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 feasibility, safety, and short-term efficacy of a total pelvic floor resection procedure as a component of combined resection of pelvic organs for locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer.Methods:This was a descriptive case series. Relevant clinical data of patients with locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer without extrapelvic metastasis or with only oligometastasis who had undergone combined pelvic organ resection with resection of the entire pelvic floor in the Department of Anorectal Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2024 were collected from a Chinese database of combined pelvic organ resection for rectal cancer. The study cohort comprised 143 patients, 74 of whom were male (51.7%) and 69 were female (48.3%); their ages averaged 54 (range: 31–75) years; 57 of the patients (39.9%) had locally advanced rectal cancer and 86 (60.1%) locally recurrent rectal cancer. In our institution, the pelvic floor is categorized into two anatomical layers: the levator ani/presacral anterior tissue, and the bone/ligament/pelvic floor soft tissue. The entire pelvic floor was resected en bloc after making incisions on both sides of the pelvic floor, followed by presacral sacral dissection, and abdominoperineal dissection of the anterior side of the pelvic floor. The main factors studied were related to the following: (1) surgical conditions, comprising the scope of surgical resection, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, tissue reconstruction; (2) postoperative recovery, comprising time to recovery of intestinal function, time to removal of drainage tubes, and time to healing of the empty pelvic cavity; and (3) postoperative complications, classified according to the international Clavien-Dindo classification. Results:Combined pelvic organ resection with entire pelvic floor resection was successfully completed in all patients. The operation time was 480 (390 to 1,020) minutes, intraoperative blood loss 800 (50 to 3,500) mL, and volume of blood transfused intraoperatively 1, 000 (400 to 7, 400). R0 resection was achieved in 116 cases (81.1%) and R1 resection in 27 (18.9%). The first layer of the pelvic floor wall (levator ani/sacral anterior tissue) was resected in 79 cases (55.2%) and the second layer of the pelvic floor wall (bone/ligament/pelvic floor soft tissue) in 64 (44.8%). The procedure was completed in the lithotomy position in 114 cases (79.7%) were and in the lithotomy + prone jackknife position in 29 (20.3%). The pelvic floor was reconstructed with mesh in 140 cases (97.7%) and with mesh plus pedicled omental flaps in 92 cases (64.3%). The urinary tract was reconstructed in 92 cases (64.3%). The time to recovery of intestinal function was 3.6 (2.0 to 7.0) days, to removal of drainage tubes 29.4 (24.0 to 54.0) days, and to healing of the empty pelvic cavity 36.2 (27.0 to 56.0) days. Twenty-three patients (16.1%) had Grade I - II complications and 36 (25.2%) Grade IIIa - IV complications. The median duration of follow-up was 15.5 (0.5 to 30.0) months. Six of the patients (4.2%) died, including two (1.4%) who died within 30 days after surgery.Conclusions:Pelvic floor en bloc resection has a high R0 resection rate and is a safe and feasible procedure for pelvic organ resection surgeries in patients with locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer.

[Objective] To explore the diagnosis and treatment experience of tension hydrocele. [Methods] The clinical data of 2 patients with tension hydrocele treated in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Relevant literature was retrieved to analyze the clinical characteristics of this disease. [Results] Case 1 was diagnosed due to swelling and pain of the left scrotum after trauma for more than one month, which worsened for one day.Physical examination showed high tension in the left scrotum and positive light transmission test.Ultrasound examination revealed that the blood flow signal in the left testis disappeared.Emergency left scrotal exploration and hydrocelectomy were performed.There was no sign of testis torsion during the operation.Case 2 was diagnosed mainly due to hydrocele of the right testis for 1 year, which worsened for 1 week and complicated with testis distension and pain.Physical examination showed high tension in the right scrotum and positive light transmission test.Ultrasound examination revealed that the blood flow signal in the right testis decreased.After 40ml of fluid was extracted under ultrasound monitoring, the blood flow signal in the right testis recovered.Hydrocelectomy was performed the next day.During the follow-up of 8 months, there was no recurrence of hydrocele.A search of domestic and foreign literature showed that there were no reports in domestic literature, while a total of 11 cases were reported in foreign literature. [Conclusion] Tension hydrocele of the testis is a rare emergency of the scrotum.Surgery or decompression should be performed as soon as possible to restore testicular blood supply, and hydrocelectomy should be performed simultaneously or in stages to prevent recurrence.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical value of dose-escalated postoperative radiotherapy(PORT)in improving local control and survival outcomes for head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC)patients.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed 336 ACC patients treated with surgery plus PORT at Beijing Tongren Hospital from January 2015 to January 2021.Cohort stratification compared high-dose(>60 Gy,n=146)and conventional-dose(≤60 Gy,n=190)regimens.Survival analysis employed Kaplan-Meier estimates with log-rank testing,complemented by multivariate Cox regression for risk adjustment.RESULTS The cohort demonstrated 39.29%(132/336)cumulative local failure rate.The overall survival rates at 1,3,and 5 years after surgery were 98.81%,94.05%,and 90.48%,respectively.Dose-response relationships revealed:1.Significantly reduced local recurrence with high-dose PORT(28.08%vs.47.89%,P<0.001),corresponding to 41.37%lower recurrence risk(a HR=0.59,95%CI=0.38-0.91;P=0.041);2.Superior progression-free survival in the high-dose group(3-year:86.99%vs.76.32%;5-year:82.19%vs.66.32%,all P<0.05);3.Comparable overall survival between groups(median OS:200 vs.160 months,P=0.292).CONCLUSION Dose escalation beyond 60 Gy significantly enhances locoregional control and progression-free survival in head and neck ACC without conferring overall survival advantage,likely reflecting the disease's characteristic indolent metastatic progression.These results establish>60 Gy as an optimal dose threshold for PORT in high-risk ACC management.

Objective To investigate the effects of cucurbitacin B (CucB) on alleviating skin lesions and inflammation in psoriasis mice via the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Methods The expression of genes associated with the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in psoriatic lesions and non-lesional skin was analyzed, and hallmark gene set enrichment analysis was performed. The cytotoxicity of CucB on BMDMs was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay. The expression levels of genes and proteins related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, along with the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, were measured at different concentrations of CucB using quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA. Imiquimod-induced psoriasis BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: normal group, model group, low-dose CucB group [0.1 mg/ (kg.d)], and high-dose CucB group [0.4 mg/ (kg.d)], with five mice per group. PASI scoring was performed to assess the severity of psoriasis after 6 days of treatment, and HE staining was conducted to observe pathological damage. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines and their secretion were detected by qPCR and ELISA. Results Most cGAS-STING signaling-related genes were upregulated in lesional skin of psoriasis patients, and the hallmark gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the most significantly upregulated genes were primarily associated with immune response signaling pathways. CucB inhibited dsDNA-induced phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and STING proteins in both bone-marrow derived macrophages(BMDMs) and THP-1 cells. CucB also suppressed dsDNA-induced mRNA expression of IFNB1, TNF, IFIT1, CXCL10, ISG15, and reduced the secretion of cytokines such as IFN-β, IL-1β, and TNF-α in THP-1 cells. In the imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model, CucB treatment reduced psoriatic symptoms, alleviated skin lesions, and attenuated inflammation. ELISA and qPCR results showed that CucB significantly reduced serum secretion levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, as well as the mRNA levels of IL23A, IL1B, IL6, TNF, and IFNB1. Conclusion CucB inhibits cytoplasmic DNA-induced activationc of the GAS-STING pathway. CucB significantly attenuates skin lesions and inflammation in IMQ-induced psoriatic mice, and the potential molecular mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the cGAS-STING pathway.
Animals ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Mice ; Nucleotidyltransferases/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Skin/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and prognostic factors influencing the treatment of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) combined with bladder cancer (BCa) by laparoscopic simultaneous radical cystectomy and nephroureterectomy (RCNU). METHODS: The clinical data of patients admitted to Peking University Third Hospital for laparoscopic RCNU surgery from January 2009 to September 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Based on the same gender, age (±5 years), history of uroepithelial tumors, underlying diseases, T-stage, N-stage, M-stage, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, Charlson comorbidity index, and body mass index (BMI) (±5), 34 patients with RCNU were matched 1 ∶1 with patients with bladder cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RC) alone. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate patient survival, and Cox proportional regression risk model was used to analyze clinical factors affecting prognosis. RESULTS: Of the 68 patients enrolled, the follow-up rate was 100% with a median follow-up time of 27.0 (11.7, 60.2) months. Comparison of intraoperative conditions (including operation time, estimated intraoperative bleeding, intra-operative blood transfusion, etc.) between the two groups of patients showed no significant difference (P>0.05). Comparison of preoperative creatinine and postoperative creatinine between the two groups of patients showed significant differences (P < 0.05). The perioperative Clavien grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ complication rates were 2.9% (1/34) in the RC group and 5.9% (2/34) in the RCNU group. There was no significant difference in terms of perioperative complications between the two groups. Overall survival was significantly lower in the patients receiving RCNU compared with the matched group receiving RC alone (P < 0.05). Cox regression analysis suggested that two factors, high N stage and high postoperative creatinine, were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients in the 2 groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The overall survival prognosis of patients undergoing RCNU surgery was worse compared with laparoscopic RC surgery alone during the same period. There was no clinically significant difference between the two groups in terms of operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and perioperative complications, and there were clinically significant differences in preoperative renal function and post-operative renal function.
Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Nephroureterectomy/methods* ; Cystectomy/methods* ; Prognosis ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/mortality* ; Middle Aged ; Aged

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics,treatment strategies,and prognostic factors of adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC)of the external auditory canal(EAC),and to provide evidence for optimizing surgical extent and adjuvant therapy.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 58 patients with pathologically confirmed ACC of the EAC treated in Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Beijing Tongren Hospital,Capital Medical University,between January 2001 and December 2021.All patients underwent surgical treatment,with some receiving adjuvant radiotherapy.The primary outcome was local recurrence,while secondary outcomes included overall survival(OS)and local recurrence-free survival(LRFS).Survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method,and Cox regression models were used to identify risk factors for recurrence.Results The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 6.27(3.25,11.30)years.The 1-year,3-year,and 5-year OS rates were 96.55％,91.37％,and 89.66％.43.10％of cases were classified as T4 stage at diagnosis,indicating advanced local progression.Local recurrence occurred in 23 patients(39.66％),and distant metastasis was observed in 28 patients(48.28％),with pulmonary metastasis accounting for 92.86％of cases.Multivariate analysis revealed that the solid histological pattern(HR=2.729,95％CI:1.025-7.226,P=0.044)and perineural invasion(PNI)(HR=9.891,95％CI:3.525-27.752,P＜0.01)were independent risk factors for local recurrence.Conclusion ACC of the EAC is characterized by a high propensity for local recurrence and distant metastasis.The solid histological pattern and perineural invasion are critical prognostic determinants.Multimodal therapy(surgery combined with adjuvant radiotherapy)may improve clinical outcomes,and early diagnosis and intervention are pivotal for enhancing survival rates.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the active ingredients in Hedyotis diffusa-Scutellaria barbata D. Don and the main biological processes and signaling pathways mediating their inhibitory effect on primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The core intersecting genes of HCC and the two drugs were screened from TCMSP, Uniport, Genecards, and String databases using Cytoscape software, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the intersecting genes were conducted. Molecular docking between the active ingredients of the drugs and the core genes was carried out using Pubcham, RCSB and Autoduckto to identify the active ingredients with the highest binding energy, whose inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells was verifies using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting. RESULTS: TP53 and ESR1 were identified as the core genes of HCC and the two drugs. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the two genes were mainly involved in regulation of apoptotic signaling pathway, cell population proliferation, methane raft, and protein kinase activity, and participated in the signaling pathways of apoptosis, proteoglycans in cancer, PI3K Akt signaling pathway, and hepatitis B. Molecular docking studies showed that the active ingredients of the drugs could be docked with TP53 and ESR1 genes under natural conditions, and ursolic acid had the highest binding energy to ESR1 (-4.98 kcal/mol). The results of CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting all demonstrated significant inhibitory effect of ursolic acid on HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS The inhibitory effect of Hedyotis diffusa-scutellariae barbatae on HCC is mediated by multiple active ingredients in the two drugs.
Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Network Pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Hedyotis/chemistry* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

Current experimental and computational methods have limitations in accurately and efficiently classifying ion channels within vast protein spaces. Here we have developed a deep learning algorithm, GPT2 Ion Channel Classifier (GPT2-ICC), which effectively distinguishing ion channels from a test set containing approximately 239 times more non-ion-channel proteins. GPT2-ICC integrates representation learning with a large language model (LLM)-based classifier, enabling highly accurate identification of potential ion channels. Several potential ion channels were predicated from the unannotated human proteome, further demonstrating GPT2-ICC's generalization ability. This study marks a significant advancement in artificial-intelligence-driven ion channel research, highlighting the adaptability and effectiveness of combining representation learning with LLMs to address the challenges of imbalanced protein sequence data. Moreover, it provides a valuable computational tool for uncovering previously uncharacterized ion channels.

Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of upper airway collapse and obstruction during sleep.Polysomnography is the gold standard for diagnosing OSA,but it is expensive,time-consuming,and can cause discomfort for patients.In recent years,acoustic-based approaches for detecting OSA have emerged as a research focus.This review summarizes recent advances in OSA automatic detection techniques based on snoring and speech signals,and systematically examines their applications in diagnosis,severity assessment,and localization of obstruction sites.Findings indicate that the acoustic features of snoring and speech signals hold significant value for OSA screening,and when combined with machine learning and deep learning models,it can achieve high diagnostic accuracy.Future research should focus on elucidating the relationship between acoustic features and the pathophysiological mechanisms of OSA,integrating multimodal information,and advancing the clinical application of wearable devices,with the aim of promoting intelligent,non-invasive,and cost-effective screening technologies for OSA.