1.Treatment Principles and Paradigm of Diabetic Microvascular Complications Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Anzhu WANG ; Xing HANG ; Lili ZHANG ; Xiaorong ZHU ; Dantao PENG ; Ying FAN ; Min ZHANG ; Wenliang LYU ; Guoliang ZHANG ; Xiai WU ; Jia MI ; Jiaxing TIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Han WANG ; Yuan XU ; .LI PINGPING ; Zhenyu WANG ; Ying ZHANG ; Dongmei SUN ; Yi HE ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):272-279
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.
2.Exploring Mechanism of Anti-atherosclerosis Effect of Huangqi Chifengtang Based on AMPK/PPARα Signaling Pathway and NLRP3 Inflammasome
Yuqin LIANG ; Jie LIU ; Chi ZHANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(1):131-139
ObjectiveTo explore the improving effect of Huangqi Chifengtang(HCT) on atherosclerosis(AS), and elucidate its mechanism in relation to adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α(PPARα) signaling pathway and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome. MethodsEight C57BL/6J mice were set as the normal group, and 32 ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into the model group, the positive drug group(atorvastatin, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1), HCT low- and high-dose groups(1.95, 3.90 g·kg-1·d-1). ApoE-/- mice were fed with high-fat and high-cholesterol feed to establish an AS mouse model. After modeling, they were orally administered corresponding dose of drugs for 28 days, while the normal and model groups received an equal volume of physiological saline via oral gavage. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological status of the aorta and liver in mice, Biochemical testing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) were used to detect the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18 in the serum, as well as superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), and reduced glutathione(GSH) in the liver. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1), Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) in the aorta, and fatty acid synthase(FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1), PPARα, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A(CPT1A) in the liver. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and ASC in the aorta, and Western blot was used to measure the protein expressions of AMPK, p-AMPK, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c(SREBP-1c), CPT1A, and FAS in the liver. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant increase in lipid plaque deposition in the aorta and lipid accumulation in the liver, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, ALT, IL-1β, IL-18 and CRP in the serum were significantly increased(P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of aortic TLR4, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC were significantly upregulated(P<0.01). The levels of SOD and GSH in the liver were significantly reduced, while the level of MDA was significantly increased(P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of FAS and SCD1 in the liver were significantly downregulated, while the mRNA expressions of PPARα and CPT1A were significantly upregulated. The protein expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK and CPT1A in the liver were significantly reduced, while the expressions of SREBP-1c and FAS proteins were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the low- and high-dose HCT groups showed significant improvements in aortic plaques and hepatic lipid deposition. The levels of TC, LDL-C, AST, IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of the low-dose HCT group, as well as TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, ALT, IL-1β, IL-18 and CRP in the serum of the high-dose HCT group, were significantly reduced(P<0.01). The mRNA expressions of TLR4, NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the aorta of the low-dose HCT group, as well as TLR4, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC in the aorta of the high-dose HCT group, were significantly downregulated(P<0.01). The protein expressions of Caspase-1 and ASC in the aorta of the low-dose HCT group, as well as NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC in the high-dose HCT group, were significantly downregulated(P<0.01). The levels of SOD and GSH in the liver of the low- and high-dose HCT groups were significantly increased, while the level of MDA in the high-dose HCT group was significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). In the HCT-treated group, the mRNA expressions of FAS and SCD1 in the liver were significantly upregulated, while the mRNA expressions of PPARα and CPT1A were significantly downregulated, the protein expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK and CPT1A in the liver were significantly increased, while the protein expressions of SREBP-1c and FAS were significantly decreased(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHCT can improve lipid metabolism by activating the AMPK/PPARα pathway and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammatory responses, thereby reducing hepatic lipid deposition and AS plaque formation.
