ObjectiveTo explore the effect of oral sodium butyrate on skeletal muscle atrophy in CT26 tumor mice through the gut microbiota-skeletal muscle axis and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF BALB/c male mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into a normal control group (NC, n=18) and a ABX-depleted group (ABX, n=42). The ABX mice were pretreated with a quadruple antibiotic cocktail via oral gavage (0.2 ml per administration, once daily, 6 d per week, for 2 weeks), whereas NC received an equal volume of sterile water. The quadruple antibiotic cocktail consisted of metronidazole (1 g/L), vancomycin (0.5 g/L), ampicillin (1 g/L), and gentamicin (1 g/L). Following successful pretreatment, six mice from each group were randomly selected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis and designated as the Abx group and the NC0 group, respectively. Theremaining mice in ABX were subcutaneously inoculated in the dorsum with 0.2 ml of CT26 cell suspension (at a cell density of 1×10⁷/ml). Then these mice were randomly allocated into three subgroups: a control tumor bearing model group (0_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving low-dose oral sodium butyrate (L_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving high-dose oral sodium butyrate (H_NaB, n=12). And mice in NC were inoculated at the same site with 0.2 ml of normal saline. The administration dose for L_NaB was 0.3 g/(kg·d), that for H_NaB was 0.5 g/(kg·d), while NC and 0_NaB were given the same volume of normal saline (0.2ml per time, once daily, 6 d per week, for 4 weeks). The general condition of mice was monitored, and forelimb grip strength gastrocnemius muscle mass and its muscle fiber cross-sectional area were measured for each group. The structural changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing of cecal contents. Pathological alterations in the intestinal wall were examined via HE staining. Serum and gastrocnemius muscle levels of TNF‑α, IL-6, IL-1β, and LPS were quantified using ELISA. The protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the small intestine, as well as proteins associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle, were detected by Western blot analysis. Results(1) The alpha-diversity in Abx was significantly lower than that in NC0 (P<0.01), a significant decrease of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius (P<0.01), with the majority of gut microbiota being effectively depleted. (2) Compared with NC, the subcutaneous tumors of mice in 0_NaB were prominent, a significant increase of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius, accompanied by a significant decrease in body weight at the end of the 3th and 4th week (P<0.05), and a significant weakening of the forelimb grasping strength at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.01). Compared with 0_NaB, the tumor mass of mice in L_NaB and H_NaB showed a significant decreasing trend, and the grip strength of the forelimbs significantly increased at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.05, P<0.01). (3) Compared with 0_NaB, the Shannon and Observed species indices in α diversity of L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.05). At the genus level, compared with 0_NaB, L_NaB exhibited a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Parasutterella (P< 0.01), while H_NaB showed significant reductions in the relative abundances of both Escherichia-Shigella and Parasutterella (P < 0.01). (4) Compared with 0_NaB, the small intestinal tissue structure in L_NaB and H_NaB was more intact, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was significantly reduced, and the capillaries were slightly dilated. The expression levels of ZO-1 and occludin proteins in L_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.01). (5) The LPS concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle and the protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-IκBα, and p-NF‑κB p65 in L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05). The serum TNF‑α concentration in H_NaB and TNF-α concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle of the L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01). ConclusionOral administration of NaB can improve gut microbiota α diversity, adjusting its composition, improving intestinal mucosal barrier function, reducing the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory response, and delaying skeletal muscle atrophy. The underlying mechanism may involve down regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in skeletal muscle.

