Objective: To explore the setting of gray zone of Treponema pallidum (TP) testing by retrospective analysis of blood donors with single reagent reactive anti-TP results, so as to improve blood utilization and supply safety. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 112 blood donors previously deferred due to single reagent reactive TP antibody results between January 2020 and December 2023, and subjected to dual ELISA reagents and TPPA test. The gray zone panel analysis was performed on the two ELISA reagents currently used in our department. The detection rate at each concentration of the gray zone panle was counted, and the corresponding concentrations for C , C , and C and gray zone cut-off were calculated. Results: Among the 50 samples deferred by reagent 1, 19 were confirmed reactive and 31 non-reactive in supplementary testing. Among the 62 samples deferred by reagent 2, 12 were confirmed reactive and 50 non-reactive in supplementary testing. For reagent 1, the detection rate of was 56% for S/CO≥1 and 20% for 0.5≤S/CO<1, retrospectively. For reagent 2, the detection rate was 27% for S/CO≥1 and 12.5% for 0.5≤S/CO<1, retrospectively. The detection rate for S/CO≥1 was higher than those for 0.5≤S/CO<1 for both reagents. All the 112 samples were negative in TPPA test. The C concentration of reagent 1 was 1.51 mIU/mL, and the concentration range of C ±20% was 1.21-1.81 mIU/mL. The C concentration of reagent 2 was 1.45 mIU/mL, and the concentration range of C ±20% was 1.16-1.74 mIU/mL. The C and C concentration of both reagents were within the C ±20% range, suggesting that the gray zone cutoff for both Reagent 1 and Reagent 2 should be set at S/CO=0.8 (80% of the CO value). Conclusion: All anti-TP single reagent reactive samples with S/CO value within the gray zone was tested negative by TPPA. It is necessary to consider the rationality and necessity of establishing the gray zone, so as to ensure blood safety and improve the utilization rate of blood resources.

With the rising incidence of diabetes， diabetic kidney disease （DKD） has become a significant global health burden. Although current prevention and treatment strategies can partially delay the progression of DKD， the risk of patients advancing to end-stage renal disease remains high. Since the concept of the "gut-kidney axis" was first introduced at the International Congress on Dialysis in 2011， research on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of DKD has received increasing attention. This review summarizes the current research on gut microbiota， explores the mechanisms through which it contributes to DKD development， and outlines clinical approaches for DKD prevention and treatment based on the "gut-kidney axis" theory. Evidence indicates that dietary interventions， intake of probiotics or prebiotics， use of metformin and novel antidiabetic drugs， and application of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） compound formulas can effectively improve gut microbiota composition， influence metabolite production， and restore the intestinal mucosal barrier. These interventions can further regulate intestinal innate immunity and inflammatory responses， thereby modulating the progression of DKD. Despite challenges posed by the traditional oral administration of water-decocted TCM compound formulas and the complexity of their ingredients， increasing evidence suggests that TCM may indirectly affect the occurrence and development of DKD by modulating gut microbiota. This finding provides a new perspective on the potential mechanisms of TCM in DKD treatment and may offer novel strategies for DKD prevention and therapy.

Atherosclerosis （AS） is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases， and its occurrence and development are closely related to epigenetic regulation. Histone modification， as the core mechanism of epigenetic regulation， plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of AS by dynamically regulating chromatin structure and gene expression. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and its active components have shown unique advantages and potential in regulating histone modification for the prevention and treatment of AS. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms of histone acetylation， methylation， lactylation， etc. in the pathological process of AS and summarizes the latest research progress in the intervention of AS by the active components and compound prescriptions of TCM through regulating histone modification. Studies have indicated that TCM and its compound prescriptions regulate the activities of histone modification enzymes via multiple targets， showing unique advantages in influencing lipid metabolism and inflammatory response， as well as stabilizing vulnerable plaques and endothelial function. The active components of TCM directly target the activities or expression of histone modification enzymes such as histone acetyltransferases （HATs）， histone deacetylases （HDACs）， histone lysine methyltransferases （KMTs）， and histone lysine demethylases （KDMs）， thereby causing changes in histone modification and ultimately affecting gene expression and pathological phenotype in AS. However， current research still has problems such as insufficient in-depth basic research， unclear intervention effects and mechanisms of AS dynamics， relatively isolated studies on various factors of epigenetic modification， and unclear establishment of quality control standards for TCM compound prescriptions based on epigenetic regulation. In the future， in-depth research is still needed， and the research results should be translated into clinical applications. This article systematically clarifies the key role and mechanism of TCM in regulating the pathological process of AS through epigenetic intervention， providing new ideas for the modernization of TCM and precise prevention and treatment of AS.

