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.

Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of functionalized decellularized extracellular matrix(F-dECM)prepared from porcine auricular cartilage or porcine rib cartilage in repairing xenogeneic articular osteochondral defects.Methods:The por-cine auricular cartilage and rib cartilage were crushed and decellularized.Heparin modification and multi-factor loading were a-chieved through amide bond reaction.The physical characteristics of the particles were characterized by SEM observation and mer-cury intrusion.The chemical characteristics of the particles were characterized by tissue section staining and kit detection.The rabbit knee joint full-thickness defect models were established and implanted by different particles respectively.After 6 weeks and 12 weeks of operation,the samples were taken for gross observation,CT scanning and tissue sectioning to comprehensively evaluate the repair effect.Results:After heparin modification,the glycosaminoglycan lost during the decellularization process was replen-ished.Both heparinized auricular cartilage and costal cartilage presented a highly developed porous structure.Among them,the porosity and pore diameter of costal cartilage were both lower than those of auricular cartilage(P＜0.05).During the observation periods of 6 weeks and 12 weeks,the porcine costal cartilage F-dECM implantation group was superior to other experimental groups in knee joint repair effects(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Costal-derived F-dECM is a joint osteochondral defect repair material with application potential.

Bow hunter's syndrome,also referred to as rotational vertebral artery occlusion syndrome,is a rare etiological factor of posterior circulation infarction.This article reported a case of a young male patient who experienced recurrent posterior circulation infarctions caused by bilateral bow hunter's syndrome.Carotid ultrasonography confirmed a marked reduction in blood flow velocity in both vertebral arteries during neck rotation.High-resolution MR angiography and CT angiography of the head and neck revealed dissection involving the V3 segment of the left vertebral artery.The findings suggested that bow hunter's syndrome may be associated with thrombus formation secondary to repetitive mechanical compression of the vertebral artery intima,which could potentially lead to arterial embolism and subsequent cerebral infarction.This paper presents the patient's diagnostic and therapeutic course and includes a review of relevant literature aimed to enhance clinical awareness and understanding of this uncommon condition.

Objective: To investigate the expression of TIPE3 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its correlation with tumor immune infiltration and prognosis . Methods: The expression of TIPE3 in tumor and adjacent normal tissues from 110 CRC patients was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative enzyme chain reaction ( qPCR) , Western blot , immunohistochemistry ( IHC ) , bioinformatics analysis , and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) . The association between TIPE3 expression and clinicopathological factors , prognosis , and immune cell infiltration was analyzed . Results: Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that among the TIPE fami- ly , TIPE (P < 0. 05) and TIPE3 (P < 0. 001) were significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues , with TIPE3 showing the most pronounced increase . IHC further confirmed that TIPE3 expression was significantly higher in CRC tissues (P < 0. 001) . Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that high TIPE3 ex- pression was associated with reduced survival and poorer prognosis . Immune infiltration analysis demonstrated that patients with high TIPE3 expression exhibited fewer CD8 + T cells and CD20 + B cells but more CD66b + neutro- phils , suggesting a correlation between TIPE3 and unfavorable tumor prognosis . Additionally , scRNA-seq of CRC tissues yielded results consistent with the IHC findings . Conclusion TIPE3 expression in CRC is associated with tumor immune infiltration , and its upregulation predicts poor prognosis , indicating its potential as a therapeutic and preventive target in CRC .

Bow hunter's syndrome,also referred to as rotational vertebral artery occlusion syndrome,is a rare etiological factor of posterior circulation infarction.This article reported a case of a young male patient who experienced recurrent posterior circulation infarctions caused by bilateral bow hunter's syndrome.Carotid ultrasonography confirmed a marked reduction in blood flow velocity in both vertebral arteries during neck rotation.High-resolution MR angiography and CT angiography of the head and neck revealed dissection involving the V3 segment of the left vertebral artery.The findings suggested that bow hunter's syndrome may be associated with thrombus formation secondary to repetitive mechanical compression of the vertebral artery intima,which could potentially lead to arterial embolism and subsequent cerebral infarction.This paper presents the patient's diagnostic and therapeutic course and includes a review of relevant literature aimed to enhance clinical awareness and understanding of this uncommon condition.

Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of functionalized decellularized extracellular matrix(F-dECM)prepared from porcine auricular cartilage or porcine rib cartilage in repairing xenogeneic articular osteochondral defects.Methods:The por-cine auricular cartilage and rib cartilage were crushed and decellularized.Heparin modification and multi-factor loading were a-chieved through amide bond reaction.The physical characteristics of the particles were characterized by SEM observation and mer-cury intrusion.The chemical characteristics of the particles were characterized by tissue section staining and kit detection.The rabbit knee joint full-thickness defect models were established and implanted by different particles respectively.After 6 weeks and 12 weeks of operation,the samples were taken for gross observation,CT scanning and tissue sectioning to comprehensively evaluate the repair effect.Results:After heparin modification,the glycosaminoglycan lost during the decellularization process was replen-ished.Both heparinized auricular cartilage and costal cartilage presented a highly developed porous structure.Among them,the porosity and pore diameter of costal cartilage were both lower than those of auricular cartilage(P＜0.05).During the observation periods of 6 weeks and 12 weeks,the porcine costal cartilage F-dECM implantation group was superior to other experimental groups in knee joint repair effects(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Costal-derived F-dECM is a joint osteochondral defect repair material with application potential.

