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 investigate the effects of a Twin-Block appliance combined with slow maxillary expansion (SME) on transverse dental and skeletal parameters in adolescent patients with Angle Class Ⅱ division 1 malocclusion, and to provide a reference for clinical orthodontic practice. Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. A total of 21 adolescents with Class Ⅱ division 1 malocclusion who underwent two-phase treatment with a Twin-Block appliance combined with SME at the Department of Orthodontics, College & Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, in 2021 to 2023 were consecutively enrolled. In the first phase, a functional appliance was used to coordinate the skeletal relationship between the maxilla and mandible by leveraging growth potential. In the second phase, a fixed appliance was employed for fine adjustments of the dental arches based on the specific condition. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were obtained before treatment (T0) and after the first phase of functional correction (T1). Transverse measurements at the first molar region, including molar buccolingual inclination, dental arch width, and basal bone width, were performed using Dolphin 3D Imaging software. Changes between T0 and T1 were statistically analyzed. Results: After the first phase of treatment, the left and right maxillary first molars showed a significant increase in buccal inclination by 5.47° ± 1.38° and 5.35° ± 1.61°, respectively (P<0.001). The arch width in the maxillary first molar region also increased by (2.68 ± 1.14) mm, and the basal bone width increased by (1.14 ± 1.24) mm (all P<0.001). The proportion of skeletal expansion accounted for an average of 42.86%, while dental expansion accounted for 57.14%. No statistically significant changes were observed in any mandibular transverse measurements (all P>0.05). Conclusion In adolescent patients with Angle Class Ⅱ division 1 malocclusion accompanied by maxillary transverse deficiency, Twin-Block appliance combined with SME can effectively expand maxillary dental arch and basal bone width while improving sagittal relationship, thereby correcting transverse discrepancy. The maxillary width changes were predominantly dental.

Objective To assess the accuracy and consistency of point-of-care testing(POCT)technology in detecting D-dimer(DDI),Procalcitonin(PCT),and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)in whole blood samples,as well as to validate its feasibility for rapid clinical diagnosis.Methods From July 8 to August 22,2022,a total of 104 paired DDI whole blood and plasma samples,496 paired PCT whole blood and serum samples,and 77 paired NT-proBNP whole blood and serum samples were collected.The consistency and accuracy of test results between whole blood and plasma/serum samples were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test,regression analysis,relative sensitivity,relative specificity,Youden's index,and Kappa value.Results The test results of DDI,PCT,and NT-proBNP in whole blood and plasma/serum samples demonstrated excellent consistency,with correlation coefficients of r2=0.951 2,r2=0.942 8,and r2=0.991 6,respectively,and all P-values exceeding 0.05.At the medical decision levels,for DDI(0.55 μg/mL),the relative sensitivity,rela-tive specificity,Youden index,and Kappa value were 94.3%,94.1%,0.88,and 0.87,respectively.For PCT(0.5 ng/mL and 2.0 ng/mL),the relative sensitivities were 97.4%and 89.0%,the relative specificities were 95.8%and 98.3%,the Youden indices were 0.93 and 0.87,and the Kappa values were 0.93 and 0.89,respectively.For NT-proBNP(125 pg/mL),the relative sensitivity was 94.1%,the relative specificity was 100%,the Youden index was 0.94,and the Kappa value was 0.87.These findings confirm the high accuracy of whole blood sample testing and the strong concordance between the two methods.Conclusions This study confirmed the efficacy of POCT technology for detecting DDI,PCT,and NT-proBNP in whole blood samples.The results showed a high level of consistency compared to traditional plasma/serum methods,thereby reinforcing the clinical applicability of POCT for rapid diagnosis.

Objective To systematically evaluate the factors affecting taste alteration in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy.Methods PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,CINAHL,Embase,CBM,CNKI,WanFang Data and VIP were searched from the establishment until August 1,2024.The retrieved literature was independently screened,evaluated and the data were extracted by 2 researchers,and statistical analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 software.Results A total of 18 studies were included,involving 4 686 patients.The incidence of taste changes is 73.46％.Totally 9 influencing factors were extracted through quantitative analysis,including oral mucositis(OR=1.98),dry mouth(OR=1.82),nausea(OR=3.05),loss of appetite(OR=2.41),use of triple antiemetic drugs(OR=2.45),gynecological cancers(OR=0.67),lung cancer(OR=0.57),paclitaxel types of chemotherapy d rugs(OR=2.86),and smoking(β=9.38).Conclusion The alteration of taste in cancer chemotherapy patients is in-fluenced by multiple factors.Nurses should regularly and dynamically assess changes in taste and implement individualized and refined nursing interventions in clinical practice to prevent or delay the development of taste alterations,thereby improving patients' quality of life and treatment adherence.

