Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, immune-mediated liver injury of unknown etiology. The onset of this disease involves the activation and recruitment of diverse immune and non-immune cells, which in turn trigger hepatic damage. Immune checkpoint molecules (ICM) are expressed on the surface of multiple cell types. By regulating cellular functional states, they help limit the intensity and duration of immune responses, thereby preventing excessive inflammation and tissue damage, and maintaining immune homeostasis. In AIH, however, this natural "braking" mechanism is impaired, leading to aberrant activation of both immune and non-immune cells and the breakdown of immune homeostasis. Consequently, ICM are likely to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of AIH. A deeper understanding of the function of ICM in AIH not onlyadvances our insight into the disease mechanism, but also suggests that targeting these molecules may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of AIH.

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 explore the influence of the medical and health management model based on artificial intelligence (AI) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with masked hypertension (MH). Methods A total of 342 patients with T2DM admitted to the hospital from May 2021 to August 2024 were selected as research subjects, and the incidence rate of MH was counted. All patients were classified into the reference group (routine management) and the study group (AI+medical health management) according to the random number table method, with 171 cases in each group. The self-management, glycolipid metabolism and ambulatory blood pressure were compared between both groups before and after intervention. Results Among the 342 patients with T2DM, MH occurred in 34 cases, with an incidence rate of 9.94% (34/342). The self-management ability in the two groups was improved after 6 months and 12 months of intervention, and the self-management ability was higher in the study group (P<0.05). After 6 months and 12 months of intervention, the glucolipid metabolism indexes in both groups were optimized, and the improvements in the study group were greater (P<0.05). The daytime average systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, 24 h average systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were decreased in both groups after 6 months and 12 months of intervention, and the study group showed lower indexes (P<0.05). Conclusion T2DM are prone to MH. AI medical and health chronic disease management can enhance patients' self-management ability, help improve glucose and lipid metabolism, lower blood pressure, and help reduce the risk of MH.

Background/Aims: Non-pharmacological treatments are crucial for managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), yet patient engagement remains a challenge. Understanding patients' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding these treatments is essential for improving care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across 5 hospitals, from October 2023 to February 2024. A self-designed knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaire along with the IBS quality of life and IBS severity scoring system was administered, and 496 valid responses were analyzed. Statistical analyses included correlation tests, multivariate linear regression, and mediation effect analysis. Results: The median scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 28, 25.5, and 21, respectively. Significant positive correlations were found between knowledge-attitude (r = 0.195), knowledge-practice (r = 0.364), and attitude-practice (r = 0.151). The multivariate linear regression analysis further indicated that knowledge (β = 0.399, P < 0.001) and attitude (β = 0.219, P = 0.022) positively correlated with the practical performance. SEM revealed that knowledge had a significant direct effect on both attitude (β = 0.186, P = 0.013) and practice (β = 0.356, P = 0.006). However, the direct effect of attitude on practice was not significant, and attitude did not mediate the relationship between knowledge and practice. Conclusions IBS patients exhibit a significant gap between their positive attitudes and their actual practices concerning non-pharmacological treatments. Knowledge is a direct driver of practice, but positive attitudes alone are insufficient to translate into behavior. Healthcare providers must move beyond simply fostering positive attitudes and focus on targeted educational interventions that provide actionable knowledge and skills to improve patient outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of electric microneedling combined with recombinant collagen liquid dressing, compound glycyrrhizin tablets, and hydrocortisone butyrate ointment for the treatment of mild to moderate alopecia areata in children.Methods:This is a prospective study. A total of 72 children with mild to moderate alopecia areata, admitted to the Department of Dermatology, Zunyi Maternal and Child Health Hospital from November 2023 to June 2024, were included in this study. The children were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which received electric microneedling combined with treatment, or the control group, which received treatment without microneedling, based on the order of their visits. All patients received oral compound glycyrrhizin tablets and topical hydrocortisone butyrate ointment for treatment. In the experimental group, electric microneedling was used to puncture the alopecia lesions while simultaneously applying recombinant collagen liquid dressing. The control group did not receive electric microneedling treatment and only had the recombinant collagen liquid dressing applied to the lesions. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks. The efficacy and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. After treatment, all patients were followed up for 3 months to check for any recurrence of this condition.Results:There was no significant difference in response rate between the experimental and control groups [81.58% (31/38) vs. 73.53% (25/34), χ2 = 0.67, P = 0.412). No significant difference in cure rate was observed between the experimental and control groups [57.89% (22/38) vs. 47.06% (16/34), χ2= 0.85, P = 0.358]. The time to effect in the experimental group was shorter than that in the control group [(3.16 ± 0.73) weeks vs. (4.60 ± 1.08) weeks, t = 5.15, P < 0.001]. The incidence of adverse reactions did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups [7.89% (3/38) vs. 0, Fisher value = 0.24, P = 0.242]. There was no significant difference in recurrence rate between experimental and control groups [6.45% (2/31) vs. 12.00% (3/25), χ2 = 0.06, P = 0.801). Conclusions:The combination of electric microneedling, recombinant collagen liquid dressing, compound glycyrrhizin tablets, and hydrocortisone butyrate ointment provides a rapid onset of effect and is safe and effective for the treatment of mild to moderate alopecia areata in children.

