ObjectiveTo study the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of rheumatoid arthritis （RA） in the patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome. MethodsThe RA patients treated in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rheumatology of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from August 2022 to June 2024 were selected. The demographic information， clinical data， laboratory test results， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom information were collected for syndrome differentiation， on the basis of which the characteristics and influencing factors of cold dampness obstruction syndrome were analyzed. ResultsA total of 258 RA patients were selected in this study， including 88 （34.1%） patients with cold dampness obstruction syndrome， 53 （20.5%） patients with dampness and heat obstruction syndrome， 31 （12.0%） patients with wind dampness obstruction syndrome， 29 （11.2%） patients with liver-kidney deficiency syndrome， 19 （7.4%） patients with Qi-blood deficiency syndrome， 14 （5.4%） patients with phlegm-stasis obstruction syndrome， 15 （5.8%） patients with stasis obstructing collateral syndrome and 9 （3.5%） patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome. The patients were assigned into two groups of cold dampness obstruction syndrome and other syndromes. The group of cold dampness obstruction syndrome had lower joint fever， 28-tender joint count （TJC28）， and 28-joint disease activity score （DAS28）-C-reactive protein （CRP） and higher central sensitization， cold feeling of joints， fear of wind and cold， cold limbs， and abdominal distention than the group of other syndromes （P<0.05）. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that central sensitization （OR 5.749， 95%CI 2.116-15.616， P<0.001） and DAS28-CRP （OR 0.600， 95% CI 0.418-0.862， P=0.006） were the independent factors influencing cold dampness obstruction syndrome in RA. ConclusionCold dampness obstruction syndrome is a common syndrome in RA patients. It is associated with central sensitization， cold feeling of joints， abdominal distension and may be a clinical syndrome associated with central sensitization.

Systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE）， a refractory autoimmune disease， is among the dominant diseases where traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） shows advantages in the field of rheumatology and immunology. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital hosted the "46^th Youth Salon on Dominant Diseases （Systemic Lupus Erythematosus）" organized by the China Association of Chinese Medicine， which led to a consensus on "the advantages， challenges， interdisciplinary approaches， and translational achievements of integrated TCM and Western medical approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE." The diagnosis and treatment of SLE currently face several challenges， such as frequent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in the early stages， difficulty in achieving treatment targets， multiple side effects from pharmacotherapy， and the lack of management strategies for special populations， all of which hinder the fulfillment of the clinical needs of patients. Integrated TCM and Western medical approaches can improve clinical symptoms such as skin erythema， aversion to cold and cold limbs， fatigue， dry mouth， restlessness， and heat sensation in the palms and soles， thereby improving patients' quality of life. The approaches also help consolidate the efficacy of conventional Western medicine， slow disease progression， reduce relapse rates， address multi-organ involvement， and prevent or treat complications. Additionally， they enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity， prevent the side effects of Western medications， help reduce hormone use， and offer distinct advantages in the individualized intervention of special populations， contributing to the whole-process management of the disease. However， evidence-based medical support for this integrated approach remains limited， and the quality of available evidence is generally low. Common evaluation systems and modern research methodologies should be adopted to clarify the efficacy of TCM in SLE treatment. Efforts should be made to carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research， strengthen the development of fundamental and pharmacological research， and further explain the distinct advantages of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of TCM and modern medicine， incorporating multi-omics technologies， individualized stratification， and other precision medicine concepts， in combination with artificial intelligence. Moreover， interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to utilize modern technology in exploring the essence of TCM theories and screening effective formulae， thereby comprehensively improving the diagnosis and treatment of SLE through integrated TCM and Western medical approaches.

Systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE）， a refractory autoimmune disease， is among the dominant diseases where traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） shows advantages in the field of rheumatology and immunology. The China-Japan Friendship Hospital hosted the "46^th Youth Salon on Dominant Diseases （Systemic Lupus Erythematosus）" organized by the China Association of Chinese Medicine， which led to a consensus on "the advantages， challenges， interdisciplinary approaches， and translational achievements of integrated TCM and Western medical approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE." The diagnosis and treatment of SLE currently face several challenges， such as frequent misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis in the early stages， difficulty in achieving treatment targets， multiple side effects from pharmacotherapy， and the lack of management strategies for special populations， all of which hinder the fulfillment of the clinical needs of patients. Integrated TCM and Western medical approaches can improve clinical symptoms such as skin erythema， aversion to cold and cold limbs， fatigue， dry mouth， restlessness， and heat sensation in the palms and soles， thereby improving patients' quality of life. The approaches also help consolidate the efficacy of conventional Western medicine， slow disease progression， reduce relapse rates， address multi-organ involvement， and prevent or treat complications. Additionally， they enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity， prevent the side effects of Western medications， help reduce hormone use， and offer distinct advantages in the individualized intervention of special populations， contributing to the whole-process management of the disease. However， evidence-based medical support for this integrated approach remains limited， and the quality of available evidence is generally low. Common evaluation systems and modern research methodologies should be adopted to clarify the efficacy of TCM in SLE treatment. Efforts should be made to carry out high-quality evidence-based medical research， strengthen the development of fundamental and pharmacological research， and further explain the distinct advantages of TCM in the diagnosis and treatment of SLE. Future efforts should focus on advancing the integration of TCM and modern medicine， incorporating multi-omics technologies， individualized stratification， and other precision medicine concepts， in combination with artificial intelligence. Moreover， interdisciplinary collaboration should be promoted to utilize modern technology in exploring the essence of TCM theories and screening effective formulae， thereby comprehensively improving the diagnosis and treatment of SLE through integrated TCM and Western medical approaches.

BACKGROUND:The majority of studies on developmental dysplasia of the hip focus on hip malformations,but there are few reports on the effects of acetabular dysplasia on the spine. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the compensation of spinopelvic parameters in coronal and sagittal views in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip,and to explore the correlation between acetabular development and spinopelvic parameters. METHODS:A total of 101 patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to June 2022 were selected as the trial group,and 114 healthy subjects were selected as the control group during the same period.The spinopelvic parameters of the subjects were measured through the full-length X-ray films of the coronal and sagittal spines:lumbar lordosis,anterior pelvic tilt,thoracolumbar kyphosis,Cobb angle,and the distance between the C7 plumb line and the center sacral vertical line,sacral slope,pelvic incidence,and thoracic kyphosis.The differences in spinopelvic parameters were compared between the two groups.In addition,the differences in spinopelvic parameters in patients with unilateral,bilateral and different Crowe classifications of developmental dysplasia of the hip were compared.Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between Sharp angle and spinopelvic parameters. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the sagittal view,the lumbar lordosis in the trial group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The pelvic tilt and kyphosis angle of the thoracolumbar segment in the trial group were significantly greater than those in the control group(P<0.05).In the coronary position,the Cobb angle and the distance between the C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line in the trial group were significantly greater than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the remaining spinopelvic parameters between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The lumbar lordosis of patients with bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip was significantly lower than that of patients with unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip(P<0.05).The pelvic tilt,thoracolumbar kyphosis,Cobb angle and the distance between the C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line in bilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip patients were significantly greater than those in unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip patients(P<0.05).(3)The lumbar lordosis decreased with the increase of Crowe classification severity(P<0.05).The pelvic tilt increased with the severity of the Crowe classification(P<0.05).(4)Pearson correlation analysis showed that Sharp angle was negatively correlated with lumbar lordosis(P<0.05),while Sharp angle was positively correlated with anterior pelvic tilt,Cobb angle,C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line(P<0.05).(5)It is concluded that the pelvic tilt,thoracolumbar kyphosis,Cobb angle and the distance between the C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line increase,while lumbar lordosis decreases in developmental dysplasia of the hip patients.The degree of acetabular dysplasia was significantly correlated with lumbar lordosis,pelvic tilt,Cobb angle,C7 plumb line and center sacral vertical line.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of V-Y advancement flap with facial artery perforator for the repair of midface skin defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 18 patients with facial skin cancer, including 11 males and 7 females, aged 65-83 years, who underwent the repair of midface skin defects using V-Y advancement flap with facial artery perforator in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nantong University from January 2020 to April 2023. Medium, large or complex midface skin defects developed after surgical resections of the primary lesions. According to the defect site, size, location information of facial vessels, a V-Y advancement flap with appropriate shape was designed for each case. During the operation, the facial vessels and their perforators were retained in the pedicle of the flap, the facial nerve branches were dissected and protected, and the further denuded pedicle was determined according to actual amount of advancement. After the flap was advanced, the facial defect area was repaired without tension, and the anatomical positions and functions of the eyes, nose and mouth were restored as far as possible. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted to observe the survival rate of the flaps, postoperative complications, recurrences and metastases of tumors.Results:Midface defects of 3.0 cm×3.5 cm-6.5 cm×7.5 cm were observed after tumor resections, which involved one or more subregions. The sizes of the flaps were 3.5 cm×9.0 cm-7.0 cm×18.0 cm. All flaps were completely alive except for one with temporary local bruising. With following-up of 4-40 months, 5 of the 12 patients with lower eyelid and inner canthus invasions had lower eyelid ectropion, but no exposed keratitis was found; one case with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma had lymph node metastasis in the submandibular region and underwent neck dissection again; no recurrence or metastasis occurred in the remaining cases.Conclusion:The V-Y advancement flap with facial artery perforator can be used to repair medium, large or complex midface skin defects, with a high survival rate, and the operation method is safe and reliable.

Objectives:To investigate the application value of laparoscopic double stapler firings and double stapling technique combined with rectal eversion and total extra-abdominal resection (LDER) in the anal preservation treatment of low rectal cancer.Methods:Inclusion criteria: (1) age was 18-70; (2) the distance of the lower tumor edge from the anal verge was 4-5 cm; (3) primary tumor with a diameter ≤3 cm; (4) preoperative staging of T1~2N1~2M0; (5) "difficult pelvis", defined as ischial tuberosity diameter<10 cm or body mass index>25 kg/m 2; (6) patients with strong intention for sphincter preservation; (7) no preoperative treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, or immunotherapy); (8) no lateral lymph node enlargement; (9) no previous anorectal surgery; (10) patients with good basic condition who could tolerate surgery. Exclusion criteria: (1) previously suffered from malignant tumors of the digestive tract or currently suffering from malignant tumors out of the digestive tract; (2) patients with preoperative anal dysfunction (Wexner score ≥ 10), or fecal incontinence. The specific surgical steps are as follows: the distal end of the rectum was dissected to the level of the interspace between internal and external sphincters of anal canal. Five centimeters proximal to the tumor, the mesorectum was ligated, and a liner stapler was used to transect the rectum. The distal rectum with the tumor were then everted and extracted through the anus. The rectum was transected 0.5-1.0 cm distal to the tumor with a linear stapler. Full thickness suture was used to reinforce the stump of the rectum, which was then brought back into the pelvic cavity. Finally, an end-to-end anastomosis between the colon and the rectum was performed. A retrospective descriptive study was performed of the clinical and pathological data of 12 patients with T1-T2 stage low rectal cancer treated with LDER at Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022. Results:All 12 patients successfully completed LDER with sphincter preservation, without conversion to open surgery or changes in surgical approach. The median surgical time was 272 (155-320) minutes, with a median bleeding volume of 100 (50-200) mL. No protective stoma was performed, and all patients received R0 resection. The average hospital stay was 9 (7-15) days. There were no postoperative anastomotic leakage or perioperative deaths. All 12 patients received postoperative follow-up, with a median follow-up of 12 months (6-36 months) and a Wexner score of 8 (5-14) at 6 months postoperatively. There was no tumor recurrence or metastasis during the follow-up period.Conclusions:LDER is safe and effective for the treatment of low rectal cancer.

