OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of evidence in the systematic evaluation/meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） for diabetes retinopathy （DR） based on the GRADE system. METHODS Chinese and English databases were searched to obtain the relevant studies of systematic evaluation/meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of DR. The search time was from the establishment of each database to January 13th， 2024. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria， literature screening was conducted. After extracting relevant information from the included literature， the GRADE system was used to evaluate the quality level of the evidence body in the included studies， and the evidence of the outcome indicators was integrated and summarized. RESULTS A total of 51 studies were ultimately included， encompassing 135 outcome indexes. Among these， 19 indicators （14.1%） were of high quality， 87 （64.4%） were of medium quality， 26 （19.3%） were of low quality， and 3 （2.2%） were of very low quality. Overall， the evidence quality of the outcome indicators in the included studies was medium to low quality. The integrated results of evidence on the efficacy of outcome indexes showed that compared with conventional Western medicine， calcium dobesilate or placebo， TCM had significant advantages in improving overall efficacy， reducing bleeding spot area， reducing macular foveal thickness， and increasing visual improvement rate. In addition，the combination of TCM and conventional Western medicine or calcium dobesilate was significantly more effective than using conventional Western medicine or calcium dobesilate alone. CONCLUSIONS The overall quality of the evidence in the systematic evaluation/meta-analysis study on the treatment of DR with TCM is medium to low quality. Based on existing research findings， TCM demonstrates good clinical efficacy in the treatment of DR.

Aim To screen and study the expression of long non-coding RNA (IncRNA) in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with MCAO treated with Tao Hong Si Wu decoction (THSWD) and determine the possible molecular mechanism of THSWD in treating MCAO rats. Methods Three cerebral hemisphere tissue were obtained from the control group, MCAO group and MCAO + THSWD group. RNA sequencing technology was used to identify IncRNA gene expression in the three groups. THSWD-regulated IncRNA genes were identified, and then a THSWD-regu-lated IncRNA-mRNA network was constructed. MCODE plug-in units were used to identify the modules of IncRNA-mRNA networks. Gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) were used to analyze the enriched biological functions and signaling pathways. Cis- and trans-regulatory genes for THSWD-regulated IncRNAs were identified. Reverse transcription real-time quantitative pol-ymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to verify IncRNAs. Molecular docking was used to identify IncRNA-mRNA network targets and pathway-associated proteins. Results In MCAO rats, THSWD regulated a total of 302 IncRNAs. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that some core IncRNAs might play an important role in the treatment of MCAO rats with THSWD, and we further found that THSWD might also treat MCAO rats through multiple pathways such as IncRNA-mRNA network and network-enriched complement and coagulation cascades. The results of molecular docking showed that the active compounds gallic acid and a-mygdalin of THSWD had a certain binding ability to protein targets. Conclusions THSWD can protect the brain injury of MCAO rats through IncRNA, which may provide new insights for the treatment of ischemic stroke with THSWD.

Due to the high similarity with the lipid layer between human skin keratinocytes, functional cosmetics with layered liquid crystal structure prepared by liquid crystal emulsification technology encapsulating natural active substances have become a hot research topic in recent years. This type of functional cosmetic often has a fresh and natural skin feel, excellent skin barrier repair function and efficient moisturizing effect, etc., showing great potential in cosmetic application. However, the present research on the application of liquid crystal emulsification technology to functional cosmetics is still in the initial stage, and there are fewer relevant reports with reference values. Based on the mentioned above, this review provides a comprehensive summary of functional cosmetics with layered liquid crystal structures prepared by liquid crystal emulsification technology from the following aspects: the structure of human skin, the composition of lamellar liquid crystal, the advantages of liquid crystal emulsification technology containing natural active substances used in the field of functional cosmetics, the preparation process, main components, influencing factors during the preparation and the market functional cosmetics with lamellar liquid crystal structure. Finally, the prospect of the application of liquid crystal emulsification technology in functional cosmetics is presented, to provide useful references for those engaged in the research of liquid crystal emulsification technology-related functional cosmetics.

Galectin-9 （Gal-9） is a member of the galectin family that can specifically recognize and bind to galactosides. Recent studies have shown that Gal-9 is highly expressed in the liver and can help to maintain intrahepatic immune homeostasis and perform biological functions in various liver diseases. This article reviews the immunomodulatory functions of Gal-9 and its role in different liver diseases. Studies have shown that Gal-9 has important biological functions in different liver diseases through multiple pathways. Research on the specific immunomodulatory mechanisms and functions of Gal-9 may help to discover the therapeutic role of Gal-9 in liver diseases.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of modified Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction(composed of Astragali Radix,Codonopsis Radix,Ligustri Lucidi Fructus,Hedyotis Diffusae Herba,Moutan Cortex,Visci Herba,etc.)combined with XELOX regimen(Oxaliplatin plus Capecitabine)for the treatment of postoperative patients with advanced gastric cancer of qi and yin deficiency type.Methods A total of 80 postoperative patients with advanced gastric cancer of qi and yin deficiency type were randomly divided into the Chinese medicine group and the control group,with 40 cases in each group.Both groups received chemotherapy with XELOX regimen,while the Chinese medicine group was given modified Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction.Three weeks constituted a course of treatment,the medication of Chinese medicine decoction lasted for two weeks or more in each course of treatment,and a total of 8 courses of treatment were performed.The incidence of adverse reactions during chemotherapy was monitored and changes in serum tumor markers of serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199)and alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)were observed in the two groups before and after treatment.Moreover,the patients'quality of life was assessed by the scores of Karnofsky's Performance Status(KPS)and World Health Organization Quality of Life Measurement Scale(WHOQOL-100).Long-term follow-up was carried out for the evaluation of the prognostic indicators such as overall survival and one-year and 2-year overall survival rates.Results(1)Patients in the two groups were all followed up,and the median follow-up time was 27 months(95%CI:23.59-27.86).(2)After treatment,the levels of serum CEA and AFP in the Chinese medicine group were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while serum CA199 tended to decrease compared with those before treatment,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05);in the control group,the levels of serum CEA,CA199,and AFP were not significantly decreased after treatment(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of serum CEA,CA199 and AFP levels in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)The adverse reactions during chemotherapy in the two groups mainly involved bone marrow suppression,gastrointestinal reactions and liver function abnormalities,etc.The incidences of all adverse reactions in the Chinese medicine group tended to be lower than those in the control group,but the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(4)After treatment,the KPS scores of patients in both groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the improvement in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the scores of the four dimensions of WHOQOL-100 such as health status,mobility,life feelings,and other activities of daily life in the Chinese medicine group were significantly improved compared with the pre-treatment(P＜0.05),whereas there was no significant improvement in the control group(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the improvement of the scores of each dimension of the WHOQOL-100 in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(6)The median survival in the Chinese medicine group was 29.0 months(95%CI:25.95-31.70)and that in the control group was 22.0 months(95%CI:19.67-25.58),indicating that the median survival was significantly prolonged in Chinese medicine group(P＜0.01).The one-year and 2-year postoperative survival rates were 97.5%and 77.5%in the Chinese medicine group and 92.5%and 47.5%in the control group,respectively.The intergroup comparison showed that the one-year and 2-year postoperative survival rates in the Chinese medicine group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Modified Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction can effectively alleviate the adverse reactions during adjuvant chemotherapy for postoperative patients with advanced gastric cancer of qi and yin deficiency type,improve the quality of life of patients,and prolong the survival time of patients.

The statement of"qi transformation leading to the removal of pathogenic dampness"was recorded in Wen Bing Tiao Bian(Analysis on Epidemic Febrile Diseases)written by the Qing Dynasty physician WU Ju-Tong.Dampness in the triple energizer is caused by the dysfunction of qi transformation,and the treatment of dampness must be based on the activation of qi movement and focused on the promotion of qi movement and the restoration of the qi transformation in the triple energizer.For the treatment of dampness attack in the upper energizer,therapies of dispersing lung to smooth qi and resolving dampness to relieve the obstruction are recommended.For the treatment of dampness obstruction in the middle energizer,therapy of activating spleen qi by strengthening spleen and moving qi is stressed for helping the removal of dampness and for the eradication of the source of dampness.For the treatment of dampness stagnation in the lower energizer,therapy of draining dampness with sweet-light medicines and activating yang can be used according to the illness status.The three methods of treating dampness,namely dispersing the upper energizer,activating the middle energizer and draining the lower energizer,all embody the mechanism of"qi transformation leading to the removal of pathogenic dampness",and the therapies of dispersing lung with light medicines,inducing perspiration by opening striated layer,eliminating dampness with aromatics and draining dampness with sweet-light medicines should be used in accordance with the syndromes.The elucidation of the academic thoughts of"qi transformation leading to the removal of pathogenic dampness"can provide theoretical reference for the fundamental research of dampness syndrome and clinical application of therapies for resolving dampness in Chinese medicine.

Objective To investigate the effect and its mechanism of Guanxinning tablet on carotid atherosclerotic plaque in a rat model.Methods The rats were randomly divided into control group,model group(to construct carot-id atherosclerosis plaque model),Guanxinning groups with low,medium and high dose of Guanxinning tablet(150,300 and 600 mg/kg),atorvastatin group(2 mg/kg),lithiumchloridemonohydrate(LiCl)(Wnt/β-catenin pathway activator)group(15 mg/kg),and Guanxinning plus LiCl group(600 mg/kg Guanxinning tablets+15 mg/kg LiCl),with 12 rats in each group.The intervention began at the third week and was administered once a day for 8 weeks.Olympus Au2700 automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect the level of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein(LDL)and high-density lipoprotein(HDL)in rat serum;ELISA was applied to detect the level of monocyte chemotactic protein(MCP-1)and hyper-sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)in rat se-rum;the level of oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in rat serum were detected by spectrophotometry;HE staining was applied to find pathological changes in the common carotid artery of rats;Western blot was applied to detect the expression of Wnt3a,matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and β-catenin in rat common carotid artery.Results Compared with the control group,the level of TG,TC,LDL,MCP-1,hs-CRP,ox-LDL,protein expression of MDA,MMP-9,Wnt3a,β-catenin and total plaque area/total arterial area ratio in-creased,the HDL level decreased in model group(P＜0.05);compared with the model group,the level of TG,TC,LDL,MCP-1,hs-CRP,ox-LDL,MDA,expression of MMP-9,Wnt3a,β-catenin protein and total plaque area/total arterial area ratio in the low,medium,and high dose groups of Guanxinning tablets decreased,the HDL level in-creased.The effect of Guanxinning tablets was dose-dependent,and the change trend of corresponding indicators in the LiCl group was opposite to the above(P＜0.05);compared with the high dose group of Guanxinning tablets,the TG,TC,LDL,MCP-1,hs-CRP,ox-LDL,MDA levels,MMP-9,Wnt3a,β-catenin protein expression,and total plaque area/total arterial area ratio in the high dose+LiCl group of Guanxinning tablets increased,the HDL level de-creased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Guanxinning tablet can inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in rats and the mechanismis potentially related to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.