3.Characteristics of cyst fluid can predict the benign or malignant nature of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms
Jingyuan WANG ; Jiayu FAN ; Pingping ZHANG ; Hongyun MA ; Ying CHEN ; Gang LI ; Zhendong JIN ; Gang JIN ; Kaixuan WANG
Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice 2025;30(6):509-516
Objective To investigate the predictive ability of cyst fluid characteristics for malignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Methods We prospectively collected fresh cyst fluid from patients undergoing pancreatic resection at the Department of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Spleen Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, from September 2023 to December 2024, who were ultimately pathologically confirmed with IPMN. We assessed the characteristics of cyst fluid, including viscosity, clarity, and color, and explored its predictive performance for benign or malignant. Results A total of 40 patients with IPMN were included. The sensitivity of the string sign (+) for diagnosing high-grade dysplasia/ invasive carcinoma (HGD/IC) was 90.9%, specificity was 92.9%, and accuracy was 76.0%. The cyst fluid of intestinal-type IPMN often exhibited a gelatinous consistency, and there was no significant difference in the distribution of gelatinous consistency between the HGD/IC group and the low-grade dysplasia (LGD) group. There were no significant differences in CEA, glucose, and amylase levels in the cyst fluid between the HGD/IC group and the LGD group. Conclusions The characteristics of pancreatic cyst fluid, especially viscosity, can effectively predict the benign or malignant nature of IPMN.
4.Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers from the Perspective of "Heart"
Mengfan REN ; Nailin ZHANG ; Ruohan WANG ; Mengqian SUN ; Pingping CHEN ; Hua CAO ; Qiquan LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1174-1177
Based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory that "all pain, itching, and sores are related to the heart", this paper proposes treating recurrent aphthous ulcers from the perspective of the heart. It suggests that excessive heart fire and tissue erosion due to flaming fire in the heart meridian constitute the core pathogenesis of this condition. Hyperactive heart fire is identified as the key pathogenic factor, while heart yin deficiency, obstruction of the heart collaterals, and malnourishment of the heart spirit are considered significant contributing factors. Clinically, the treatment follows the principle of clearing heart fire as the main strategy, supplemented by nourishing yin, activating collaterals, and calming the spirit. The self-formulated Qingxin Yuchuang Formulation (清心愈疮方) serves as the base prescription, with flexible modifications incorporating the Yuyin Formulation (育阴方), Huoxue Formulation (活血方), and Yu'an Formulation (郁安方) to address specific syndromes involving heart yin deficiency, collateral blockage, and emotional disturbance.
5.Clinical outcomes of total ankle arthroplasty using the INBONE Ⅱ prosthesis in younger patients
Xiangyu XU ; Baozhou ZHANG ; Pingping ZHANG ; Xuewen WANG ; Yong WU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma 2025;27(1):19-24
Objective:To analyze the clinical outcomes of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) using the INBONE Ⅱ prosthesis in patients ≤50 years old with end-stage ankle arthritis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the consecutive patients who had undergone TAA using the INBONE Ⅱ prosthesis between September, 2016 and August, 2021 at Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University. There were 12 males and 16 females with an age of (46.0±4.0) years and a body mass index of (24.9±3.3) kg/m 2. The clinical outcomes recorded and compared between pre-surgery and the last follow-up were tibial articular surface (TAS) angle, talar tilt (TT) angle, tibial lateral surface (TLS) angle, ankle plantarflexion angle, ankle dorsiflexion, ankle range of motion (ROM), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, MOS item short form health survey (SF-36), foot function index (FFI), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Patient satisfaction by 5-point Likert scale and complications were recorded. Results:All patients were followed up for (49.8±15.3) months. Except for plantar flexion and TAS, for all patients at the last follow-up, TT angle [0.4° (0, 0.6°)], FFI [20.0 (7.3, 48.0) points], and VAS pain score [2.0 (1.0, 2.8) points] were significantly reduced compared with the preoperative values [1.6° (0.3°, 4.4°), (99.9±40.6) points, and 6.0 (4.0, 6.8) points], while TLS angle (86.3°±2.8°), ankle dorsiflexion (13.5°±5.4°), ankle ROM (34.7°±7.9°), AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score [82.0 (74.0, 89.0) points], and SF-36 score [122.5 (112.8, 130.2) points] were all significantly higher than the preoperative values [78.9°±5.7°, 10.3°±8.0°, 31.1°±12.0°, (49.9±3.2) points, and 97.7(89.8, 101.6) points] (all P<0.05). The rate of patient satisfaction at the last follow-up was 89.3% (25/28). No serious postoperative complications occurred and no revision surgery was required. Conclusion:TAA using the INBONE Ⅱ prosthesis has shown good clinical outcomes and a high rate of patient satisfaction in younger patients ≤50 years old with end-stage ankle arthritis.