Atherosclerosis （AS） is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases， and its occurrence and development are closely related to epigenetic regulation. Histone modification， as the core mechanism of epigenetic regulation， plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of AS by dynamically regulating chromatin structure and gene expression. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and its active components have shown unique advantages and potential in regulating histone modification for the prevention and treatment of AS. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms of histone acetylation， methylation， lactylation， etc. in the pathological process of AS and summarizes the latest research progress in the intervention of AS by the active components and compound prescriptions of TCM through regulating histone modification. Studies have indicated that TCM and its compound prescriptions regulate the activities of histone modification enzymes via multiple targets， showing unique advantages in influencing lipid metabolism and inflammatory response， as well as stabilizing vulnerable plaques and endothelial function. The active components of TCM directly target the activities or expression of histone modification enzymes such as histone acetyltransferases （HATs）， histone deacetylases （HDACs）， histone lysine methyltransferases （KMTs）， and histone lysine demethylases （KDMs）， thereby causing changes in histone modification and ultimately affecting gene expression and pathological phenotype in AS. However， current research still has problems such as insufficient in-depth basic research， unclear intervention effects and mechanisms of AS dynamics， relatively isolated studies on various factors of epigenetic modification， and unclear establishment of quality control standards for TCM compound prescriptions based on epigenetic regulation. In the future， in-depth research is still needed， and the research results should be translated into clinical applications. This article systematically clarifies the key role and mechanism of TCM in regulating the pathological process of AS through epigenetic intervention， providing new ideas for the modernization of TCM and precise prevention and treatment of AS.

From the theoretical perspective of "body fluids and blood stasis mixing"， environmental microplastics （MPs） are conceptualized as a "novel turbid-toxin". This study aims to elucidate the complete pathogenic pathway through which MPs act as a key driving force （the "crucible" of pathogenesis） in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis （AS）. By tracing the classical theories in the Chapter The Occurrence of All Diseases of Miraculous Pivot （Ling Shu）， this paper clarifies the core connotations of "body fluids"-it not only refers to endogenous pathological fluids and lipid turbidity but also provides a theoretical basis for incorporating "exogenous turbid fluids"， thereby laying a logical foundation for conceptualizing MPs as a "novel turbid-toxin". Meanwhile， the implications of "blood" （encompassing both blood quality abnormalities and blood stasis） and the dynamic process of "mixing" are elucidated. Drawing upon modern toxicological evidence， this paper demonstrates the high homology between MPs and "exogenous turbid-fluids" from three aspects： Morphology， toxicity， and invasion routes. The micro/nano-scale particle morphology of MPs enables mobility within the bloodstream. The multiple exposure pathways of MPs correspond to the traditional Chinese medicine understanding of pathogens invading through the mouth， nose， and skin. The characteristics of accumulating in vivo while inducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses of MPs fully embody the pathogenic features-adhesion， binding， and vessel damage-of "turbid-toxin". On this basis， the dynamic pathogenesis of MP-induced AS is systematically interpreted. Initially， MPs with the "turbid-toxin" nature impair nutrient-defense harmony and cause endothelial dysfunction. Subsequently， as the core of "mixing"， they interact with blood lipids and immune cells， generating heat and phlegm to form a major pathological hub of chronic inflammation. Ultimately， this process drives the coalescence of phlegm， stasis， and turbid-toxin into tangible plaques， evolving from stable lesions to vulnerable masses and accumulations. By integrating classical pathogenic model with contemporary environmental medicine， this study establishes an analytical framework that bridges macro-theory and micro-mechanisms for understanding the cardiovascular risks of MPs through an integrative Chinese-Western medicine lens.

