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.

Based on the theory of "disease of both blood and water" in Essentials from the Golden Cabinet （《金匮要略》）， and in combination with the dynamic syndrome evolution of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction （HFpEF）， this paper systematically clarifies the pathomechanism of HFpEF， characterized by yang deficiency as the root， blood stasis as the pivotal factor and water retention as the manifestation. Accordingly， the therapeutic principles have been proposed， which are warming yang and banking up original qi to consolidate the root， activating blood and unblocking collaterals to smooth the mechanism， and promoting urination and regulating pivot to remove the branch. On this basis， a compound formula structure of "one monarch， one minister and one assistant" is established， forming an integrated intervention strategy that synergistically combines the three methods of warming yang， activating blood， and promoting urination through combined classical formulas. Zhenwu Decoction （真武汤）， which warms yang and dissolves rheum， is used to consolidate the root and directly target the source of yang deficiency， serving as the monarch； Guizhi Fuling Pills （桂枝茯苓丸）， which activates blood， promotes urination and unblocks the pivot， assists in interrupting the binding of blood stasis and water retention， serving as the minister； Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction （葶苈大枣泻肺汤）， which regulates qi， disperses retained fluids， and eliminates the manifestation， alleviates acute water-retention symptoms， serving as the assistant. This compound formula is warming without being drying， diuretic without being drastic， and dispels stasis without consuming blood， thereby achieving the therapeutic effects of warming yang， activating blood， and promoting urination.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the application effectiveness of the full disinfection process in blood stations, identify key optimization links, and provide a scientific evidence for the formulation of specialized disinfection and hygiene standards for blood collection and supply institutions. Methods: On-site microbiological monitoring was conducted using techniques such as the plate settling method and cotton swab method. Stratified random sampling was performed on eight key control points: including evironmental air, hand hygiene, skin disinfection, blood transport boxes, pressure steam sterilization, sewage treatment, ultraviolet disinfection, and sterile swabs. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation(x-±s), and inter-group comparisons were conducted using t-tests or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Count data were expressed as rates, and inter-group comparisons were conducted using the χ test. Trend analysis was performed using the Cochran-Armitage test, with a significance level of α=0.05. Results: The colony removal rate of plasma air disinfection machines (94.2%±0.8%) was significantly higher than that of the ultraviolet group (P<0.05). The qualification rate of quick-drying disinfectant hand was 100% within 30 days after opening the bottle, but decreased to 93.3% after 40 days (P<0.01). The qualification rate of disinfection for blood transport boxes using 500 mg/L chlorine-containing disinfectant (100%) was significant higher 75% alcohol (60%, P< 0.05). Skin disinfection with 2% alcoholic chlorhexidine gluconate balanced effectiveness and user experience (satisfaction score 4.8±0.3). The qualification rates for core procedures such as pressure steam sterilization and sewage treatment were both 100%. Conclusion: The current disinfection procedures in blood collection and supply institutions are reliable. The effective usage period of hand disinfectants, disinfection methods for transport boxes, and usage duration of sterile swabs are the main points for optimization. It is recommended that the opened hand disinfectants be used for ≤30 days and that chlorine-containing disinfectants be prioritized for wiping transport boxes, providing empirical support for the revision of protocols and the formulation of standards.

AIM: To compare the efficacy of highly aspherical lenslets(HAL), defocus incorporated multiple segments(DIMS), and single-vision spectacle lenses(SVL)in slowing myopia progression in children and adolescents.

METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, myopic children and adolescents aged 6-16 y who were prescribed spectacle lenses at the hospital between January 2023 and June 2023 were included. Participants were divided into the HAL, DIMS, and SVL groups according to the correction modality voluntarily selected by participants and their guardians. The follow-up duration was 12 mo. After 12 mo of wear, changes from baseline in sphere, cylinder, spherical equivalent(SE), axial length(AL), flat corneal curvature(K1), steep corneal curvature(K2), mean corneal curvature, and binocular visual function \〖binocular cross-cylinder(BCC), negative/positive relative accommodation(NRA/PRA)\〗 were compared among the three groups after 12-month spectacle wear. Three groups were further stratified by age into age≤10 y and age>10 y subgroups to explore the effect of age on myopia control efficacy of defocus lenses.

RESULTS: A total of 159 myopic participants(159 eyes; only the right eye was included for each subject)were enrolled. In the HAL group(55 participants), there were 24 males and 31 females, with a mean age of 10.07±2.14 y. The DIMS group consisted of 60 participants(33 males, 27 females), with a mean age of 10.02±1.88 y. The SVL group included 44 participants(21 males, 23 females), with a mean age of 10.59±1.93 y. There were no significant differences in K1, K2, mean corneal curvature, NRA, BCC, and PRA among the three groups after 12-month spectacle wear(all P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the changes in sphere, SE, and AL(all P<0.05). The changes in sphere, cylinder, SE, and AL in the HAL and DIMS groups were significantly lower than those in the SVL group(all P<0.0167). The DIMS group showed a significantly smaller cylinder progression than the SVL group(P<0.0167). In participants aged≤10 y, the change in spherical power in the HAL group was significantly smaller than those in the DIMS group and SVL group after 12-month spectacle wear(all P<0.0167). The change in cylindrical power in the DIMS group was smaller than that in the SVL group(all P<0.0167). Among participants aged>10 y, the changes in spherical power, SE, and AL in both the HAL group and DIMS group were significantly smaller than those in the SVL group after 12-month spectacle wear(all P<0.0167).

CONCLUSION: Both HAL and DIMS lenses can effectively slow the progression of refractive error and AL elongation in children and adolescents, without significant adverse effects on binocular visual function. Among children≤10 y, HAL lenses yield superior spherical power control, whereas DIMS lenses provide better astigmatism control than SVL.

This study systematically dissects the core pathogenesis of chronic heart failure （CHF） featured by internal deficiency and external excess，imbalance of Qi，blood，Yin，and Yang，and intermingling of phlegm，blood stasis，and fluid retention. According to the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） therapeutic principles of simultaneously treating root cause and symptoms，regulating Yin and Yang，replenishing Qi and activating blood，and promoting urination to relieve edema，this article deeply explores the formula-syndrome correspondence of Qili Qiangxin （QLQX） capsules in the treatment of CHF，providing a solid theoretical basis for the multi-effect characteristics of this drug. CHF is a common critical cardiovascular disease in clinical practice，and its pathological process involves multiple links including myocardial injury，neurohumoral disturbance，and ventricular remodeling. Its TCM pathogenesis is complex and involves multiple Zang-Fu organs，making it difficult for a single therapeutic method to achieve comprehensive coverage. QLQX capsules，formulated based on classical TCM theory，perfectly matches the pathogenic characteristics of CHF. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that QLQX capsules possess definite cardiotonic，diuretic，and vasodilatory effects. The active ingredients of QLQX capsules can rapidly and effectively alleviate the core clinical symptoms such as chest tightness，shortness of breath，decreased exercise tolerance，limb edema，palpitations，and fatigue of CHF patients by enhancing myocardial contractility and coronary blood flow，improving renal water excretion function，dilating peripheral blood vessels，and reducing cardiac load，thereby significantly improving patients' quality of life. On the basis of analyzing the symptomatic treatment of CHF with QLQX capsules，this study further expounds that the drug can intervene in ventricular remodeling through multiple pathways and targets，regulate the pathological mechanism of CHF，improve vascular endothelial function，mediate the activation of related signaling pathways，inhibit the transdifferentiation of cardiac fibroblasts，and regulate myocardial energy metabolism，thus delaying disease progression. QLQX capsules exert significant benefits in reducing composite cardiac events，improving New York Heart Association （NYHA） cardiac function classification，left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF），6-minute walking distance （6MWD），and quality of life，demonstrating favorable clinical value. With the TCM pathogenesis of CHF as the guiding principle and modern pharmacology as the evidence，this study systematically clarifies the core advantage of QLQX capsules in treatment based on syndrome differentiation and multi-target synergy through the in-depth integration of TCM theory and modern pharmacology. It provides academic support with both theoretical depth and practical value for TCM intervention in CHF，and contributes TCM wisdom and schemes to the construction of a chronic disease management system with Chinese characteristics.

This study systematically dissects the core pathogenesis of chronic heart failure （CHF） featured by internal deficiency and external excess，imbalance of Qi，blood，Yin，and Yang，and intermingling of phlegm，blood stasis，and fluid retention. According to the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） therapeutic principles of simultaneously treating root cause and symptoms，regulating Yin and Yang，replenishing Qi and activating blood，and promoting urination to relieve edema，this article deeply explores the formula-syndrome correspondence of Qili Qiangxin （QLQX） capsules in the treatment of CHF，providing a solid theoretical basis for the multi-effect characteristics of this drug. CHF is a common critical cardiovascular disease in clinical practice，and its pathological process involves multiple links including myocardial injury，neurohumoral disturbance，and ventricular remodeling. Its TCM pathogenesis is complex and involves multiple Zang-Fu organs，making it difficult for a single therapeutic method to achieve comprehensive coverage. QLQX capsules，formulated based on classical TCM theory，perfectly matches the pathogenic characteristics of CHF. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that QLQX capsules possess definite cardiotonic，diuretic，and vasodilatory effects. The active ingredients of QLQX capsules can rapidly and effectively alleviate the core clinical symptoms such as chest tightness，shortness of breath，decreased exercise tolerance，limb edema，palpitations，and fatigue of CHF patients by enhancing myocardial contractility and coronary blood flow，improving renal water excretion function，dilating peripheral blood vessels，and reducing cardiac load，thereby significantly improving patients' quality of life. On the basis of analyzing the symptomatic treatment of CHF with QLQX capsules，this study further expounds that the drug can intervene in ventricular remodeling through multiple pathways and targets，regulate the pathological mechanism of CHF，improve vascular endothelial function，mediate the activation of related signaling pathways，inhibit the transdifferentiation of cardiac fibroblasts，and regulate myocardial energy metabolism，thus delaying disease progression. QLQX capsules exert significant benefits in reducing composite cardiac events，improving New York Heart Association （NYHA） cardiac function classification，left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF），6-minute walking distance （6MWD），and quality of life，demonstrating favorable clinical value. With the TCM pathogenesis of CHF as the guiding principle and modern pharmacology as the evidence，this study systematically clarifies the core advantage of QLQX capsules in treatment based on syndrome differentiation and multi-target synergy through the in-depth integration of TCM theory and modern pharmacology. It provides academic support with both theoretical depth and practical value for TCM intervention in CHF，and contributes TCM wisdom and schemes to the construction of a chronic disease management system with Chinese characteristics.

Objective: To understand the status and related factors of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on vision health among young children s parents in Bao an District, Shenzhen, so as to provide reference for further controlling myopia and promoting children s visual health. Methods: From May 16th to 26th, 2024, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to conduct an online questionnaire survey on 7 666 parents of kindergarten children across 41 kindergartens in a street of Bao an District, Shenzhen. The t-test, variance analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the related factors of KAP on vision health among children s parents. Results: The pass rates of parental vision KAP and overall assessment were 25.10%, 98.49 %, 71.18% and 58.26%, respectively. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed that only fathers with myopia, only mothers with myopia, both parents with myopia, children in the bottom classes, middle classes, senior classes, and pre school had higher standardized scores for KAP on vision health among parents ( β=0.08, 0.11, 0.16, 0.17, 0.16, 0.16, 0.05, P <0.05), compared to both parents without myopia and children in daycare classes. Parents of young children with myopia, and who didn t know their children s visual acuity and their own visual acuity had a lower KAP standardized scores ( β=-0.02, -0.04, -0.05 , P< 0.05). Conclusions Young children s parents in Bao an District hold a positive attitude towards vision health, but are lack of knowledge and practice. It is imperative to transmit accurate information and concepts about children s vision health to parents in a targeted manner. In particular, knowledge and guidance should be strengthened for children s parents.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of first polar body transfer (PB1T) combined with preimplantation mitochondrial genetic testing for blocking the transmission of a pathogenic mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation. METHODS: A Chinese family affected with Leigh syndrome which had attended the Reproductive Medicine Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in September 2021 was selected as the study subject. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was carried out for the proband after completing the detection of the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load among the pedigree members. Mature MII oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cultured in vitro for 5 to 6 days to the blastocyst stage, and trophoblastocytes were obtained by microbiopsy. Mitochondrial DNA testing (PGT-MT) and chromosomal aneuploidy (PGT-A) analyses were carried out after whole-genome amplification, and the embryos with zero mutation load were selected for transfer. Amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood samples were collected during middle pregnancy and after birth respectively for mitochondrial DNA testing to verify the reliability of embryo screening. As an attempt, PB1 with good morphology of MII oocytes was selected for transfer into the enucleated oocytoplasm from healthy donors, followed by ICSI fertilization, blastocyst culture and PGT of embryos using the same procedure. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University (No. 2021zhyx-B12). RESULTS: An antagonist protocol was used for ovarian stimulation, and a total of 19 oocytes were obtained, of which 14 MII were fertilized by ICSI, and 2 had developed into blastocysts. PGT-MT was carried out on biopsied trophoblastocytes, in which the mitochondrial DNA 8993T>G mutation load was not detected in one embryo, the other was 100% mutated, and the mutation loads of the remaining unfertilized eggs and developmentally arrested embryos ranged from 0% ~ 100%, presenting a clear biased distribution. With fully informed consent, one PGT-MT zero mutation load blastocyst was transferred and clinical pregnancy was achieved. Mitochondrial DNA and chromosomal testing of amniotic fluid cells during middle pregnancy had revealed no abnormalities. The proband had delivered a healthy boy through Caesarean section at 39⁺⁵ weeks of gestation, and no mutation was detected in the cord blood sample. Five well-formed PBs from 14 eggs were selected for PB1 transfer, followed by ICSI and culture, and two of the reconstituted embryos had formed blastocysts, with none of the above mutations detected in the biopsied samples. CONCLUSION The PGT-MT technology can help families affected with mitochondrial diseases to have healthy offspring. PB1 transfer in combination with ICSI and PGT-MT holds the promise of turning waste into treasure and providing an alternative means of fertility for such families.
Humans ; Preimplantation Diagnosis/methods* ; Female ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Genetic Testing/methods* ; Pregnancy ; Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics* ; Polar Bodies ; Adult ; Feasibility Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic/methods* ; Embryo Transfer/methods* ; Mutation ; Male ; Blastocyst/metabolism* ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of vanishing twin syndrome (VTS) on the accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). METHODS: Three pregnant women who underwent NIPT testing at Guangdong Women and Children's from November 2019 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects. The three women had either vanish twin syndrome or had undergone fetal reduction for other reasons in one of their twins, and were subsequently subject to NIPT, chromosome karyotyping, chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Ethics No.: 20230132). RESULTS: Case 1 underwent selective fetal reduction at 8⁺ weeks of gestation. At 17⁺ weeks, NIPT showed a fetal DNA fraction of 2.806%, with results indicating the presence of Y chromosome and abnormal sex chromosome ratios. However, the women had subsequent uncomplicated vaginal delivery of a female infant, and no abnormality noted. Case 2 experienced spontaneous demise of one twin at 13 weeks' gestation. At 19 weeks, NIPT indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 (Z-score 4.671) in the surviving fetus, but subsequent evaluation showed no abnormality. Case 3, a dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancy, underwent selective reduction at 13⁺ weeks due to fetal abnormalities in one twin. At 22⁺ weeks, NIPT for the surviving fetus indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 (Z-score 17.549), but subsequent evaluation was unremarkable. CONCLUSION In twin pregnancies, the relatively low cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) concentration can compromise the success rate and accuracy of NIPT compared to singleton pregnancies. Residual DNA from the demised fetus may persist for weeks following VTS or selective reduction, potentially causing false-positive NIPT results and interfering with sex chromosome prediction for the surviving fetus. Additionally, determining chorionicity is critical for reliable interpretation of NIPT results in twin pregnancies.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Diseases in Twins/diagnosis* ; Karyotyping ; Noninvasive Prenatal Testing/methods* ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods*

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a deadly condition of the aorta, carrying a significant risk of death upon rupture. Currently, there is a dearth of efficacious pharmaceutical interventions to impede the advancement of AAA and avert it from rupturing. Here, we investigated dihydromyricetin (DHM), one of the predominant bioactive flavonoids in Ampelopsis grossedentata (A. grossedentata), as a potential agent for inhibiting AAA. DHM effectively blocked the formation of AAA in angiotensin II-infused apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice. A combination of network pharmacology and whole transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that DHM's anti-AAA action is linked to heme oxygenase (HO)-1 (Hmox-1 for the rodent gene) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Remarkably, DHM caused a robust rise (∼10-fold) of HO-1 protein expression in VSMCs, thereby suppressing VSMC inflammation and oxidative stress and preserving the VSMC contractile phenotype. Intriguingly, the therapeutic effect of DHM on AAA was largely abrogated by VSMC-specific Hmox1 knockdown in mice. Mechanistically, on one hand, DHM increased the transcription of Hmox-1 by triggering the nuclear translocation and activation of HIF-1α, but not nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). On the other hand, molecular docking, combined with cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and site mutant experiments revealed that DHM bonded to HO-1 at Lys243 and prevented its degradation, thereby resulting in considerable HO-1 buildup. In summary, our findings suggest that naturally derived DHM has the capacity to markedly enhance HO-1 expression in VSMCs, which may hold promise as a therapeutic strategy for AAA.