Zhiqiang DONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):800-805
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of clinical pharmacists participating in the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) based on the clinical pharmacy pathway (CPP). METHODS Totally 226 CHF patients recruited from August 24th, 2024 to March 14th, 2025, were divided into an observation group and a control group based on the random number table method, with 113 cases in each group. All patients were treated with conventional therapy. The observation group was additionally given CPP management (including pharmaceutical care during hospitalization, the formulation of individualized discharge medication regimens, and pharmaceutical follow-up after discharge). The cardiac function parameters at admission, at discharge, at 3 and 6 months after discharge, drug use at 6 months after discharge, economic indicators, as well as the readmission rate and mortality rate at 6 months after discharge were compared between the two groups. Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 Items (MMAS-8), Somatic Self-rating Scale (SSS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were compared at admission, at discharge and at 3 and 6 months after discharge. RESULTS Six months after discharge, 24 patients dropped out. Eventually, 104 patients in the observation group and 98 patients in the control group completed the study. Compared with at admission, New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac functional classification, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and N -terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) of both groups of patients at discharge as well as at 3 and 6 months after discharge were significantly improved; moreover, the improvements at 3 and 6 months after discharge were significantly better than those at discharge. Meanwhile, the above indexes (except for NYHA cardiac functional classification at discharge, NT-proBNP and NYHA cardiac functional classification at 3 months after discharge) of the observation group at discharge, at 3 and 6 months after discharge were significantly better than the control group ( P <0.05). The utilization rates of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker (ARB)/angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), the proportion of β-blockers reaching the target dose, the utilization rate of sodium-glucose linked transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), and the proportion of SGLT2i reaching the target dose in the observation group were significantly higher than the control group ( P <0.05), and the proportion of drugs and readmission rate were significantly lower than the control group ( P <0.05). Compared with at admission, MMAS-8 scores of the patients in the observation group at discharge, at 3 and 6 months after discharge were significantly increased, while SSS and PHQ-9 scores were significantly lowered ( P <0.05). And all the above scores gradually decreas ed with the extension of discharge time ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Clinical pharmacists can utilize CPP to significantly improve patients’ cardiac function, medication adherence, somatic symptoms and depression. Additionally, they can significantly improve the utilization rates of ACEI/ARB/ARNI and SGLT2i, as well as the proportion of target doses of β-blockers and SGLT2i, while simultaneously reducing readmission rates.
7.Activation patterns and mechanism in the prefrontal cortex of post-stroke anxiety patients: a study using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Ling YANG ; Qinglei WANG ; Jie WANG ; Wenjie XU ; Tong WANG ; Chuan GUO ; Xue QIAN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2026;32(3):329-336
ObjectiveTo observe the activation patterns and functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex of patients with post-stroke anxiety (PSA) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, in order to explore the underlying neural mechanism. MethodsFrom December, 2024 to September, 2025, 120 stroke patients were selected in Changzhou De'an Hospital. They were divided into PSA group (n = 60) and non-PSA group (n = 60) according to the score of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). All patients wore an 18-channel fNIRS acquisition cap for detection. The differences in resting-state functional connectivity between the frontopolar cortex (FPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were examined in both groups, as well as task-related activation in these brain regions. ResultsResting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed no statistically significant difference in network connectivity between two groups in the FPC and DLPFC regions (|t| < 1.301, P > 0.05). Task-related activation results revealed significantly reduced activation in the contralateral FPC of PSA group compared to the non-PSA group (Z = -2.063, P < 0.05). Activation levels in this region showed a negative correlation with the scores of HAMA (ρ = -0.201, P = 0.028). ConclusionActivation decreased in the contralateral frontal pole during the task state for patients with PSA, and the activation levels negatively correlates with anxiety severities.
