To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications （DMC）， refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles， and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine， hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine， was held in Beijing， 2024. Experts in TCM， Western medicine， and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis， diagnostic and treatment challenges， and mechanism research related to DMC， ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development， research prioritization， and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM， strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.

Acute brain injury (ABI) affects up to one-third of patients using mechanical circulatory support (MCS). In venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO), ABI incidence (11%–40%) has not improved in two decades. Conversely, improvements in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have reduced the incidence of stroke, although it remains a major complication (10%–30%). The failure of MCS to ensure adequate cerebral protection may impair cerebrovascular autoregulation (CVAR) and disrupt microcirculatory function affected by reduced pulsatility, endothelial injury, acute perturbations in partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and cerebral venous congestion. Here, we review evidence demonstrating that these factors alter microcirculatory dynamics and CVAR, thereby contributing to ABI through shared mechanistic pathways. Current methods for assessing CVAR are reviewed, including invasive indices such as the pressure reactivity index (PRx) from intracranial pressure monitoring and noninvasive metrics such as the cerebral oximetry index (COx) from near-infrared spectroscopy or flow-velocity correlations from transcranial Doppler. Each method is limited by feasibility, signal artifacts, and inter-modality variability. Our review identifies three priority areas for cerebral protection in MCS: preservation of pulse pressure, cautious titration of PaCO2, and integration of CVAR-informed blood pressure management. Preliminary evidence suggests that very low pulse pressure, rapid carbon dioxide correction, and persistent microcirculatory impairment are each associated with ABI risk. Future investigations should focus on validating bedside tools to assess CVAR and microcirculatory integrity, and on determining whether physiological targets derived from these measures can improve neurological outcomes in patients using MCS.

Objective To explore the associations among smoking behavior,cognitive function,and personality traits in first-episode male patients with schizophrenia,thereby providing theoretical underpinnings for individualized treatment strategies in clinical settings.Methods A total of 140 first-episode male inpatients with schizophrenia admitted to the hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were recruited.According to their smoking behavior,they were categorized into a smoking group(n=80)and a non-smoking group(n=60).Moreover,healthy controls were recruited and classified into a healthy smoking group(n=62)and a healthy non-smoking group(n=67)based on their smoking status.The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS)was employed to evaluate psychiatric symptoms in the schizophrenia groups.Nicotine dependence was measured using the Fagerstr?m Test for Nicotine Dependence(FTND)in the two smoking groups.Cognitive function and personality traits were assessed in all participants using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status(RBANS)and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ),respectively.Results Regarding cognitive function,the smoking group among schizophrenia patients demonstrated significantly higher scores than the non-smoking group in immediate memory,attention,and delayed memory(all P<0.05).Among schizophrenia patients,FTND scores were moderately negatively correlated with attention and delayed memory(r=-0.552 and-0.657 respectively;both P<0.001).Concerning personality traits,smokers had significantly higher scores in neuroticism and psychoticism compared to non-smokers(both P<0.001).Both patient groups had significantly lower lie scale scores when contrasted with healthy controls(P<0.01),while the healthy smoking group showed significantly higher extraversion scores than the other groups.Conclusions The smoking behavior of male patients during their first episode of schizophrenia exhibits specific characteristics in relation to cognitive performance and personality traits.Smokers demonstrate relatively superior performance in cognitive domains including attention,immediate memory,and delayed memory.However,higher degrees of nicotine dependence are associated with poorer cognitive function,especially in the aspects of attention and delayed memory.Regarding personality,smoking patients display elevated levels of neuroticism and psychoticism.These findings indicate that smoking behavior may be closely associated with cognitive functioning and personality traits,thus meriting clinical attention in the management of schizophrenia.

Objective:To explore the application value of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) indexes in the clinical diagnosis of essential hypertension.Methods:Eighty-eight patients with essential hypertension treated in the 962nd Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force from April 2023 to May 2024 were enrolled as the observation group, and 80 normotensive healthy subjects undergoing physical examination in the same hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. RAAS-related indexes [angiotensin Ⅱ (ATⅡ), plasma renin activity (PRA), and aldosterone (ALD)] were detected in both groups. The levels of ATⅡ, PRA, ALD, and the ratio of plasma ALD to PRA (ARR) were compared between the two groups and among subgroups with different hypertension severities in the observation group. The diagnostic efficacy of each index for essential hypertension was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The levels of ALD, ATⅡ, and ARR in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the PRA level was significantly lower (all P<0.05). Among the three subgroups in the observation group, the levels of ATⅡ, ALD, and ARR showed a significant increasing trend in grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 hypertension subgroups, while the PRA level showed a significant decreasing trend (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve (AUC) of plasma PRA, ATⅡ, ALD, and ARR for the diagnosis of essential hypertension were 0.814, 0.703, 0.687, and 0.879, respectively. The combined detection of the four indexes had an AUC of 0.918, with the highest sensitivity and accuracy. Conclusions:Changes in RAAS indexes are closely related to the occurrence and severity of essential hypertension. PRA and ARR are effective indexes for the diagnosis of essential hypertension. The combined detection of the four indexes can achieve more ideal diagnostic efficacy and improve the diagnostic satisfaction of patients.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness,safety and economy of generic venlafaxine sustained-release capsules and the original drug in clinical practice based on real world clinical data.Methods This is a multicenter,retrospective real-world study.The information of outpatients who used venlafaxine sustained-release capsules in 7 hospitals from October 2021 to October 2022 was collected,including prescription data and laboratory data.They were divided into generic drug group and original drug group.After the baseline level was corrected by propensity score match method,the prescription daily dose,plasma concentration,medication possession ratio,the continuous medication rate for 3,6 and 9 months,dressing change rate,the incidence of adverse reactions,the frequency of drug use,the average daily cost,the annual cost per capita and the proportion of the average annual cost of drugs were compared between the two groups.Results After the baseline level was corrected by propensity score matching method,the prescription daily dose and medication possession ratio(MPR≥0.8)in the generic drug group were higher than that of the original drug group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically difference in plasma concentration between the two groups(P=0.294).The continuous medication rate for 3,6 and 9 months in the generic drug group were statistically higher than those in the original drug group(P＜0.01).The single dressing change rate of the generic drug group was lower than that of the original drug group(P=0.032).There was no significant difference in the rate of secondary dressing change between the two groups(P=1.000).There were no significant differences in the incidence of abnormal ALT,AST,TC,Na,APTT,and PLC between two groups(P＞0.05).The average daily cost of the generic drug group was lower than that of the original drug group.The per capita annual cost of drugs and the proportion of average annual cost of drugs in the generic drug group were significantly lower than those in the original drug group(P＜0.01).Conclusion In the actual clinical diagnosis and treatment,no clinically significant differences in effectiveness and safety were found between the generic venlafaxine sustained-release capsule and the original-patented,while the economic advantages of the generic drug were better than that of the original-patented drug.

Objective:To explore the application value of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) indexes in the clinical diagnosis of essential hypertension.Methods:Eighty-eight patients with essential hypertension treated in the 962nd Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force from April 2023 to May 2024 were enrolled as the observation group, and 80 normotensive healthy subjects undergoing physical examination in the same hospital during the same period were selected as the control group. RAAS-related indexes [angiotensin Ⅱ (ATⅡ), plasma renin activity (PRA), and aldosterone (ALD)] were detected in both groups. The levels of ATⅡ, PRA, ALD, and the ratio of plasma ALD to PRA (ARR) were compared between the two groups and among subgroups with different hypertension severities in the observation group. The diagnostic efficacy of each index for essential hypertension was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The levels of ALD, ATⅡ, and ARR in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the PRA level was significantly lower (all P<0.05). Among the three subgroups in the observation group, the levels of ATⅡ, ALD, and ARR showed a significant increasing trend in grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 hypertension subgroups, while the PRA level showed a significant decreasing trend (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curve (AUC) of plasma PRA, ATⅡ, ALD, and ARR for the diagnosis of essential hypertension were 0.814, 0.703, 0.687, and 0.879, respectively. The combined detection of the four indexes had an AUC of 0.918, with the highest sensitivity and accuracy. Conclusions:Changes in RAAS indexes are closely related to the occurrence and severity of essential hypertension. PRA and ARR are effective indexes for the diagnosis of essential hypertension. The combined detection of the four indexes can achieve more ideal diagnostic efficacy and improve the diagnostic satisfaction of patients.

The pathological mechanisms and related physiological indicators of acute mountain sickness(AMS)were introduced,and the present situation of wearable devices applied in AMS auxiliary detection and diagnosis were reviewed.The challenges and future development directions of wearable devices applied in auxiliary detection and diagnosis were pointed out.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):100-107]

BACKGROUND:Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a risk factor for various heart diseases,but its pathogenesis remains unclear.Circular RNAs are strongly associated with cardiac hypertrophy.However,the role of circular RNA CHACR in cardiac hypertrophy and its regulatory mechanisms have not been clarified.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of circular RNA CHACR in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:(1)Transverse aortic constriction was used to induce cardiac hypertrophy in vivo after in situ injection of cyclic RNA CHACR overexpressing lentivirus into the heart for 1 week.Heart mass/tibia length ratio and lung mass/tibia length ratio were calculated;cardiomyocyte surface area was measured;hypertrophic marker gene expression levels were detected;myocardial fibrosis degree was detected,and cardiac function was assessed.(2)H9c2 cardiomyocytes were treated with circular RNA CHACR overexpressing lentivirus for 72 hours,and then treated with 1 μmol/L angiotensin Ⅱ for 24 hours to induce hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes.The hypertrophy was assessed by measuring the surface area of cardiomyocytes,the expression level of hypertrophic marker genes,and the protein/DNA ratio.Oxidative stress damage was assessed by detecting reactive oxygen species levels and mitochondrial membrane potential.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The expression level of circular RNA CHACR was significantly decreased in both in vivo and in vitro myocardial hypertrophy models(P＜0.01).(2)The overexpression of circular RNA CHACR significantly inhibited the cardiac hypertrophy induced by transverse aortic constriction,including reducing the enlarged heart volume,significantly decreasing the increased heart mass/tibia length ratio(P＜0.05),lung mass/tibia length ratio(P＜0.05),and cardiomyocyte surface area(P＜0.05),and decreasing the upregulated expression levels of hypertrophic markers atrial natriuretic peptide(P＜0.05)and brain natriuretic peptide(P＜0.05).(3)Cardiac fibrosis induced by transverse aortic constriction in mice was significantly inhibited by enforcing expression of circular RNA CHACR,as evidenced by reduced fibrotic area(P＜0.01)and decreased expression levels of the fibrosis marker gene Acta1(P＜0.05).(4)Overexpression of circular RNA CHACR significantly improved cardiac function in mice,including significantly increased ejection fraction(P＜0.05)and fractional shortening(P＜0.01).(5)Enforced expression of circular RNA CHACR significantly inhibited angiotensin Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,including a significant reduction in cardiomyocyte surface area(P＜0.05),downregulation of atrial natriuretic peptide(P＜0.05),and brain natriuretic peptide(P＜0.05)expression levels,and a significant decrease in protein/DNA ratio(P＜0.05).(6)Overexpression of circular RNA CHACR significantly inhibited the elevation of reactive oxygen species levels(P＜0.001)and the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential(P＜0.05)induced by angiotensin Ⅱ.These results confirm that the expression level of circular RNA CHACR is significantly decreased in cardiac hypertrophy at both in vivo and in vitro myocardial hypertrophy models,and overexpression of circular RNA CHACR significantly inhibits cardiac hypertrophy,alleviates cardiac fibrosis,improves cardiac function,and significantly attenuates angiotensin Ⅱ-induced oxidative stress damage.

The pathological mechanisms and related physiological indicators of acute mountain sickness(AMS)were introduced,and the present situation of wearable devices applied in AMS auxiliary detection and diagnosis were reviewed.The challenges and future development directions of wearable devices applied in auxiliary detection and diagnosis were pointed out.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):100-107]

Objective To explore the gender differences in the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive functions in patients with depression.Methods From January 2021 to June 2024,375 patients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition(DSM-5)criteria for depression were selected by convenience sampling from the Affiliated Psychological Hospital of Anhui Medical University.Depressive symptom severity was assessed using the 24-item Hamilton depression scale(HAMD-24),while cognitive function was evaluated using a series of neuropsychological assessment tools,including the trail making test,logical memory,figure memory,digit symbol substitution test,digit span backward,and Wisconsin card sorting test.Network analysis was performed using R software to examine the relationships between symptoms and cognitive function.Results The core symptom factors and core cognitive domains for male depressive patients are sleep disturbances(strength=1.253)and information processing speed(strength=1.605),respectively;In contrast,female patients exhiboted emotional stagnation(strength=1.322)and working memory(strength=1.289).Sleep disturbances and emotional stagnation were the bridging nodes(bridge strength=1.253 and 1.322)for male and female patients,respectively.The correlation stability(CS)coefficients for the node strength centrality in male and female patient groups were 0.514 and 0.515,respectively,both exceeding threshold of 0.25,indicating good network stability.There were no significant differences between genders in terms of global network strength(male vs.female:2.22 vs.4.87;P=0.356)and edge weight distribution(P=0.293).Conclusion The network relationships between depressive symptoms and cognitive function in depression patients show significant gender differences.Sleep disturbance and information processing speed play central roles in males,whereas emotional retardation and working memory impairment are core features in females.These findings provide a theoretical basis for developing gender-specific intervention strategies.