ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration （AMD） is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old， and dry AMD （dAMD） is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine， this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models， and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database， and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine， and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present， the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors， chemokines， oxidative damage， lipid/glucose metabolism， and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD， showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However， the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes， especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes， is missing， and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards， which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration （AMD） is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old， and dry AMD （dAMD） is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine， this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models， and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database， and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine， and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present， the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors， chemokines， oxidative damage， lipid/glucose metabolism， and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD， showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However， the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes， especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes， is missing， and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards， which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Background and aims:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a malignant tumor with a high mortality rate,but there are still no effective treatments.The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer po-tential of the combined use of brefeldin A(BFA)and tunicamycin(TM)in HepG2 cells,as well as the underlying mechanisms.Methods:HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of BFA(0.1-2.5 mg/L)and TM(1-5 mg/L)for 24 h.DMSO(0.1％,v/v)was used as a vehicle control.Cell viability and cell migration were measured using MTT assay and scratch wound assay,respectively.Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry and acridine orange(AO)staining.The protein and mRNA levels of various factors involved in apoptosis(poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1(PARP-1),caspase-12,caspase-3,and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1)and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress(binding immunoglobulin protein(BiP),protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK),p-PERK,phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha(p-eIF2α),activating transcription factor(ATF)4,and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP))were measured using Western blotting and qRT-PCR,respectively.Results:Both BFA and TM alone significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent way.The co-incubation with TM(1 mg/L)further significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells treated with BFA(0.25 mg/L)alone(P＜0.05).BFA significantly increased the protein and mRNA levels of caspase-3 and PARP-1(P＜0.05)compared to control and DMSO-treated cells,indicating that BFA induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by increasing the expression of caspase-3 and PARP-1.The induction of apoptosis by BFA could be further significantly enhanced by co-incubation with TM.In addition,BFA significantly increased the mRNA levels of BiP,PERK and ATF4(P＜0.05)compared to control and DMSO-treated cells.After co-incubation of BFA and TM,the protein levels of BiP,p-PERK,p-eIF2α and CHOP were significantly increased,indicating that TM could enhance BFA-induced ER stress in HepG2 cells through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway.Conclusions:BFA could induce apoptosis and ER stress,and TM could enhance the ability of BFA to induce apoptosis and ER stress in HepG2 cells through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway.The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of the combined use of BFA and TM in treating HCC.

Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a frequently encountered acute abdominal syndrome in clinical settings,and the integrated model of traditional Chinese and Western medicine(TCM-WM)has demonstrated notable advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of AP.To systematize and standardize clinical practices related to develop clinical pathway for integrated TCM-WM diagnosis and treatment of AP,which enhances the efficiency and quality of patient care.This pathway focuses on AP,a common acute and life-threatening disease within the digestive system,and outlines that the central pathological mechanism involves pancreatic injury and localized inflammation resulting from the abnormal activation of pancreatic enzymes.It has the characteristics of rapid onset,multiple causes,and complex manifestations.Severe cases can be life-threatening.At present,conventional treatments encompass a diverse range of modalities.Moreover,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)holds distinct advantages in alleviating relevant symptoms,and TCM-WM is gaining increasing prevalence.To enhance the standardization and consistency of diagnostic and therapeutic practices,this clinical pathway clearly delineates the target patient population,which includes individuals diagnosed with abdominal pain disorder according to TCM and with AP in accordance with WM criteria,as well as the corresponding inclusion standards.The diagnostic framework integrates both TCM and WM guidelines,and further incorporates disease staging,severity grading,and syndrome differentiation to support a comprehensive and integrated diagnostic strategy.The treatment integrates approaches from both TCM and WM.Within the WM framework,interventions consist of basic supportive care,infection control,nutritional support,and the management of complications.In the context of TCM,the protocol includes syndrome differentiation and corresponding therapeutic strategies(Distinct syndrome patterns are identified and managed during the acute and convalescent phases),such as acupuncture and retention enema.This clinical pathway addresses multiple key components,including preventive strategies,post-treatment follow-up,criteria for evaluating therapeutic efficacy,admission and discharge,admission examination protocols,discharge criteria,and the rationale for deviations or withdrawal from the pathway.It is designed to provide a systematic and standardized reference framework for relevant clinical practices.

Purpose To evaluate the predictive value of left atrial appendage(LAA)morphological assessment by preoperative left atrial CT imaging in the risk of peri-device leak(PDL)after left atrial appendage occlusion(LAAO)in atrial fibrillation.Materials and Methods Seventy-one patients with atrial fibrillation who successfully underwent LAAO in Nanchong Central Hospital from January 2020 to February 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the results of left atrial CT imaging after LAAO,all patients were divided into the PDL group(n=26)and the non-PDL group(n=45).The long diameter,short diameter,long diameter/short diameter ratio,area,perimeter of both the LAA orifice and landing area,and LAA length and LAA depth were compared between the two groups.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to explore the risk factors leading to the differences between the two groups.Results The long diameter,long diameter/short diameter ratio,area,perimeter of both the LAA orifice and landing area in the PDL group were statistically higher than those in the non-PDL group(t/Z=4.952,-5.570,-2.912,3.191,6.757,-6.462,-3.318,3.733,all P<0.05).The LAA orifice short diameter,LAA length,LAA depth and the short diameter of landing area in the PDL group were higher than those in the non-PDL group,but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups(t/Z=-1.773,1.765,1.509,-1.415,all P>0.05).Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the long diameter,long diameter/short diameter ratio,area and perimeter of LAA orifice and landing area before operation were correlated with postoperative PDL(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that,the long diameter/short diameter ratio of LAA landing area was an independent risk factor for postoperative PDL.Conclusion Preoperative evaluation of the morphology of LAA orifice and landing zone by left atrial CT imaging can predict the occurrence of PDL after LAAO in atrial fibrillation in advance.When the long/short diameter of the landing area is large,it is necessary to be highly alert to the occurrence of PDL,which provides a basis for selecting and customizing the occluder before LAAO in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Purpose To explore the feasibility of coronary CT angiography to predict major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with grey zone of CT-derived fractional flow reserve(CT-FFR).Materials and Methods The imaging and clinical features of patients with suspected coronary heart disease who underwent coronary CT angiography examination and had a CT-FFR within 0.76-0.80 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from March 2017 to October 2018 were retrospectively collected.The incidence of MACE after coronary CT angiography was assessed by telephone at follow-up.The Cox regression model was used for feature selection,and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance.Results The study included a total of 105 subjects,with an observed incidence rate of MACE at 31.4%(33/105).Multivariate Cox regression,adjusted for relevant parameters,indicated that △CT-FFR(HR=1.217,P=0.008),pericoronary fat attenuation index(HR=1.052,P=0.029)and plaque length(HR=1.068,P=0.047)were independent risk factors of MACE,and AUC were 0.705,0.656 and 0.701,respectively.The AUC of the combined model was 0.793,its predictive ability was higher than △CT-FFR(Z=-2.001,P=0.048),pericoronary fat attenuation index(Z=-2.402,P=0.016)and plaque length(Z=-2.004,P=0.045),respectively.Conclusion △CT-FFR,pericoronary fat attenuation index and plaque length are independent risk factors for predicting MACE in patients with grey zone of CT-FFR,and the combined model has best predictive efficacy.

Purpose To evaluate the predictive value of left atrial appendage(LAA)morphological assessment by preoperative left atrial CT imaging in the risk of peri-device leak(PDL)after left atrial appendage occlusion(LAAO)in atrial fibrillation.Materials and Methods Seventy-one patients with atrial fibrillation who successfully underwent LAAO in Nanchong Central Hospital from January 2020 to February 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the results of left atrial CT imaging after LAAO,all patients were divided into the PDL group(n=26)and the non-PDL group(n=45).The long diameter,short diameter,long diameter/short diameter ratio,area,perimeter of both the LAA orifice and landing area,and LAA length and LAA depth were compared between the two groups.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to explore the risk factors leading to the differences between the two groups.Results The long diameter,long diameter/short diameter ratio,area,perimeter of both the LAA orifice and landing area in the PDL group were statistically higher than those in the non-PDL group(t/Z=4.952,-5.570,-2.912,3.191,6.757,-6.462,-3.318,3.733,all P<0.05).The LAA orifice short diameter,LAA length,LAA depth and the short diameter of landing area in the PDL group were higher than those in the non-PDL group,but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups(t/Z=-1.773,1.765,1.509,-1.415,all P>0.05).Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the long diameter,long diameter/short diameter ratio,area and perimeter of LAA orifice and landing area before operation were correlated with postoperative PDL(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that,the long diameter/short diameter ratio of LAA landing area was an independent risk factor for postoperative PDL.Conclusion Preoperative evaluation of the morphology of LAA orifice and landing zone by left atrial CT imaging can predict the occurrence of PDL after LAAO in atrial fibrillation in advance.When the long/short diameter of the landing area is large,it is necessary to be highly alert to the occurrence of PDL,which provides a basis for selecting and customizing the occluder before LAAO in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Purpose To explore the feasibility of coronary CT angiography to predict major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with grey zone of CT-derived fractional flow reserve(CT-FFR).Materials and Methods The imaging and clinical features of patients with suspected coronary heart disease who underwent coronary CT angiography examination and had a CT-FFR within 0.76-0.80 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from March 2017 to October 2018 were retrospectively collected.The incidence of MACE after coronary CT angiography was assessed by telephone at follow-up.The Cox regression model was used for feature selection,and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)was plotted to evaluate the predictive performance.Results The study included a total of 105 subjects,with an observed incidence rate of MACE at 31.4%(33/105).Multivariate Cox regression,adjusted for relevant parameters,indicated that △CT-FFR(HR=1.217,P=0.008),pericoronary fat attenuation index(HR=1.052,P=0.029)and plaque length(HR=1.068,P=0.047)were independent risk factors of MACE,and AUC were 0.705,0.656 and 0.701,respectively.The AUC of the combined model was 0.793,its predictive ability was higher than △CT-FFR(Z=-2.001,P=0.048),pericoronary fat attenuation index(Z=-2.402,P=0.016)and plaque length(Z=-2.004,P=0.045),respectively.Conclusion △CT-FFR,pericoronary fat attenuation index and plaque length are independent risk factors for predicting MACE in patients with grey zone of CT-FFR,and the combined model has best predictive efficacy.

Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a frequently encountered acute abdominal syndrome in clinical settings,and the integrated model of traditional Chinese and Western medicine(TCM-WM)has demonstrated notable advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of AP.To systematize and standardize clinical practices related to develop clinical pathway for integrated TCM-WM diagnosis and treatment of AP,which enhances the efficiency and quality of patient care.This pathway focuses on AP,a common acute and life-threatening disease within the digestive system,and outlines that the central pathological mechanism involves pancreatic injury and localized inflammation resulting from the abnormal activation of pancreatic enzymes.It has the characteristics of rapid onset,multiple causes,and complex manifestations.Severe cases can be life-threatening.At present,conventional treatments encompass a diverse range of modalities.Moreover,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)holds distinct advantages in alleviating relevant symptoms,and TCM-WM is gaining increasing prevalence.To enhance the standardization and consistency of diagnostic and therapeutic practices,this clinical pathway clearly delineates the target patient population,which includes individuals diagnosed with abdominal pain disorder according to TCM and with AP in accordance with WM criteria,as well as the corresponding inclusion standards.The diagnostic framework integrates both TCM and WM guidelines,and further incorporates disease staging,severity grading,and syndrome differentiation to support a comprehensive and integrated diagnostic strategy.The treatment integrates approaches from both TCM and WM.Within the WM framework,interventions consist of basic supportive care,infection control,nutritional support,and the management of complications.In the context of TCM,the protocol includes syndrome differentiation and corresponding therapeutic strategies(Distinct syndrome patterns are identified and managed during the acute and convalescent phases),such as acupuncture and retention enema.This clinical pathway addresses multiple key components,including preventive strategies,post-treatment follow-up,criteria for evaluating therapeutic efficacy,admission and discharge,admission examination protocols,discharge criteria,and the rationale for deviations or withdrawal from the pathway.It is designed to provide a systematic and standardized reference framework for relevant clinical practices.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of the Yiqi Jiedu formula （YQ） in treating ischemic stroke （IS） from the perspective of the microbial-gut-brain axis （MGBA）. MethodRats were randomly divided into five groups， with six in each group， including sham surgery group， model group， and low， medium， and high dose YQ groups （1， 5， and 25 mg·kg^-1）. Except for the sham surgery group， all other groups were established with a middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） model using the thread occlusion method. The success of modeling was determined through neurobehavioral scoring， and the protective effect of YQ on IS was evaluated. Then， the changes in gut microbiota before and after MCAO modeling and YQ administration were compared using 16S rDNA sequencing technology， and the possible biological pathways related to the effect of this formula were analyzed. The expression of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-17A （IL-17A）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was used to detect the expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin in brain and intestinal tissue， and hematoxylin-eosin staining （HE） was used to observe pathological changes in the cerebral cortex and colon， so as to validate the possible mechanism of action. ResultYQ significantly improved the neurobehavioral score of MCAO rats （P<0.01） and played a good regulatory role in intestinal microbial disorders caused by enriched pathogens and opportunistic pathogens during the acute phase. Among them， significantly changed microorganisms include Morgentia， Escherichia Shigella， Adlercreutzia， and Androbacter. Bioinformatics analysis found that these bacteria may be related to the regulation of inflammation in the brain. Compared with the blank group， the detection of inflammatory factors in the serum of IS model rats showed an increase in inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-17A （P<0.01） and a decrease in the content of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the content of inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-17A in the serum of the treatment group decreased （P<0.05）， and that of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 increased （P<0.01）. The expression results of barrier proteins ZO-1 and Occludin in brain and intestinal tissue showed that the expression levels of both decreased in IS model rats （P<0.05）， while the expression levels of both increased in the treatment group （P<0.05）. ConclusionAcute cerebral ischemia can lead to an imbalance of intestinal microbiota and damage to the intestinal barrier， and it can increase intestinal permeability. YQ can regulate intestinal microbiota imbalance caused by ischemia， inhibit systemic inflammatory response， and improve the disruption of the gut-blood brain barrier， preventing secondary cascade damage to brain tissue caused by inflammation. The MGBA may be an important mechanism against the IS.