OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of safflower polysaccharide （SPS） on ischemic stroke （IS） in rats by regulating the growth arrest-specific protein 6 （Gas6）/Axl receptor tyrosine kinase （Axl） signaling pathway. METHODS The modified suture-occluded method was employed to establish a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） for IS. The rats were then randomly divided into the model （Model） group， SPS low- and high-dose （SPS-L， SPS-H， 50 and 100 mg/kg） groups， and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine （SPS-H+Nim， SPS 100 mg/kg+Nim 15 mg/kg） group， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 rats were selected as the sham operation （Sham） group. Rats in each group were administered corresponding doses of medication or an equal volume of normal saline intragastrically， with continuous intervention for 14 days. The neurological function of rats in each group was evaluated 24 hours after drug administration. The morphological changes in hippocampal tissue were observed. The contents of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in serum， the percentage of cerebral infarction area， the neuronal apoptosis rate， as well as the contents of malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） in hippocampal tissue， and the relative protein expression levels of Gas6， phosphorylated Axl （p-Axl）， Axl， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax） were measured. RESULTS Compared with Model group， the neurological function of rats in SPS-L group， SPS-H group and SPS-H+Nim group improved significantly， while serum contents of IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β， the percentage of cerebral infarction area， the apoptotic rate of neurons as well as MDA content and relative protein expression of p-Axl and Bax were decreased significantly （ P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01）. The contents of SOD and BDNF， as well as the relative protein expression of Gas6， Axl， and Bcl-2 in hippocampal tissue， were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01）， and the ischemic injury in hippocampal tissue imp roved to varying degrees. CONCLUSIONS SPS can reduce neuroinflammation， oxidative stress， and neuronal apoptosis in IS rats， alleviate nerve injury， and improve neurological function， which may be achieved by activating the Gas6/Axl signaling pathway.

Polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） is a common reproductive-endocrine and metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age， and chronic low-grade inflammation is closely associated with its pathogenesis. Studies have confirmed that the abnormal activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome， a key complex of the innate immune system， not only mediates the formation of local ovarian inflammatory microenvironment， but also deeply participates in the processes of hyperandrogenemia， follicular developmental arrest and systemic insulin resistance in PCOS patients. A variety of single-herb medicines and their active ingredients （such as ginsenosides， evening primrose oil， safflower yellow， etc.）， as well as compound prescriptions including Jianpi yishen huazhuo formula， Bushen huatan formula and Bushen huoluo decoction， can effectively alleviate chronic low-grade inflammation related to PCOS， ameliorate insulin resistance， hyperandrogenemia and abnormal ovarian microenvironment by inhibiting the abnormal activation of NLRP3 inflammasome， and ultimately promote follicular development and the recovery of ovulatory function. Nevertheless， the methodological quality of existing studies is generally low， and clinical translation is still restricted by the heterogeneity of experimental models， unclear pharmacodynamic material basis and lack of high-quality evidence-based data. Multi-omics technologies should be adopted in future research to further analyze the compatibility rules of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions， and stratified studies should be carried out according to different phenotypes of PCOS.

Objective To predict and analyze the"properties-efficacy"of foreign medicinal resource Moringa oleifera leaves by taking"Xiang"based on plant phylogenetic relationships and component structural characteristics.Methods The properties of Moringa oleifera were determined by screening plants with its genetic relationship.Network pharmacology was used to study the biological network characteristics of Moringa oleifera leaves and related Chinese materia medica,and the"properties-efficacy"of Moringa oleifera leaves was studied based on the"xiang"of medicinal plants.Using"the relationship chart between the efficacy of Chinese materia medica and 12 types of chemical components",the possible efficacy and distribution of medicinal properties of Moringa oleifera leaves were predicted,and a study on the"properties-efficacy"characteristics of Moringa oleifera leaves was conducted based on the structural features of the components.Results Moringaceae and Caricaceae had a genetic relationship in plant classification;Moringa oleifera leaves,Carica papaya and Carica papaya leaves had a relatively high number of common targets,common clinical phenotypes and signaling pathways.The large proportion of coincidence showed that Moringa oleifera leaves might have similar functional performance and mechanism to Carica papaya and Carica papaya leaves;Moringa oleifera leaves contain flavonoids,tannins,monophenols,which were related to the efficacy of Chinese materia medica on tonifying qi,dispersing wind heat,cooling blood and regulating qi.Clustering analysis method was used to get the corresponding"properties-efficacy"relationship,and the results indicated that Moringa oleifera leaves were cool in property and sweet in taste,which belonged to lung meridian and had the efficacy of dispersing wind heat.Conclusion It is feasible to predict and analyze the"properties-efficacy"of foreign medicinal resources by taking"xiang".

