As the core vehicle for preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） academic thought and clinical experience， the establishment of a robust quality evaluation system for TCM clinical case reports is a crucial component in the current standardization and modernization of TCM. Based on the practical experience of constructing the China Clinical Cases Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine by the China Association of Chinese Medicine， this study conducted a comprehensive analysis of critical challenges， including insufficient authenticity and unfocused evaluation criteria. It proposed a three-dimensional evaluation framework grounded in the structure-process-outcome logic， encompassing three dimensions of authenticity and standardization， characteristics and advantages， application and translational impact. This framework integrated 12 key evaluation indicators in a systematic manner. The model preserved the academic characteristics of TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment， while aligning with modern scientific research standards， achieving a balance between individualized TCM experience and standardized evaluation. Concurrently， this study provided theoretical foundations and methodological guidance for evaluating the quality of TCM clinical cases， contributing significantly to the inheritance of TCM knowledge， evidence-based practice， and the reform of talent evaluation mechanisms.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose transscleral cyclophotocoagulation(TSCP)in the management of persistent ocular hypertension after an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma(AACG).METHODS:This retrospective study enrolled patients diagnosed with persistent ocular hypertension after an acute AACG attack at the No.988 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese PLA between September 2023 and September 2024. All patients underwent low-dose TSCP using a semiconductor diode laser. Subsequent cataract surgery combined with goniosynechialysis was performed once intraocular pressure(IOP)was stabilized. Changes in anterior chamber depth(ACD), best-corrected visual acuity(VA), and IOP were compared before and after TSCP, as well as before and after phacoemulsification. Post-TSCP complications were also documented.RESULTS: A total of 21 patients(21 eyes)were enrolled, including 8 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 67.95±7.25 y. Compared with pre-cyclophotocoagulation values, ACD increased significantly at 3 d post-TSCP(1.49±0.18 vs 1.22±0.21 mm; P<0.001). BCVA and IOP decreased significantly at 1 d post-TSCP, pre-phacoemulsification, 1 wk post-phacoemulsification, and 1 mo post-phacoemulsification compared with pre-TSCP IOP(all P<0.01). Regarding postoperative complications, 2 eyes experienced pain on the day of the procedure, 5 eyes developed mild corneal endothelial folds, 2 eyes exhibited moderate anterior chamber inflammatory reaction, and 12 eyes showed shallow ciliary body detachment. No serious complications occurred during the 1-month follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Low-dose TSCP appears to be an effective bridging therapy for patients with persistent ocular hypertension following an AACG attack. It facilitates rapid IOP reduction, alleviates symptoms, and helps preserve visual function with a favorable safety profile, thereby reducing the risks associated with subsequent intraocular surgery.

BACKGROUND:Due to the complex movement of the scapula,which is a six-degree-of-freedom activity in three-dimensional space,it is difficult to measure it accurately using traditional methods.The image and model matching technology based on dual-plane X-ray is a three-dimensional measurement method that has gradually developed and matured in recent years.Two high-speed cameras are used to project and shoot from orthogonal directions.Compared with a single perspective,this method has advantages in observation range and reduction of out-of-plane errors,and is suitable for the study of scapula kinematics.OBJECTIVE:X-ray biplane and image-model registration technology were used to explore the differences in scapular kinematics between normal individuals and patients with rotator cuff tears,providing a basis for the treatment and rehabilitation of rotator cuff tear patients.METHODS:From April 2023 to January 2024,10 patients with normal shoulders and 10 patients with rotator cuff tears who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled from Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.The subjects underwent a shoulder CT scan to create a 3D model and a local scapular coordinate system.X-ray biplane images were taken during shoulder abduction with two C-arm machines.The 2D and 3D images were registered to compare scapular kinematic differences between the two groups at 0°,15°,30°,45°,60°,75°,and 90° of abduction,including scapular rotation angle and displacement distance.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)During shoulder abduction,the scapula of both groups showed upward rotation,but the upward rotation of the rotator cuff tear group was greater than that of the control group,and the difference was significant when the abduction was 30°-90°(P＜0.01).At the same time,the scapula internal rotation of both groups gradually increased,but the rotator cuff tear group was significantly greater than the control group when the abduction was 45°-90°(P＜0.01).In addition,the anteroposterior tilt of the scapula of the two groups was significantly different when the abduction was 15°-90°(P＜0.01).The scapula posterior tilt of the control group gradually increased during abduction,while the scapula of the rotator cuff tear group tilted forward except for a slight posterior tilt at 15°-30° abduction.(2)In terms of displacement,the upward displacement of the rotator cuff tear group was less than that of the control group during abduction,and the difference was significant at 15°-90°(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference in lateral and anterior-posterior displacement between the two groups(P＞0.05).(3)Rotator cuff tear can cause scapular dyskinesis,characterized by increased upward rotation,internal rotation,and abnormal forward tilt during shoulder abduction.Identifying and addressing scapular dyskinesis is crucial for treating rotator cuff tear.

BACKGROUND:Due to the complex movement of the scapula,which is a six-degree-of-freedom activity in three-dimensional space,it is difficult to measure it accurately using traditional methods.The image and model matching technology based on dual-plane X-ray is a three-dimensional measurement method that has gradually developed and matured in recent years.Two high-speed cameras are used to project and shoot from orthogonal directions.Compared with a single perspective,this method has advantages in observation range and reduction of out-of-plane errors,and is suitable for the study of scapula kinematics.OBJECTIVE:X-ray biplane and image-model registration technology were used to explore the differences in scapular kinematics between normal individuals and patients with rotator cuff tears,providing a basis for the treatment and rehabilitation of rotator cuff tear patients.METHODS:From April 2023 to January 2024,10 patients with normal shoulders and 10 patients with rotator cuff tears who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled from Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.The subjects underwent a shoulder CT scan to create a 3D model and a local scapular coordinate system.X-ray biplane images were taken during shoulder abduction with two C-arm machines.The 2D and 3D images were registered to compare scapular kinematic differences between the two groups at 0°,15°,30°,45°,60°,75°,and 90° of abduction,including scapular rotation angle and displacement distance.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)During shoulder abduction,the scapula of both groups showed upward rotation,but the upward rotation of the rotator cuff tear group was greater than that of the control group,and the difference was significant when the abduction was 30°-90°(P＜0.01).At the same time,the scapula internal rotation of both groups gradually increased,but the rotator cuff tear group was significantly greater than the control group when the abduction was 45°-90°(P＜0.01).In addition,the anteroposterior tilt of the scapula of the two groups was significantly different when the abduction was 15°-90°(P＜0.01).The scapula posterior tilt of the control group gradually increased during abduction,while the scapula of the rotator cuff tear group tilted forward except for a slight posterior tilt at 15°-30° abduction.(2)In terms of displacement,the upward displacement of the rotator cuff tear group was less than that of the control group during abduction,and the difference was significant at 15°-90°(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference in lateral and anterior-posterior displacement between the two groups(P＞0.05).(3)Rotator cuff tear can cause scapular dyskinesis,characterized by increased upward rotation,internal rotation,and abnormal forward tilt during shoulder abduction.Identifying and addressing scapular dyskinesis is crucial for treating rotator cuff tear.

ObjectiveTo study the mechanism by which Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills （STDP） ameliorate the dysfunction of coronary microvascular endothelial cells in the rat model of heart failure. MethodsThe heart failure model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats， which were then allocated into sham， model， STDP， and telmisartan （TLM） groups and treated for 21 days. The heart function was detected by echocardiography， and the levels of myocardial injury markers， nitric oxide （NO）， endothelin-1 （ET1）， and angiotensinⅡ （AngⅡ） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） were determined by Western blot. The model of cardiac microvascular endothelial cell injury was established by AngⅡ induction and then treated with the STDP-containing serum （5%， 10%， and 20%） for 24 h. The levels of NO and ET1 were measured by ELISA. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of eNOS， iNOS， angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 （ACE2）， and angiotensinⅡ receptor 2 （AT2）. MLN-4760， an ACE2 inhibitor， was used to explore the mechanism underpinning the regulatory effect of STDP on the ACE2-AT2/MAS pathway. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group showed decreases in left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （LVFS） （P<0.05）， a decline in serum NO level， elevations in serum AngⅡ and ET1 levels， a reduction in p-eNOS/eNOS ratio， and up-regulation in iNOS expression （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， STDP increased LVEF， LVFS， and cardiac output （P<0.05）， raised the level of NO and lowered the levels of AngⅡ and ET1 in the serum （P<0.05）， increased the p-eNOS/eNOS value， and inhibited iNOS expression （P<0.05）. Compared with the AngⅡ group， STDP increased the NO content and decreased the ET1 content in endothelial cells （P<0.05）， increased the p-eNOS/eNOS ratio， and inhibited the iNOS expression （P<0.05）. The ACE2 inhibitor MLN-4760 reversed the regulatory effects of STDP on p-eNOS， eNOS， and iNOS. ConclusionSTDP improves the cardiac function in the rat model of heart failure， enhances the synthesis and release of NO in cardiac microvascular endothelial cells， reduces AngⅡ and ET1 levels， and regulates the expression of p-eNOS and eNOS， thereby ameliorating the dysfunction of microvascular endothelial cells in heart failure. This mechanism is related to the upregulation of the expression of proteins in the ACE2-AT2/MAS pathway.

BACKGROUND: T cell dysfunction, which includes exhaustion, anergy, and senescence, is a distinct T cell differentiation state that occurs after antigen exposure. Although T cell dysfunction has been a cornerstone of cancer immunotherapy, its potential in transplant research, while not yet as extensively explored, is attracting growing interest. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) has been shown to play a pivotal role in inducing T cell dysfunction. METHODS: A novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin, targeting IRF4 inhibition, was employed to investigate T cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine secretion, expression of T-cell dysfunction-associated molecules, effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, and allograft survival in both in vitro and BALB/c to C57BL/6 mouse cardiac transplantation models. RESULTS: In vitro , blockade of IRF4 in T cells effectively inhibited T cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and significantly upregulated the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), Helios, CD160, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA-4), markers of T cell dysfunction. Furthermore, it suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17. Combining ultra-low-dose Trametinib (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) and Rapamycin (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) demonstrably extended graft survival, with 4 out of 5 mice exceeding 100 days post-transplantation. Moreover, analysis of grafts at day 7 confirmed sustained IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) inhibition, enhanced PD-1 expression, and suppressed IFN-γ secretion, reinforcing the in vivo efficacy of this IRF4-targeting approach. The combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically inhibited the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to a more pronounced suppression of IRF4 expression. CONCLUSIONS Targeting IRF4, a key regulator of T cell dysfunction, presents a promising avenue for inducing transplant immune tolerance. In this study, we demonstrate that a novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically suppresses the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to profound IRF4 inhibition, promoting allograft acceptance, and offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for improved transplant outcomes. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and facilitate translation to clinical practice.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Interferon Regulatory Factors/metabolism* ; Heart Transplantation/methods* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Sirolimus/therapeutic use* ; Pyridones/therapeutic use* ; Graft Survival/drug effects* ; Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

BACKGROUND: The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences. RESULTS: Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n  = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n  = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses. CONCLUSION This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; China ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

Asarum forbesii is a perennial herb born in a shaded and humid environment, which is warm in nature. With the efficacy of warming lung, resolving fluid retention, and relieving coughs, it can be used to treat the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. To investigate the effects of different shading conditions on the composition and efficacy of A. forbesii, this study planted A. forbesii under 20% natural light(NL20), 40% natural light(NL40), 60% natural light(NL60), and 80% natural light(NL80) and utilized ultra performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) and micro broth 2-fold dilution method to detect the volatile chemical compounds and the minimum inhibitory concentration. At the same time, the study investigated the effects of A. forbesii grown under different shading conditions on the signs, pathological changes of lung tissues, serum cytokine levels, activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ-Ⅴ in lung tissues, and relative expression of related genes of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. The results indicated that with the increase of shading, the content of kakuol, methyl eugenol, and asarinin in A. forbesii and the antibacterial effect showed a tendency of increasing first and then decreasing, and the NL40 group was significantly better than the other groups. Under the conditions of NL20 and NL40, A. forbesii significantly alleviated the pathological damage to lung tissues, restored the homeostasis of the lung, and enhanced the energy metabolism level of mice with syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung. In addition, A. forbesii planted under the two conditions reduced the content of interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-13(IL-13), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and mucin 5AC(MUC5AC), increased the levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) and aquaporin 1(AQP1), lowered the expression of MMP9, VEGF, TGF-β, and MAPK3. In conclusion, the therapeutic effect of A. forbesii on the syndrome of cold fluid accumulating in lung was positively correlated with the degree of shading, and the chemical composition and efficacy of warming lung and resolving fluid retention were optimal under the conditions of NL20-NL40. This study can provide reference for the pharmacological research and cultivation of A. forbesii.
Animals ; Mice ; Lung/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Light ; Cytokines/genetics* ; Humans

In recent years, the reform of the registration, evaluation, and approval system for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been promoted at the national level, with establishment of an evaluation evidence system for TCM registration that combines TCM theory, human use experience, and clinical trials(known as the "three-combined" evaluation evidence system). This system, which aligns with the characteristics of TCM clinical practice and the laws of TCM research and development, recognizes the unique value of human use experience in medicine and returns to the essence of medicine as an applied science, thus receiving widespread recognition from both academia and industry. However, it meanwhile poses new and higher challenges. This article delves into the value and challenges faced by the "three-combined" evaluation evidence system from three perspectives: registration management, medical institutions, and the TCM industry. Furthermore, it discusses how the China Association of Chinese Medicine, leveraging its academic platform advantages and leading roles, has made exploratory and practical efforts to facilitate the research and development of new TCM drugs and the implementation of the "three-combined" evaluation evidence system.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; China ; Drug Development