Given the limitations of traditional scientific research methods in revealing the complex and dynamic evolution of disease pathomechanisms， this paper analyzes the current state and challenges of the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pathomechanism syndrome differentiation system within the framework of systems thinking. The challenges include insufficient experimental models， low data standardization， complex nonlinear characteristics， and difficulties in integrating expert experience. By leveraging qualitative-quantitative comprehensive integration methods， this paper proposes specific research strategies， including constructing qualitative models of pathomechanism evolution， employing mathematical models for validation and quantitative analysis to reveal pathomechanism patterns， and incorporating a "human-centered" approach to achieve human-machine collaboration. These strategies aim to provide insights for the modernization and development of a new TCM pathomechanism syndrome differentiation system.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Tongluo Baoshen prescription （TLBS）-containing serum on the rat podocyte injury induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and explore the potential mechanisms. MethodsSD rats were used to prepare the blank serum， losartan potassium-containing serum， and low-， medium-， and high-dose TLBS-containing sera. Rat podocytes were cultured in vitro， and the effects of drug-containing sera on podocyte viability were detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CKK-8） method. The optimal intervention volume fraction of drug-containing sera and the optimal concentration of LPS for inducing the podocyte injury were determined. Rat podocytes were grouped as follows： normal control （NC， 10% blank serum）， model control （MC， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% black serum）， losartan potassium （LP， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% losartan potassium-containing serum）， low-dose TLBS （TLBS-L， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% low-dose TLBS-containing serum）， medium-dose TLBS （TLBS-M， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% medium-dose TLBS-containing serum）， and high-dose TLBS （TLBS-H， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% high-dose TLBS-containing serum）， and the interventions lasted for 48 h. The ultrastructure of podocytes was observed under a transmission electron microscope. The podocyte apoptosis was detected by the terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling （TUNEL） kit. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of gasdermin D N-terminal fragment （GSDMD-NT） in podocytes. The mRNA and protein levels of G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member B （GPRC5B）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， GSDMD-NT， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-18， nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ in podocytes were determined by real-time quaritiative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the NC group， the MC group showed reduced podocyte protrusions and organelles， segmental missing of cell membranes， increased and swollen mitochondria， irregular nuclear membranes， light chromatin， increased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei （P<0.01）， obviously enhanced fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B， NF-κB p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NLRP3， caspase-1， GSDMD-NT， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ （P<0.01） in podocytes. Compared with the MC group， the LP， TLBS-M， and TLBS-H groups showed improved ultrastructure of podocytes with increased protrusions， intact cell membranes， reduced organelles， and alleviated mitochondrial swelling， decreased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei （P<0.01）， weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B， NF-κB p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NLRP3， caspase-1， GSDMD-NT， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the changes above were the most obvious in the TLBS-H group. ConclusionThe TLBS-containing serum can regulate the GPRC5B/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit pyroptosis， thereby ameliorating the podocyte injury induced by LPS.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of adverse drug reactions （ADR） reported in Sixth People’s Hospital South Campus, Shanghai Jiaotong University from 2021 to 2023, to provide reference for promoting rational clinical drug use. Methods ADR data reported in our hospital were collected retrospectively, including patients’ basic information, drugs causing adverse reactions, types of adverse reactions and outcomes. Descriptive analysis methods were used to summarize and analyze the data. Results A total of 979 cases of ADR were reported in our hospital from 2021 to 2023. The highest proportion of patients with ADR occurred in the age range of 31 to 50, and more male patients （63.5%）. The top five drugs involved with adverse reactions were antibiotics （48.8%）, Chinese medicine injections（19.2%）, vitamins（7.5%）, Chinese traditional medicine（7.2%）, equine tetanus immunoglobulin（6.3%）. Among antibiotics, cefuroxime, ceftazidime and cefotiam were the majority. The organs/systems involved in all ADR were mainly skin and accessories damage （55.4%）. The clinical manifestations were rash, itching, and maculopapular rash. Conclusion From 2021 to 2023, the most common drugs causing adverse drug reactions in our hospital were mainly antibacterial drugs, and the rational clinical use of antibacterial drugs still needs to be concerned.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trends of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Hangzhou, so as to provide an evidence for developing effective prevention and control measures and evaluating the control effects. MethodsThe incidence data of HFMD in Hangzhou were collected from the Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System of China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Descriptive epidemiology was applied to analyze the temporal, spatial and demographic distribution characteristics and etiology monitoring results of HFMD cases in Hangzhou from 2010 to 2023. Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the trends of incidence rate of HFMD. Furthermore, circular distribution method was utilized to calculate the incidence peak of HFMD. ResultsFrom 2010 to 2023, the average annual reported incidence rate of HFMD in Hangzhou was 138.85/100 000, the proportion of severe cases was 0.04%, the mortality rate was 0.01/100 000, and the case fatality rate was 5.30/100 000. Both the total incidence rate and the incidence rate by sex showed an increasing trend. The annual reported incidence rate in males (158.72/100 000) was higher than that in females (117.61/100 000). The reported incidence rate showed a significant seasonal characteristic, with summer being the peak of epidemic. The results of surveillance samples suggested that the prevalence of HFMD in Hangzhou is characterized by the co-existence of multiple pathogens, with EV-A71 and CV-A16 being the dominant pathogens in the previous years and CV-A6 being the dominant pathogen since 2018. The proportion of EV-A71 in severe cases (77.19%) was higher than that in ordinary cases (15.37%), in addition, its proportion in ordinary cases, severe cases, and fatal cases all showed a decreasing trend. ConclusionThe incidence rate of HFMD in Hangzhou is still high, so it’s still necessary to continue to strengthen the prevention and control measures for key populations. In recent years, CV-A6 has been the main prevalent pathogen in Hangzhou. Further efforts in pathogen detection and analysis should be enhanced in the future.

Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death modality discovered and defined in the last decade, is primarily induced by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. At present, it has been found that ferroptosis is involved in various physiological functions such as immune regulation, growth and development, aging, and tumor suppression. Especially its role in tumor biology has attracted extensive attention and research. Breast cancer is one of the most common female tumors, characterized by high heterogeneity and complex genetic background. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special type of breast cancer, which lacks conventional breast cancer treatment targets and is prone to drug resistance to existing chemotherapy drugs and has a low cure rate after progression and metastasis. There is an urgent need to find new targets or develop new drugs. With the increase of studies on promoting ferroptosis in breast cancer, it has gradually attracted attention as a treatment strategy for breast cancer. Some studies have found that certain compounds and natural products can act on TNBC, promote their ferroptosis, inhibit cancer cells proliferation, enhance sensitivity to radiotherapy, and improve resistance to chemotherapy drugs. To promote the study of ferroptosis in TNBC, this article summarized and reviewed the compounds and natural products that induce ferroptosis in TNBC and their mechanisms of action. We started with the exploration of the pathways of ferroptosis, with particular attention to the System X_c^--cystine-GPX4 pathway and iron metabolism. Then, a series of compounds, including sulfasalazine (SAS), metformin, and statins, were described in terms of how they interact with cells to deplete glutathione (GSH), thereby inhibiting the activity of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and preventing the production of lipid peroxidases. The disruption of the cellular defense against oxidative stress ultimately results in the death of TNBC cells. We have also our focus to the realm of natural products, exploring the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine extracts for TNBC. These herbal extracts exhibit multi-target effects and good safety, and have shown promising capabilities in inducing ferroptosis in TNBC cells. We believe that further exploration and characterization of these natural compounds could lead to the development of a new generation of cancer therapeutics. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, we discussed the role of drug delivery systems in enhancing the efficacy and reducing the toxicity of ferroptosis inducers. Nanoparticles such as exosomes and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can improve the solubility and bioavailability of these compounds, thereby expanding their therapeutic potential while minimizing systemic side effects. Although preclinical data on ferroptosis inducers are relatively robust, their translation into clinical practice remains in its early stages. We also emphasize the urgent need for more in-depth and comprehensive research to understand the complex mechanisms of ferroptosis in TNBC. This is crucial for the rational design and development of clinical trials, as well as for leveraging ferroptosis to improve patient outcomes. Hoping the above summarize and review could provide references for the research and development of lead compounds for the treatment for TNBC.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which 2，3，5，4'-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside （THSG） mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion （CI/R） injury by regulating mitochondrial calcium overload and promoting mitophagy. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into sham， model， SAS （40 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium- and high-dose （10， 20， 40 mg·kg^-1， respectively） THSG groups， with 10 rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion （MCAO/R） model was established by the modified Longa suture method. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation （OGD/R） model was constructed in PC12 cells. Neurological deficits were assessed via Zea Longa scoring， and cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Structural and functional changes of cortical neurons in MCAO/R rats were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining. PC12 cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay， and mitochondrial calcium levels were quantified by Rhod-2 AM. Immunofluorescence was used to detect co-localization of PTEN-induced kinase 1 （PINK1） and leucine zipper/EF-hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 （LETM1） in neurons. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology in neurons. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 （TOMM20）， autophagy-associated protein p62， microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 （LC3）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-9 （Caspase-9）， B-cell lymphoma 2-associated protein X （Bax）， and cytochrome C （Cyt C）. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group exhibited increased infarct volume （P<0.01） and neurological deficit scores （P<0.01）， neuronal structure was disrupted with reduced Nissl bodies. （P<0.01）， mitochondrial swelling/fragmentation， decreased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization （P<0.01）， upregulated protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ， TOMM20， Caspase-9， Bax， and Cyt C （P<0.01）， downregulated protein level of p62 （P<0.05）， weakened PC12 viability （P<0.01）， and elevated mitochondrial calcium level （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， THSG and SAS groups showed reduced infarct volumes （P<0.05，P<0.01） and neurological deficit scores （P<0.05，P<0.01）， mitigated mitochondrial damage， and increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization （P<0.01）. Medium/high-dose THSG and SAS alleviated the neurological damage， increased Nissl bodies （P<0.05，P<0.01）， downregulated the protein levels of p62， TOMM20， Caspase-9， Bax， and Cyt C （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and elevated the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ level （P<0.05，P<0.01）. High-dose THSG enhanced PC12 cell viability （P<0.01）， increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization （P<0.01）， and reduced mitochondrial calcium （P<0.01）. ConclusionTHSG may exert the neuroprotective effect on CI/R injury by activating the PINK1-LETM1 signaling pathway， reducing the mitochondrial calcium overload， and promoting mitophagy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which 2，3，5，4'-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside （THSG） mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion （CI/R） injury by regulating mitochondrial calcium overload and promoting mitophagy. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into sham， model， SAS （40 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium- and high-dose （10， 20， 40 mg·kg^-1， respectively） THSG groups， with 10 rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion （MCAO/R） model was established by the modified Longa suture method. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation （OGD/R） model was constructed in PC12 cells. Neurological deficits were assessed via Zea Longa scoring， and cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Structural and functional changes of cortical neurons in MCAO/R rats were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining. PC12 cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay， and mitochondrial calcium levels were quantified by Rhod-2 AM. Immunofluorescence was used to detect co-localization of PTEN-induced kinase 1 （PINK1） and leucine zipper/EF-hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 （LETM1） in neurons. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology in neurons. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 （TOMM20）， autophagy-associated protein p62， microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 （LC3）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-9 （Caspase-9）， B-cell lymphoma 2-associated protein X （Bax）， and cytochrome C （Cyt C）. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group exhibited increased infarct volume （P<0.01） and neurological deficit scores （P<0.01）， neuronal structure was disrupted with reduced Nissl bodies. （P<0.01）， mitochondrial swelling/fragmentation， decreased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization （P<0.01）， upregulated protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ， TOMM20， Caspase-9， Bax， and Cyt C （P<0.01）， downregulated protein level of p62 （P<0.05）， weakened PC12 viability （P<0.01）， and elevated mitochondrial calcium level （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， THSG and SAS groups showed reduced infarct volumes （P<0.05，P<0.01） and neurological deficit scores （P<0.05，P<0.01）， mitigated mitochondrial damage， and increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization （P<0.01）. Medium/high-dose THSG and SAS alleviated the neurological damage， increased Nissl bodies （P<0.05，P<0.01）， downregulated the protein levels of p62， TOMM20， Caspase-9， Bax， and Cyt C （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and elevated the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ level （P<0.05，P<0.01）. High-dose THSG enhanced PC12 cell viability （P<0.01）， increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization （P<0.01）， and reduced mitochondrial calcium （P<0.01）. ConclusionTHSG may exert the neuroprotective effect on CI/R injury by activating the PINK1-LETM1 signaling pathway， reducing the mitochondrial calcium overload， and promoting mitophagy.

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) was named thus because it is the causative agent of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), with 80% of MCC cases being MCV-positive. MCV has been classified as a 2A carcinogen. It promotes carcinogenesis by integrating T antigens into the cell genome. The anti-MCV seroprevalence in the general population is as high as 90%. Usually, MCV is latent after infection in immunocompetent patients, and the incidence of MCC in immunosuppressive or defective patients, such as those with organ transplants, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and HIV infection, is remarkably high. Patients with HIV/AIDS are a typical population with acquired immunodeficiency. At present, the research on patients with HIV/AIDS and MCV infection, activation, and pathogenesis is limited. In this paper, the progress of previous research is reviewed and the relationship between HIV infection and MCV activation is systematically investigated to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of MCC in key populations, such as patients with HIV/AIDS.

Autophagy, a highly conserved cellular degradation mechanism, maintains intracellular homeostasis by removing damaged organelles and abnormal proteins. Its dysregulation is closely associated with various diseases. Autophagy-related protein 12 (ATG12), a core member of the ubiquitin-like protein family, covalently binds to ATG5 through a ubiquitin-like conjugation system to form the ATG12-ATG5-ATG16L1 complex. This complex directly regulates the formation and maturation of autophagosomes, making ATG12 a key molecule in the initiation of autophagy. Recent studies have revealed that ATG12 functions extend far beyond the classical autophagy context. It promotes apoptosis by binding to anti-apoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family (e.g., Bcl-2 and Mcl-1) and enhances host antiviral immunity by regulating the NF-κB and interferon signaling pathways. Moreover, ATG12 deficiency can lead to mitochondrial biogenesis impairment, energy metabolism disorders, and substrate-dependent metabolic shifts, underscoring its pivotal role in cellular metabolic homeostasis. At the disease level, dysregulation of ATG12 expression is closely linked to tumorigenesis and cancer progression. By modulating the dynamic balance between autophagy and apoptosis, ATG12 influences cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Notably, ATG12 is abnormally overexpressed in multiple cancers, including breast, liver, and gastric cancer, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target. Furthermore, in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, ATG12 mitigates protein toxicity by enhancing mitochondrial autophagy. In cardiovascular diseases, it alleviates ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating cardiomyocyte autophagy and apoptosis, demonstrating its broad regulatory role across various pathological conditions. Genetic studies further underscore the clinical significance of ATG12. Polymorphisms in the ATG12 gene (e.g., rs26537 and rs26538) have been significantly associated with the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and atrophic gastritis. Notably, the risk allele of rs26537 enhances ATG12 promoter activity, leading to its overexpression and promoting tumorigenesis. These findings provide a molecular basis for individualized risk assessment and targeted interventions based on ATG12 genotype. Despite significant progress, many aspects of ATG12 biology remain unclear. The precise regulatory mechanisms of its post-translational modifications (e.g., ubiquitination and acetylation) are yet to be fully elucidated. Additionally, the molecular pathways underlying its non-canonical functions, such as metabolic regulation and immune modulation, require further investigation. Moreover, the functional heterogeneity of ATG12 in different tumor microenvironments and its role in drug resistance warrant in-depth exploration. Future research should integrate advanced technologies such as cryo-electron microscopy, single-cell sequencing, and organoid models to decipher the intricate regulatory network of ATG12. Additionally, developing small-molecule inhibitors or gene-editing tools targeting its protein interaction interfaces (e.g., the ATG12-ATG3 binding domain) may help overcome current therapeutic challenges. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and clinical translation, ATG12 holds promise as a next-generation molecular target for precision intervention in autophagy-related diseases. This review summarizes the structure and function of ATG12, its role in autophagy initiation, its physiological functions, and its involvement in disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, it discusses future research directions and potential challenges, emphasizing ATG12’s potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target in autophagy-related diseases.

ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect and underlying mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang on cognitive function in db/db mice with diabetic cognitive impairment （DCI）. MethodsThirty-two 8-week-old male db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model group， dapagliflozin group （1.0 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， low-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （6.24 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （24.96 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. Eight db/m mice served as the normal group. All mice were administered the corresponding treatment once daily by gavage for 10 consecutive weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose （FBG） were dynamically monitored. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate cognitive function. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in hippocampal tissue. Immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the co-expression of M1 microglial marker CD16/32 and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （IBA1） in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD-95）， synapsin （SYN）， nuclear factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）， and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65） in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased body weight and FBG levels （P<0.01）， significantly prolonged escape latency and reduced platform crossings in the Morris water maze test （P<0.01）， disordered arrangement of hippocampal neurons， nuclear pyknosis， increased neuronal necrosis， reduced Nissl bodies， decreased expression of synaptic proteins PSD-95 and SYN （P<0.01）， increased CD16/32⁺ /IBA1⁺ positive rate， elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β， and an increased p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 ratio （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the dapagliflozin group exhibited significantly reduced FBG levels at weeks 5 and 10 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and increased body weight. The high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group showed significantly reduced FBG at week 10 （P<0.05）. Escape latency was significantly reduced on days 3 and 5 of the water maze test in the dapagliflozin group and on day 5 in the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （P<0.05）. Platform crossings were significantly increased in both the dapagliflozin group and the high-dose Gegen Qinliantang group （P<0.05）. Hippocampal pathological damage was alleviated to varying degrees in the dapagliflozin group and the low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang groups， with significantly increased expression of PSD-95 and SYN （P<0.01）. Further studies revealed that both low- and high-dose Gegen Qinliantang reduced hippocampal IL-1β levels and the CD16/32⁺/IBA1⁺ positive rate of microglia， while the high-dose group also significantly reduced hippocampal TNF-α levels and the p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can improve hyperglycemia， cognitive dysfunction， and synaptic damage in DCI， inhibit M1 polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB activation.