Chinese medicinal materials serve as the material foundation of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） culture. The sustainable development of Chinese medicinal material resources is a focal point in the modernization of TCM. With the increasing scarcity of Chinese medicinal material resources， the expansion of new Chinese medicinal material resources has become a crucial means for the sustainable utilization of these resources. New Chinese medicinal material resources refer to natural resources that have been newly discovered or developed， possessing potential medicinal value or healthcare functions， which fall outside the traditional application scope of herbal medicines. These resources have not yet been widely recognized or applied within the framework of traditional TCM theory. They specifically include artificial substitutes for endangered medicinal materials， new medicinal parts of medicinal plants， medicinal materials with expanded clinical applications， and foreign medicinal resources. The rational compatability and formulation of new Chinese medicinal material resources are essential pathways for integrating them into the TCM system. Due to the weak foundational research on new Chinese medicinal material resources in China， the characteristics of these resources that align with the TCM theory are not yet fully understood， posing numerous constraints on formulating prescriptions based on the traditional compatibility principles of TCM. This paper integrates the traditional formulation theory of TCM with modern data integration methods， proposing four formulation models for new TCM resources： synergistic compatibility， substitutive compatibility， symptom-based compatibility， and efficacy semantic compatibility. These models provide new insights for the application of new Chinese medicinal material resources， not only facilitating their rational use in clinical practice but also offering theoretical support for the development and compatibility research of these resources.

Chinese medicinal materials serve as the material foundation of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） culture. The sustainable development of Chinese medicinal material resources is a focal point in the modernization of TCM. With the increasing scarcity of Chinese medicinal material resources， the expansion of new Chinese medicinal material resources has become a crucial means for the sustainable utilization of these resources. New Chinese medicinal material resources refer to natural resources that have been newly discovered or developed， possessing potential medicinal value or healthcare functions， which fall outside the traditional application scope of herbal medicines. These resources have not yet been widely recognized or applied within the framework of traditional TCM theory. They specifically include artificial substitutes for endangered medicinal materials， new medicinal parts of medicinal plants， medicinal materials with expanded clinical applications， and foreign medicinal resources. The rational compatability and formulation of new Chinese medicinal material resources are essential pathways for integrating them into the TCM system. Due to the weak foundational research on new Chinese medicinal material resources in China， the characteristics of these resources that align with the TCM theory are not yet fully understood， posing numerous constraints on formulating prescriptions based on the traditional compatibility principles of TCM. This paper integrates the traditional formulation theory of TCM with modern data integration methods， proposing four formulation models for new TCM resources： synergistic compatibility， substitutive compatibility， symptom-based compatibility， and efficacy semantic compatibility. These models provide new insights for the application of new Chinese medicinal material resources， not only facilitating their rational use in clinical practice but also offering theoretical support for the development and compatibility research of these resources.

Objective:To explore the survival status and economic burden of disease for patients with Cryopyrin Associated Periodic Syndrome(CAPS)in China.Methods:From August 2023 to February 2024,a questionnaire survey was conducted on patients who volunteered to participate.The survey included patients'sociodemographic characteristics,current medical treatment status,disease economic burden and life quality.Results:A total of 35 valid questionnaires were collected.The average age of onset for the patients was 5.67 years,and the average duration from onset to confirmed diagnosis was 7.63 years.The average total medical cost per person in the past 12 months was 82 532.79 yuan,which is significantly higher than the national per capita disposable income of China in 2023.Conclusion:CAPS has an early onset and a long duration until diagnosis,with treatment primarily symptomatic,resulting in a heavy disease burden for patients and their families.

In 2024, significant advancements have been achieved in the field of pediatric rheumatic and immunological diseases, spanning key conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs). These developments encompass the indepth elucidation of disease pathogenesis, the expanded application of biomarkers, continuous updates to clinical practice guidelines, and the development of novel targeted therapies. These advances have markedly enhanced the precision and effectiveness of clinical diagnosis and treatment while laying a solid foundation for improving long-term patient outcomes. This article highlights the key research breakthroughs and significant progress in pediatric rheumatic and immunological diseases in 2024, aiming to advance clinical understanding, promote early recognition, and enable accurate diagnosis to optimize outcomes for affected children.