OBJECTIVE: The concept of constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in both the prevention and treatment of insomnia. However, rigorous statistical evidence on the correlation between TCM constitutions-particularly mixed constitutions-and insomnia disorder remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between specific TCM constitutions and insomnia disorder. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Preventive Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, from November 2022 to December 2023. TCM constitutions were assessed using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire. Insomnia disorder was diagnosed by experienced internal medicine physicians according to the criteria of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition. A total of 1065 eligible participants (242 with insomnia disorder and 823 controls) were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: Among the participants, 862 (80.94%) exhibited biased constitutions, with 75.30% of these having mixed constitutions. Logistic regression analysis revealed a negative association between the gentleness constitution and insomnia disorder, whereas qi-deficiency, yang-deficiency, phlegm-dampness and qi-depression constitutions were positively associated with insomnia disorder. These associations remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders and were further validated through sensitivity analysis using propensity score matching. CONCLUSION Significant associations between TCM constitutions and insomnia disorder were demonstrated. Future research should further investigate these relationships and explore the underlying mechanisms through rigorous longitudinal and interventional studies to improve understanding and clinical applications. Please cite this article as: Han Y, Wang Y, Shi MY, Liu Y, Cheng XD, Zhou Y. Integrating traditional Chinese medicine constitutions into insomnia management: Findings from a cross-sectional study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(4): 382-389.
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE To standardize the strategies for prevention and control of Chikungunya(CHIK)in healthcare in-stitutions so as to reduce the risk of transmission in the institutions.METHODS A working group comprising the ex-perts in hospital infection control,infectious diseases,and microbiology systematically reviewed domestic and international evidence and current guidelines,integrated China's vector ecology and healthcare realities,conducted two rounds of Delphi to achieve expert consensus,and graded the evidence and recommendation strength using the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine system.RESULTS The consensus issues 18 actionable recommendations on triage,patient mosquito-proof isolation,integrated vector control,protection of susceptible populations,environmental cleaning and disinfection,specimen management,medical textile handling,and outbreak emergency response,with each statement assigned an evi-dence level and recommendation strength.CONCLUSION This consensus is for the first time in China to provide evidence-graded strategies for control of CHIK in healthcare institutions,offering work flow-oriented,implementable guidance for clinicians,laboratorians,and infection-control personnel under different risk scenarios and enhancing the comprehensive coping capacity of the healthcare institutions.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of belumosudil for the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) .Methods:We retrospectively collected data on patients with cGVHD who received belumosudil at Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from May 2023 to March 2024. The study endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), organ-specific response rates, time to response (TTR), changes in Lee Symptom Scale (LSS) scores, tapering or discontinuation of corticosteroid treatment, failure-free survival (FFS), and adverse events.Results:The study included 20 patients with cGVHD who received belumosudil, of whom 15 were men and 5 women. The median age was 34.5 (12-67) years, and three patients were under 18 years old. The median follow-up duration was 5.0 (1.4 - 9.8) months. All patients had severe cGVHD, and 18 (90.0%) showed involvement of at least four organs. The median number of prior treatment lines was 4, and 15 patients (75%) had previously received ruxolitinib. All patients received 200 mg of belumosudil once daily in combination with other cGVHD systemic therapies. The ORR was 90.0% (95% CI: 68.3%-98.8%), and all responses were partial responses. The median TTR was 1.6 (0.9 - 8.4) months. The LSS scores improved in a clinically meaningful way in 80.0% (16/20) of the patients within 3 months. The corticosteroid dose was reduced in 42.6% (6/14) of the patients. The 3-month FFS was 79.6% (95% CI: 61.4%-100.0%). Most adverse events were grade 1 or grade 2, and two patients (10.0%) experienced grade 3 or higher-grade adverse events. Conclusions:In the real-world setting, belumosudil demonstrated good effectiveness and safety in patients with cGVHD with a history of severe disease and multiorgan involvement.

Objective:To investigate the status and influencing factors of substantial weight retention in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in early postpartum.Methods:This cross-sectional study employed a convenience sampling method to select 373 patients with GDM who underwent a 6-week postpartum health check at the Postpartum Health Clinic of Women′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from February to July in 2023. According to postpartum weight retention (PPWR) on the survey day, the participants were divided into a substantial PPWR group (≥5 kg, 139 cases) and a non-substantial PPWR group (<5 kg, 234 cases). Independent sample t-tests and χ2 tests were used to compare differences in demographic data, clinical data, and biochemical indicators between the two groups. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of early substantial postpartum weight retention in patients with GDM. Results:A total of 37.27% (139/373) of GDM patients experienced substantial postpartum weight retention at 6 weeks postpartum. The rates of diabetes in family history, excessive gestational weight gain, gestational hypertension, and infant neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission in substantial PPWR group were all significantly higher than those in the non-substantial PPWR group (32.37% vs 23.08%, 73.38% vs 20.09%, 13.67% vs 5.56%, 21.58% vs 9.83%) (all P<0.05); but the proportion of overweight or obese before pregnancy and postpartum self-monitoring of blood glucose were both lower in the substantial PPWR group than those in the non-substantial PPWR group (25.18% vs 41.03%, 17.99% vs 27.78%)(all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression indicated that family history of diabetes ( OR=2.826, 95% CI: 1.517-5.265), excessive gestational weight gain ( OR=19.240, 95% CI: 10.360-35.732), and infant NICU admission ( OR=2.447, 95% CI: 1.150-5.205) were positively related to the occurrence of substantial weight retention in patients with GDM in early postpartum, whereas pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity ( OR=0.189, 95% CI: 0.100-0.360) was negatively correlated to substantial weight retention in patients with GDM in early postpartum (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Substantial weight retention is prevalent among GDM patients in early postpartum, which is significantly influenced by family history of diabetes, pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity, excessive gestational weight gain, and infant NICU admission history.

This consensus was developed by the Orthodontic Society of the Chinese Stomatological Association to provide a systematic, scientific, and practical guideline for informed consent in orthodontic care. Orthodontic treatment is typically lengthy, highly individualized, and involves multiple factors such as growth and development, occlusal function, and facial esthetics. Rapid technological advances and diverse risk profiles make the traditional reliance on orthodontist experience or institutional templates insufficient to ensure patients′ full understanding and autonomous decision-making. To address this, the expert panel conducted extensive reviews of domestic and international guidelines, analyzed representative dispute cases, and performed multicenter patient-clinician surveys. Using a multi-round Delphi method, the group established a standardized informed consent framework covering the initial consultation, treatment, and retention phases. The consensus emphasizes that informed consent is not only a fundamental legal and ethical requirement but also a key step in building trust, improving patient compliance, and enhancing treatment satisfaction. Orthodontists should clearly and comprehensively explain treatment plans, potential risks, uncertainties, and associated costs, while respecting the autonomy of patients or guardians, and maintain continuous communication and dynamic evaluation throughout the treatment process. The release of this consensus provides unified and authoritative guidance for clinical orthodontics, helping to standardize informed consent, enhance its transparency, safeguard patient rights, reduce medical risks, and promote high-quality, sustainable development of orthodontic practice.

AIM To investigate the ameliorative effects of Compound Fufangteng Mixture(CFM)on cyclophosphamide(CTX)-induced immunosuppression in mice.METHODS Forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the blank control group,the model group,the levamisole hydrochloride group(40 mg/kg)and the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose CFM groups(3.75,7.5,10 g/kg),with 8 mice in each group,and given respective intervention orally once daily for 14 days.On the 5th to 7th day of administration,with the blank control group given normal saline intraperitoneally,the other groups underwent intraperitoneal CTX injections(80 mg/kg).24 hours after the last administration,organ indices of thymus and spleen were calculated;splenic histopathological alterations were assessed by HE staining;serum levels of IL-2,IL-6 and IgG were quantified using ELISA;splenic CD4+,CD8+T lymphocytes,alongside CD86+and CD206+macrophages populations were analyzed by flow cytometry;and splenic expression of CD4,CD8 and F4/80 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS In CTX-treated mice,CFM administration mitigated body weight loss;enhanced thymus weight and thymic index;ameliorated splenic immune cell populations,elevated serum levels of cytokines IL-2,IL-6 and IgG in serum;and upregulated splenic levels of CD45+CD3+T lymphocytes and F4/80+CD11b+macrophages,alongside increasing the expression of CD4,CD8 and F4/80 surface markers.CONCLUSION CFM alleviates CTX-induced immunosuppression state in mice by modulating immune cells,restoring immune function and enhancing anti-inflammatory and tissue repair capabilities.