8.Effect of Xixintang on Colonic Mucosal Barrier and TLR4 /NF-κB p65 Signaling Pathway in AD Model Rats Induced by D-galactose Combined with Aβ25-35
Yuan TIAN ; Yongchang DIWU ; Siyuan JIA ; Jie GAO ; Meirong WU ; Dengkun WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):1-11
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate whether Xixintang could ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat model induced by D-galactose and β-amyloid (Aβ25-35), by means of repairing the colonic mucosal barrier, regulating the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) signaling pathway, and intervening in the pathological process mediated by the gut-brain axis. MethodsSixty specific pathogen-free (SPF) male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided to five groups (n=12): A control group, a model group, a donepezil group, an Xixintang group, and a probiotic group. Except for those in the control group, rats in all other groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of D-galactose for six consecutive weeks. Subsequently, aggregated Aβ25-35 was injected stereotactically into the bilateral ventricles to establish the AD model. During the intervention periods, the rats in all groups were administered their respective drugs and normal saline by gavage. The Morris water maze test was used to assess the capacity for spatial learning and memory. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to observe the histopathological changes in the colon tissues. Immunofluorescence was used to detect Aβ1-41 deposition in the hippocampal region and Mucin 2 (MUC2) expression in the colonic mucosa. Western blot was performed to measure the protein expression levels of FFAR2,TLR4, NF-κB p65, occludin (OCLN), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and MUC2 in the colonic tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the contents of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), serum amyloid A (SAA), and Aβ1-42 in the hippocampal region from the colonic tissues. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations in colon tissues of rats were measured by using a dynamic chromogenic limulus assay. ResultsCompared with those in the control group, the rats in the model group exhibited a significantly prolonged escape latency and a markedly shorter duration in the target quadrant (P<0.01). The integrity of the colonic mucosal structure was compromised, with disordered gland arrangement and a reduced number of goblet cells. The Aβ1-42 deposition in the hippocampal region was significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in colonic tissues were significantly upregulated (P<0.01), while those of occludin and ZO-1 were downregulated (P<0.01). The contents of inflammatory factors such as IL-6, TNF-α, and SAA were significantly elevated (P<0.01), and the LPS level in the serum was markedly increased (P<0.01). In comparison to those in the model group, the rats in the Xixintang group showed a significantly shortened escape latency and a prolonged duration in the target quadrant (P<0.01). The colonic mucosal structure was ameliorated, with neat gland arrangement and an increased number of goblet cells. The Aβ1-42 deposition in the hippocampal region was reduced (P<0.01). The protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the colon tissues were decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01), while the protein levels of occludin and ZO-1 were increased (P<0.01). The contents of IL-6, TNF-α, and serum amyloid A (SAA) were decreased (P<0.01), and the LPS level was reduced (P<0.01). ConclusionXixintang can significantly ameliorate cognitive dysfunction of AD model rats, by means of restoring the colonic mucosal barrier structure, reducing cerebral Aβ deposition, and suppressing peripheral and central inflammatory response. Its mechanism of action may be closely associated with the suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation, reduction of endotoxin levels, and regulation of the gut-brain axis.
9.Analysis of Risk Factors and Establishment of Prediction Model for Turbidity Toxicity Accumulation Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Yican WANG ; Chenggong ZHAO ; Pengli DU ; Jie WANG ; Yuxi GUO ; Haiyan BAI ; Yongli HUO ; Xiaomeng LANG ; Zheng ZHI ; Bolin LI ; Jianping LIU ; Yanru CAI ; Jianming JIANG ; Qian YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):288-295
ObjectiveThis paper aims to explore the risk factors for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome and establish a prediction model. MethodsClinical data of 180 patients with CAG who participated in the "clinical study of Xianglian Huazhuo Particles blocking CAG cancer transformation" of Hebei Sheng Zhong Yi Yuan from July 2021 to March 2022 were collected. After confounding factors were controlled by propensity score matching, patients were divided into a training set (namely dev) and a validation set (namely vad) in a seven to three ratio. The risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome in the training set were investigated by using univariate Logistic regression analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (namely Lasso) regression algorithms. Subsequently, a model, named model 1se, was developed by using the training set data to predict the risk factors for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome. The accuracy of the prediction model was assessed by using various methods, including the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test (H-L), calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA). ResultsAge, body mass index (BMI), family history of cancer, job and life satisfaction, yellow and greasy fur with slippery pulse, and heavy body sensation were independent risk factors of the model. The prediction model showed excellent predictive value for both the training and validation sets. ConclusionThe established prediction model for CAG with turbidity toxin accumulation syndrome has high discrimination and excellent calibration, which could provide an excellent clinical basis for disease diagnosis and individualized treatment of patients.
10.Targeting M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization Balance by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Bronchial Asthma: A Review
Jie LIU ; Yasheng DENG ; Weiping YIN ; Lei XIONG ; Na WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):308-317
Bronchial asthma (BA) is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible airflow limitation. Lung macrophages (LMs), as important effector cells of the innate immune system, play an important role in recognizing and engulfing pathogens, clearing harmful particles, and regulating immune responses. LMs can be polarized to M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) in different immune environments and participate in promoting or inhibiting inflammatory response, as well as lung parenchyma injury and repair (airway remodeling), playing a key role in the BA occurrence and development. Regulating the polarization balance of macrophages can not only inhibit the inflammatory response in the airway and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, but also improve airway remodeling and immune regulation, reduce airway mucus secretion, and alleviate the clinical BA symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients, especially polysaccharides and saponins, can regulate the polarization balance of M1/M2 macrophages. Traditional Chinese medicine compounds can balance the secretion of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory factors by staging treatment and targeting the polarization state of M1/M2 macrophages, inhibit inflammatory response in the airway, reduce airway remodeling, and improve the BA symptoms. This paper summarized the research progress on the regulation of M1/M2 macrophage polarization by traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients, aiming to provide scientific evidence for the precise targeted therapy of BA.


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