Rheumatic and auto-immune diseases in children are a group of long-lasting, on-and-off, and inflammatory diseases that affect multiple systems, causing various symptoms. In severe cases, these diseases can result in disability or even death. In the past, it was thought that these diseases could only be managed or cured without stopping medication. But now, with a better understanding of the diseases, improved treatment plans, and emergence of new drugs, it's possible to stop medications and maintenance the disease in stable condition or even cure it completely. This article described why it's essential to diagnose and treat pediatric rheumatic and auto-immune diseases early, and explained how the concept of "disease modification" (DM) has been used in this field. DM aims to change the course of the disease by intervening early, using targeted therapy, treat-to-target (T2T), and managing chronic conditions carefully. This new approach shifts from just managing the disease for life to aiming for no more flare-ups, no more chronic issues, and no more involvement of multiple systems/organs. With advancements in precision medicine and cutting-edge technologies, children with these diseases may eventually be cured, and keeping a healthy future.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of pediatric Takayasu arteritis(TA) to improve its early recognition.Methods:We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data from Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients admitted to the Department of Rheumatology at Beijing Children′s Hospital between October 2016 and February 2025, including demographic data, clinical manifestations, inflammatory indicators, etiological examinations, vascular imaging findings, and Numano classification. The clinical characteristics, auxiliary examination results, clinical manifestations of different Numano types, and the comparison between Numano type Ⅳ and type Ⅴ were analyzed. T-test or Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test was used for comparison between groups. Results:A total of 90 children with TA were included. The male-to-female ratio was 1∶4. The age of onset was (9.6±3.4)years, and the age of diagnosis was (10.0±3.4)years. The median course from onset to diagnosis was 2(1, 6)months. Non-specific systemic symptoms were most common, including fever, fatigue, and poor appetite. Neurological symptoms occurred in 17 patients, with headache being the most frequent. Cardiopulmonary symptoms including chest tightness, palpitations, and lower limb edema were observed in 16 cases, mainly. Hypertension was present in 44 patients (48.9%), vascular bruits in 36 (40.0%), blood pressure asymmetry in 22 (24.4%), and absent/diminished pulses in 20 (22.2%). Elevated CRP and ESR were noted in 63(70.0%) and 69(76.7%) patients, respectively. The left common carotid artery (61 cases, 67.8%) was the most frequently involved vessel, followed by the abdominal aorta (55 cases, 61.1%) and left subclavian artery (50 cases, 55.6%). Vessel wall thickening (59 cases, 65.6%) was the predominant lesion, while luminal stenosis (30 cases, 33.3%) was also common.In the Numano classification, type Ⅴ (42 cases, 46.7%) was the most common, followed by type Ⅳ (18 cases, 20.0%). Both type Ⅳ and type Ⅴ primarily presented with hypertension, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of hypertension, coronary artery involvement, or hypertensive heart disease.Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of Takayasu arteritis in children are highly heterogeneous.For patients with unexplained fever, elevated inflammatory markers, hypertension without obvious cause, vascular bruits, or asymmetric limb blood pressures, vascular imaging should be performed to screen for TA.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment, response to treatment, prognosis, and the importance of early recognition and treatment of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA).Methods:A retrospective summary of the clinical data of 5 children diagnosed with SLE complicated by TMA at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from November 2024 to January 2025.Results:Among the 5 children (1 boy and 4 girls, male-to-female ratio of 1∶4), the age of onset ranged from 11 years and 9 months to 14 years and 9 months. All cases had acute onset, rapid disease progression, severe illness, and involvement of multiple organs and systems. The disease activity of SLE was moderately to severely active when TMA was diagnosed. During the course of TMA, all 5 children exhibited varying degrees of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction, and proteinuria. Elevated sC5b-9 levels were observed in all 5 children, with 3 showing severely reduced ADAMTS13 activity and 2 with elevated ADAMTS13 inhibitors. Two children had elevated sC5b-9, severely reduced ADAMTS13 activity, and elevated ADAMTS13 inhibitors simultaneously. Four children had newly diagnosed SLE with TMA and achieved stable condition within 2-3 weeks after aggressive treatment, including methylprednisolone pulse therapy, immunosuppressive agents, biologics, plasma infusion, plasma exchange, or dialysis. One child, who had been diagnosed with SLE for 8 years and had irregular oral medication for half a year, suddenly developed TMA with refractory hemolytic anemia and severe thrombocytopenia. This child responded poorly to methylprednisolone pulse therapy, cyclosporine, and eculizumab but showed improvement with plasma exchange. However, the condition was prone to relapse when the interval between plasma exchanges was prolonged. The child eventually responded well to low-dose rituximab and was discharged after 6 weeks of combined treatment. Four children were diagnosed with TMA within 1 week of admission and achieved stable condition after 3 months of follow-up, with no anemia or thrombocytopenia, negative proteinuria, normal complement C3 and C4 levels, and an SLE disease activity score of 0. One child, who had been treated with high-dose glucocorticoid, multiple immunosuppressive agents, and biologics at another hospital, was transferred and diagnosed with TMA 2 weeks after admission. The condition gradually stabilized after treatment with methylprednisolone pulse therapy, immunosuppressive agents, biologics, and plasma exchange. However, at 3-month follow-up, the child still had alopecia and proteinuria, with an SLE disease activity score of 6, indicating mild disease activity.Conclusion:For children with moderate to severe active SLE, especially those with acute onset, rapid disease progression, and prominent manifestations of anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction, and poor response to high-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy, the risk of TMA should be vigilantly monitored. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial.