1.Traditional Chinese Medicine Alleviates Dry Eye Disease by Regulating Tear Film Homeostasis: A Review
Sainan TIAN ; Bin'an WANG ; Yao CHEN ; Guicheng LIU ; Li TANG ; Pei LIU ; Genyan QIN ; Jun PENG ; Qinghua PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):172-181
Dry eye (DE) is a prevalent multifactorial disease of the ocular surface, clinically characterized by tear film homeostasis imbalance accompanied by related ocular surface symptoms. Specifically, the tear film is a thin liquid layer of tears covering the cornea and conjunctiva through blinking, while tear film homeostasis serves as the foundation for maintaining normal ocular surface structure and function. Insufficient tear secretion and excessive tear film evaporation lead to tear hyperosmolarity and the production of inflammatory mediators, disrupting tear film homeostasis and subsequently forming DE. Additionally, cascade reactions are triggered, resulting in a "vicious cycle of DE" that exacerbates the disease severity and prolongs its duration. Therefore, for DE treatment, it is crucial to restore tear film homeostasis and terminate this vicious cycle. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which differentiates and treats DE based on systemic conditions, often achieves favorable therapeutic outcomes, offering additional treatment options for DE. Studies have demonstrated that TCM can alleviate DE by regulating tear film homeostasis and terminating the vicious cycle. This review systematically summarizes recent basic experimental research in China and abroad on TCM in alleviating DE by regulating tear film homeostasis, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment and an insight for research design.
2.Effect of Runmu Dihuang Decoction on Perimenopausal Dry Eye in Rats with Liver-kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome Based on SIRT3/HIF-1α/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Sainan TIAN ; Wei MA ; Yao CHEN ; Yu CAO ; Guicheng LIU ; Pei LIU ; Junxian LEI ; Qinghua PENG ; Jun PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):201-210
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Runmu Dihuang decoction (RMDHD) in treating perimenopausal dry eye with liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome based on the silent information regulator 3 (SIRT3)/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsSixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=10 per group): Sham operation group, model group, sodium hyaluronate eye drop group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose RMDHD groups (5.625, 11.25, 22.50 g·kg-1). Except for the sham operation group, all rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy and were administered 0.1% benzalkonium chloride eye drops combined with long-term chronic irritation to establish a perimenopausal dry eye model with liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. Drug administration began in the 11th week after modeling and continued for 21 days. General conditions, screen-grip test scores, tear secretion volume, tear film breakup time (TFBUT), and corneal fluorescein staining were recorded. Serum levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (PROG) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological changes in the lacrimal glands, corneas, and uteri were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Protein expression levels of SIRT3, HIF-1α, phosphorylated NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), and total NF-κB p65 in the lacrimal glands were detected by Western blot. The expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the lacrimal glands was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). ResultsAfter model establishment, no significant differences were observed among the groups except the sham operation group. Compared with the sham operation group, the other groups exhibited slowed movement, dull responses, increased irritability, reduced body weight, elevated rectal temperature, decreased screen-grip test scores, reduced tear secretion, and significantly shortened TFBUT (P<0.05). After treatment, compared with the model group, the sodium hyaluronate eye drop group and all RMDHD groups showed improved general conditions, significantly increased tear secretion (P<0.05), prolonged TFBUT (P<0.05), and elevated screen-grip test scores (P<0.05). Serum ROS and FSH levels were significantly decreased, while E2 and PROG levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). Pathological damage to the cornea, lacrimal glands, and uterus was ameliorated. In addition, protein expression levels of SIRT3 and HIF-1α in the lacrimal glands were significantly upregulated (P<0.05), whereas the expression of p-NF-κB p65, IL-1β, and TNF-α was significantly downregulated (P<0.05). ConclusionRMDHD increases tear secretion and TFBUT, improves lacrimal gland and corneal injury, and alleviates dry eye symptoms in a perimenopausal dry eye rat model with liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. The underlying mechanism may be related to regulation of the SIRT3/HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway, inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and reduction of ocular surface tissue damage.