Objective:To prepare seven standard strains of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), including wild type (WT) strain, Beta variant, Delta variant, Omicron variants (BA.2, BA.5, BQ.1, XBB.1 branches), which could be used to apply for national standard strains.Methods:According to cytopathic effect (CPE), virus titer, whole-virus-genome-sequencing and detection of mycoplasma, the basic biological characteristics of clonal isolation were determined through plaque purification technology.Results:The CPE was mainly characterized by cell shrinkage and exfoliation in Vero cells after infection with seven 2019-nCoV clonal isolations (WT, Beta, Delta, Omicron, BA.2, BA.5, BQ.1 and XBB.1 branches). The result of mycoplasma detection were negative and titers of the clonal isolation from 2nd to 5th generations were stable at 10 5-10 8 TCID 50/ml; the electron microscope showed that the virions were all round or elliptical, with a diameter between 60 nm and 140 nm. The subtypes of 7 strains were identified by whole-virus-genome-sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, with genomic stability after the fifth successive generations of clonal isolation. Conclusions:The series clonal isolation of 2019-nCoV with typical CPE of coronavirus, clear morphological structure, good viral activity and stable genetic characteristics were prepared, and they could be used to apply for national standard strains.

Objective:To investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of methyltransferase (Mettl) 3 in the process of angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ)-induced pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and renal fibrosis.Methods:C57BL/6J mice were used, in cell experiments, mouse renal pericytes were isolated and cultured using magnetic bead sorting. These pericytes were then induced to transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts with 1×10 6 mmol/L Ang Ⅱ, which was the Ang Ⅱ group, while pericytes cultured in normal conditions served as the control group. Successful transdifferentiation was verified by immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The levels of m6A modifications and related enzymes (Mettl3, Mettl14), Wilms tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), fat mass and obesity protein (FTO), ALKBH5, YTHDF1, YTHDF2, YTHDC1, YTHDC2, YTHDC3 were assessed by Dot blot, RT-qPCR and Western blot. Mettl3 expression was inhibited in cells using lentivirus-mediated Mettl3-shRNA transfection, creating sh-Mettl3 and Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 groups, while lentivirus empty vector transfection served as the negative control (Ang Ⅱ+sh-NC group). The impact of Ang Ⅱ on pericyte transdifferentiation was observed, and the expression of downstream phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway proteins, including PI3K, AKT, phosphorylated AKT at serine 473 (p-AKT (S473)), and phosphorylated AKT at threonine 308 (p-AKT (T308)), were examined. PI3K gene transcription was inhibited by co-culturing cells with actinomycin D, and the half-life of PI3K mRNA was calculated by measuring residual PI3K mRNA expression over different co-culture time. The reversibility of Mettl3 inhibition on Ang Ⅱ-induced pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation was assessed by adding the AKT activator SC79 to the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group. In animal experiments, mice were divided into these groups: sham group (administered 0.9% sterile saline), Ang Ⅱ group (infused with Ang Ⅱ solution), sh-Mettl3 group (injected with Mettl3 shRNA lentivirus solution), Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group (infused with Ang Ⅱ solution and injected with Mettl3 shRNA lentivirus solution), and Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3+SC79 group (administered Ang Ⅱ solution and Mettl3 shRNA lentivirus, with an additional injection of SC79). Each group consisted of six subject mice. Blood pressure was measured using the tail-cuff method before and after surgery, and serum creatinine, urea, and urinary albumin levels were determined 4 weeks post-surgery. Kidney tissues were collected at 28 days and stained using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson′s trichrome to assess the extent of renal fibrosis. Results:Primary renal pericytes were successfully obtained by magnetic bead sorting, and intervened with 1×10 6 mmol/L Ang Ⅱ for 48 hours to induce pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Dot blot results indicated higher m6A modification levels in the Ang Ⅱ group compared to the control group ( P<0.05). RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed upregulation of Mettl3 mRNA and protein levels in the Ang Ⅱ group compared to the control group (both P<0.05). In the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group, Mettl3 protein expression was lower than that in the Ang Ⅱ group, with reduced expression levels of α-SMA, vimentin, desmin, fibroblast agonist protein (FAPa) and type Ⅰ collagen (all P<0.05). Compared to the control group, PI3K mRNA expression level was elevated in the Ang Ⅱ group, along with increased p-AKT (S473) and p-AKT (T308) expressions. In the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group, PI3K mRNA expression and p-AKT (S473) and p-AKT (T308) levels were decreased (all P<0.05). The half-life of PI3K mRNA was shorter in the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group than that in the Ang Ⅱ+sh-NC group (2.34 h vs. 3.42 h). The ameliorative effect of Mettl3 inhibition on Ang Ⅱ-induced pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation was reversible by SC79. Animal experiments showed higher blood pressure, serum creatinine, urea, and 24-hour urinary protein levels, and a larger fibrosis area in the Ang Ⅱ group compared to the sham group (all P<0.05). The fibrosis area was smaller in the Ang Ⅱ+sh-Mettl3 group than that in the Ang Ⅱ group ( P<0.05), but increased again upon addition of SC79. Conclusion:Mettl3-mediated RNA m6A epigenetic regulation is involved in Ang Ⅱ-induced pericyte-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and renal fibrosis, potentially by affecting PI3K stability and regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the levels of plasma bile acids(BA)in patients with primary liver cancer(PLC)or metastatic liver cancer(MLC)and their correlation with clinical indicators,as well as the value of plasma BAs combined with alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)in the diagnosis of PLC.Methods This study was conducted among 75 patients with PLC and 79 patients with MLC who attended Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from August 2020 to September 2021 and had a confirmed diagnosis based on histopathological and imaging findings.Peripheral blood samples were collected from all patients,and serum and plasma were separated.Colorimetry and chromatography were used to measure biochemical parameters;electrochemiluminescence immunoassay was used to measure the levels of tumor markers;liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure the content of BA.The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data;the Spearman's coefficient was used for correlation analysis;the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate clinical diagnostic efficacy.Results The PLC group had significantly lower levels of total cholesterol,triglyceride,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and apolipoprotein B than the MLC group(U=1 598,1 255,909,and 889,all P＜0.05).Compared with the MLC group,the PLC group had a significantly higher level of AFP and a significantly lower level of carcinoembryonic antigen(U=1 873 and 926,both P＜0.05).Compared with the MLC group,the PLC group had significantly higher levels of TBA,CA,CDCA,UDCA,TCA,TCDCA,GCA,GCDCA,TUDCA,and GUDCA and a significantly lower level of DCA(all P＜0.05).In the total population,the levels of TBA,CDCA,GCA,GCDCA,GUDCA,TCA,TCDCA,and TUDCA were significantly positively correlated with the level of AFP(all P＜0.05).In the patients with PLC,the levels of GCA,TCA,TCDCA,and TUDCA were significantly positively correlated with the level of AFP(all P＜0.05).Combined measurement of AFP+TCA+GCA+TCDCA had an area under the ROC curve of 0.822(95%confidence interval:0.746-0.898,P＜0.000 1),suggesting that it had the highest diagnostic efficacy.Conclusion There are significant differences in the levels of plasma BA between the patients with PLC and those with MLC,and the differentially expressed BAs are closely associated with liver function impairment and the increase in AFP.BAs combined with AFP has a better clinical value in the diagnosis of PLC.

Objective:To investigate the effects of cervical cold knife conization (CKC) on preterm delivery, other pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes, and explore the relationship between preterm delivery risk and the depth and volume of conization.Methods:The clinical data and pregnancy outcomes of 272 women who underwent CKC in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2002 to March 2018 (conization group) and 1 647 pregnant women who gave birth in Peking Union Medical College Hospital during January to December 2019 (control group) were collected. The preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, other pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes of the two groups were compared, and the relationship between the depth and volume of conization and the risk of preterm delivery in postoperative singleton pregnancy was analyzed.Results:(1) There were no significant differences between the two groups in delivery age, parity, proportion of singleton pregnancy, proportion of assisted reproductive technology (all P>0.05). (2) The rate of preterm delivery in the conization group was significantly higher than that in the control group [14.8% (39/264) vs 5.7% (91/1 589); χ2=28.397, P<0.001]. There were still significant differences in preterm delivery rates between the two groups at <34 weeks and 34-37 weeks (all P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the incidence of premature rupture of membrane between the two groups [23.5% (62/264) vs 23.4% (372/1 589); χ2=0.001, P=0.979], but the incidence of preterm premature rupture of membrane in the conization group was significantly higher than that in the control group [11.4% (30/264) vs 2.2% (35/1 589); χ2=56.132, P<0.001]. (3) The rate of cesarean section in the conization group was higher than that in the control group [59.6% (162/272) vs 38.8% (639/1 647); χ2=41.377, P<0.001]. The birth weight of preterm infants in the conization group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(2 409±680) vs (2 150±684) g; t=2.184, P=0.030]. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, the birth weight of full-term infants, incidence of small for gestational age infant and neonatal intensive care unit admission rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). (4) The preterm delivery rates of coning depth >15 mm, cone size ≥2 cm 3 and cone size <2 cm 3 were higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05). When the coning depth ≤15 mm, the preterm delivery rate in the conization group was higher than that in the control group, but there was no significant difference ( P=0.620). The rate of preterm delivery of pregnant women with coning depth >15 mm was significantly higher than those with coning depth ≤15 mm ( RR=3.084, 95% CI: 1.474-6.453; P=0.001). There was no significant difference in the preterm delivery rate between pregnant women with cone size >2 cm 3 and those with cone size ≥2 cm 3 ( RR=1.700, 95% CI: 0.935-3.092; P=0.077). Conclusion:The risk of preterm delivery and preterm premature rupture of membranes in subsequent pregnancies are increased after cervical CKC, and the risk of preterm delivery is positively correlated with the depth of cervical coning.