This paper systematically reviews the current status of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori （Hp） infection， as well as recent progress in clinical and basic research both in China and internationally. It summarizes the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in Hp infection management， including improving Hp eradication rates， enhancing antibiotic sensitivity， reducing antimicrobial resistance， decreasing drug-related adverse effects， and ameliorating gastric mucosal lesions. These advantages are particularly evident in patients who are intolerant to bismuth-containing regimens， those with refractory Hp infection， and individuals with precancerous gastric lesions. An integrated， whole-process management approach and individualized， staged comprehensive treatment strategies combining TCM and western medicine are proposed for Hp infection. Future prevention and control of Hp infection should adopt an integrative Chinese-western medical strategy， emphasizing prevention， strengthening primary care， implementing proactive long-term monitoring， optimizing screening strategies， and advancing the development of novel technologies and mechanistic studies of Chinese herbal interventions. These efforts aim to provide a theoretical basis and practical pathways for the establishment and improvement of Hp infection prevention and control systems.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Wenyang Huazhuo Formula （温阳化浊方， WHF） in improving reproductive aging from the perspective of the ovarian mechanical microenvironment. MethodsThe experiment included five groups， 3-month group （20 female mice at 3 months of age）， 6-month group （20 female mice at 6 months of age）， 6-month + WHF group （20 female mice at 5 months of age treated with WHF）， 9-month group （20 female mice at 9 months of age）， and 9-month + WHF group （20 female mice at 8 months of age treated with WHF）. The 6-month + WHF group and 9-month + WHF group were orally administered WHF 41.2 g/（kg·d） once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. The other three groups received no intervention. Reproductive hormone levels were measured by ELISA. HE staining was used to count the numbers of various stages of follicles. Ovarian hyaluronic acid （HA） content and collagen fiber content were measured to evaluate the ovarian mechanical microenvironment. Superovulation was performed to observe the number of eggs obtained， as well as the number of offspring and birth weight to assess fertility. The in vitro fertilization and blastocyst culture of oocytes from female offspring in each group were observed to evaluate the effect of WHF on offspring reproductive potential. ResultsCompared with the 3-month group， the 6-month group and 9-month group showed significantly decreased serum levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， and luteinizing hormone （LH）， decreased ovarian collagen content， and reduced numbers of primordial and secondary follicles. In contrast， the numbers of primary follicles， antral follicles， and atretic follicles increased. The levels of anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， ovarian HA content， and the fertilization rate， cleavage rate， and blastocyst formation rate of oocytes from offspring were significantly lower （P＜0.05）. Compared with the 6-month group， the 6-month + WHF group showed significantly reduced serum levels of GnRH， FSH， and LH， with a significant decrease in primary follicles， antral follicles， and atretic follicles as well as increase of AMH levels， ovarian HA content， number of primordial and secondary follicle， egg count， and offspring birth weight （P＜0.05）. Compared with the 9-month group， the 9-month + WHF group exhibited reduced GnRH， FSH， and collagen fiber content， as well as reduced number of primary follicles， antral follicles， and atretic follicles. However， AMH levels， ovarian HA content， number of primordial and secondary follicle， egg count， offspring numbers， birth weight， fertilization rate， cleavage rate， and blastocyst formation rate of oocytes from offspring all significantly increased （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWHF can significantly improve the ovarian reserve， fertility， and reproductive potential in offspring during reproductive mid-life and late-life stages. Its effect may be related to the remodeling of the mechanical microenvironment of aging ovaries. Moreover， the effect on the mechanical microenvironment remodeling of late-stage ovaries and the improvement of the offspring reproductive potential is more significant.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy, safety, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medication patterns of rituximab (RTX) combined with TCM on treating children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). Methods: One hundred and forty-three children with SDNS who visited the Pediatric Nephrology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2022 were enrolled. A cohort study design was adopted, with " RTX treatment" as the exposure factor. Children who met this exposure factor were assigned to the RTX cohort (RTX, glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment), whereas those who did not were assigned to the basic treatment cohort (glucocorticoid, immunosuppressive agent, combined with traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation treatment ), and followed up for 6 months. The frequency of urinary protein recurrences, urinary protein remission duration, proportion and duration of steroid reduction and cessation, cumulative usage of steroids, proportion of recurrence, recurrence amount of steroid used, efficacy of TCM syndrome, and laboratory and safety indicators after treatment, and height and CD19+ B cell count before and after treatment were compared between the two cohorts. The medication patterns of TCM in the two cohorts were analyzed using frequency statistics, association rule analysis, and systematic clustering analysis. Results: Compared with the basic treatment cohort, the RTX cohort showed a decrease in the frequency of urinary protein recurrence, extended sustained remission of urinary protein, an increase in the proportion of steroid reduction and cessation, a shorter duration of steroid reduction and cessation, a decrease in cumulative steroid dosage, a lower recurrence rate, a decrease in CD19+ B cell count, and a decrease in 24-h urinary total protein quantification and the level of cholesterol (P<0.05). No significant difference in the recurrence amount of steroid used, height, TCM syndrome efficacy, albumin, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, platelet count, and safety indicators between the two cohorts. Children with SDNS were mostly characterized by qi and yin deficiency syndrome, followed by spleen and kidney yang deficiency syndrome. A total of 175 TCMs were included, including 28 high-frequency drugs such as Huangqi, Fuling, Gancao, Baizhu, Dangshen, and Jiuyurou. The primary use of medication is to nourish the qi and spleen, nourish the kidney, and warm yang. The analysis of association rules yielded eight binary associations and ten three-phase associations, with Huangqi, Baizhu, Fuling, and Dangshen, being the most closely related. Cluster analysis identified four TCM combinations, primarily focusing on tonifying kidney and replenishing essence, benefiting qi and nourishing yin, and removing blood stasis. Conclusion RTX combined with TCM syndrome differentiation treatment can reduce the recurrence frequency of SDNS, prolong the remission period, reduce the glucocorticoid dosage, and have no marked effect on height growth. No apparent adverse reactions were observed. TCM should focus on nourishing qi and yin while removing blood stasis.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy of Fuzheng Huaji Formula （扶正化积方） for chronic hepatitis B to reduce the incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted， collecting medical records of 118 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 234 patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis who visited the hospital between January 1， 2014， and December 31， 2018. The use of Fuzheng Huaji Formula was designated as the exposure factor. Patients receiving antiviral treatment for hepatitis B without concurrent Fuzheng Huaji Formula therapy were included in the western medicine group， while those receiving antiviral treatment combined with Fuzheng Huaji Formula for a cumulative treatment lasting longer than 3 months were included in the combined treatment group. The follow-up observation period was five years. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess the cumulative incidence of cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to examine the factors influencing the occurrence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. ResultsAmong patients with chronic hepatitis B， there were 55 cases in the combined treatment group and 63 cases in the western medicine group； among patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis， there were 110 cases in the combined treatment group and 124 cases in the western medicine group. Five-year follow-up outcomes for chronic hepatitis B patients showed that the cumulative incidence of cirrhosis was 5.45% （3/55） in the combined treatment group and 17.46% （11/63） in the western medicine group， with a statistically significant difference between groups （Z = 2.003， P = 0.045）. Five-year follow-up outcomes for hepatitis B-related cirrhosis patients showed that the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 8.18% （9/110） in the combined treatment group and 22.58% （28/124） in the western medicine group， also showing a statistically significant difference （Z = 3.007， P = 0.003）. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that treatment with Fuzheng Huaji Formula is an independent protective factor in preventing the progression of chronic hepatitis B to cirrhosis and the progression of hepatitis B-related cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma （P＜0.05）. ConclusionCombining Fuzheng Huaji Formula with antiviral therapy for hepatitis B can effectively intervene in the disease progression of chronic hepatitis B， reducing the incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Geraniin, a polyphenol derived from the fruit peel of Nephelium lappaceum L., has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in the cardiovascular system. The present study explored whether geraniin could protect against an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy model. Mice in the ISO group received an intraperitoneal injection of ISO (5 mg/kg) once daily for 9 days, and the administration group were injected with ISO after 5 days of treatment with geraniin or spironolactone. Potential therapeutic effects and related mechanisms analysed by anatomical coefficients, histopathology, blood biochemical indices, reverse transcription-PCR and immunoblotting. Geraniin decreased the cardiac pathologic remodeling and myocardial fibrosis induced by ISO, as evidenced by the modifications to anatomical coefficients, as well as the reduction in collagen I/III á1mRNA and protein expression and cross-sectional area in hypertrophic cardiac tissue. In addition, geraniin treatment reduced ISO-induced increase in the mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, whereas ISO-induced IL-10 showed the opposite behaviour in hypertrophic cardiac tissue.Further analysis showed that geraniin partially reversed the ISO-induced increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, and the ISO-induced decrease in glutathione, superoxide dismutase and glutathione. Furthermore, it suppressed the ISO-induced cellular apoptosis of hypertrophic cardiac tissue, as evidenced by the decrease in Bcell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X/caspase-3/caspase-9 expression, increase in Bcl-2 expression, and decrease in TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells.These findings suggest that geraniin can attenuate ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prognostic role of radiotherapy in women aged 70 years or older with breast cancer. MethodsA total of 311 women aged 70 years or older with breast cancer undergoing breast-conserving surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between February 28， 2011 and February 28， 2021， were divided into two groups： 183 patients in the control group were given postoperative radiotherapy， and 128 patients in the case group were not treated by radiotherapy. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test or χ² test was used to compare the general clinicopathological data of the two groups， the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test to analyze the disease-free survival （DFS） and overall survival （OS）， multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model to examine the factors affecting DFS and OS. Additional subgroup analysis was performed. ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between the control and case groups in age， T-stage， N-stage， tumor clinical stage， estrogen receptor （ER）， progesterone receptor （PR） and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 （HER2） statuses， Ki-67， tumor histological grade， tumor pathological type， and whether they received adjuvant chemotherapy or postoperative endocrine therapy （all P > 0.05）. The median follow-up was 110.0 （95%CI： 98.9， 121.1） months for the control group and 93.0 （95% CI： 86.1， 100.0） months for the case group. Differences between the two groups in DFS rate were significant （92.9% vs. 85.2%， P = 0.024）， but in OS rate insignificant （92.3% vs. 88.3%， P=0.199）. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that T-stage， N-stage （N2 and N3）， HER2 status， Ki-67， tumor histological grade （grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ）， and no radiotherapy were independent risk factors for DFS in elderly breast cancer patients （all P < 0.05）， while ER status was an independent protective factor （P < 0.05）. The independent risk factors for OS in elderly breast cancer patients included tumor stage， N-stage （N2 and N3）， HER2 status， and Ki-67 （all P < 0.05）， and ER status was an independent protective factor （P < 0.05）. Subgroup analysis revealed that in elderly hormone receptor （HR）-negative breast cancer patients， the median follow-ups of the control and case groups were 123.0 （95% CI： 116.8， 129.2） months and 88.0 （95% CI： 75.2， 100.8） months， respectively， with a statistically significant difference both in DFS （91.3% vs. 68.6%， P=0.008） and OS rates （89.1% vs. 71.4%， P=0.027）. ConclusionsPost-breast-conserving radiotherapy provides a limited survival benefit in the overall elderly breast cancer patients， but a significant survival benefit in the elderly HR-negative breast cancer patients， which suggests the need for a prospective randomized controlled trial of a stratified step-down strategy for radiotherapy in elderly breast cancer patients.

ObjectiveTo establish a geographical origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan， providing a new technical reference for the protection of Haiyuan's geo-authentic medicinal materials and its designation as a national geographical indication agricultural product. MethodsSamples of Foeniculi Fructus were collected from eight producing areas， including Minqin （Gansu）， Bozhou （Anhui）， Qingdao （Shandong）， Dezhou （Shandong）， Urumqi （Xinjiang）， Nujiang （Yunnan）， Gutuo （Inner Mongolia）， and Haiyuan （Ningxia）. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS） was used to detect the volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in samples from these geographic origins. VOCs were qualitatively analyzed through dual matching with the National Institute of Standards and Technology （NIST） mass spectral database and the IMS drift time database. Using the Reporter module and Gallery Plot visualization tools within the LAV analytical platform， VOC fingerprint profiles characterizing geographic origins were constructed. A non-targeted analytical strategy was adopted， and 97 VOCs detected via GC-IMS were subjected to principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） based on their differential distribution patterns to construct an origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan region. Key discriminative markers were screened using variable importance in projection （VIP） values greater than 1. ResultsA total of 97 VOCs were identified， including alcohols， aldehydes， ketones， esters， organic acids， terpenoids， ethers， alkenes， and benzenes. The PLS-DA model， based on VOCs data obtained by GC-IMS， effectively distinguished Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from those of other origins. During cross-validation， the model achieved a prediction parameter （Q²） of 0.976 and a goodness-of-fit parameter （R²） of 0.936， with no overfitting observed in permutation testing. Twelve key flavor markers with VIP > 1 were identified as characteristic indicators of Haiyuan origin. ConclusionA stable and highly predictive origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan was successfully established using GC-IMS technology， PLS-DA， and VIP-based marker screening. This model provides a novel technical strategy for accurately distinguishing Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from other regional varieties and offers new technical support for its protection as a geo-authentic medicinal material and a nationally designated geographical indication agricultural product in China.

ObjectiveTo establish a geographical origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan， providing a new technical reference for the protection of Haiyuan's geo-authentic medicinal materials and its designation as a national geographical indication agricultural product. MethodsSamples of Foeniculi Fructus were collected from eight producing areas， including Minqin （Gansu）， Bozhou （Anhui）， Qingdao （Shandong）， Dezhou （Shandong）， Urumqi （Xinjiang）， Nujiang （Yunnan）， Gutuo （Inner Mongolia）， and Haiyuan （Ningxia）. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS） was used to detect the volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in samples from these geographic origins. VOCs were qualitatively analyzed through dual matching with the National Institute of Standards and Technology （NIST） mass spectral database and the IMS drift time database. Using the Reporter module and Gallery Plot visualization tools within the LAV analytical platform， VOC fingerprint profiles characterizing geographic origins were constructed. A non-targeted analytical strategy was adopted， and 97 VOCs detected via GC-IMS were subjected to principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） based on their differential distribution patterns to construct an origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan region. Key discriminative markers were screened using variable importance in projection （VIP） values greater than 1. ResultsA total of 97 VOCs were identified， including alcohols， aldehydes， ketones， esters， organic acids， terpenoids， ethers， alkenes， and benzenes. The PLS-DA model， based on VOCs data obtained by GC-IMS， effectively distinguished Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from those of other origins. During cross-validation， the model achieved a prediction parameter （Q²） of 0.976 and a goodness-of-fit parameter （R²） of 0.936， with no overfitting observed in permutation testing. Twelve key flavor markers with VIP > 1 were identified as characteristic indicators of Haiyuan origin. ConclusionA stable and highly predictive origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan was successfully established using GC-IMS technology， PLS-DA， and VIP-based marker screening. This model provides a novel technical strategy for accurately distinguishing Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from other regional varieties and offers new technical support for its protection as a geo-authentic medicinal material and a nationally designated geographical indication agricultural product in China.

Objective: To explore the role of the c.598G>A mutation of the ITGB3 gene in the occurrence of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) through its expression in vitro. Methods: The platelet antibodies in the sera of the affected neonate and her mother were detected using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), solid-phase agglutination, flow cytometry and the gold standard monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA). The common human platelet antigen (HPA) genotypes of the neonate and her parents were obtained using the HPA-SSP method. The presence of mutations was analyzed by sequencing the exons of the ITGB3 and ITGA2B genes. The target gene of ITGB3 was obtained by PCR amplification using the existing human platelet cDNA. The wild-type ITGB3 eukaryotic expression vector was constructed by TA cloning technology. The 598G>A mutant ITGB3 eukaryotic expression vector was obtained by point mutation, and the plasmid DNA was co-transfected with that of ITGA2B (αⅡb) into HEK293 cells. The transfected cells stably expressing GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa were screened and obtained. The expression of GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa in 598G>A mutant transfected cells and the presence of antibodies against this mutation in the serum of mother were detected by flow cytometry and MAIPA. Results: Antibodies against HLA-class Ⅰ and GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa glycoproteins were detected in the serum of the neonate's mother, and subsequent HLA antibody-specific testing confirmed the presence of antibodies against HLA-B 57∶01 and A 02∶05. ITGB3 sequencing showed that the neonate and her father carried the c.598G>A point mutation, which results in the change of glutamate to lysine at position 200. Antibodies against GP Ⅱb/Ⅲa glycoproteins were not detected using constructed c.598G>A mutant transfected cells reacted with the maternal serum. Conclusion: The in vitro expression and analysis of the ITGB3 c.598G>A mutation did not support a role for this mutation in the pathogenesis of FNAIT. The establishment of this method facilitates the discovery of new platelet low-frequency antigens, and provides a theoretical foundation for the detection of antibodies against platelet antigens associated with patients with adverse pregnancy and childbirth histories.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of Yangyin Yiqi Decoction combined with polyethylene glycol eye drops on dry eye disease after cataract surgery and its effect on inflammatory factors in tears.METHODS:Prospective study. A total of 104 patients(104 eyes)with dry eye disease after cataract surgery admitted to our hospital from April 2022 to March 2024 were selected and randomly divided into two groups: 52 cases(52 eyes)in the control group were treated with polyethylene glycol eye drops; 52 cases(52 eyes)in the combined group were treated with Yangyin Yiqi Decoction combined with polyethylene glycol eye drops. The dry eye symptom score, tear film stability index, tear inflammatory factor level, ocular surface disease index score(OSDI)and clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared before and after treatment.RESULTS:There were 6 cases(6 eyes)lost to follow-up, and 3 cases(3 eyes)were lost to follow-up in each group, with a loss to follow-up rate of 5.8%. The total effective rate of treatment in the combination group was significantly higher than that in the control group(94% vs 80%, P=0.037), and the Schirmer I test(SIt)and tear film break-up time(BUT)were higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05), and the dry eye symptom score, corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score, IL-1β, TNF-α, hs-CRP levels in tears and OSDI score were lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The combination of Yangyin Yiqi Decoction and polyethylene glycol eye drops provides an effective treatment plan for patients with dry eye disease after cataract surgery. It can effectively alleviate dry eye symptoms, reduce eye discomfort, improve tear film stability and ocular surface status, and reduce inflammatory factors in tears.