3.Analysis of Dry Eye Animal Models Based on Clinical Disease and Syndrome Characteristics in Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Guicheng LIU ; Yao CHEN ; Binan WANG ; Pei LIU ; Jun PENG ; Sainan TIAN ; Qinghua PENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):200-208
ObjectiveAccording to the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical characteristics of dry eye (DE), this paper aims to analyze existing DE animal models to provide recommendations for building more clinically relevant DE models that integrate traditional Chinese and Western medicine. MethodsBy the retrieval and analysis of relevant literature on DE animal experiments, combined with expert consensus, an evaluation scale was created to assess relevance from the perspectives of pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) differentiation. On the basis of data provided by the literature, the clinical relevance was evaluated for the animal models constructed in the literature. ResultsAmong the existing methods for establishing a DE animal model, benzalkonium chloride eye-drop induction showed the highest clinical relevance, demonstrating 98% alignment with Western medicine. However, current models generally showed higher relevance to Western medicine than to TCM, and there was a lack of models integrating disease with syndrome. ConclusionAs DE involves diverse causes and pathogenesis, single-factor models cannot fully simulate the complex pathology of DE. Future research should focus on building multi-mechanism DE models, exploring new etiological directions, standardizing model evaluation systems, and promoting integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. This will help precisely simulate the pathophysiological process of human DE and provide more valuable guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction.
4.Key Factors and Improving Paths of Promoting Long-Acting Injections in Communities in Beijing.
Yu XIN ; Chen CHEN ; Yao DONG ; Jin-Qi ZHU ; Yun CHEN ; Qing-Zhi HUANG ; Jun-Li ZHU
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(3):414-424
Objective To investigate the key factors influencing the implementation of long-acting injection-promoting policies and propose effective improving paths.Methods Qualitative interviews were carried out for stakeholders involved in the promotion of long-acting injections,based on the consolidated framework for implementation research.Additionally,countermeasures for identified barriers were proposed based on expert recommendations for implementation changes.Results A total of 46 health administrators,healthcare workers,and patients in Beijing were interviewed.The study identified several barriers in the strength and quality of evidence,adaptability,relative advantage,complexity and cost,patient needs and resources,external collaboration,external policies and incentives,organizational structural characteristics,and self-efficacy.Conclusions From the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders,the promotion of long-acting injections has shown initial success but still faces multiple obstacles.It is recommended that efforts should be made to coordinate and adapt policies,improve and incentivize relative organizations,and continuously strengthen the advocacy and education for individuals.
Humans
;
Beijing
;
Delayed-Action Preparations
;
Health Personnel
;
Health Policy
;
Injections
5.Research progress on the epidemiological characteristics and prevention and control of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome
Shang QI ; Yao QIN ; Jun XING ; Qiulan CHEN ; Jiandong LI ; Yanping ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(2):352-358
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease with a high mortality rate. Many countries worldwide have already reported local transmission, and the number of reported cases has been increasing yearly, with an ever-expanding region. No specific treatment drugs or vaccines have seriously threatened public health safety in epidemic regions. This article reviews the epidemiological characteristics, transmission routes, and control measures of SFTS.
6.Establishment and evaluation of a rat model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver-kidney yin deficiency evidence
Sainan TIAN ; Guicheng LIU ; Yao CHEN ; Pei LIU ; Jun PENG ; Qinghua PENG ; Shujuan HU
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(9):1270-1279
Objective To establish a rat model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver and kidney yin deficiency from the perspective of"measuring evidence by prescription"in Chinese medicine.Methods Thirty SPF-grade female SD rats were divided randomly into sham-operated,model,and Qiju Dihuang soup groups(n=10).Rats in the latter two groups underwent bilateral ovariectomy and were given 0.1%benzalkonium chloride eye drops combined with provocation for 10 weeks to establish a model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver and kidney yin deficiency.After modeling,rats in the Qiju Dihuang soup group were gavaged with Qiju Dihuang soup at a dose of 8.37 g/(kg·d),rats in the sham-operated and model groups were gavaged with saline at a rate of 1 mL/100(g·d)for 21 d.The general condition,retinal screen test scores,tear secretion,time of tear film rupture,and corneal fluorescein staining were observed and recorded in each group.Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),estradiol(E2),and progesterone(PROG)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Pathological damage to the cornea and lacrimal glands were detected by hematoxylin/eosin staining.Expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-a in the cornea were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,rats in the model group showed behavioral signs of slow action and reaction,irritability,body mass loss,and increased anal temperature(P<0.05),decreased retinal screen test scores(P<0.05),tear secretion(P<0.05),and time of tear film rupture(P<0.05),and pathological damage to the cornea and lacrimal glands.FSH levels increased and E2 and PROG levels decreased(P<0.05)and expression levels of IL-1 and TNF-α increased in the model group compared with the sham group.All the above indexes were significantly improved in the Qiju Dihuang soup group compared with the model group.Conclusions From the perspective of"measuring evidence by formula"in Chinese medicine,we successfully established a rat model of perimenopausal dry eye with liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome,which provides a theoretical and experimental basis for future systematic and in-depth research on the mechanism of perimenopausal dry eye with formula and evidence.