BACKGROUND:Vital pulp therapy is one of the main treatments for common oral diseases such as deep caries.The antibacterial properties of pulp-capping materials are crucial to the efficacy of the treatment.Currently,commonly used pulp-capping material has weak antibacterial properties and may induce a certain degree of inflammatory response in the pulp tissue,leading to treatment failure.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the antibacterial effects of nanosilver-reduced graphene oxide/polydopamine/methacrylated gelatin@Gap19(AgNPs-rGO/PDA/GelMA@Gap19)hydrogel material.METHODS:Nanosilver-reduced graphene oxide was prepared.Human dental pulp stem cells were cultured in complete medium containing different mass concentrations of nanosilver-reduced graphene oxide.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay.The inhibition zone assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of different mass concentrations of nanosilver-reduced graphene oxide on Staphylococcus aureus.The nanosilver-reduced graphene oxide mass concentration with the most obvious cell proliferation and antibacterial effects was screened by the results of CCK-8 and inhibition zone assays,and loaded into hydrogels.Human dental pulp stem cells were cultured in complete medium containing different concentrations of Gap19(a specific inhibitor of connexin 43 hemichannels),and cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay.The Gap19 concentration with the most obvious cell proliferation effect was screened and loaded into hydrogels.AgNPs-rGO/PDA/GelMA@Gap19 hydrogel was prepared,and the physicochemical properties of the hydrogel material were characterized.The suspension of Staphylococcus aureus(or Escherichia coli,Streptococcus mutans,Lactobacillus)was co-cultured with mineral trioxide aggregates,polydopamine/methacrylated gelatin hydrogel,nanosilver-reduced graphene oxide/polydopamine/methacrylated gelatin hydrogel and AgNPs-rGO/PDA/GelMA@Gap19 hydrogel.The bacterial suspension cultured alone was used as the blank control group to detect the antibacterial rate of each group of hydrogels.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The optimal mass concentration of nanosilver-reduced graphene oxide was determined to be 12.5 μg/mL by CCK-8 assay and inhibition zone test results,and the optimal concentration of Gap19 was determined to be 20 μmol/L by CCK-8 assay.(2)Scanning electron microscopy showed that AgNPs-rGO/PDA/GelMA@Gap19 hydrogel was wrinkled and porous,and nanosilver was loaded on the surface and inside of the hydrogel.Energy spectrum analysis results showed that nanosilver-reduced graphene oxide and Gap19 were successfully loaded on the hydrogel.(3)The four hydrogels had obvious inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli,Streptococcus mutans,and Lactobacillus,and the antibacterial effects of nanosilver-reduced graphene oxide/polydopamine/methacryloyl gelatin hydrogel and AgNPs-rGO/PDA/GelMA@Gap19 hydrogel were the most significant,indicating that AgNPs-rGO/PDA/GelMA@Gap19 hydrogel,as a new type of pulp capping material,has an obvious antibacterial effect.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is an unbiased, high-throughput, and high-resolution transcriptome analysis method at the single-cell level.Unlike ordinary transcriptome sequencing, which study the average gene expression of all cells in tissues, scRNA-seq maps RNA to individual cells, which can be used to discover new cell types, reveal cell heterogeneity, and identify rare cells.Recently, more and more researches on scRNA-seq have focused on ophthalmology.This technology is expected to reveal the complex developmental biological processes of the retina and the pathogenesis of diseases, providing guidance for the clinical treatment of ophthalmology.This article briefly introduces the development and technical process of scRNA-seq, describes the identification of various retinal cell subtypes, the retinal cell development, and the application of retinal organoids in detail.This article systematically summarizes the latest research progress on scRNA-seq in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, which mainly focuses on changes in cell-specific molecules and regulatory pathways in the occurrence and development of diseases, which will be helpful to search for potential new treatment targets for retinal diseases.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common serious microvascular complications of diabetes.Many studies have shown that DR is caused by damage to the retinal neurovascular unit.As our understanding of the pathogenesis of DR is still limited, existing treatment methods have not achieved the ideal effect of delaying progression and curing the disease at the fundamental level of pathogenesis.To further clarify the occurrence and development mechanism of DR and explore more effective prevention and treatment methods, researchers have developed and used various cell models targeting specific cells and signaling pathways.Most of these cell models can simulate part of the pathological changes of DR, but they cannot fully simulate the physiological and pathological environments in the body.Therefore, researchers must consider the research purpose and observation indicators comprehensively, select an appropriate cell model, and confirm it through animal experiments.This review provides a comprehensive discussion about the normal distribution, physiological functions, pathological changes of DR and the modeling methods, pathological manifestations and research applications of these models.

Diabetic retinopathy, one of the microvascular complications of diabetes, has become a leading cause of blindness in developed countries.The disease's pathogenesis is complex and involves inflammation and oxidative stress, which eventually lead to retinal microvascular disease and neurodegenerative changes.A large body of clinical and basic research evidence shows that metformin can improve diabetic retinopathy and delay its onset and progression.Metformin exerts protective effects on retinal microangiopathy and retinal cells via AMP-activated protein kinase-dependent and -independent pathways.Metformin can improve retinal cell autophagy, apoptosis and senescence by reducing the oxidative stress response and regulating mitochondrial energy metabolism.Metformin clinical and basic research provides a new approach to treating diabetic retinopathy and a potential direction for developing drugs.This article reviews the progress of clinical and basic research on metformin's protective effects against diabetic retinopathy.

Programmed cell death is an important defense mechanism of the body, which monitors internal lesions and defends external infections to maintain the stability of the body.In the past, there were two main types of cell death: apoptosis and necrosis.With the development of scientific research, new cell death modes, such as pyroptosis and ferroptosis, have attracted much attention and are involved in the occurrence and development of diabetic retinopathy (DR).Many pathogenic factors, such as oxidative stress, hyperglycemia and inflammation, lead to the death of retinal cells in different ways, such as apoptosis, pyroptosis and ferroptosis.Apoptosis is the earliest pathological response of DR, which occurs at the initial stage of oxidative stress, and the integrity of cell membranes is maintained at the early stage of apoptosis.Apoptotic cells are cleared by phagocytes in the tissue before dissolution, which avoids unnecessary inflammation.Pyroptosis is activated by Caspase-1, then cleaves GSDMD, which can lead to pore formation and osmotic cell lysis, resulting in inflammation and immune response.Ferroptosis involves lipid peroxidation and abnormal iron homeostasis.Lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion are the main markers of ferroptosis.The three cell death modes are independent and interrelated, and play a role in the occurrence and development of diseases together with other cell death modes.This article reviews the current status of cell apoptosis, pyroptosis and ferroptosis in DR.