Objectives:To investigate the application value of laparoscopic double stapler firings and double stapling technique combined with rectal eversion and total extra-abdominal resection (LDER) in the anal preservation treatment of low rectal cancer.Methods:Inclusion criteria: (1) age was 18-70; (2) the distance of the lower tumor edge from the anal verge was 4-5 cm; (3) primary tumor with a diameter ≤3 cm; (4) preoperative staging of T1~2N1~2M0; (5) "difficult pelvis", defined as ischial tuberosity diameter<10 cm or body mass index>25 kg/m 2; (6) patients with strong intention for sphincter preservation; (7) no preoperative treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, or immunotherapy); (8) no lateral lymph node enlargement; (9) no previous anorectal surgery; (10) patients with good basic condition who could tolerate surgery. Exclusion criteria: (1) previously suffered from malignant tumors of the digestive tract or currently suffering from malignant tumors out of the digestive tract; (2) patients with preoperative anal dysfunction (Wexner score ≥ 10), or fecal incontinence. The specific surgical steps are as follows: the distal end of the rectum was dissected to the level of the interspace between internal and external sphincters of anal canal. Five centimeters proximal to the tumor, the mesorectum was ligated, and a liner stapler was used to transect the rectum. The distal rectum with the tumor were then everted and extracted through the anus. The rectum was transected 0.5-1.0 cm distal to the tumor with a linear stapler. Full thickness suture was used to reinforce the stump of the rectum, which was then brought back into the pelvic cavity. Finally, an end-to-end anastomosis between the colon and the rectum was performed. A retrospective descriptive study was performed of the clinical and pathological data of 12 patients with T1-T2 stage low rectal cancer treated with LDER at Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022. Results:All 12 patients successfully completed LDER with sphincter preservation, without conversion to open surgery or changes in surgical approach. The median surgical time was 272 (155-320) minutes, with a median bleeding volume of 100 (50-200) mL. No protective stoma was performed, and all patients received R0 resection. The average hospital stay was 9 (7-15) days. There were no postoperative anastomotic leakage or perioperative deaths. All 12 patients received postoperative follow-up, with a median follow-up of 12 months (6-36 months) and a Wexner score of 8 (5-14) at 6 months postoperatively. There was no tumor recurrence or metastasis during the follow-up period.Conclusions:LDER is safe and effective for the treatment of low rectal cancer.

Objectives:To investigate clinical characteristics, outcomes and antimicrobial resistance of community-acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CAPA) infections in Chinese pediatric patients. Methods:This retrospective study was conducted at 6 tertiary hospitals in China during January 2016 to December 2018. The clinical and microbiological data of CAPA infected hospitalized children in Hainan and in other regions were collected and compared, and the antimicrobial resistance patterns, clinical characteristics and antibiotic therapy were analyzed. Between different groups were compared using the Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results:Among 91 patients, 63 cases were males, 28 cases were females, and 74 cases were from Hainan province, 17 cases were from other regians. The age of consultation was 22.5 (5.4, 44.0) months. Twenty-four cases (26%) had underlying diseases. Fever (79 cases (87%)) and cough (64 cases (70%)) were common initial symptoms. Other concomitant symptoms included wheezing 8 cases (9%), diarrhea 3 cases (3%) and vomiting 4 cases (4%). Twenty-eight cases (31%) had organ infections, including pneumonia 22 cases (24%), skin infection 5 cases (5%), meningitis, intra-abdominal infection and upper urinary tract infection each 1 case (1%). The resistance rate of CAPA isolates to cefepime (4% (4/90)), amikacin (1% (1/90)), ciprofloxacin (2% (2/90)) and levofloxacin (1% (1/89)) was low, and to ceftazidime, piperacillin, piperacillin-azobactam, carbapenem was 12% (11/90), 3/16, 18% (10/56) and 6% (5/90), respectively. Antimicrobial combination therapy accounted for 52% (47/91) of empirical therapy and 59% (52/88) of definite therapy. Two cases (2%) were hopeless discharged, and 3 cases (3%) died during hospitalization. The worse prognosis of CAPA infection is significantly different among children in other regions and in Hainan (4/17 vs. 1% (1/74), χ2=9.74, P<0.05). Conclusions:The invasive CAPA-infection has regional difference in incidence and prognosis in China. Clinical symptoms and signs are non-specific. CAPA strains isolated from pediatric patients display low level of resistance to most of the common antipseudomonal antibiotics. The proportion of poor prognostic outcome is lower in Hainan than in other regions.