The occurrence of diabetes mellitus （DM） is closely related to insulin resistance and islet β cell dysfunction. Modern studies have found that macrophages are widely present in the liver，fat，skeletal muscle，islets， and other tissues and organs. Macrophage M1/M2 polarization plays an important role in the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus and its related complications by intervening in inflammatory response，improving insulin resistance，and promoting tissue repair. Most of the traditional Chinese medicines that regulate the activation and polarization of macrophages are Qi-replenishing and Yin-nourishing，heat-clearing， and detoxicating medicinal，which are consistent with the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes and its related complications. Therefore，by summarizing the mechanisms between macrophage activation，polarization， and insulin resistance in various tissues，this paper reviewed traditional Chinese medicine and its effective components and compounds in improving diabetes mellitus and its related complications through multi-channel regulation of macrophage polarization and regulation of M1/M2 ratio，providing references for the future treatment of DM and its related complications with traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective: To explore the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), so as to enhance the clinical awareness of this disease. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of one EPN patient at The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, and a literature review was performed on articles published in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and PubMed databases from Jan.1, 2015 to Dec.31, 2024. Results: The patient, a 62-year-old male with a 5 years' history of type 2 diabetes, was admitted due to left flank pain for 4 days, with a temperature of 39.4 ℃.Laboratory tests indicated significantly elevated inflammatory markers, decreased platelet count, and abnormal coagulation function.Preoperative blood and urine cultures showed positivity for Escherichia coli.Computed tomography (CT) revealed complete erosion of the left kidney, with gas in the left ureter and surrounding effusion, as well as multiple free gas in the abdominal cavity, bilateral ureteral stones, right renal lower calyx stones.After a multidisciplinary consultation, he underwent emergency phase Ⅰ left pyeloplasty and perirenal drainage with ureteral stenting.After discharge, the patient received maintenance hemodialysis once every two days in the outpatient clinic.One week after-discharge, the patient was readmitted due to polypnea.Following symptomatic management, vital signs stabilized.Approximately 2 months after the first-stage surgery, ureteroscopic stone extraction was successfully performed.One month after the stone extraction procedure, a follow-up CT showed normalization of the left kidney, renal pelvis and calyces, leading to phase Ⅱ laparoscopic left nephrectomy via the abdominal approach, with postoperative pathology indicating renal necrosis.Among 89 EPN patients reported in 35 articles, the median age was 58(24-92) years old；there were 59（66.3%） females and 30（33.7%） males；fever was the most common clinical symptom (60.7%)；73(82.0%) had diabetes, 12 (13.5%) had urinary tract obstruction；55 (61.8%) were infected with Escherichia coli, and 7 (7.9%) were infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae; 13 died due to ineffective treatmen. Conclusion: EPN presents acutely and progresses rapidly, often leading to misdiagnosis due to the lack of specific early symptoms.Abdominal CT is the preferred imaging modality for rapid diagnosis, and proactive interdisciplinary intervention can improve survival rates, reduce the need for nephrectomy, and enhance prognosis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose ilaprazole combined with amoxicillin for newly diagnosed elderly patients with Helicobacter pylori （Hp） infection， and analyze independent risk factors for failure of Hp infection eradication treatment. METHODS Totally 200 cases of newly diagnosed elderly patients with Hp infection in Xinxiang Central Hospital from August 1， 2021 to December 1， 2024 were selected and randomly divided into control group and study group， with 100 cases in each group. The control group was treated with classic quadruple therapy regimen （Amoxicillin capsules+ Clarithromycin tablets+Bismuth potassium citrate tablets+Ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets）. The study group was treated with high- dose Ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets+Amoxicillin capsules. All patients were administered medication for 2 weeks. Hp eradication rates in the two groups were compared using intention-to-treat （ITT） and per-protocol （PP） analyses. The incidence of adverse reactions in both groups was also recorded. The multiple-factor Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for failure of Hp infection eradication treatment. RESULTS In ITT and PP analyses， there was no significant difference of Hp eradication rates between the two groups （P＞0.05）. There was no significant difference in incidence of mild to moderate adverse reactions between the two groups （P＞0.05）. BMI ≤18.5 kg/m2， BMI ＞23.9 kg/m2， rural residence， concomitant diabetes and concomitant heart disease were identified as independent risk factors influencing the failure of Hp infection eradication treatment （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy and safety of high-dose ilaprazole combined with amoxicillin are comparable to classic quadruple therapy regimen in treating newly diagnosed elderly patients with Hp infection. Independent risk factors influencing the failure of Hp infection eradication treatment include BMI ≤18.5 kg/m2， BMI ＞23.9 kg/m2， rural residence， concomitant diabetes and concomitant heart disease.

Objective:To investigate the effect of preoperative continuous fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) on perioperative opioids dosage and quality of postoperative recovery in elderly patients with frail.Methods:A prospective study method was used. Sixty elderly frail patients underwent selective unilateral femoral head replacement surgery from November 2022 to October 2024 in Sihui People′s Hospital were selected. The patients were divided into control group and FICB group by random digits table method with 30 cases each. The patients in control group did not receive continuous FICB before surgery, and the patients in FICB group received continuous FICB 1 d before surgery. The perioperative use of opioids and analgesic effect, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, quality of recovery-40 (QoR-40) score at discharge and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 57 patients completed the study, with 29 cases in the FICB group and 28 cases in the control group. There were no statistical differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). The sufentanil dosage of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), perioperative nalbuphine dosage, frequency of perioperative visual analog score (VAS)>4 scores, rate of preoperative rescue analgesia, rate of postoperative rescue analgesia and pressing frequency of PCA in FICB group were significantly lower than those in control group: (94.1 ± 5.4) μg vs. (102.1 ± 6.1) μg, 0 (0, 0) mg vs. 10.0 (0, 20.0) mg, 3.0 (2.0, 5.0) times vs. 5.0 (4.0, 6.0) times, 3.4% (1/29) vs. 32.1% (9/28), 13.8% (4/29) vs. 39.3% (11/28) and 2.0 (1.0, 3.0) times vs. 4.0 (3.0, 5.0) times, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). The total QoR-40 score and physical comfort, pain scores in FICB group were significantly higher than those in control group: 156(153, 161) scores vs. 153 (148, 159) scores, 47 (45, 50) scores vs. 45 (43, 47) scores and 30 (29, 31) scores vs. 28 (25, 30) scores, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05 or <0.01); there were no statistical differences in emotional state, physical independence and psychological support scores between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidences of dizziness and nausea vomiting in FICB group were significantly lower than those in control group: 13.8% (4/29) vs. 42.9% (12/28) and 10.3% (3/29) vs. 35.7% (10/28), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); there were no statistical difference in the incidences of delirium, pulmonary infection and deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremities between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Preoperative continuous FICB can reduce perioperative opioids dosage in elderly patients with frail, and improve early stage postoperative recovery quality.