6.Development ideas for integrating Chinese and Western medicine in emergency care
Taihuan WANG ; Pingping ZHANG ; Wenju HE ; Haizhao LIU ; Dongqiang WANG
Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in Intensive and Critical Care 2025;32(2):134-137
Systematically sort out the successful development experience and current shortcomings of various aspects of combined Chinese and Western medicine first aid,and on this basis,we discuss the development ideas of combined Chinese and Western medicine first aid.Based on the complementary advantages of the combination of Chinese and Western medicines in first aid,it takes the special diseases with bottlenecks in the efficacy of the current single system as an entry point,and further optimizes the combination of Chinese and Western medicines in first aid through the dynamic and sequential coordination of Chinese medicine's holistic conditioning and Western medicine's targeted treatment,and promotes the development of the synergistic strategy of the first aid of Chinese and Western medicines,so as to better play the advantageous roles of the combination of Chinese and Western medicines in first aid to enhance the clinical efficacy,reduce the toxicity and side-effects,and improve the prognosis of the diseases.We also strive to promote the improvement of the dosage form of traditional first aid prescriptions and the technical innovation of the production process,so as to realize the improvement of the key indexes such as the timeliness of the onset of action,the controllability of the quality,and the targeting of the efficacy of the Chinese medicinal preparations in the first aid,in order to better support and guarantee the medicines for the first aid of the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicines.At the same time,we should also promote the systematic construction of the standardized operation specification and efficacy evaluation system of acupuncture and moxibustion,explore the integration of acupuncture and moxibustion with modern first aid,and optimize acupuncture and moxibustion intervention strategies in emergency departments to enhance the efficacy of first aid under the restriction of medical equipments.The proposal of these suggestions may provide some enlightenment in the development of the idea of integrating Chinese and Western medicine in emergency care,and may have some reference value for the development of emergency medicine model with Chinese characteristics.
7.Professor Liu Qiquan's Clinical Experience in Treating Acne Based on the Theory of"Internal Retention and Stagnation of Heat Pathogen"
Mengqian SUN ; Nailin ZHANG ; Mengfan REN ; Ruohan WANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Hua CAO ; Qiquan LIU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(12):170-174
This article summarized Professor Liu Qiquan's clinical experience in the treatment of acne from the perspective of"internal retention and stagnation of heat pathogen".Professor Liu believes that the core pathogenesis of acne lies in the internal retention and stagnation of heat pathogen,which manifests as external skin inflammation,with the primary focus being on the heat pathogen.With the pathogen inside the body,the progress of disease and syndrome is related to"toxin,depression,blood stasis and deficiency".At the same time,the disease is also closely related to the dysfunction of the five-zang organs.Professor Liu points out that"to resist the outside,one must first settle the inside",and treats acne from the five internal organs.Based on the idea of"internal retention and stagnation of heat pathogen",according to the symptoms of the patients,the comprehensive use of methods to guide the treatment,such as penetrating turbidity,removing pathogenic factors and detoxifying heat,promoting qi and dispersing stagnant heat,cooling collaterals to control blood and breaking stasis heat,and restraining qi,softening yin and supporting deficiency heat,has been proved to have a good clinical effect.One medical case was attached as evidence.
8.Analysis of clinical characteristics and NF1 gene variants in a child with Neurofibroma-Noonan syndrome
Pingping WANG ; Lianshu HAN ; Suhong YANG ; Jianmei ZHANG ; Zhanli LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(4):419-423
Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and genetic etiology of a child with Neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome (NFNS).Methods:A child with NFNS who was treated at the Department of Endocrinology of Hangzhou Children′s Hospital in January 2024 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected by retrospective analysis method. Peripheral venous blood samples (2 mL each) were collected from the child and his parents. Genomic DNA was extracted, and trio whole exome sequencing (Trio-WES) of the family was carried out. Sanger sequencing was used to perform family verification on the candidate variants. The identified variants were classified for pathogenicity according to the Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants established by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) (hereafter referred to as the " ACMG guidelines" ). This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Hangzhou Children′s Hospital (Ethics No. 2021-06).Results:The child was a 7-year and 4-month-old male. He has short stature, numerous café-au-lait spots on the neck and trunk, and special facial features such as a full forehead, wide interpupillary distance, a low nasal bridge, and low-set ears.The results of Trio-WES showed that he has harbored a NF1 gene c. 3773G>T (p.W1258L) mutation, which was verified by Sanger sequencing to be de novo in origin. The NF1 gene child was associated with NFNS, which was an autosomal dominant inheritance. According to the ACMG guidelines, this variant was judged to be a likely pathogenic variant (PS2+ PM2+ PP3+ PP2). No pathogenic variant in genes associated with Noonan syndrome, such as those in PTPN11, SOS1, RAF1, RIT1, and KRAS, was found. Conclusion:The child with NFNS has clinical features such as short stature, special facial features, and café-au-lait spots. The c. 3773G>T (p.W1258L) variation in the NF1 gene may be the genetic etiology of the NFNS child in this study. The results of this study has enriched the variation spectrum of the NF1 gene.
9.Predictive value of clinical combined MRI scoring scale in placenta previa with placenta implantation
Qi YAO ; Oucheng WANG ; Pingping JIE ; Liulu ZHANG ; Yao XIAO
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(1):72-76
Objective To explore the clinical value of clinical combined MRI scoring scale in predicting placenta previa with pla-centa accreta spectrum disorders(PAS).Methods The clinical and MRI data of 96 pregnant women with placenta previa were ana-lyzed retrospectively,including 37 cases in the non-PAS group and 59 cases in the PAS group.In the PAS group,there were 14 cases in the placenta accreta(PA)group,33 cases in the placenta increta(PI)group and 12 cases in the placenta percreta(PP)group.The differences in clinical and imaging features of the variables between non-PAS,PA,PI,and PP groups were analyzed to establish a sco-ring scale,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to calculate the critical values of the different groups.Results Ten clinical and 15 imaging features were included for evaluation,there were statistically significant differences in 14 indicators,including the number of caesarean sections,placental thickness,abnormal subplacental vessels,and short T2 signal bands within the placenta(P<0.05).Incorporate the above indicators into the MRI scoring scale.The ROC curves showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the MRI scoring scale analyzed diagnostic non-PAS group versus PA group was 0.874,with a significance of 0.000 and a critical value of 5.5,the AUC of the PA group versus PI group was 0.784,with a significance of 0.002 and a critical value of 9.5,and the AUC of the PI group versus PP group was 0.986,with a significance of 0.000 and a critical value of 14.5.Conclusion Clini-cal combined MRI scoring scale can evaluate whether placenta previa is accompanied by PAS and evaluate the depth of PAS,which has important clinical value.
10.The correlation of TIPE3 expression in colorectal cancer with tumor immune infiltration and the prognosis of patients
Yuan Zhang ; Yue Xu ; Yong Zhu ; Pingping Zhang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(11):2166-2174,2181
Objective:
To investigate the expression of TIPE3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its correlation with tumor immune infiltration and prognosis .
Methods:
The expression of TIPE3 in tumor and adjacent normal tissues from 110 CRC patients was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative enzyme chain reaction ( qPCR) , Western blot , immunohistochemistry ( IHC ) , bioinformatics analysis , and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) . The association between TIPE3 expression and clinicopathological factors , prognosis , and immune cell infiltration was analyzed .
Results:
Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that among the TIPE fami- ly , TIPE (P < 0. 05) and TIPE3 (P < 0. 001) were significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues , with TIPE3 showing the most pronounced increase . IHC further confirmed that TIPE3 expression was significantly higher in CRC tissues (P < 0. 001) . Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that high TIPE3 ex- pression was associated with reduced survival and poorer prognosis . Immune infiltration analysis demonstrated that patients with high TIPE3 expression exhibited fewer CD8 + T cells and CD20 + B cells but more CD66b + neutro- phils , suggesting a correlation between TIPE3 and unfavorable tumor prognosis . Additionally , scRNA-seq of CRC tissues yielded results consistent with the IHC findings .
Conclusion
TIPE3 expression in CRC is associated with tumor immune infiltration , and its upregulation predicts poor prognosis , indicating its potential as a therapeutic and preventive target in CRC .


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