7.Association of short-term air pollution with risk of major adverse cardiovascular event mortality and modification effects of lifestyle in Chinese adults.
Wendi XIAO ; Xin YAO ; Yinqi DING ; Junpei TAO ; Canqing YU ; Dianjianyi SUN ; Pei PEI ; Ling YANG ; Yiping CHEN ; Huaidong DU ; Dan SCHMIDT ; Yaoming ZHAI ; Junshi CHEN ; Zhengming CHEN ; Jun LV ; Liqiang ZHANG ; Tao HUANG ; Liming LI
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():38-38
BACKGROUND:
Previous evidence showed that ambient air pollution and cardiovascular mortality are related. However, there is a lack of evidence towards the modification effect of long-term lifestyle on the association between short-term ambient air pollution and death from cardiovascular events.
METHOD:
A total of 14,609 death from major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were identified among the China Kadoorie Biobank participants from 2013 to 2018. Ambient air pollution exposure including particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 from the same period were obtained from space-time model reconstructions based on remote sensing data. Case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression was applied to estimate the effect of short-term exposure to air pollutants on MACE mortality.
RESULTS:
We found MACE mortality was significantly associated with PM2.5 (relative percent increase 2.91% per 10 µg/m3 increase, 95% CI 1.32-4.53), NO2 (5.37% per 10 µg/m3 increase, 95% CI 1.56-9.33), SO2 (6.82% per 10 µg/m3 increase, 95% CI 2.99-10.80), and CO (2.24% per 0.1 mg/m3 increase, 95% CI 1.02-3.48). Stratified analyses indicated that drinking was associated with elevated risk of MACE mortality with NO2 and SO2 exposure; physical inactivity was associated with higher risk of death from MACE when exposed to PM2.5; and people who had balanced diet had lower risk of MACE mortality when exposed to CO and NO2.
CONCLUSIONS
The study results showed that short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and CO would aggravate the risk of cardiovascular mortality, yet healthy lifestyle conduct might mitigate such negative impact to some extent.
Humans
;
Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Air Pollution/adverse effects*
;
Middle Aged
;
Air Pollutants/analysis*
;
Particulate Matter/analysis*
;
Environmental Exposure/adverse effects*
;
Life Style
;
Aged
;
Adult
;
Risk Factors
;
Cross-Over Studies
;
East Asian People
8.Latent profile types and influencing factors of medication adherence mechanisms among rural older adults with multiple chronic conditions.
Zhige YAN ; Jun ZHOU ; Xing CHEN ; Yao WANG
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2025;50(8):1443-1454
OBJECTIVES:
Older adults in rural areas with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) generally exhibit poorer medication adherence than the general elderly population. Considering individual heterogeneity helps to design precise subgroup-based interventions. This study aims to identify latent profile types of medication adherence mechanisms among rural older adults with MCC based on the capability-opportunity-motivation-behavior (COM-B) model, and to explore factors influencing medication adherence.
METHODS:
A multistage sampling method was used to recruit 349 rural older adults with MCC from 10 administrative villages in Jianghua County, Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, between July and September, 2024. Participants were surveyed using a general information questionnaire, the Health Literacy Scale for Chronic Patients, the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire-Specific, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Latent profile analysis based on the COM-B model was conducted to identify subgroups of medication adherence mechanisms. Univariate and Logistic regression analyses were used to identify influencing factors associated with different latent profiles and adherence levels.
