Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

This paper introduces the academic characteristics of Professor ZHANG Ren in treatment with acupuncture for refractory eye diseases in modern times, guided by "homotherapy for heteropathy" (same therapy for different diseases sharing the same pathogenesis). The refractory eye diseases in modern times include a variety of conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, high myopia and its complications, dry eye, cortical visual impairment and genetic eye diseases. The same therapy is used because these diseases share the similar location and pathogenesis. Professor ZHANG optimizes the methods of acupoint selection and provides the comprehensive prescriptions, "basic prescription, prescription based on disease differentiation, and supplementary prescription". A variety of acupuncture manipulation techniques are operated in clinical practice, such as compound needling methods, penetration needling, manipulations for promoting qi movement and conducting qi flow. "Early, regular and persistent" treatment is the common requirement with "the same acupoints, the same prescription and the same acupuncture method" as well as at "the same time". It is also proposed that the treatment should be provided flexibly according to the different symptoms, "identifying the differences within similarities".
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; Eye Diseases/history* ; Acupuncture Points ; History, 20th Century ; China ; History, 21st Century

Objective:This study investigated the awareness and consumption of Trogia venenata among populations in regions affected by Yunnan unexplained sudden death (YUSD). The findings aim to support etiological research on YUSD and contribute to the formulation of preventive measures against Trogia venenata poisoning. Methods:This study was a case-control study. From 2018 to 2021, surveys were conducted in 90 villages across 25 counties within YUSD-affected areas in Yunnan Province. Households with YUSD cases were designated as case households, whereas households without YUSD cases served as controls, ande were selected through convenience sampling at a 3:1 ratio. An enhanced questionnaire was designed to collect information on the consumption of Trogia venenata, and symptoms following consumption. Frequency data were presented as percentages, and group comparisons were conducted using χ 2 tests or Fisher’s exact tests. Results:A total of 711 questionnaires were collected (response rate: 100%), comprising 175 case households and 536 control households. Trogia venenata was present in 80.82% of the villages surveyed. Among the 711 households, 15.89% reported consuming Trogia venenata, primarily through stir-frying (53.10%), followed by boiling (29.20%), boiling and stir-frying (15.93%), and steaming (1.77%). Most households (94.69%) consumed fresh fruiting bodies, with 69.02% consuming them fewer than three times annually. The consumption rates were higher among the case households than among the control households. Of the 113 households with a history of Trogia venenata consumption, 35.40% reported symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and limb soreness. The proportions of affected families in each group were compared according to their source, cooking method, fruiting body status and consumption frequency. The proportion of affected families with high consumption frequency (≥3 times/year) was higher than that with low consumption frequency (<3 times/year). Among 421 YUSD cases, 63 cases (14.96%) had a history of Trogia venenata consumption before death, with 43 cases showing symptoms within the longest known latency period (14 d) for poisoning by this mushroom. Conclusions:Trogia venenata is prevalent in 80.82% of YUSD-affected regions, with 16.67% of the population reporting its consumption, predominantly as fresh fruiting bodies prepared by stir-frying or boiling. Confirmed Trogia venenata consumption was identified in 14.96% of YUSD cases, suggesting that mushroom poisoning is a significant risk factor for YUSD. Ongoing health education and interventions are critical for mitigating the risk of Trogia venenata poisoning.

Objective To investigate the effects of Amanita caojizong on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the expression of apoptosis-related factors Bcl-2 and Bax,thereby providing experimental evidence for the prevention and treatment of Amanita caojizong poisoning.Methods Mouse cardiomyocytes(HL-1 cells)cultured in vitro were divided into an experimental group(treated with Amanita caojizong extract)and a control group(treated with PBS).After treatment with Amanita caojizong extract,apoptosis of HL-1 cells was observed using TUNEL staining,and the protein expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,Caspase-3,and Cleaved Caspase-3 in HL-1 cardiomyocytes were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the TUNEL staining showed significantly increased apoptotic fluorescence intensity in the Amanita caojizong extract-treated group.The protein expressions of Bax,Caspase-3,and Cleaved Caspase-3 in HL-1 cells in the Amanita caojizong-treated group were upregulated,while the expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated.Conclusion Amanita caojizong can promote apoptosis of mouse cardiomyocytes,and its mechanism may be associated with the Bcl-2/Bax pathway.

