Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center (GWCMC) established a Rare Disease Medical Center in December 2023 and assumed responsibility for the construction of the Guangdong Provincial Rare Disease Quality Control Center. As a national children's regional medical center and a core institution for maternal and child health in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, GWCMC leverages its disciplinary strengths in maternal and pediatric specialties, centers on the diagnosis and treatment needs of rare diseases in women and children, and carries out a systematic layout in such aspects as clinical diagnosis, treatment and service system, technical system and platforms, scientific research innovation and academic influence, talent echelon and capacity building, as well as quality control and regional collaboration. This paper reviews the development trajectory of the GWCMC Rare Disease Center, summarizes its phased experience in high-quality development, and offers reflections on future directions.

Intervertebral disc degeneration （IVDD） is the core cause of chronic low back pain， which severely impairs patients’ quality of life and imposes a heavy social and medical burden. The hypoxia-pyroptosis-inflammation cascade mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） is the core pathological mechanism driving the initiation and progression of IVDD. Natural active ingredients derived from traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have become a research hotspot in the field of IVDD prevention and treatment due to their advantages of multi-target effects， favorable efficacy， and low toxicity. This paper systematically reviews the mechanism of HIF-1α-mediated hypoxia-pyroptosis-inflammation cascade in degenerative nucleus pulposus tissue and the intervention of related active ingredients. It is found that natural active ingredients such as baicalein， curcumin and resveratrol can intervene in the HIF-1α-mediated pathological cascade through four core links to delay IVDD progression： targeting the HIF-1α oxygen sensing pathway to block the initiation of pyroptosis cascade， inhibiting NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome activation to cut off the cascade amplification of inflammatory signals， intervening in the Gasdermin D-mediated pyroptosis execution stage to protect cell membrane integrity， and regulating extracellular matrix metabolism to reconstruct intervertebral disc homeostasis.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of heat-sensitive moxibustion on quality of life and immune function in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） patients undergoing chemotherapy. MethodsSeventy NSCLC patients with qi deficiency and phlegm stasis syndrome were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group， with 35 cases in each group. The control group received chemotherapy combined with routine symptomatic treatment， while the intervention group additionally received heat-sensitive moxibustion since the first day of chemotherapy. Acupoints included Dazhui （GV14）， bilateral Feishu （BL13）， Zhongwan （CV12）， Qihai （CV6）， and Guanyuan （CV4）. The site exhibiting the strongest heat-sensitization response was selected for moxibustion. Treatment was administered for 45 minutes per session， three times weekly for three consecutive weeks， totaling nine sessions. Before and after treatment， quality of life was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire （EORTC QLQ-C30）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores were evaluated. Peripheral blood levels of natural killer （NK） cells and T-lymphocyte subsets including CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD8⁺， and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio were measured. Levels of programmed cell death protein-1 （PD-1）， including PD-1⁺CD4⁺ and PD-1⁺CD8⁺ cells， were also assessed. Liver and renal function were monitored before and after treatment， and adverse events were recorded. ResultsIn the intervention group， 1 participant withdrew and 1 was excluded， while in the control group， 2 participants withdrew. Ultimately， 33 participants in each group were included in the final analysis. The intervention group showed significant improvements in physical， role， emotional， cognitive， and social functioning， as well as global health status after treatment， while scores for fatigue， nausea and vomiting， dyspnea， appetite loss， diarrhea， and TCM syndrome scale were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Moreover， the intervention group demonstrated higher scores in physical functioning， role functioning， and global health status， as well as lower scores for fatigue， nausea and vomiting， dyspnea， appetite loss， diarrhea， and the TCM syndrome scale than the control group （P＜0.05）. After treatment， the levels of peripheral NK cells and PD-1⁺CD8⁺ T cells in the intervention group increased significantly； furthermore， the intervention group exhibited higher peripheral NK cell levels and lower PD-1⁺CD8⁺ T cell levels than the control group （P＜0.05）. No significant differences were found in liver or renal function between the two groups （P＞0.05）. In addition， no adverse events such as burns or moxibustion-induced syncope occurred during the study. ConclusionHeat-sensitive moxibustion as an adjunctive therapy may enhance immune function， alleviate clinical symptoms， and improve quality of life， while demonstrating a favorable safety profile in NSCLC patients with qi deficiency and phlegm stasis.

Triptolide （TP）， the core active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii ， exhibits remarkable pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory， immunosuppressive and anti-tumor effects， and holds broad application prospects in the treatment of major diseases such as autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors. However， TP has a narrow therapeutic window and causes multi-organ toxicities including liver， kidney and reproductive toxicities， which severely restrict its safe clinical application and new drug development. Therefore， toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement has become a core scientific problem urgently to be solved in this field. This paper systematically reviews the four core strategies for TP toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement， including structural modification， dosage form improvement， herbal compatibility， and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine. Among them， structural modification optimizes the toxic and efficacy characteristics of TP from the molecular structure level， with typica l derivatives including （5 R ）-5-hydroxy triptolide， ZT01， PG490-88， etc. Dosage form modification achieves toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement via targeted and sustained-controlled drug release of diverse delivery systems. It includes triptolide preparations such as nanoparticles， liposomes， microemulsion gels and liquid crystals， possessing favorable clinical transformation potential. The herbal compatibility and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine conform to the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine and have a profound clinical application foundation， but their mechanisms of action are insufficiently elucidated， and they lack unified standardized specifications and high-quality evidence-based proof. In the future， we should rely on multi-omics technology to elucidate the toxic and efficacy mechanisms， integrate technologies to optimize preparations， improve the evaluation system and promote clinical transformation.

OBJECTIVE To study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ciprofol in pregnant and fetal rats， and provide reference for the application of ciprofol in cesarean section. METHODS Eight pregnant rats were selected. A single dose of 2.4 mg/kg of ciprofol was administered via the tail vein. One fetal rat was selected at 2， 4， 8， 12， 16， 25， 35， 45， 60， and 90 minutes respectively after ciprofol administration. Subsequently， whole blood samples were collected simultaneously from both the pregnant rats and fetal rats. HPLC-MS/MS method was used to determine the concentration of ciprofol in the bodies of pregnant and fetal rats. The ratios of fetal-to-maternal blood concentrations （F/M ratios） at each time point were calculated， and the F/M-time curves were plotted. Subsequently， non-compartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were computed using DAS 2.0 software. RESULTS Compared with pregnant rats， cmax， AUC0-90 min and AUC0-∞ of ciprofol in fetal rats were decreased significantly， while MRT was increased significantly （P＜0.05）. The F/M curve of ciprofol initially increased and then decreased， and between 0.16- 0.84， reaching a maximum value of 0.84 at 45 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Ciprofol can penetrate the placental barrier， and there are significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters between pregnant and fetal rats. Moreover， the exposure level of ciprofol in fetal rats is much lower than that in pregnant rats. Therefore， ciprofol shows promise as an ideal anesthetic agent for cesarean section delivery.

Objective:To investigate the current status of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of intensive care unit (ICU) medical staff for post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and explore its influencing factors.Methods:The cross-sectional investigation study with stratified sampling was conducted. From June to September 2024, ICU medical staff from general hospitals in 5 regions (Chongqing, Beijing, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, and Gansu) were selected as the research subjects. The KAP of PICS questionnaire was distributed in the form of an electronic questionnaire. Observation indicators: (1) results of the questionnaire survey; (2) general information of ICU medical staff; (3) KAP scores of PICS and the correlation among various dimensions; (4) analysis of influencing factors for KAP of PICS. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the independent samples t test. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied for com-parison among multiple groups, and post-hoc LSD test was used for pairwise comparison. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Pearson correlation analysis was adopted for correlation analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) Results of questionnaire survey. A total of 410 questionnaires were distributed and retrieved, among which 408 were valid, with an effective rate of 99.512%(408/410). (2) General information of ICU medical staff. Among the 408 ICU medical staff, there were 79 males and 329 females. Eight cases were under 25 years old, 248 cases were 25-35 years old, 132 cases were 36-40 years old, and 20 cases were over 40 years old. In terms of professional title, there were 10 junior nurses, 130 junior nurse practitioners, 228 intermediate nurse practitioners, and 40 senior nurse practitioners. About the educational background, 34 cases had a junior college degree, 347 cases had a bachelor's degree, and 27 cases had a master's degree or above. Regarding the hospital level, 25 nurses worked in secondary hospitals and 383 cases in tertiary hospitals. In terms of ICU type, 181 cases were from specialized ICU and 227 cases from general ICU. About working experience in ICU, 41 nurses had less than 5 years, 207 cases had 5-10 years, and 160 cases had more than 10 years. (3) KAP scores of PICS and the correlation among various dimensions. The total KAP score of PICS among the 408 ICU medical staff was 88.7±14.2, with 40.2±9.2 for the knowledge dimension, 22.0±5.6 for the attitude dimension, and 26.5±6.3 for the practice dimension. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the knowledge dimension of PICS among ICU medical staff was significantly positively correlated with both the attitude dimension and the practice dimension ( r=0.15, 0.69, P<0.05); the attitude dimension was positively correlated with the practice dimension ( r=0.23, P<0.05).(4) Analysis of influencing factors for KAP of PICS. Results of multivariate analysis showed that age (25-35 years old, 36-40 years old, over 40 years old), educational background and hospital level were independent influencing factors for the KAP of PICS among ICU medical staff ( t=2.23, 1.97, 2.84, 0.15, 2.04, P<0.05). Conclusions:The KAP of PICS among ICU medical staff is relatively good, while their practical ability still needs to be improved. Age, educational background, and hospital level are independent influencing factors for the KAP of PICS among ICU medical staff.

Objective To investigate the relationship of C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte(CALLY)index,serum autotaxin and serine protease 2(PRSS2)with postoperative recurrence and metastasis in gastric cancer patients.Methods A total of 188 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer from December 2019 to December 2021 were selected as the research subjects.According to the postoperative situation,they were divided into the recurrence and metastasis group(n=72)and the non-recurrence and metastasis group(n=116).C reactive protein(CRP)was detected by immunoturbidimetry,albumin was detected by bromocresol green method,lymphocyte count was detected by blood routine analyzer,and CALLY index was calculated.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of autotaxin and PRSS2,and Spearman/Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between CALLY index,serum autotaxin,PRSS2 levels and clinical data.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of recurrence and metastasis in patients with gastric cancer after radical resection,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of CALLY index,serum autotaxin and PRSS2 levels for recurrence and metastasis in patients with gastric cancer after radical resection.Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relationship between CALLY index,serum autotaxin,PRSS2 levels and postoperative recurrence and metastasis.Results Compared with the non-recurrence and metastasis group,the recurrence and metastasis group had a higher proportion of patients with TNM stage Ⅲ,Borrmann type Ⅲ-Ⅳ,lymphovascular invasion,neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative chemotherapy,higher serum levels of autotaxin and PRSS2,and lower CALLY index(P<0.01).TNM stage,Borrmann type,lymphovascular invasion,neoadjuvant therapy and postoperative chemotherapy were negatively correlated with CALLY index,and positively correlated with serum autotaxin and PRSS2 levels,while serum autotaxin and PRSS2 levels were negatively correlated with CALLY index(P<0.01).TNM stage,Borrmann type,lymphovascular invasion,CALLY index,autotaxin and PRSS2 were the influencing factors of recurrence and metastasis in patients with gastric cancer after radical resection(P<0.05,P<0.01).The area under the curve(AUC)of CALLY index,autotaxin and PRSS2 for predicting recurrence and metastasis was 0.962,which was significantly larger than that of CALLY index,autotaxin and PRSS alone(P<0.01).The 3-year recurrence and metastasis rate of patients with low CALLY index expression[56.52%(52/92)]was higher than that of patients with high CALLY index expression[20.83%(20/96)](P<0.01).The 3-year recurrence and metastasis rate of patients with high expression of autotaxin[49.47%(47/95)]was higher than that of patients with low expression[26.88%(25/93)](P<0.01).The 3-year recurrence and metastasis rate of patients with high PRSS2 expression[47.87%(45/94)]was higher than that of patients with low PRSS2 expression[28.72%(27/94)](P<0.01).Conclusion The CALLY index decreases,and serum autotaxin and PRSS2 increase in patients with postoperative recurrence and metastasis of gastric cancer.The combined prediction of the three factors demonstrates higher predictive performance for postoperative recurrence and metastasis.

Objective:To investigate the effects of individual versus connected microdroplet culture modes in time-lapse (TL) incubators on embryo development parameters and pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing whole embryo culture to blastocyst stage.Methods:Using a retrospective cohort study, clinical data from 3 507 fresh blastocyst transfer cycles were analyzed. These cycles involved patients who underwent assisted reproductive technology treatment with whole embryo culture to blastocyst stage at the Reproductive Medical Center of Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital between January 2019 and December 2023. Based on different culture modes, patients were divided into two groups, connected group ( n=2 446, using connected microdroplet culture) and individual group ( n=1 061, using individual microdroplet culture). Baseline characteristics, embryo development parameters, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to adjust for confounding factors and analyze the effect of culture mode. Results:Embryo development assessment showed the day 3 (D3) high-quality embryo rate in the connected group [60.12% (12 136/20 187)] was significantly lower than that in the individual group [63.62% (4 705/7 395), P<0.001], whereas the high-quality blastocyst formation rate [34.93% (7 052/20 187)] and the available blastocyst formation rate [56.07% (11 319/20 187)] were both significantly higher than those in the individual group [33.08% (2 446/7 395), P=0.004; 51.45% (3 805/7 395), P<0.001], with statistically significant differences. The implantation rate [67.40% (1 774/2 632)], the clinical pregnancy rate [70.20% (1 717/2 446)], and the live birth rate [60.66% (1 469/2 446)] in the connected group were all significantly higher than those in the individual group [63.40% (724/1 142), P=0.017; 66.73% (708/1 061), P=0.041; 55.89% (593/1 061), P=0.021], with statistically significant differences. Neonatal outcomes showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P>0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors using GLM, connected culture was an independent influencing factor for D3 high-quality embryo rate (a MD=-0.017, 95% CI: -0.034-0.000, P=0.046), high-quality blastocyst formation rate (a MD=-0.020, 95% CI: 0.002-0.037, P=0.026), available blastocyst formation rate (a MD=0.032, 95% CI: 0.015-0.048, P<0.001), live birth rate (a OR=1.182, 95% CI: 1.006-1.388, P=0.042). However, it had no effect on D3 available embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, or early miscarriage rate (all P>0.05). Conclusion:In TL incubator systems, individual and connected microdroplet culture modes exert different effects at various stages of embryo development. Individual microdroplet culture can significantly enhance cleavage-stage embryo quality, whereas the connected microdroplet culture was more beneficial for enhancing the blastocyst formation rate and quality, ultimately improving the live birth rate without increasing neonatal risks.

Objective To observe the correlations of artificial intelligence(AI)measured parameters on anteroposterior and lateral spinal X-ray films with the severity of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS).Methods Totally 1 786 AIS patients were retrospectively enrolled.Parameters including Cobb angle(CA),coronal balance distance(CBD),T1 slope(T1S),pelvic tilt(PT),sacral slope(SS),apical vertebral translation(AVT),thoracic trunk shift(TTS),thoracic kyphosis(TK)and sagittal vertical axis(SVA)on anteroposterior and lateral spinal X-ray films were measured using uAI DR scoliosis analysis system.The severity of AIS was evaluated according to CA,and the correlations between other parameters and the severity of AIS were explored.The above parameters were compared under different severity levels and coronal/sagittal equilibrium states.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to screen the independent impact factors on the severity of AIS.Results Significant differences of the above parameters were found among different severity levels except for SVA(all P＜0.001).With the aggravation of AIS,CA,CBD,AVT and TTS increased successively(all P＜0.001).T1S of severe AIS was higher than that of mild and moderate AIS(both P＜0.001),PT and SS of moderate and severe AIS were all bigger,while their TK were smaller than those of mild AIS(all P＜0.001).Significant differences of CA,T1S,PT,SS,AVT,TTS and TK were found between coronal balanced and imbalanced AIS(all P＜0.05),while of TK were found between sagittal balanced and unbalanced AIS(P=0.026).CBD,T1S,PT,SS,AVT and TTS were all positively correlated(r,=0.136-0.606,all P＜0.001),while TK was negatively correlated(r,=—0.404,P＜0.001)with the severity of AIS.T1S,AVT and TTS were all independent impact factors of the severity of AIS(all P＜0.001).Conclusion Among AI measured parameters on anteroposterior and lateral spinal X-ray films,CBD,T1S,PT,SS,AVT and TTS were positively correlated,while TK was negatively correlated with the severity of AIS.

Objective:Micro-and nanostructures with sharp disordered and rounded ordered features were fabricated on titanium surfaces,respectively,and their osteogenic potential was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.Methods:Sharp disordered titanium surfaces(SLA-Ti)and rounded ordered titanium surfaces(Laser-Ti)were prepared using sandblast acid etching and high-repeti-tion-rate femtosecond laser,respectively.Smooth titanium(Ti)was used as the control group,SLA-Ti and Laser-Ti were used as the experimental groups.Characterization was conducted using scanning electron microscopy coupled with hydrophilicity assess-ments.The adhesion,elongation,and osteogenic differentiation capabilities of osteoblasts in vitro were evaluated through cell mor-phology observations,cytoskeletal fluorescence staining,cell viability assays,and PCR experiments.Osteogenic potential in vivo of rabbits was assessed through Micro CT scans and histological staining(HE and Masson).Results:The surface of Laser-Ti exhibits a rounded,ordered,multi-scale micro-and nano-morphology with the best hydrophilicity(P＜0.01).In vitro,it promotes cell adhe-sion,extension,and osteogenic differentiation,while in vivo,it enhances bone regeneration around the implants.Overall,a trend of Laser-Ti＞SLA-Ti＞Ti is observed,with a higher bone volume fraction(BV/TV)(P＜0.05),greater trabecular thickness(Tb.Th)(P＜0.05),an increased number of trabeculae(Tb.N)(P＜0.05),and a larger area of bone around the implants(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The rounded ordered micro-and nano-structures fabricated using high-repetition-rate fem-tosecond laser demonstrate enhanced osteoinductive capac-ity both in vitro and in vivo.