RESULTS:
Among the participants, 33.5% demonstrated good medication adherence. The 5 most prevalent chronic diseases were hypertension (86.5%), diabetes (36.7%), arthritis or rheumatism (34.4%), stroke (21.8%), and heart disease (17.5%). Overall, rural older adults with MCC exhibited relatively good medication capability, opportunity, and motivation. Their medication adherence mechanisms were classified into 3 latent profiles: "family-support restrained type" (5.2%), "family-support driven type" (52.1%), and "comprehensive advantage type" (42.7%). Significant differences were observed among the three profiles in terms of education level, marital status, living arrangement, and per capita monthly household income (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression revealed that higher education level was a protective factor for belonging to the "comprehensive advantage type" rather than the "family-support driven type" [OR=0.277, 95% CI (PL) 0.126 to 0.614, P=0.002]. Furthermore, significant differences in education level, self-rated health status, and latent profile type were found between participants with good and poor adherence (P<0.05). Binary Logistic regression indicated that with each one-level increase in self-rated health status, the risk of poor adherence increased by 293.9% [OR=3.939, 95% CI (PL) 1.610 to 9.636, P=0.003]. Compared with the "family-support restrained type", individuals classified as the "comprehensive advantage type" had a 96.8% [OR=0.032, 95% CI (PL) 0.008 to 0.123, P<0.001] lower risk of poor medication adherence.
CONCLUSIONS
The mechanisms underlying medication adherence among rural older adults with MCC show clear heterogeneity. Primary healthcare providers should focus on the "family-support restrained type" subgroup, strengthen social support networks, and implement targeted interventions to improve medication adherence.
Humans
;
Aged
;
Rural Population
;
Male
;
Female
;
China
;
Medication Adherence/psychology*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Chronic Disease/drug therapy*
;
Multiple Chronic Conditions/drug therapy*
;
Social Support
;
Motivation
;
Middle Aged
;
Health Literacy
;
Aged, 80 and over
9.A case report of giant neurofibromatosis of maxillofacial, neck and chest was treated by multidisciplinary cooperation.
Shuzhen CHEN ; Leifeng LIU ; Haitao QIU ; Jun YAO ; Qizhu CHEN ; Mei XU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(4):376-378
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary neurological disorder. One of the typical manifestations of NF1 is neurofibroma, which can develop gradually over time. When the volume exceeds 100 cm², it is referred to as giant neurofibroma, representing a tumor-like proliferation of Schwann cells within the nerve fiber sheath. The Department of Otolaryngology at the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University received a rare case involving a patient with giant neurofibromatosis affecting the maxillofacial region, neck, and chest. The patient underwent successful surgical treatment with the collaboration of various medical disciplines.
Humans
;
Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery*
;
Neck
;
Neurofibromatoses
;
Neurofibromatosis 1/surgery*
;
Thoracic Neoplasms/surgery*
10.Functional aptamer evolution-enabled elucidation of a melanoma migration-related bioactive epitope.
Hong XUAN ; Siqi BIAN ; Qinguo LIU ; Jun LI ; Shaojin LI ; Sharpkate SHAKER ; Haiyan CAO ; Tongxuan WEI ; Panzhu YAO ; Yifan CHEN ; Xiyang LIU ; Ruidong XUE ; Youbo ZHANG ; Liqin ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(6):3196-3209
Metastasis is the leading cause of death from cutaneous melanoma. Identifying metastasis-related targets and developing corresponding therapeutic strategies are major areas of focus. While functional genomics strategies provide powerful tools for target discovery, investigations at the protein level can directly decode the bioactive epitopes on functional proteins. Aptamers present a promising avenue as they can explore membrane proteomes and have the potential to interfere with cell function. Herein, we developed a target and epitope discovery platform, termed functional aptamer evolution-enabled target identification (FAETI), by integrating affinity aptamer acquisition with phenotype screening and target protein identification. Utilizing the aptamer XH3C, which was screened for its migration-inhibitory function, we identified the Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), as a potential target involved in melanoma migration. Further evidence demonstrated that XH3C induces cytoskeletal rearrangement by blocking the interaction between the bioactive epitope of CSPG4 and integrin α4. Taken together, our study demonstrates the robustness of aptamer-based molecular tools for target and epitope discovery. Additionally, XH3C is an affinity and functional molecule that selectively binds to a unique epitope on CSPG4, enabling the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail