This article systematically reviews the current research status as well as diagnosis and treatment strategies of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） for gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD）. Studies demonstrate that TCM， based on the "disease-syndrome combination" approach， exhibits multi-target advantages in alleviating symptoms of various GERD subtypes， promoting mucosal repair， regulating emotions， and facilitating the reduction of western medication. To address clinical challenges such as symptom overlap and limited therapeutic efficacy， strategies have been proposed including "treating different diseases with the same method" and integrated regulation based on viscera correlation. Future efforts should focus on elucidating the mechanisms of compound prescriptions， promoting TCM drug development under the "three-combination" evaluation framework that integrates TCM theory， human experience and clinical trial evidence， and optimizing integrated traditional and western medicine models to enhance GERD management.

AIM: To investigate the changes in serum levels of platelet-derived growth factor A(PDGFA), heme oxygenase 1(HMOX1)and suppressor of cytokine signaling 6(SOCS6)in patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR)at different stages, and their predictive value for prognosis. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with DR in Zibo No.148 Hospital from April 2023 to April 2024 were included as the study group, and patients with simple type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)during the same period were included as the control group. DR patients were separated into non proliferative DR group(NPDR group)and proliferative DR group(PDR group)based on DR staging, and into good prognosis group and poor prognosis group based on prognosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect serum levels of PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6, and Pearson method was performed to analyze their correlation with laboratory indicators. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the risk factors affecting poor prognosis in DR patients. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to explore the prognostic value of serum PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6 levels for DR patients. RESULTS: Totally 128 DR patients(67 males and 61 females)with the mean age 50.65±8.57 y were included. The control group consisted of 120 T2DM patients(63 males, 57 females)with the mean age of 50.32±8.65 y. The NPDR group comprised 74 patients(39 males, 35 females)with mean age of 50.42±8.71 y; the PDR group included 54 patients(28 males, 26 females)with the mean age of 50.96±8.40 y; The good prognosis group comprised 81 patients(43 males, 38 females)with the mean age of 50.51±8.62 y; the poor prognosis group included 47 patients(24 males, 23 females)with the mean age of 50.89±8.48 y. Compared with the control group, the study group had significantly higher serum levels of PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6(all P<0.05). The PDR group had significantly higher serum levels of PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6 than the NPDR group(all P<0.05). The poor prognosis group had significantly higher serum levels of FBG, HbA1c, SOD, MDA, IL-6, TNF-α, PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6 than the good prognosis group(all P<0.05). The serum PDGFA of DR patients was positively related to FBG, HbA1c, IL-6, and TNF-α levels(all P<0.05), HMOX1 was positively related to FBG, HbA1c, SOD, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α levels(all P<0.05), and SOCS6 was positively related to FBG, IL-6, and TNF-α levels(all P<0.05). Elevated levels of serum PDGFA, HMOX1, SOCS6, and HbA1c were risk factors for the prognosis of DR patients(all P<0.05). The AUC values of serum PDGFA, HMOX1, and SOCS6 alone in predicting the prognosis of DR patients were 0.806, 0.822, and 0.826, respectively. The AUC of their joint prediction was 0.912, and the joint prediction was superior to individual prediction(Z joint-PDGFA=2.183, P=0.029; Z joint-HMOX1=2.308, P=0.021; Z joint-SOCS6=2.620, P=0.009). CONCLUSION: Serum PDGFA, HMOX1, SOCS6 are significantly correlated with DR staging and prognosis, all showing high predictive efficiency for the prognosis of DR patients, with certain clinical value.

ObjectiveTo conduct an epidemiological investigation and analysis of a clustered scabies outbreak in a middle school, so as to provide evidence for developing targeted prevention and control strategies. MethodsCase data on a clustered scabies outbreak occurring in a middle school of Shaanxi Province in 2025 were collected. Field epidemiological approaches were adopted to define cases, search for infected individuals, and describe the temporal, spatial, and population distribution. Specimens were collected from individuals and surrounding environments for laboratory testing. ResultsA total of 25 scabies cases were identified in 4 classes and 9 dormitories of the school. All cases were first-year high school students. The overall attack rate was 6.00% (25/414); the attack rate was 10.53% (22/209) among male students and 1.46% (3/205) among female students. The disease course ranged from 10 to 30 days, with a median duration of 14 days, and 3 students (12.00%) continued attending classes with ongoing infection. Skin scrapings collected from lesion sites of 3 patients were examined under microscopy, all of which were positive for Sarcoptes scabiei; no laboratory testing was performed for the remaining cases. This clustered scabies infection outbreak lasted for one month. All affected students recovered completely without severe complications or deaths, and the outbreak was effectively contained. ConclusionThis scabies infection is a clustered school-based scabies outbreak caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Affected patients present relatively severe symptoms and a prolonged disease course. Scientific and standardized preventive systems should be established to enable timely early warning and emergency response.

Objective To investigate the effect of Pirfenidone(PFN)on respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)infection-induced damage to bronchial epithelial cells by regulating the high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1)/receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)signaling pathway.Methods Human bronchial epithelial cells(HBE)were divided into Control group(cultured for 24 h under normal conditions),RSV group(inoculated with 4.65×106/mL RSV at 33℃for 2 h);low PFN(L-PFN)group(treated with 0.05 mg/mL PFN for 24 h),moderate PFN(M-PFN)group(treated with 0.10 mg/mL PFN for 24 h),high PFN(H-PFN)group(treated with 0.20 mg/mL PFN for 24 h)and recombinant HMGB1(rHMGB1)group(treated with 1 μg/mL rHMGB1+0.20 mg/mL PFN for 24 h).EdU method was applied to detect the proliferation rate of cells in each group,Hochest33258 staining method was applied to detect apoptosis status of cells in each group,and the migration of cells in each group was evaluated by the scratch experiment.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to measure the levels of interferon(IFN)-α,IFN-γ,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1α,IL-6 and IL-4 in each group of cells,and Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of HMGB1,RAGE,B lymphoblastoma-2-associated X protein(Bax),cysteine aspartic protease-3(Caspase-3),and B lymphoblastoma-2(Bcl-2).Results Compared with the RSV group,the cell proliferation rate,scratch closure rate,IL-4 levels,and expression of Bcl-2 in L-,M-,and H-PFN groups increased,while the apoptosis rate,the levels of IFN-α,IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1α,IL-6,and the expression of HMGB1,RAGE,Bax,and Caspase-3 reduced(P<0.05);rHMGB1 weakened the effect of H-PFN on the above-mentioned indicators(P<0.05).Conclusion PFN may suppress the apoptosis and inflammatory damage of RSV-infected bronchial epithelial cells by inhibiting the HMGB1/RAGE pathway.Conclusion PFN may suppress the apoptosis and inflammatory damage of RSV-infected bronchial epithelial cells by inhibiting the HMGB1/RAGE pathway.

Objective:To construct a frailty risk prediction model for elderly patients with CHD based on machine learning, to address the limitations of existing tools and provide evidence-based support for clinical practice.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on elderly CHD patients hospitalized at the Heart Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from September 2023 to March 2024. Meta-analysis and expert meetings were used to identify the risk factors for frailty in elderly CHD patients. Three machine learning algorithms, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine, were used to construct predictive models using R 4.3.1 software. The predictive performance of the models was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).Results:A total of 490 elderly CHD patients were included, with 267 males and 223 females, and an age of (71.02 ± 7.73) years. Among them, 160 patients (32.7%) developed frailty. Of the constructed models, the Random Forest model demonstrated the best predictive performance, with an accuracy of 0.703, recall of 0.629, and F1 score of 0.741, while the AUC was 0.811 (95% CI 0.762-0.850). Conclusions:The Random Forest model exhibited good predictive performance in assessing frailty risk in elderly CHD patients, with high accuracy and reliability. Future external validation studies can further assess its applicability and stability in different populations.

Objective To investigate the effect of Pirfenidone(PFN)on respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)infection-induced damage to bronchial epithelial cells by regulating the high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1)/receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)signaling pathway.Methods Human bronchial epithelial cells(HBE)were divided into Control group(cultured for 24 h under normal conditions),RSV group(inoculated with 4.65×106/mL RSV at 33℃for 2 h);low PFN(L-PFN)group(treated with 0.05 mg/mL PFN for 24 h),moderate PFN(M-PFN)group(treated with 0.10 mg/mL PFN for 24 h),high PFN(H-PFN)group(treated with 0.20 mg/mL PFN for 24 h)and recombinant HMGB1(rHMGB1)group(treated with 1 μg/mL rHMGB1+0.20 mg/mL PFN for 24 h).EdU method was applied to detect the proliferation rate of cells in each group,Hochest33258 staining method was applied to detect apoptosis status of cells in each group,and the migration of cells in each group was evaluated by the scratch experiment.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to measure the levels of interferon(IFN)-α,IFN-γ,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1α,IL-6 and IL-4 in each group of cells,and Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of HMGB1,RAGE,B lymphoblastoma-2-associated X protein(Bax),cysteine aspartic protease-3(Caspase-3),and B lymphoblastoma-2(Bcl-2).Results Compared with the RSV group,the cell proliferation rate,scratch closure rate,IL-4 levels,and expression of Bcl-2 in L-,M-,and H-PFN groups increased,while the apoptosis rate,the levels of IFN-α,IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-1α,IL-6,and the expression of HMGB1,RAGE,Bax,and Caspase-3 reduced(P<0.05);rHMGB1 weakened the effect of H-PFN on the above-mentioned indicators(P<0.05).Conclusion PFN may suppress the apoptosis and inflammatory damage of RSV-infected bronchial epithelial cells by inhibiting the HMGB1/RAGE pathway.Conclusion PFN may suppress the apoptosis and inflammatory damage of RSV-infected bronchial epithelial cells by inhibiting the HMGB1/RAGE pathway.

ObjectiveTo collate and compare the characteristics and differences in the methods for constructing animal models of different subtypes of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） based on literature， providing a reference for researchers in this field regarding animal model construction. MethodsExperimental studies related to GERD including reflux esophagitis （RE）， nonerosive reflux disease （NERD） and Barrett's esophagus （BE） model construction from January 1， 2014 to January 27， 2024， were retrieved from databases such as CNKI， Wanfang， VIP， Web of Science， and Pubmed. Information on animal strains， genders， modeling methods including disease-syndrome combination models， modeling cycles were extracted； for studies with model evaluation， the methods of model evaluation were also extracted； then analyzing all those information. ResultsA total of 182 articles were included. SD rats were most frequently selected when inducing animal models of RE （88/148， 59.46%） and NERD （9/14， 64.29%）. For BE， C57BL/6 mice were most commonly used （11/20， 55.00%）. Male animals （RE： 111/135， 82.22%； NERD： 11/14， 78.57%； BE： 10/12， 83.33%） were the most common gender among the three subtypes. The key to constructing RE animal models lies in structural damage to the esophageal mucosal layer， gastric content reflux， or mixed reflux， among which forestomach ligation + incomplete pylorus ligation （42/158， 26.58%） was the most common modeling method； the key to constructing NERD animal models lies in micro-inflammation of the esophageal mucosa， visceral hypersensitivity， and emotional problems， and intraperitoneal injection of a mixed suspension of ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide combined with acid perfusion in the lower esophagus （8/14， 57.14%） was the most common modeling method； the key to constructing BE animal models lies in long-term inflammatory stimulation of the esophageal mucosa and bile acid reflux， and constructing interleukin 2-interleukin 1β transgenic mice （7/25， 28.00%） was the most common modeling method. Adverse psychological stress was the most common method for inducing liver depression. ConclusionsThe construction key principles and methodologies for RE， NERD， and BE animal models exhibit significant differences. Researchers should select appropriate models based on subtype characteristics （e.g.， RE focusing on structural damage， NERD emphasizing visceral hypersensitivity）. Current studies show insufficient exploration of traditional Chinese medicine disease-syndrome combination models. Future research needs to optimize syndrome modeling approaches （e.g.， composite etiology simulation） and establish integrated Chinese-Western medicine evaluation systems to better support mechanistic investigations of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective: To explore the efficacy and surgical techniques of ultrasound-assisted transurethral flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser incision and internal drainage in the treatment of special renal cystic diseases，so as to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. Methods: The clinical data of 48 patients with special renal cystic diseases treated during Jan.2019 and May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The diagnosis was made by computed tomography urography (CTU) and three dimensional urinary tract reconstruction before operation.All patients received the abovementioned surgery in semisupine lithotomy position.The general information，clinical data，and incidence of complications were analyzed. Results: There were 27 males and 21 females，with an average age of (48.0±7.5) years，including 22 cases of parapelvic cysts，6 cases of endogenic simple renal cysts with an average diameter of (5.0±1.0) cm，and 20 cases of renal calyceal diverticulum with stones，with an average diameter of (2.5±1.3) cm for the diverticulum and an average diameter of (1.5±1.0) cm for the stones，which were located in the upper or middle calyces.In 7 cases，ureteroscopic localization was difficult，and the surgery was completed with percutaneous renal puncture needle assisted localization.Ureteral stenosis was detected in 2 cases during surgery，and surgery was performed 4 weeks after double J tubes were placed.The remaining operations were successfully completed.The average operation time was (42.0±14.5) minutes，and average hospital stay was (2.0±0.5) days.During the follow-up of (12.0±8.5) months，lumbar pain improved in 27 cases (100%)，renal cysts disappeared in 23 cases (82.1%,23/28)，cysts significantly reduced by ≥50% in 4 cases (14.3%,4/28)，slightly reduced by <50% in 1 case (3.6%,1/28)，and the renal calyx diverticulum disappeared in 20 cases (100%).Gross hematuria and lower back pain occurred in 2 cases，and no other complications developed. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided transurethral flexible ureteroscopic holmium laser incision and internal drainage is a safe and effective treatment for special benign renal cystic diseases.When ultrasound-guided flexible ureteroscope localization is difficult to perform，percutaneous renal puncture needle may be applied.

BACKGROUND:Traditional surgery for lumbar disc herniation involves extensive excision of tissue surrounding the nerve for decompression and removal of protruding lumbar intervertebral discs,which poses various risks and complications such as nerve damage causing paralysis,lumbar instability,herniation recurrence,intervertebral space infection,and adjacent vertebral diseases. OBJECTIVE:To propose the symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous technique for lumbar spine symmetrically decompression,showing the induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous phenomenon and early clinical efficacy,and then analyze its decompression mechanism. METHODS:214 patients with lumbar disc herniation at Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2021 to May 2023 were enrolled in this study.Among them,81 patients received conservative treatment as the control group,and 133 patients received symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous treatment as the trial group.Before surgery,immediately after surgery(7-14 days),and early after surgery(over 1 year),MRI images were used to measure the volume changes of lumbar disc herniation.CT images were used to measure the posterior displacement distance of the lumbar spinous process ligament complex,as well as the width and height of the lateral recess.Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were used to evaluate the patient's neurological function recovery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Control group:81 patients with lumbar disc herniation were treated conservatively,with a total of 171 herniated lumbar discs.The average follow-up time was(22.7±23.1)months.The first and second MRI measurements of 171 herniated lumbar discs showed herniated lumbar disc volumes of(551.6±257.9)mm3 and(792.2±330.4)mm3,respectively,with an average volume increase rate of(53.2±44.4)%,showing statistically significant differences(P<0.001).Out of 171 herniated lumbar discs,4 experienced natural shrinkage,with an absorption ratio of 2.3%(4/171)and an absorption rate of(24.5±9.9)%.(2)Trial group:133 patients with lumbar disc herniation had a total of 285 herniated lumbar discs.(1)Immediately after surgery:All patients were followed up immediately after surgery.229 out of 285 herniated lumbar discs experienced retraction,with an absorption ratio of 80.3%(229/285)and an average absorption rate of(21.5±20.9)%,with significant and complete absorption accounting for 6.5%.There were a total of 70 herniated lumbar discs in the upper lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 85.7%(60/70),an average absorption rate of(23.1±19.5)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 86.6%.There were 215 herniated lumbar discs in the lower lumbar spine,with an absorption ratio of 78.6%(169/215),an average absorption rate of(21.0±21.3)%,and a maximum absorption rate of 83.2%.Significant and complete absorption of the upper and lower lumbar vertebrae accounted for 5.7%and 6.5%,respectively,with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).The average distance of posterior displacement of the spinous process ligament complex immediately after surgery was(5.2±2.8)mm.There were no significant differences in the width and height of the left and right lateral recess before and immediately after surgery(P>0.05).The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score immediately after surgery increased from(10.1±3.4)before surgery to(17.0±4.8),and the immediate effective rate after surgery reached 95.6%.(2)Early postoperative period:Among them,46 patients completed the early postoperative follow-up.There were 101 herniated lumbar discs,with an absorption ratio of 94%(95/101)and an average absorption rate of(36.9±23.7)%.Significant and complete absorption accounted for 30.6%,with a maximum absorption rate of 100%.Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 remained unchanged in volume,with a volume invariance rate of 2.97%(3/101).Out of 101 herniated lumbar discs,3 had an increased volume of herniated lumbar discs,with an increase ratio of 2.97%(3/101)and an increase rate of(18.5±18.4)%.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score increased from preoperative(9.3±5.1)to(23.5±4.0),with an excellent and good rate of 93.4%.(3)The early postoperative lumbar disc herniation absorption ratios of the control group and trial group were 2.3%and 85.9%,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P<0.001).(4)Complications:There were two cases of incision exudation and delayed healing in the trial group.After conservative treatment such as dressing change,no nerve injury or death occurred in the incision healing,and no cases underwent a second surgery.(5)It is concluded that symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous is a new method for treating lumbar disc herniation that can avoid extensive excision of the"ring"nerve and achieve satisfactory early clinical efficacy.It does not damage the lumbar facet joints or alter the basic anatomical structure of the lateral recess,fully preserves the herniated lumbar discs,and can induce significant or even complete induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous.Symmetrically adduction of lumbar decompression induced resorption of herniated nucleus pulpous provides a new basis and method for the clinical treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Objective To explore TCM syndrome distribution law in patients with overlapping non-erosive reflux disease(NERD)and epigastric pain syndrome(EPS)gastrointestinal symptoms.Methods A multi-center,cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the general information of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms in four hospitals,such as gender,age,body mass index(BMI)and four diagnostic information of TCM.Descriptive frequency analysis,factor analysis and clustering analysis were used to summarize the TCM syndrome types and distribution characteristics.Results The average age of 800 patients with overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms was(44.50±14.43)years old,the average BMI was(23.17±4.80)kg/m2,and the male to female ratio was 3:5.Frequency of 95 TCM symptoms/signs≥20%.18 common factor variables were obtained based on factor analysis,and the cumulative contribution rate was 67.11%.The first three syndrome elements of disease location were liver,stomach and spleen,and the disease nature syndrome elements were qi stagnation,qi deficiency and yin deficiency.Based on the clustering analysis of 18 common factor variables,combined with expert discussion,four main TCM syndrome types were obtained,which were liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome(213 cases,26.63%),spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome(209 cases,26.13%),spleen-stomach deficiency and cold qi stagnation syndrome(190 cases,23.75%)and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome(188 cases,23.50%).There was no significant difference in the distribution of TCM syndrome types among patients with different genders,ages and BMI values(P>0.05).Patients with a course of disease≥2 years and those residing long-term north of the Qinling-Huaihe Line showed a significantly higher prevalence of spleen-stomach dampness-heat syndrome(P<0.05).Conclusion The syndrome elements of disease location of overlapping NERD and EPS gastrointestinal symptoms are mainly liver,stomach and spleen.The TCM syndrome types are liver-stomach stagnation heat syndrome,spleen-stomach damp heat syndrome,spleen-stomach deficiency cold qi stagnation syndrome and qi-phlegm stagnation syndrome.The course of disease and the regional differences between north and south may be the influencing factors of the distribution of syndrome types.