Objective:To explore the correlation between the level of T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and the progression of Alzheimer′s disease (AD).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 30 cases of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; aMCI group), 30 cases of mild AD (Mi-D; Mi-D group), 30 cases of moderate AD (Mo-D; Mo-D group), who were diagnosed in the Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Xinjiang Medical University from January to December 2023, and 30 normal controls (normal control group) matched by age and gender. The levels of T cell subsets in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry, and the subpopulations of CD4 +T cells, Th cells, were examined. Binary Logistic regression was used to explore the correlation between factors affecting patients′ cognitive function and the onset of AD, and Spearman′s correlation analysis was applied to assess the association between the level of peripheral blood immune cells and the severity of AD. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in peripheral blood CD4 +T cells ( F=1.762, P=0.158), CD8 +T cells ( F=0.370, P=0.775), CD4 +/CD8 +ratios ( F=1.976, P=0.121), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) levels ( F=0.232, P=0.874) among the aMCI group, Mi-D group, Mo-D group, and normal control group in the intergroup comparisons (all P>0.05). The study subjects were stratified according to gender, age, body mass index, and years of education affecting the cognitive function of AD patients, and the peripheral blood CD4 +T cells, CD8 +T cells, CD4 +/CD8 + ratios and Tregs levels showed no statistically significant differences among groups (all P>0.05). The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the peripheral blood CD8 +T-cell level ( OR=1.131, 95% CI 1.009-1.268, P=0.035) was a risk factor for the onset of AD. Further analysis of peripheral blood CD4 +T cell subsets revealed that Th1 cell levels were lower in the aMCI group compared to the Mi-D group ( t=-2.354, P=0.036), and the Mo-D group ( t=-2.079, P=0.026). The results of the Spearman′s correlation analysis showed that peripheral blood Th1 cell level was positively correlated with AD progression ( r=0.192, P<0.05). Conclusions:AD patients show peripheral immune imbalance, peripheral blood CD8 +T-cell level is a risk factor for the onset of AD, and peripheral Th1 cell level is positively correlated with the severity of AD. Monitoring the changes in peripheral blood Th1 cell level may have a predictive value for the progression of AD.

Objective:To explore the correlation between the level of T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and the progression of Alzheimer′s disease (AD).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 30 cases of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; aMCI group), 30 cases of mild AD (Mi-D; Mi-D group), 30 cases of moderate AD (Mo-D; Mo-D group), who were diagnosed in the Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Xinjiang Medical University from January to December 2023, and 30 normal controls (normal control group) matched by age and gender. The levels of T cell subsets in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry, and the subpopulations of CD4 +T cells, Th cells, were examined. Binary Logistic regression was used to explore the correlation between factors affecting patients′ cognitive function and the onset of AD, and Spearman′s correlation analysis was applied to assess the association between the level of peripheral blood immune cells and the severity of AD. Results:There were no statistically significant differences in peripheral blood CD4 +T cells ( F=1.762, P=0.158), CD8 +T cells ( F=0.370, P=0.775), CD4 +/CD8 +ratios ( F=1.976, P=0.121), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) levels ( F=0.232, P=0.874) among the aMCI group, Mi-D group, Mo-D group, and normal control group in the intergroup comparisons (all P>0.05). The study subjects were stratified according to gender, age, body mass index, and years of education affecting the cognitive function of AD patients, and the peripheral blood CD4 +T cells, CD8 +T cells, CD4 +/CD8 + ratios and Tregs levels showed no statistically significant differences among groups (all P>0.05). The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the peripheral blood CD8 +T-cell level ( OR=1.131, 95% CI 1.009-1.268, P=0.035) was a risk factor for the onset of AD. Further analysis of peripheral blood CD4 +T cell subsets revealed that Th1 cell levels were lower in the aMCI group compared to the Mi-D group ( t=-2.354, P=0.036), and the Mo-D group ( t=-2.079, P=0.026). The results of the Spearman′s correlation analysis showed that peripheral blood Th1 cell level was positively correlated with AD progression ( r=0.192, P<0.05). Conclusions:AD patients show peripheral immune imbalance, peripheral blood CD8 +T-cell level is a risk factor for the onset of AD, and peripheral Th1 cell level is positively correlated with the severity of AD. Monitoring the changes in peripheral blood Th1 cell level may have a predictive value for the progression of AD.

Objective:Multi-facial reflective type of nano-ultrasound contrast agents（UCAs）loaded with hollow self-decomposable silica nanoparticles（SiO 2 NP）of different particle sizes were prepared to investigate the effect of the particle size of SiO 2 NP on the structural and physicochemical characteristics of the nano-UCAs，as well as on the intensity of ultrasound contrast. Methods:Two types of SiO 2 NP with large and small particle sizes（SiO 2 NP L and SiO 2 NP S）were prepared by adjusting the material ratios，and nano-UCAs with different particle sizes of SiO 2 NP S loaded at a concentration of 2 mg/ml were prepared by the thin film hydration method（SiO 2 NP L@NBs and SiO 2 NP S@NBs），and compared with the commercial SonoVue and the prepared nano-bubbles（NBs）for comparing the particle size，zeta potential and stability，scanning electron microscopy to observe the structure，CCK8 method to assess cytotoxicity，and comparison of ultrasonography imaging intensity in in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results:The particle sizes of the two SiO 2 NP（SiO 2 NP L and SiO 2 NP S）were（213.270 ± 16.890）nm and（53.870 ± 8.246）nm，respectively，and the particle size of the synthesized nano-UCA was SiO 2 NP L@NBs（628.40 ± 89.97）nm and SiO 2 NP S@NBs（493.40 ± 36.35）nm respectively，there was no difference in particle size（ P>0.05）. The scanning electron microscope showed a "fig" structure. The stability of SiO 2 NP S@NBs was better than that of SiO 2 NP L@NBs and SonoVue. Safety tests showed that both SiO 2 NP L@NBs and SiO 2 NP S@NBs were safe and usable. Compared with NBs，the intensity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound contrast in SiO 2 NP@NBs with multiple reflection interfaces was significantly enhanced，and the enhanced intensity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in vitro and in vivo in the SiO 2 NP L@NBs group was significantly higher than that of the NBs group，the SiO 2 NP S@NBs group，and the SonoVue group（all P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in the enhanced intensity of in vitro contrast-enhanced ultrasound between the SiO 2 NP S@NBs group and that of SonoVue（ P>0.05），and the enhanced intensity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in vivo was significantly higher than that in the SonoVue group（ P<0.05）. Conclusions:The large and small SiO 2 NPs prepared by adjusting the material ratio do not affect the nanoparticle size of UCA.The ultrasonic enhancement ability of nano-UCA with large particle size SiO 2 NP is stronger，but the stability time at room temperature is shorter than that of nano-UCA with small particle size SiO 2 NP.

Objective:To design a morning quality assurance method for pencil-beam scanning proton system to achieve integrated measurement of multiple parameters.Methods:A functionally partitioned morning check phantom was designed and manufactured, which was fixed to a specific position on the treatment bed with a 3D-printed clip, along with the two-dimensional matrix ionization chamber, for consistency checks of proton field and beam-related parameters. Additionally, a groove for an imaging phantom was reserved on one side of the clip for the functional check of the onboard imaging guidance system. The sensitivity and specificity of the aforementioned morning check method were tested, demonstrating its effectiveness. The morning check data from a rotating beam treatment room at the Hefei Ion Medical Center over a continuous period of 7 months (126 d) were analyzed. The output, field flatness, symmetry, field size and the duration of morning check were observed.Results:The results showed that the changes in the output, field flatness, and symmetry were all within 1%, the change in the field size was within 0.5 mm, and the range variations for both 155 MeV and 240 MeV energy levels were within 1 mm. The changes in the spot size for the four energy levels of 100 MeV, 130 MeV, 160 MeV, and 190 MeV were all within 2%, and the spot position deviations were within 1.5 mm. The entire morning check process could be completed within 20 min.Conclusions:The morning check method designed and manufactured in this study specifically for pencil-beam scanning proton therapy can efficiently and integrally measure various proton system parameters and can be used as an implementation method for clinical proton therapy morning check.