ObjectiveDonkey hide is the sole legally designated raw material for the preparation of the traditional Chinese medicine Ejiao. The quality stability of donkey hide during preservation directly determines the efficacy and safety of Ejiao. This study focuses on the dynamic succession of microbial communities during the preservation of donkey hides from different origins, aiming to clarify the correlation between microbial biodiversity difference and the degradation profiles of hide collagen and critical biochemical components, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for developing targeted preservation strategies based on microbial regulation. MethodsDonkey hides originating from four different regions were subjected to an accelerated microbial aging assay to simulate the spoilage process. The microbial community succession was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Microstructure changes and pore structure characteristics were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry, respectively. Additionally, the content of major components, including lipids, proteins, and sugars were determined by biochemical methods. ResultsAfter 96 h of aging, the collagen fiber structure in Africa donkey hides (ADH) exhibited significant degradation and collapse, followed by Xinjiang donkey hides (XDH). Instead, the microstructure of Dong’e black donkey hides (DDH) and Peru donkey hides (PDH) remained relatively intact. The porosities of DDH, XDH, PDH, and ADH increased from 27.9%, 15.7%, 30.3%, and 46.2% to 36.5%, 52.6%, 42.8%, and 57.7%, respectively, during the aging process, which suggested that the originally compact fiber structure was disrupted by microbial aging. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis revealed the amide bands in XDH exhibited relatively weak intensity, and no collagen amide I band was observed in ADH. Meanwhile, the lipid and protein contents decreased in all four types of donkey hides, indicating that these components served as the primary nutrient sources for the growth of microorganism. Notably, the most severe collagen degradation was observed in XDH and ADH. A substantial increase was detected in the total soluble sugar in PDH aging solution and hydroxyproline in the ADH aging solution, respectively. These results indicated that donkey hides exhibit distinct patterns of structural degradation and nutrient utilization. Furthermore, the viable cells number of donkey hides increased sharply after 48 h of aging. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Euryarchaeota in ADH, PDH and XDH declining from initial 93.19%, 97.73% and 30.08% to 0.79%, 1.43% and 0.02% after 96 h, respectively. Conversely, a significantly increase was observed in the abundance of Bacillota, with a marked increase in ADH, peaking at 92.75%. Additionally, the abundance of Pseudomonadota in PDH increased from 0.10% to 87.84%, suggesting that Bacillota and Pseudomonadota may be key factors exacerbating donkey hide spoilage. Unlike the other three types of donkey hides, the dominant bacterial phylum in DDH shifted from Pseudomonadota to Bacteroidota, characterized by a substantial abundance increase of Bacteroidota from 0.13% to 44.22%. ConclusionRegional variation in origin significantly influence the microbial aging of donkey hides, leading to distinct patterns of structural deterioration and differential nutrient utilization. Therefore, implementing origin-specific preservation strategies, through the precisely controlling environmental factors to suppress harmful phyla such as Bacillota and Pseudomonadota, is crucial for enhancing the storage quality of donkey hides.

Objective: To establish a method for the genotyping of fetal M blood group antigen by extracting cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) from maternal plasma, so as to guide the management of M antigen-negative pregnant women with IgG anti-M antibody during pregnancy. Methods: A realtime fluorescent quantitative PCR (realtime PCR) method was established. The specificity and sensitivity of the method were validated by dilution of genomic DNA. Subsequently, a total of 12 M antigen-negative pregnant women were enrolled. The cff-DNA was extracted from maternal plasma, and fetal M antigen genotyping was performed by realtime PCR. Fetuses were classified as M-positive or M-negative according to the presence or absence of amplification curve. The accuracy of the method was validated by comparing fetal M antigen genotyping results with the serological results using the cord or peripheral blood of the neonate at birth. Results: Among the 12 M antigen-negative pregnant women, anti-M was detected in five cases, of which four cases had IgG anti-M, and one case had fetal anemia. The results of fetal M antigen genotyping showed that 9 cases were M-positive (9/12, 75%) and 3 cases were M-negative (3/12, 25%). Serological results of blood samples collected after birth from four M-positive fetuses and one M-negative fetus were consistent with the genotyping results. Conclusion: We have, for the first time, established a non-invasive prenatal genotyping method for fetal M antigen using maternal plasma cff-DNA, and preliminarily demonstrated the feasibility of this method.

Objective: To analyze the cause of discrepancy between ABO genotype B102/O01 and serological results in one case by PCR-SSP, to clarify the serological characteristics of this special blood group, and to explore relevant blood transfusion strategies. Methods: Blood group serological tests were performed on blood donor in August and December 2024, including forward and reverse ABO typing using tube method, H antigen identification, direct anti-human globulin test by tube method, red blood cell absorption-elution test, and determination of ABH blood group substance in saliva. Exons 1-7 of the ABO gene were amplified by PCR-SSP and sequenced. Results: The two separate serological tests consistently identified the donor as having an A B phenotype, but the results of gene sequencing indicated a B102/O01 genotype, showing an discrepancy between serological and genetic results. Conclusion: It is very likely that the blood type of the blood donor is B102/O01 with a microchimerism of type A, or an AB type masked by A type reference gene.

Objective To evaluate the levels and changes in occupational individual external radiation dose in non-medical nuclear utilization units in Nanning City, and to provide a basis for radiation protection in such units. Methods Thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to monitor individual radiation doses among radiation workers in 38 non-medical nuclear utilization units in Nanning City. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results From 2021 to 2023, a total of 3724 person-times were monitored in 38 non-medical nuclear utilization units in Nanning City. The mean annual effective dose was 0.101 mSv in 2021, 0.060 mSv in 2022, and 0.094 mSv in 2023, with a three-year average of 0.085 mSv, all well below the occupational exposure limit of 1.0 mSv. Significant differences in mean annual effective doses were observed across occupations and sexes (P<0.05). Female workers received significantly lower mean annual effective dose than male workers. Workers in the cement manufacturing industry had a significantly higher mean annual effective dose compared to those in government institutions and industrial flaw detection practitioners (F = 2.913, P<0.05). No significant differences were found among workers exposed to unsealed radioactive sources, sealed radioactive sources, and radiation-generating equipment (F = 0.585, P>0.05). Conclusion The occupational individual external radiation doses in non-medical nuclear utilization units in Nanning City are at low levels. There are no significant differences in mean annual effective dose across different nuclear utilization units. However, differences in occupational roles between males and females significantly affect the mean annual effective dose.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose transscleral cyclophotocoagulation(TSCP)in the management of persistent ocular hypertension after an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma(AACG).METHODS:This retrospective study enrolled patients diagnosed with persistent ocular hypertension after an acute AACG attack at the No.988 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese PLA between September 2023 and September 2024. All patients underwent low-dose TSCP using a semiconductor diode laser. Subsequent cataract surgery combined with goniosynechialysis was performed once intraocular pressure(IOP)was stabilized. Changes in anterior chamber depth(ACD), best-corrected visual acuity(VA), and IOP were compared before and after TSCP, as well as before and after phacoemulsification. Post-TSCP complications were also documented.RESULTS: A total of 21 patients(21 eyes)were enrolled, including 8 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 67.95±7.25 y. Compared with pre-cyclophotocoagulation values, ACD increased significantly at 3 d post-TSCP(1.49±0.18 vs 1.22±0.21 mm; P<0.001). BCVA and IOP decreased significantly at 1 d post-TSCP, pre-phacoemulsification, 1 wk post-phacoemulsification, and 1 mo post-phacoemulsification compared with pre-TSCP IOP(all P<0.01). Regarding postoperative complications, 2 eyes experienced pain on the day of the procedure, 5 eyes developed mild corneal endothelial folds, 2 eyes exhibited moderate anterior chamber inflammatory reaction, and 12 eyes showed shallow ciliary body detachment. No serious complications occurred during the 1-month follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Low-dose TSCP appears to be an effective bridging therapy for patients with persistent ocular hypertension following an AACG attack. It facilitates rapid IOP reduction, alleviates symptoms, and helps preserve visual function with a favorable safety profile, thereby reducing the risks associated with subsequent intraocular surgery.

Aging has emerged as a cutting edge and hotspot in global life science field， with anti-aging and geriatric disease prevention and treatment becoming critical issues urgently demanding solutions in international medical communities. In the face of the challenge of accelerating global population aging， in-depth exploration of aging mechanisms and the development of effective intervention strategies hold significant scientific and clinical value. This study supported by the national key research and development program of China， employed the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine as its guiding framework， focusing on the key scientific issue of the core traditional Chinese pathogenesis of aging， namely "depletion of kidney essence， deficiency of primordial Qi， and impairment of body and spirit". The treatment principle of "tonifying the kidney to replenish essence， harmonizing Yin and Yang， warming and invigorating primordial Qi， and nourishing the body and spirit" was established. Centered on holistic aging， systemic aging， and aging-related diseases， the research integrated multidisciplinary research approaches to construct multi-modal aging models and a multi-dimensional evaluation system， and it utilized multi-omics technologies to deeply analyze aging mechanisms. By systematically reviewing historical kidney-tonifying and anti-aging formulas and combining big data with artificial intelligence technologies， an information database of anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine substance was developed to reveal the differences and synergistic effects of various treatment methods and formulas on anti-aging. Based on this treatment method， the research integrated two millennia of kidney-tonifying medicinal experience to develop the innovative anti-aging traditional Chinese medicine， namely Bazhi Bushen capsules. It was validated that this capsule can delay holistic and systemic aging through multiple targets and mechanisms， thereby elucidating the scientific connotation of the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine in guiding anti-aging research from multiple dimensions and providing robust support for leveraging the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine to occupy the commanding heights of international anti-aging research.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danhe granules in treating mixed hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology， as well as animal and cell experiments. MethodsThe active compounds and targets of Danhe granules were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM）. Related targets for mixed hyperlipidemia were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersecting targets were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses. A high-fat model was established in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells （HepG2） induced by palmitic acid （PA）， followed by intervention with Danhe granules to assess intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress levels. A mixed hyperlipidemia rat model was also established and divided into low-， medium-， and high-dose Danhe granules groups （1.134， 2.268， and 4.536 g·kg^-1， respectively）， as well as a positive control group treated with pravastatin sodium （4.020 mg·kg^-1）. After eight weeks of intervention， serum lipid levels， inflammatory factors， oxidative stress indices， and the expression of key hepatic lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 93 intersecting targets between Danhe granules and mixed hyperlipidemia， with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha （PPARA）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and IL-1B among the key nodes. The PPAR signaling pathway， AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， lipid metabolism， atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） were among the most significantly enriched pathways. Cellular experiments demonstrated that Danhe granules significantly reduced reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels while increasing catalase （CAT） activity （P<0.05）， thereby alleviating intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride （TG） content in HepG2. In animal experiments， Danhe granules markedly decreased serum total cholesterol （TC）， TG， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels （P<0.05）， reduced hepatic MDA levels， and elevated superoxide dismutase （SOD） and CAT levels. Histological analysis showed alleviation of hepatic steatosis， upregulation of hepatic PPARA and lipoprotein lipase （LPL） expressions， and downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1） expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDanhe granules improve lipid metabolism disorders in mixed hyperlipidemia by reducing MDA levels， enhancing SOD and CAT activities， scavenging excessive ROS， inhibiting oxidative stress， and mitigating liver injury. The underlying mechanism may involve the upregulation of PPARA and LPL and the suppression of SREBP1 expression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danhe granules in treating mixed hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology， as well as animal and cell experiments. MethodsThe active compounds and targets of Danhe granules were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM）. Related targets for mixed hyperlipidemia were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersecting targets were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses. A high-fat model was established in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells （HepG2） induced by palmitic acid （PA）， followed by intervention with Danhe granules to assess intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress levels. A mixed hyperlipidemia rat model was also established and divided into low-， medium-， and high-dose Danhe granules groups （1.134， 2.268， and 4.536 g·kg^-1， respectively）， as well as a positive control group treated with pravastatin sodium （4.020 mg·kg^-1）. After eight weeks of intervention， serum lipid levels， inflammatory factors， oxidative stress indices， and the expression of key hepatic lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 93 intersecting targets between Danhe granules and mixed hyperlipidemia， with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha （PPARA）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and IL-1B among the key nodes. The PPAR signaling pathway， AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， lipid metabolism， atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） were among the most significantly enriched pathways. Cellular experiments demonstrated that Danhe granules significantly reduced reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels while increasing catalase （CAT） activity （P<0.05）， thereby alleviating intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride （TG） content in HepG2. In animal experiments， Danhe granules markedly decreased serum total cholesterol （TC）， TG， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels （P<0.05）， reduced hepatic MDA levels， and elevated superoxide dismutase （SOD） and CAT levels. Histological analysis showed alleviation of hepatic steatosis， upregulation of hepatic PPARA and lipoprotein lipase （LPL） expressions， and downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1） expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDanhe granules improve lipid metabolism disorders in mixed hyperlipidemia by reducing MDA levels， enhancing SOD and CAT activities， scavenging excessive ROS， inhibiting oxidative stress， and mitigating liver injury. The underlying mechanism may involve the upregulation of PPARA and LPL and the suppression of SREBP1 expression.

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.