Objective:To assess the association between diabetes mellitus and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), and to identify potential contributing factors.Methods:This meta-analysis was an updated version of the original study Diabetes mellitus and the risk of sudden cardiac death： a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. The original review included all eligible case-control and cohort studies published in PubMed and Embase up to 2017 that investigated the association between diabetes and SCD risk. In this updated study, newly published studies were added, including those available in PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and WANFANG MED ONLINE up to December 3, 2023. Search terms included "diabetes""glucose""sudden cardiac death" "cardiac arrest" and their Chinese equivalent. The primary outcome was the risk of SCD, while factors such as country, ethnicity, skin color, follow-up duration, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), baseline comorbidities, and other relevant variables were analyzed as potential influencing factors. Relative risk ( RR) was used as the summary measure. A random-effects model was used when significant heterogeneity was detected, otherwise a fixed-effects model was used. Cochran′s Q test was used for subgroup analysis to assess the influence of factors such as region, baseline diseases, LVEF, and ethnicity (based on skin color) on the outcomes. Results:A total of 32 cohort/case-control studies with a combined sample size of 3 252 954 individuals were included. The meta-analysis showed that the risk of SCD in patients with diabetes was double that of non-diabetics ( RR=2.00, 95% CI: 1.83-2.19, P<0.001). In Asian populations, the risk of SCD in diabetic patients was 1.78 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.51-2.10), 2.05 times that of in European populations ( RR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.79-2.34), and 2.12 times that of in American populations ( RR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.82-2.47), with no statistically significant heterogeneity between regions ( P=0.287). Among individuals without other baseline comorbidities, the risk of SCD was 2.12 times higher in diabetic patients than in those without diabetes ( RR=2.12, 95% CI: 1.89-2.38). In patients with baseline coronary heart disease, the risk was 1.75 times that of non-diabetics ( RR=1.75, 95% CI: 1.45-2.11). In those with baseline heart failure, the risk was 1.92 times that of non-diabetics ( RR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.51-2.43). In patients with baseline atrial fibrillation, the risk was 4.00 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=4.00, 95% CI: 1.38-11.56). In patients undergoing hemodialysis due to renal failure, the risk was 1.76 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.25-2.48), with no statistically significant heterogeneity between groups ( P=0.262). In cardiac patients with LVEF>50%, the risk of SCD in diabetic patients was 2.08 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=2.08, 95% CI: 1.57-2.75), and in those with LVEF<50%, the risk was 1.69 times that of non-diabetic individuals ( RR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.30-2.18), with no statistically significant heterogeneity between groups ( P=0.277). In yellow-skinned populations, the risk of SCD in diabetic patients was 1.80 times that of healthy individuals ( RR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.73-1.87), and in white-skinned populations, it was 2.18 times that of healthy individuals ( RR=2.18, 95% CI: 1.88-2.54), with statistically significant heterogeneity between groups ( P=0.014). Conclusions:Diabetes mellitus significantly increased the risk of SCD, and this effect may be more pronounced in white-skinned populations, while region, baseline comorbidities, and LVEF had no further effect.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huashi Runzao prescription （HRP） on the histopathological injury and function of submandibular gland in naive non-obese diabetic （NOD/Ltj） mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome （SS） and its regulatory effect on aquaporin 5 （AQP5） expression in submandibular gland cells. MethodThe SS model was induced in NOD/Ltj mice. The NOD/Ltj female mice aged nine weeks were selected and randomly assigned into model group，HRP group （7.15 g·kg^-1·d^-1），and hydroxychloroquine （HCQ） group （1.30 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and female BALB/c mice in the same age were selected and assigned into the normal group， with six mice in each group. Drug intervention lasted eight weeks. The water consumption and salivary flow rate （SFR） of each group were recorded. The pathological staining results of the submandibular gland of mice in each group were observed and scored. AQP5 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry （IHC） and Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased water consumption （P<0.05） and reduced SFR （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the HRP group showed decreased water consumption （P<0.05） and increased SFR （P<0.05）， and the HCQ group showed increased SFR （P<0.05）. In terms of histopathological results of the submandibular gland，compared with the normal group，the model group showed increased pathological score， number of lymphocyte infiltration foci，and percentage of lymphatic infiltration area （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the HRP group showed reduced pathological scores and number of lymphocyte infiltration foci （P<0.05）， and the HRP group and the HCQ group showed reduced percentage of lymphatic infiltration area（P<0.05）. The results of IHC and Western blot showed that compared with the normal group，the model group showed down-regulated expression level of AQP5 protein （P<0.05）， and compared with the model group and the HCQ group，the HRP group showed up-regulated expression level of AQP5 protein （P<0.05）. ConclusionHRP can improve the secretion function of submandibular gland acinous cells and glandular structure injury in SS model mice， and its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of AQP5 protein expression level in submandibular gland cells.