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.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum uric acid(SUA)levels and incident chronic kidney disease(CKD)in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population and gender differences.Methods Based on the longitudinal survey data of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study from 2011 to 2015,the CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration cystatin C formula was used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),and 4 119 participants with normal renal function(eGFR≥60 mL·min-1·1.72 m-2)at baseline were included.Incident CKD was defined as eGFR<60 mL·min-1·1.72 m-2 at the follow-up in 2015.Logistic regression analysis was used to analysis the association of SUA levels at baseline and incident CKD among different genders.Restricted cubic spline analysis was used to analyze the dose-response relationship.Results After 4-year follow-up,127 participants developed incident CKD,including 57 males and 70 females.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated SUA levels were independently associated with the risk of incident CKD(OR=1.532,P<0.001).For each 1 mg/dL increase in SUA,the risk of incident CKD increased by 33.6%in males(OR=1.336,P=0.012)and 77.5%in females(OR=1.755,P<0.001).Restricted cubic spline analysis showed a linear positive correlation between SUA levels and incident CKD in both males and females.Participants were divided into four groups according to SUA quartiles(Q1-Q4).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant increase in the risk of incident CKD in Q3 group(3.75 mg/dL4.43 mg/dL)compared with Q1 group in females(Q3 group:OR=2.571,P=0.045;Q4 group:OR=3.666,P=0.005).Conclusion SUA is an independent risk factor for incident CKD in the middle-aged and elderly population.In females,serum uric acid levels exceeding 3.75 mg/dL are associated with an increased risk of incident CKD.

Objective:To establish three machine learning prediction models based on CT imaging characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) , and use SHAP (shapley additive explanations) analysis to investigate the contribution of each CT image features in the best model.Methods:CT imaging features in 426 cases of 440 PTCs confirmed pathologically from Jan. 2016 to Jan. 2021 at the affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital of Westlake University Medical School were retrospectively analyzed. compared with 467 cases of 528 nodular goiter (NG) , evaluating the distribution of four CT characteristics: cookie bite sign, enhanced range of narrowing/blur (ERNB) , microcalcifications, and irregular shape. We split the data into 8∶2 ratio for training and testing sets, then constructed three machine learning models using XGBoost, RF, and SVM. Based on AUC, accuracy, F1 score, and other metrics, we selected the best model. Lastly, we used SHAP values to assess each CT feature’s contribution and positive/negative effects on the model.Results:Among 440 PTC and 528 NG nodules, CT features like cookie bite sign, ERNB, microcalcifications, and irregular shape occurred in 326 and 30 ( χ 2=483.05, P<0.001) , 363 and 106 ( χ 2=374.45, P<0.001) , 158 and 53 ( χ 2=94.24, P<0.001) , and 354 and 52 ( χ 2=491.34, P<0.001) nodules, respectively. The machine learning models built using XGBoost, RF, and SVM had AUC, accuracy, and F1 scores ranging from 0.884~0.925, 0.867~0.873, and 0.844~0.854 respectively on the training set. On the test set, the scores ranged from 0.869~0.923, 0.845~0.871, and 0.803~0.845. Among them, the XGBoost model demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance on the test set. Among the four CT features, irregular shape had the highest absolute SHAP value, positively contributing to PTC diagnosis. Conclusion:XGBoost model showed the highest PTC diagnostic performance. Irregular shape had the greatest positive impact on PTC diagnosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of laminin subunit α3 （LAMA3） on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）， invasion， and metastasis abilities of pancreatic cancer （PC）. MethodsA comprehensive analysis was performed for tumor- and EMT-related databases to identify the EMT genes associated with PC， especially LAMA3. The methods of qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression level of LAMA3 in PC tissue and cell lines； immunofluorescence assay was used to determine the localization of LAMA3 in PANC-1 cells； Transwell assay was used to investigate the effect of LAMA3 on the invasion and migration abilities of PC cells. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. ResultsThe analysis of the TCGA database identified 3 EMT-related oncogenes for PC， i.e.， LAMA3， AREG， and SDC1. The LASSO-Cox regression model showed that LAMA3 had the most significant impact on the prognosis of PC （risk score=0.256 1×LAMA3+0.043 1×SDC1+0.071 4×AREG）. The Cox model and nomogram showed that the high expression of LAMA3 was an independent risk factor for the poor prognosis of PC （hazard ratio=1.32， 95% confidence interval： 1.07‍ ‍—‍ 1.62， P<0.01）. Experimental results showed that there was a significant increase in the expression of LAMA3 in pancreatic cancer tissue compared with the normal pancreatic tissue. Compared with the HPDE cell line， there were varying degrees of increase in the expression of LAMA3 in pancreatic cancer AsPC-1， BxPC-3， PANC-1， MIA PaCa-2， and SW1990 cell lines， with the highest expression level in PANC-1 cells. The enrichment analysis showed that LAMA3 was associated with the biological processes and signaling pathways such as EMT， collagen metabolism， extracellular matrix degradation， the TGF-β pathway， and the PI3K pathway. After the knockdown of LAMA3， there were significant reductions in the expression levels of N-Cadherin， Vimentin， and Snail， while there was a significant increase in the expression level of E-Cadherin. Transwell assay showed that there were significant reductions in the invasion and migration abilities of PANC-1 cells after the knockdown of LAMA3. ConclusionLAMA3 is highly expressed in PC and can promote the EMT， invasion， and migration of PC cells， and therefore， LAMA3 may be used as a novel diagnostic marker and a new therapeutic target for PC.

Objective To investigate the susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans strains to antifungal drugs and examine the relevant clinical manifestations and laboratory test results in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai during the period from 2019 to 2023.Methods The isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF and biochemical identification cards.The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)values of 5-fluorocytosine,amphotericin B,fluconazole,voriconazole,and itraconazole against C.neoformans strains were measured using broth microdilution method.The corresponding clinical data were reviewed and compared.Results Majority(78.7％)of the 75 strains of C.neoformans were isolated from cerebrospinal fluid(CSF).The prevalence of wild type(WT)strains was the lowest(36.0％)for itraconazole and the highest(94.7％)for voriconazole.Cryptococcus capsular antigen test was positive in 62 strains.The results of Cryptococcus capsular antigen test was consistent with fungal culture in 96.9％of the cases.Conclusions Most of the C.neoformans strains were isolated from CSF.The prevalence of non-WT C.neoformans strains was the highest for itraconazole.The prevalence of WT C.neoformans strains was the highest for voriconazole.

Objective:To compare minimally invasive surgery with traditional open surgery, analyze the current application status of health economic evaluations in the treatment of digestive tract cancers, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer by minimally invasive surgery and provide evidence for the rational selection of clinical treatment, alleviation of disease-related economic burdens, and rational allocation of healthcare resources.Methods:By using five databases, i.e. China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang data, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, and Embase, a database was established to retrieve all the papers about health economic studies of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer published until December 31, 2023. Literature was analyzed by using software NoteExpress 3.8, and data were processed using Excel 2021. The quality of included papers was evaluated using the CHEERS 2022 checklist, and Meta-analysis was conducted by using software Stata 17.0.Results:A total of 10 919 relevant papers were retrieved, and 59 studies were included. Only 14 studies (23.7%) used standard health economic evaluation methods. Meta-analysis results revealed no significant differences in direct medical expenditure and total expenditure between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery. However, the expenditure for minimally invasive surgery exhibited a significant increase [mean difference ( MD)=5 973.12 yuan, P<0.001], while hospital stay and indirect expenditure significantly decreased ( MD: -4.85 days and -733.79 yuan, P<0.001). In China, for gastric cancer, the direct medical expenditure of endoscopic surgery was lower than that of open surgery ( MD=-33 000.00 yuan) with no significant difference ( P<0.001). In colorectal cancer cases, the direct medical and surgical expenditures for laparoscopic surgery were higher than those for open surgery ( MD: 4 277.94 yuan and 4 267.80 yuan, P<0.001), while the indirect and total medical expenditures decreased ( MD: -768.34 yuan and -159.10 yuan). Hospital stays in patients who had minimally invasive surgery for all three types of cancer were shorter than those who had open surgery ( P<0.001). Conclusions:In the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery shows higher expenditure, but has advantages, such as shorter hospital stay and lower indirect expenditure, and there were no significant differences in direct medical and total expenditures between the two approaches. When conducting health economic evaluation, factors such as postoperative complications, hospital stay, and patient's economic status should be considered for their impact on total medical expenditure. It is necessary to pay attention to the application of health economic evaluations in healthcare decision-making.

Objective:To systematically review the treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with comorbid chronic diseases, providing insights to meet patient healthcare needs and improve their treatment and care experiences.Methods:A computer-based search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and VIP for qualitative studies on the treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with comorbid chronic diseases published from January 2019 to January 2024. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the qualitative research quality assessment criteria developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute of Evidence-Based Health Care in Australia. A cumulative integration method was used to synthesize the results.Results:A total of 17 studies were included, extracting 42 results, which were categorized into 10 themes and integrated into four main findings: patients' varying levels of understanding about chronic comorbid conditions (some patients lack awareness of their current health condition, while others have a clear understanding of their disease status) ; treatment and care experiences across different comorbidity patterns (treatment and care experiences of cancer comorbidity patients, cardiovascular-metabolic comorbidity patients, respiratory system comorbidity patients, sensory-mental comorbidity patients, and visceral arthritis comorbidity patients) ; negative psychological emotions in patients with chronic comorbidity (special psychological experiences in cancer comorbid patients, emotional vulnerability in comorbid chronic disease patients leading to complex emotions) ; urgent needs of comorbid chronic disease patients (differing needs based on comorbidity patterns) .Conclusions:There are differences in the treatment and care experiences of elderly patients with chronic comorbidities, and they require multi-faceted support. Healthcare providers should offer personalized care to patients with different comorbid conditions to help them control their health conditions, optimize comorbidity management, and improve their quality of life.

Objective:To establish three machine learning prediction models based on CT imaging characteristics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) , and use SHAP (shapley additive explanations) analysis to investigate the contribution of each CT image features in the best model.Methods:CT imaging features in 426 cases of 440 PTCs confirmed pathologically from Jan. 2016 to Jan. 2021 at the affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital of Westlake University Medical School were retrospectively analyzed. compared with 467 cases of 528 nodular goiter (NG) , evaluating the distribution of four CT characteristics: cookie bite sign, enhanced range of narrowing/blur (ERNB) , microcalcifications, and irregular shape. We split the data into 8∶2 ratio for training and testing sets, then constructed three machine learning models using XGBoost, RF, and SVM. Based on AUC, accuracy, F1 score, and other metrics, we selected the best model. Lastly, we used SHAP values to assess each CT feature’s contribution and positive/negative effects on the model.Results:Among 440 PTC and 528 NG nodules, CT features like cookie bite sign, ERNB, microcalcifications, and irregular shape occurred in 326 and 30 ( χ 2=483.05, P<0.001) , 363 and 106 ( χ 2=374.45, P<0.001) , 158 and 53 ( χ 2=94.24, P<0.001) , and 354 and 52 ( χ 2=491.34, P<0.001) nodules, respectively. The machine learning models built using XGBoost, RF, and SVM had AUC, accuracy, and F1 scores ranging from 0.884~0.925, 0.867~0.873, and 0.844~0.854 respectively on the training set. On the test set, the scores ranged from 0.869~0.923, 0.845~0.871, and 0.803~0.845. Among them, the XGBoost model demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance on the test set. Among the four CT features, irregular shape had the highest absolute SHAP value, positively contributing to PTC diagnosis. Conclusion:XGBoost model showed the highest PTC diagnostic performance. Irregular shape had the greatest positive impact on PTC diagnosis.

This comprehensive review synthesizes the latest advancements in understanding inflammatory disorders affecting cerebral small vessels, a distinct yet understudied category within cerebral small vessel diseases (SVD). Unlike classical SVD, these inflammatory conditions exhibit unique clinical presentations, imaging patterns, and pathophysiological mechanisms, posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Highlighting their heterogeneity, this review spans primary angiitis of the central nervous system, cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation, systemic vasculitis, secondary vasculitis, and vasculitis in autoinflammatory diseases. Key discussions focus on emerging insights into immune-mediated processes, neuroimaging characteristics, and histopathological distinctions. Furthermore, this review underscores the importance of standardized diagnostic frameworks, individualized immunomodulation approaches, and novel targeted therapies to address unmet clinical demands.
Humans ; Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases/pathology* ; Inflammation/pathology* ; Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy/pathology* ; Vasculitis, Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Vasculitis/pathology*

Intelligence encompasses various abilities, including logical reasoning, comprehension, self-awareness, learning, planning, creativity, and problem-solving. Extensive research and practical experience suggest that there are sex differences in intellectual development, with females typically maturing earlier than males. However, the key genes and molecular network mechanisms underlying these sex differences in intellectual development remain unclear. To date, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have identified 507 genes that are significantly associated with intelligence. This study first analyzed RNA sequencing data from different stages of brain development (from BrainSpan), revealing that during the late embryonic stage, the average expression levels of intelligence-related genes are higher in males than in females, while the opposite is observed during puberty. This study further constructed interaction networks of intelligence-related genes with sex-differential expression in the brain, including the prenatal male network (HELP-M: intelligence genes with higher expression levels in prenatal males) and the pubertal female network (HELP-F: intelligence genes with higher expression levels in pubertal females). The findings indicate that the key genes in both networks are Ep300 and Ctnnb1. Specifically, Ep300 regulates the transcription of 53 genes in both HELP-M and HELP-F, while Ctnnb1 regulates the transcription of 45 genes. Ctnnb1 plays a more prominent role in HELP-M, while Ep300 is more crucial in HELP-F. Finally, this study conducted sequencing validation on rats at different developmental stages, and the results indicated that in the prefrontal cortex of female rats during adolescence, the expression levels of the intelligence genes in HELP-F, as well as key genes Ep300 and Ctnnb1, were higher than those in male rats. These genes were also involved in neurodevelopment-related biological processes. The findings reveal a sex-differentiated intelligence gene network and its key genes, which exhibit varying expression levels during the neurodevelopmental process.
Female ; Intelligence/physiology* ; Male ; Sex Characteristics ; Animals ; Brain/growth & development* ; E1A-Associated p300 Protein/physiology* ; beta Catenin/physiology* ; Transcriptome ; Rats ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genome-Wide Association Study