1.Clinical Diseases Responding Specially to TCM Treatment: Psoriasis
Liu LIU ; Xiaoying SUN ; Mei MO ; Yaqiong ZHOU ; Bin LI ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Xin LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):260-268
Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory systemic disease in dermatology. Its high prevalence, recurrence rate, and numerous comorbidities impose a significant physical and mental burden on patients. With the continuous advancement of modern medicine, the emergence of biological agents has improved clinical efficacy, making it possible to overcome psoriasis, in addition to classical treatments. However, in clinical practice, adverse reactions, drug resistance, recurrence rates, and immune drift cannot be ignored. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a history of thousands of years in treating psoriasis, demonstrating good efficacy, high safety, and a low recurrence rate, but a standardized management system is lacking. Therefore, the 25th Clinical Diseases Responding Specially to TCM Treatment Series (Psoriasis) Youth Salon, hosted by the Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine and organized by the Youth Committee of the Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine, invited 29 experts and scholars from TCM, Western medicine, and interdisciplinary fields to actively discuss the "Advantages, Challenges, and Clinical Transformation of TCM and Western Medicine in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Psoriasis". The experts at the meeting concluded that the advantages of TCM in the treatment of psoriasis are as follows. Firstly, in the TCM-led treatment plan, TCM's understanding of psoriasis follows the principle of combining the differentiation of disease and syndrome. This approach distinguishes the basic contradiction from the current main contradiction and enables a clear grasp of the dynamic process of psoriasis development. Based on the system of syndrome differentiation and treatment, TCM intervention is applied to address the current main contradiction, and the optimal TCM treatment plan is formulated by combining internal and external treatments. Adhering to the principle of "what is visible outside must be addressed inside", TCM can prevent and treat psoriasis comorbidities early by differentiating syndrome types. Secondly, in the integrated TCM and Western medicine treatment plan, the combination of both methods not only enhances efficacy but also reduces the adverse reactions of immunosuppressants and biological agents, lowering the recurrence rate. This conference provides a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis using TCM and integrated TCM and Western medicine, opening up new ideas for clinical and basic research and guiding future research directions.
2.Sulodexide alleviates renal fibrosis following prolonged ischemia-reperfusion injury by protecting vascular endothelial glycocalyx
Chaoyu HU ; Peng ZHANG ; Chao SUN ; Shuyong MO ; Yanfeng WANG
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(3):404-415
Objective To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of sulodexide on renal fibrosis induced by prolonged warm ischemia. Methods An in vivo ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) model was established in rats, which were randomly divided into Sham group, IRI 60 min group (IRI group), and IRI 60 min + sulodexide group (IRI+SDX group), with 20 rats in each group. Pathological examination was used to evaluate renal tissue injury and fibrosis levels in each group. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression levels of kidney injury molecule (KIM)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, von Willebrand factor (vWF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and type I collagen (COL-1). Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect CD31 expression. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure the expression of KIM-1, ICAM-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in renal tissues. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the structure of the renal glycocalyx. Evans blue dye was injected to assess renal vascular permeability. Rat survival was recorded, and serum levels of syndecan (SDC)-1, heparan sulfate (HS) and serum creatinine were measured. An ex vivo perfusion model was also established, with rats randomly assigned to either the hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOPE) group or the HOPE+SDX group (five rats per group). Perfusion parameters were recorded after 2 hours of ex vivo perfusion. Results One day after reperfusion, compared with the Sham group, the IRI group exhibited more severe renal tissue injury, higher tubular injury scores, increased expression of KIM-1, ICAM-1 and vWF, decreased CD31 expression, elevated serum levels of SDC-1 and HS, increased vascular permeability, and higher expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Compared with the IRI group, the IRI+SDX group showed reduced renal tissue injury, lower tubular injury scores, decreased expression of KIM-1, ICAM-1 and vWF, increased CD31 expression, lower serum levels of SDC-1 and HS, decreased vascular permeability, and reduced expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (all P < 0.05). Ten days after reperfusion, renal tissue injury was further alleviated in the IRI+SDX group. Twenty-five days after reperfusion, the IRI+SDX group exhibited decreased expression of TGF-β, α-SMA, and COL-1, as well as reduced collagen deposition area (all P < 0.05). Compared with the HOPE group, the HOPE+SDX group showed increased renal perfusion flow and decreased intrarenal vascular resistance (both P < 0.01). Conclusions Sulodexide may alleviates renal IRI and fibrosis caused by prolonged warm ischemia by inhibiting inflammatory responses and protecting vascular endothelial glycocalyx.
3.Dynamics of eosinophil infiltration and microglia activation in brain tissues of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Fanna WEI ; Renjie ZHANG ; Yahong HU ; Xiaoyu QIN ; Yunhai GUO ; Xiaojin MO ; Yan LU ; Jiahui SUN ; Yan ZHOU ; Jiatian GUO ; Peng SONG ; Yanhong CHU ; Bin XU ; Ting ZHANG ; Yuchun CAI ; Muxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):163-175
Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.
4.Posterior subependymal germinal matrix hemorrhage as a mild form of hemorrhage in extremely preterm infants: neurodevelopmental outcomes at corrected ages of 18-24 months
Jae Mo KOO ; So-Young YOO ; Ji Hye KIM ; Ji Eun PARK ; Sun-Young BAEK ; Tae Yeon JEON
Ultrasonography 2025;44(1):48-61
Purpose:
This study aimed to explore the effects of both the presence and size of posterior subependymal germinal matrix hemorrhage (PS-GMH), considered a mild form of hemorrhage, on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 221 extremely preterm infants, assessing their initial and term-equivalent age (TEA) cranial ultrasound (cUS) examinations from 2016 to 2021. Infants were classified based on the presence and size (small/large) of PS-GMH. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at corrected ages of 18-24 months were analyzed in 135 infants.
Results:
PS-GMH was identified in 86.9% (192/221) of the infants, with 13.5% (26/192) exhibiting large PS-GMH. Among the 135 infants who were followed up, those with PS-GMH were found to have younger gestational ages (P<0.001) and a higher incidence of maternal chorioamnionitis (P=0.016) than those without PS-GMH. Significant differences were observed in the incidence of grade II intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) on initial cUS (P=0.003) and ventriculomegaly at TEA cUS (P=0.026) across the groups with no PS-GMH, small PS-GMH, and large PS-GMH. The large PS-GMH group exhibited a higher occurrence of grade II IVH than the small PS-GMH group (P=0.006). However, ventriculomegaly incidence did not significantly vary with PS-GMH status. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were also not significantly different across PS-GMH statuses. The adjusted odds ratios for any neurodevelopmental impairment, compared to the no PS-GMH group, were 1.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40 to 7.26; P=0.471) for all PS-GMH, 1.61 (95% CI, 0.37 to 6.93; P=0.526) for small PS-GMH, and 3.84 (95% CI, 0.62 to 24.00; P=0.150) for large PS-GMH.
Conclusion
PS-GMH was frequently observed in extremely preterm infants; however, it did not independently predict adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
5.Envisioning the Future of the Neurosurgical Operating Room with the Concept of the Medical Metaverse
Sun Mo NAM ; Yoon Hwan BYUN ; Yun-Sik DHO ; Chul-Kee PARK
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(2):137-149
The medical metaverse can be defined as a virtual spatiotemporal framework wherein higher-dimensional medical information is generated, exchanged, and utilized through communication among medical personnel or patients. This occurs through the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, and others. We can envision a future neurosurgical operating room that utilizes such medical metaverse concept such as shared extended reality (AR/VR) of surgical field, AI-powered intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, and real-time intraoperative tissue diagnosis. The future neurosurgical operation room will evolve into a true medical metaverse where participants of surgery can communicate in overlapping virtual layers of surgery, monitoring, and diagnosis.
6.Envisioning the Future of the Neurosurgical Operating Room with the Concept of the Medical Metaverse
Sun Mo NAM ; Yoon Hwan BYUN ; Yun-Sik DHO ; Chul-Kee PARK
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2025;68(2):137-149
The medical metaverse can be defined as a virtual spatiotemporal framework wherein higher-dimensional medical information is generated, exchanged, and utilized through communication among medical personnel or patients. This occurs through the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, and others. We can envision a future neurosurgical operating room that utilizes such medical metaverse concept such as shared extended reality (AR/VR) of surgical field, AI-powered intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, and real-time intraoperative tissue diagnosis. The future neurosurgical operation room will evolve into a true medical metaverse where participants of surgery can communicate in overlapping virtual layers of surgery, monitoring, and diagnosis.
7.A Study on Reproducible Locations for Evaluating Masseter Muscle Function with Ultrasonography
Hyun-Jeong PARK ; Jong-Mo AHN ; Sun-Kyoung YU ; Ji-Won RYU
Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain 2025;50(1):25-33
Purpose:
This study aimed to identify reproducible locations for evaluating masseter muscle function by measuring its thickness using ultrasonography (US). The study focused on comparing two measurement locations: the thickest part of the masseter muscle during ultrasonographic scanning (TMUS) and the most prominent part during clenching (PMC).
Methods:
Forty healthy adults (20 males and 20 females) participated in the study. US images were obtained from both sides of the masseter muscle under resting and clenching conditions. Measurements were taken at the TMUS and PMC locations, and the clenching-to-resting (C/R) ratio was calculated. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and the agreement between the two locations was further analyzed using Bland–Altman (BA) plots.
Results:
The measurements at both TMUS and PMC showed high intra- and inter-rater agreement, with no significant difference in measurements between the two locations.However, the PMC location demonstrated slightly higher ICC values (0.94) compared to TMUS (0.91). The C/R ratio for PMC showed higher consistency (0.89) compared to TMUS (0.65). BA plots indicated that the agreement between TMUS and PMC was slightly better during clenching than at rest, with smaller mean differences in clenching (–0.06 mm) than resting (–0.13 mm). Additionally, the number of measurements outside the upper and lower limits was lower during clenching (10) than at rest (13).
Conclusions
Both TMUS and PMC locations demonstrated reliable measurements, but the PMC location showed slightly better consistency across different muscle states. The findings suggest that PMC provides a more reproducible and standardized approach for masseter muscle assessment, making it a better choice for both clinical practice and research in evaluating masticatory function.
8.Posterior subependymal germinal matrix hemorrhage as a mild form of hemorrhage in extremely preterm infants: neurodevelopmental outcomes at corrected ages of 18-24 months
Jae Mo KOO ; So-Young YOO ; Ji Hye KIM ; Ji Eun PARK ; Sun-Young BAEK ; Tae Yeon JEON
Ultrasonography 2025;44(1):48-61
Purpose:
This study aimed to explore the effects of both the presence and size of posterior subependymal germinal matrix hemorrhage (PS-GMH), considered a mild form of hemorrhage, on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 221 extremely preterm infants, assessing their initial and term-equivalent age (TEA) cranial ultrasound (cUS) examinations from 2016 to 2021. Infants were classified based on the presence and size (small/large) of PS-GMH. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at corrected ages of 18-24 months were analyzed in 135 infants.
Results:
PS-GMH was identified in 86.9% (192/221) of the infants, with 13.5% (26/192) exhibiting large PS-GMH. Among the 135 infants who were followed up, those with PS-GMH were found to have younger gestational ages (P<0.001) and a higher incidence of maternal chorioamnionitis (P=0.016) than those without PS-GMH. Significant differences were observed in the incidence of grade II intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) on initial cUS (P=0.003) and ventriculomegaly at TEA cUS (P=0.026) across the groups with no PS-GMH, small PS-GMH, and large PS-GMH. The large PS-GMH group exhibited a higher occurrence of grade II IVH than the small PS-GMH group (P=0.006). However, ventriculomegaly incidence did not significantly vary with PS-GMH status. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were also not significantly different across PS-GMH statuses. The adjusted odds ratios for any neurodevelopmental impairment, compared to the no PS-GMH group, were 1.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40 to 7.26; P=0.471) for all PS-GMH, 1.61 (95% CI, 0.37 to 6.93; P=0.526) for small PS-GMH, and 3.84 (95% CI, 0.62 to 24.00; P=0.150) for large PS-GMH.
Conclusion
PS-GMH was frequently observed in extremely preterm infants; however, it did not independently predict adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
9.FAN Gangqi's experience in "four-dimensional" diagnosis and treatment of migraine with acupuncture and moxibusition.
Sixuan CHEN ; Chang SUN ; Xiaomeng HU ; Xitong MO ; Yan LI ; Peng YAN ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Gangqi FAN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(9):1299-1304
The paper introduces Professor FAN Gangqi's clinical experience in treatment of migraine. Regarding the syndrome/pattern differentiation of TCM, a four-approach framework is established, identifying the nature of illness, analyzing the syndrome/pattern and pathogenesis, determining the stage of illness, and identifying body constitution. In treatment, the principle of treatment is determined in line with syndrome/pattern differentiation, so as to ensure the therapeutic effect by means of "four dimensions". The acupuncture regimens are formulated in terms of the illness stages, "strong needling stimulation in acute stage for analgesia, and needle retaining in chronic stage for long-term effect". "Focusing on neuovascular pathway" is the effective approach to treatment of migraine with acupuncture and moxiubstion. The clinical holistic model by combining acupuncture with medication is advocated because that "the single acupuncture is weak in therapeutic effect, but with medication combined, the effect is enhanced". The different acupuncture techniques are provided comprehensively in treatment of migraine such as horizontal and row-like needling, collateral needling at Taiyang (EX-HN5), acupuncture at Sankong (Yuyao [EX-HN4], Sibai [ST2] and Jiachengjiang [Extra]), acupoint injection at Tianyou (TE16) and Renying (ST9), and acupoint embedding therapy at Fengchi (GB20).
Humans
;
Migraine Disorders/diagnosis*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Moxibustion
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Female
;
Male
;
Adult
10.Posterior subependymal germinal matrix hemorrhage as a mild form of hemorrhage in extremely preterm infants: neurodevelopmental outcomes at corrected ages of 18-24 months
Jae Mo KOO ; So-Young YOO ; Ji Hye KIM ; Ji Eun PARK ; Sun-Young BAEK ; Tae Yeon JEON
Ultrasonography 2025;44(1):48-61
Purpose:
This study aimed to explore the effects of both the presence and size of posterior subependymal germinal matrix hemorrhage (PS-GMH), considered a mild form of hemorrhage, on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of extremely preterm infants.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 221 extremely preterm infants, assessing their initial and term-equivalent age (TEA) cranial ultrasound (cUS) examinations from 2016 to 2021. Infants were classified based on the presence and size (small/large) of PS-GMH. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at corrected ages of 18-24 months were analyzed in 135 infants.
Results:
PS-GMH was identified in 86.9% (192/221) of the infants, with 13.5% (26/192) exhibiting large PS-GMH. Among the 135 infants who were followed up, those with PS-GMH were found to have younger gestational ages (P<0.001) and a higher incidence of maternal chorioamnionitis (P=0.016) than those without PS-GMH. Significant differences were observed in the incidence of grade II intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) on initial cUS (P=0.003) and ventriculomegaly at TEA cUS (P=0.026) across the groups with no PS-GMH, small PS-GMH, and large PS-GMH. The large PS-GMH group exhibited a higher occurrence of grade II IVH than the small PS-GMH group (P=0.006). However, ventriculomegaly incidence did not significantly vary with PS-GMH status. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were also not significantly different across PS-GMH statuses. The adjusted odds ratios for any neurodevelopmental impairment, compared to the no PS-GMH group, were 1.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40 to 7.26; P=0.471) for all PS-GMH, 1.61 (95% CI, 0.37 to 6.93; P=0.526) for small PS-GMH, and 3.84 (95% CI, 0.62 to 24.00; P=0.150) for large PS-GMH.
Conclusion
PS-GMH was frequently observed in extremely preterm infants; however, it did not independently predict adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail