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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Tianma Goutengyin on the tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）/α1-antichymotrypsin C-terminal tail fragment （α1ACT） signaling pathway and A1-type astrocytes in a rat model of vascular dementia. MethodsSeventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups （n=12 per group）： Sham-operated group， model group， Tianma Goutengyin high-， medium-， and low-dose groups （5.13， 10.26， and 20.52 g·kg^-1）， and a nimodipine group （8.1 mg·kg^-1）. The vascular dementia model was established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion， followed by 4 weeks of intervention. Learning and memory ability were evaluated using the novel object recognition test， and behavioral performance was assessed using the forced swimming test. Levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （CCL2） in hippocampal tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed by Nissl staining， and apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL）. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）， and myelin basic protein （MBP）. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression levels of TNF-α， TNF receptor 1 （TNFR1）， phosphorylated STAT3 （p-STAT3）， α1ACT， IL-6， complement component 3 （C3）， BDNF， S100 calcium-binding protein A10 （S100A10）， and GFAP in hippocampal tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group， the model group showed a significantly reduced relative recognition index in the novel object recognition test （P<0.01）， prolonged immobility time and increased immobility frequency in the forced swimming test （P<0.01）. Hippocampal IL-6 and CCL2 levels were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Nissl staining revealed a marked reduction in neuronal number and loss of Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. MBP-positive expression was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， apoptosis was significantly increased （P<0.01）， BDNF-positive expression was significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and GFAP-positive expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）. In addition， the protein expression levels of TNF-α， TNFR1， p-STAT3， α1ACT， IL-6， and C3 were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， while BDNF and S100A10 expression levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all Tianma Gouteng yin dose groups exhibited a significant increase in the relative recognition index （P<0.05）， shortened immobility time and reduced immobility frequency （P<0.05， P<0.01）. IL-6 and CCL2 levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， neuronal number was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and MBP-positive expression was significantly enhanced （P<0.01）. Apoptosis was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， BDNF-positive expression was significantly increased （P<0.05）， and GFAP-positive expression was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Moreover， the protein expression levels of TNF-α， TNFR1， p-STAT3， α1ACT， IL-6， and C3 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while BDNF and S100A10 protein expression levels were significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionTianma Goutengyin may inhibit A1-type astrocyte activation in rats with vascular dementia through the TNF-α/STAT3/α1ACT signaling pathway， thereby reducing neuronal apoptosis and improving learning and memory function.

Background: High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context. Objective: This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Methods: We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT. Conclusion These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.

Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.

Objective To analyze the postoperative complications and survival outcomes of elderly patients with renal cell carcinoma undergoing laparoscopic surgery, and to identify the influencing factors, so as to provide reference for improving the safety of laparoscopic surgery in such patients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical, surgical, and pathological data of 153 patients aged ≥75 years who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma at our hospital during 2012 and 2025.Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors influencing postoperative complications, and a nomogram was constructed and validated to predict the complications.Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw the survival curve, and the effects of different surgical approaches on the prognosis and the survival difference in the age subgroups (75-＜80 years, ≥80 years) were analyzed.Cox regression analyses were conducted to determine factors affecting survival outcomes. Results Among the 153 patients, 15 developed postoperative complications, including 5 severe cases. Multivariate logistic regression identified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥3 and prolonged operation time as independent risk factors for postoperative complications (P＜0.05).The C-index of the logistic regression model constructed based on these factors (age, CCI≥3 and operation time) was 0.77 (95%CI:0.64-0.90), with an average absolute error of 1.6%.Subgroup analysis revealed superior overall survival in patients aged 75-＜80 years undergoing partial nephrectomy compared to radical nephrectomy (P=0.005 6).No statistically significant difference in overall survival was observed among patients ≥80 years who received different surgical approaches (P=0.062).Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified preoperative low albumin levels, preoperative renal insufficiency, tumor diameter＞4 cm, and pathological stage as independent risk factors for overall survival (P＜0.05). Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery is safe and effective for elderly patients with renal cell carcinoma, with survival outcomes correlated to nutritional status, renal function, tumor size and pathological staging.Patients aged ≥80 years still derive surgical benefit, and no survival differences exist between different surgical approaches in this age group.

ObjectiveTo develop an exercise intervention program for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty based on the daily goal management pathway, and preliminarily verify its clinical feasibility and effectiveness. MethodsThe intervention program was formulated based on the daily goal management pathway and hope theory, combined with literature analysis, qualitative interviews and expert consultation. Feasibility evaluation was conducted among orthopedic nurses and patients in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital from September to November, 2025. A controlled pilot study was performed with 15 patients in each group: the control group received routine rehabilitation care, while the experimental group received the developed intervention program. The Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS), range of motion (ROM) of knee, functional exercise compliance score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were compared between two groups. ResultsThe program covered three themes from admission to three weeks postoperatively, including seven training methods and 32 specific recommendations. Feasibility results showed 100% patient recruitment rate, 93.75% retention rate and 96.94% program acceptance rate. A total of 21 orthopedic nurses scored ≥ 4.5 on all four dimensions of the program. After intervention, HSS score and knee ROM significantly increased (|t| > 6.205, P < 0.001), while WOMAC and VAS score decreased (t = 9.127, Z = -3.415, P < 0.01) in the experimental group; in the control group, VAS score decreased (Z = -3.122, P = 0.002), and knee ROM reduced (t = -2.622, P = 0.015), with no significant improvement in other indicators (P > 0.05); all the indexes were better in the experimental group than in the control group (|t| > 7.949, |Z| > 2.990, P < 0.01), including the functional exercise compliance (t = -8.565, P < 0.001). ConclusionThe exercise intervention program based on the daily goal management pathway is scientific, feasible and preliminarily effective, which can provide a new structured and humanized nursing for early exercise training of patients during hospitalization for total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND:Human periodontal ligament stem cells are potential functional cells for periodontal tissue engineering.However,long-term in vitro culture may lead to reduced stemness and replicative senescence of periodontal ligament stem cells,which may impair the therapeutic effect of human periodontal ligament stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of oxymatrine on the stemness maintenance and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells in vitro,and to explore the potential mechanism. METHODS:Periodontal ligament stem cells were isolated from human periodontal ligament tissues by tissue explant enzyme digestion and cultured.The surface markers of mesenchymal cells were identified by flow cytometry.Periodontal ligament stem cells were incubated with 0,2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL oxymatrine.The effect of oxymatrine on the proliferation activity of periodontal ligament stem cells was detected by CCK8 assay.The appropriate drug concentration for subsequent experiments was screened.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of stem cell non-specific proteins SOX2 and OCT4 in periodontal ligament stem cells.qRT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression levels of related osteogenic genes and proteins in periodontal ligament stem cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of CCK8 assay showed that 2.5 μg/mL oxymatrine significantly enhanced the proliferative activity of periodontal stem cells,and the subsequent experiment selected 2.5 μg/mL oxymatrine to intervene.(2)Compared with the blank control group,the protein expression level of SOX2,a stem marker of periodontal ligament stem cells in the oxymatrine group did not change significantly(P>0.05),and the expression of OCT4 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the osteogenic induction group,the osteogenic genes ALP,RUNX2 mRNA expression and their osteogenic associated protein ALP protein expression of periodontal ligament stem cells were significantly down-regulated in the oxymatrine+osteogenic induction group(P<0.05).(4)The oxymatrine up-regulated the expression of stemness markers of periodontal ligament stem cells and inhibited the bone differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells,and the results of high-throughput sequencing showed that it may be associated with WNT2,WNT16,COMP,and BMP6.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of laminin subunit α3 （LAMA3） on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）， invasion， and metastasis abilities of pancreatic cancer （PC）. MethodsA comprehensive analysis was performed for tumor- and EMT-related databases to identify the EMT genes associated with PC， especially LAMA3. The methods of qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to measure the expression level of LAMA3 in PC tissue and cell lines； immunofluorescence assay was used to determine the localization of LAMA3 in PANC-1 cells； Transwell assay was used to investigate the effect of LAMA3 on the invasion and migration abilities of PC cells. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. ResultsThe analysis of the TCGA database identified 3 EMT-related oncogenes for PC， i.e.， LAMA3， AREG， and SDC1. The LASSO-Cox regression model showed that LAMA3 had the most significant impact on the prognosis of PC （risk score=0.256 1×LAMA3+0.043 1×SDC1+0.071 4×AREG）. The Cox model and nomogram showed that the high expression of LAMA3 was an independent risk factor for the poor prognosis of PC （hazard ratio=1.32， 95% confidence interval： 1.07‍ ‍—‍ 1.62， P<0.01）. Experimental results showed that there was a significant increase in the expression of LAMA3 in pancreatic cancer tissue compared with the normal pancreatic tissue. Compared with the HPDE cell line， there were varying degrees of increase in the expression of LAMA3 in pancreatic cancer AsPC-1， BxPC-3， PANC-1， MIA PaCa-2， and SW1990 cell lines， with the highest expression level in PANC-1 cells. The enrichment analysis showed that LAMA3 was associated with the biological processes and signaling pathways such as EMT， collagen metabolism， extracellular matrix degradation， the TGF-β pathway， and the PI3K pathway. After the knockdown of LAMA3， there were significant reductions in the expression levels of N-Cadherin， Vimentin， and Snail， while there was a significant increase in the expression level of E-Cadherin. Transwell assay showed that there were significant reductions in the invasion and migration abilities of PANC-1 cells after the knockdown of LAMA3. ConclusionLAMA3 is highly expressed in PC and can promote the EMT， invasion， and migration of PC cells， and therefore， LAMA3 may be used as a novel diagnostic marker and a new therapeutic target for PC.

Objective:To analyze the differences in heart size，shape and function between fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot（TOF）and fetuses with malalignment ventricular septal defect（VSD）and pulmonary stenosis（PS）（named as，mild TOF）by fetal heart quantification（fetal HQ）and multi-parameter fetal echocardiography.Methods:From June 2021 to June 2023，50 fetuses with TOF（TOF group）diagnosed by fetal echocardiography at the Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound & Echocardiography Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital，Zhejiang University College of Medicine and 34 fetuses with VSD and PS matched to gestational age（mild TOF group）were retrospectively selected. Cardiovascular parameters were measured by 2D echocardiography，M-mode echocardiography and fetal HQ，including aortic dimension（AO）and its Z-score（AO Z-score），pulmonary artery diameter（PA）and its Z-score（PA Z-score），PA/AO ratio，main pulmonary artery diameter（MPA）and its Z-score（MPA Z-score），left pulmonary artery diameter（LPA）and its Z-score（LPA Z-score），right pulmonary artery diameter（RPA）and its Z-score（RPA Z-score），McGoon index（MGI），tricuspid annular diameter（TV）and its Z-score（TV Z-score），mitral annular diameter（MV）and its Z-score（MV Z-score），and MV/TV ratio. Measurements of global ventricular morphologic parameters included cardiac axis，left and right ventricular transverse diameters（LVW，RVW）and their ratio（LVW/RVW），left and right ventricular long diameters（LVL，RVL）and LVL/RVL ratio，left and right ventricular areas（LVA，RVA）and LVA/RVA ratio，global spherical index（GSI）and its Z-score，four chamber view transverse diameter（4CV-Width-ED），four chamber view end-diastolic longitudinal diameter（4CV-Length-ED），four chamber view end-diastolic area（4CV-Area-ED）. Measurements of left and right global ventricular functional parameters included fractional left ventricular and right ventricular area changes（LVFAC，RVFAC），left ventricular ejection fraction（LVEF），left ventricular and right ventricular global longitudinal strains（LVGLS，RVGLS）；end diastolic width diameter（Width-ED），SI and fractional shortening rate（FS）of 24 segments of left and right ventricles. The differences of the above parameters between the two groups were analyzed and compared，and the relationships between absolute values of GLS in left and right ventricles of TOF fetus and PA Z-score，MPA Z-score and PA/AO were analyzed. Binary Logistic regression model was used to select the best variables，and ROC curve was adopted to analyze the predictive values of ultrasonic parameter variables on TOF.Results:There were statistically significant differences in MV，TV，RVW，RVL，LVL，LVA，RVA，4CV-Length-ED，LVGLS，RVGLS，RVFAC，PA/AO，MPA，RPA，LPA，MGI，PA and PA Z-score between TOF group and mild TOF group（all P<0.05）. The Width-ED values of all segments of left ventricle were statistically different between TOF group and mild TOF group（all P<0.05）. There were statistical differences in SI between LV segments 4~6 and 8~24，and RV segments 1~21（all P<0.05）. The FS values between the 8th and 10th to 18th segments of RV revealed statistical differences（all P<0.05）. There were no statistical differences in the other parameters（all P>0.05）. The absolute value of LVGLS in TOF fetuses was positively correlated with PA Z-score，MPA Z-score and PA/AO（ r = 0.313，0.344，0.304，all P<0.05），and the absolute value of RVGLS was positively correlated with PA Z-score，MPA Z-score，and PA/AO（ r = 0.323，0.334，0.357，all P<0.05）. Binary Logistic regression model analysis confirmed that LVGLS，RVFAC and PA/AO were predictive variables. ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curves of LVGLS，RVFAC and PA/AO for predicting TOF were 0.746，0.693 and 0.849 respectively. The combined prediction efficiency was higher，and the area under the curve was 0.906. Conclusions:Fetal HQ combined with multiple fetal echocardiographic quantification indices can evaluate the differences in fetal heart size，shape and function between TOF and mild TOF. It is expected to provide important reference information in prenatal diagnosis and consultation for fetuses with TOF and mild TOF.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics of influenza A and influenza B viruses infections in the children aged between 0 and 14 years old after COVID-19 was downgraded to category B management of infectious diseases.METHODS From Jan.2023 to Feb.2024,a total of 2349 children aged between 0 and 14 years old who were treated in Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Capital Medical University due to influenza-like symptoms of infection and received nucleic acid testing for influenza A and influenza B viruses were recruited as the research subjects.The gender and age of the children as well as the seasons were observed by chi-square test.RESULTS Totally 2349 children were included in the study,and the total positive rate of influenza was 49.85％(1171/2349);the positive rate of influenza A virus was 36.36％(854/2349),the positive rate of influenza B virus was 13.92％(327/2349),and the positive rate of the mixed infections of influenza A virus and influenza B virus was 0.43％(10/2349).The positive rate of influenza A of the girls was the highest(44.17％)(x2=8.980,P=0.011)among the children aged less than 5 years old;the positive rate of influenza B of the boys was the highest(17.19％)(x2=8.378,P=0.015)among the children aged between 5 and 10 years old.There was significant difference in the positive rate of influenza A virus among the seasons in 2023 to 2024(x2=268.12,P＜0.001);the prevalence rate was 60.93％in spring,44.40％in autumn,22.01％in winter.There was significant difference in the positive rate of influenza B virus among the seasons in 2023 to 2024(x2=373.16,P＜0.001),and the preva-lence rate was 25.44％in winter.CONCLUSIONS The influenza viruses are prevalent in spring,autumn and winter from 2023 to 2024,and the influenza A is dominant.The positive rate of influenza viruses shows an upward trend among the children aged between 0 and 14 years old after the COVID-19 is downgraded to category B management of infectious diseases,with the peak of prevalence lagging behind.