BACKGROUND

Internationalization in medical education aims to align programs with global standards, foster intercultural competence, and expand academic collaboration. In private medical schools in Northern Luzon, clarifying how internationalization is conceptualized and enacted can enhance the medical curriculum.

To explore how private medical schools in Northern Luzon conceptualize and implement internationalization, identify associated challenges, and propose curriculum inputs to enhance delivery of the medical curriculum.

The qualitative study utilized a multiple case study design. The study was approved by the Saint Louis University Research Ethics Committee. Using purposive sampling, 45 participants from private institutions in Northern Luzon Philippines consented to engage in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews from February to April 2025. Data were analyzed through inductive content and thematic techniques.

Participants conceptualized internationalization as (1) alignment with international quality and practice standards; (2) global engagement and exchange encompassing knowledge, skills, culture, institutional networking, and collaboration; (3) inclusivity and multicultural responsiveness; and (4) pursuit of global recognition and accreditation. Implementation occurred via “internationalization at home” (embedding global perspectives in local learning environments), “internationalization abroad” (student/faculty mobility and external exposure), and alignment of philosophical and curricular frameworks. Reported challenges included institutional and curricular constraints, language and cultural barriers, sociocultural and financial limitations, and external/contextual pressures.

Addressing the identified barriers and scaling the documented practices can enhance the delivery of the medical curriculum. The study offers actionable curricular revisions that private institutions may adopt to strengthen internationalization in medical education.

The growing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has coincided with more timely manuscript submissions and improved efficiency in scientific writing. While AI tools help authors produce clear and well-structured work, excessive or undisclosed reliance raises concerns about originality, authenticity, and the integrity of scholarly publications. Editors increasingly recognize AI-assisted writing and face the challenge of preserving rigorous standards. Emerging guidelines emphasize transparency in AI use, alongside the need to retain individual voice and diversity in scientific expression. This editorial highlights the balance between leveraging AI’s benefits and safeguarding ethical publication practices, while acknowledging contributors to the current issue.

BACKGROUND

Internationalization in medical education aims to align programs with global standards, foster intercultural competence, and expand academic collaboration. In private medical schools in Northern Luzon, clarifying how internationalization is conceptualized and enacted can enhance the medical curriculum.

To explore how private medical schools in Northern Luzon conceptualize and implement internationalization, identify associated challenges, and propose curriculum inputs to enhance delivery of the medical curriculum.

The qualitative study utilized a multiple case study design. The study was approved by the Saint Louis University Research Ethics Committee. Using purposive sampling, 45 participants from private institutions in Northern Luzon Philippines consented to engage in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews from February to April 2025. Data were analyzed through inductive content and thematic techniques.

Participants conceptualized internationalization as (1) alignment with international quality and practice standards; (2) global engagement and exchange encompassing knowledge, skills, culture, institutional networking, and collaboration; (3) inclusivity and multicultural responsiveness; and (4) pursuit of global recognition and accreditation. Implementation occurred via “internationalization at home” (embedding global perspectives in local learning environments), “internationalization abroad” (student/faculty mobility and external exposure), and alignment of philosophical and curricular frameworks. Reported challenges included institutional and curricular constraints, language and cultural barriers, sociocultural and financial limitations, and external/contextual pressures.

Addressing the identified barriers and scaling the documented practices can enhance the delivery of the medical curriculum. The study offers actionable curricular revisions that private institutions may adopt to strengthen internationalization in medical education.

Human ; Research ; Information Dissemination ; Reference Standards

Tujia ethnic group medicine Xuetong is derived from Kadsura heteroclita, the stem of which has the medicinal value for anti-rheumatoid arthritis, liver protection, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation effects, and has been widely used in Hunan and Guangdong in China. The selection of reliable and stable reference genes is the basis for subsequent molecular research on K. heteroclita. In this study, GAPDH, TUA, Actin, UBQ, EF-1α, 18S-rRNA, CYP, UBC, TUB, H2A, and RPL were selected as candidate reference genes in Kadsura heteroclita. The gene expression levels of the 11 candidate reference genes of K. heteroclita in its 6 different parts(stem-inside of the cambium, stem-outside of the cambium, fruit, flower, root, and leaf) and under different intervention conditions [drought stress, salt stress, and methyl jasmonate(MeJA) treatment] were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). The expression stability of the 11 candidate reference genes was comprehensively analyzed and evaluated by geNorm, NormFinder, ΔCT algorithm, and RefFinder software. The results showed that the expression of UBC and RPL was relatively stable in 6 different parts, and UBC and GAPDH genes were relatively stable under different intervention conditions. To verify the reliability of reference genes for K. heteroclita, this study further examined the relative expression levels of KhFPS, KhIDI, KhCAS, KhSQE, KhSQS, KhSQS-2, KhHMGS, KhHMGR, KhMVD, KhMVK, KhDXR, KhDXS, KhPMVK, and KhGGPS in different parts and under different intervention conditions, which might relate to the synthesis of the main component(Xuetongsu) of K. heteroclita. The results showed that with UBC and RPL or UBC and GAPDH as the reference genes, the expression trends of these 14 genes were basically consistent in different parts or under different intervention conditions for K. heteroclita. In conclusion, UBC can be used as a reference gene of K. heteroclita for its different parts and different intervention conditions, which lays a foundation for further research on the biosynthetic pathway of main components in K. heteroclita.
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Reference Standards ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Autoantibodies are important biomarkers of autoimmune diseases and crucial for disease diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and the evaluation of disease activity and prognosis. Specifying the requirement of quality control for detecting autoantibodies is essential for accurately reporting relevant results. In 2023, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (Peking Union Medical College Hospital), Experimental Diagnosis Research Committee, Rheumatology and Immunology Physicians Committee of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Autoantibodies Detection Committee, Chinese Rheumatism Data Center invited relevant clinical and laboratory experts to develop the current consensus based on the national standards, the industry guidelines, the national situation, and the experience of quality control regarding autoantibody detection. This consensus aims to standardize the quality control of autoantibody detection in relevant laboratories in China.
Humans ; Autoantibodies ; Consensus ; Autoimmune Diseases/diagnosis* ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards

Objective To compare the prevalence and disease burden of thyroid cancer and their trends between China and the globe from 1990 to 2019.Methods With the global disease burden data in 2019,Joinpoint was used to predict the trends of the disease burden of thyroid cancer in China and the globe from 1990 to 2019,and logarithmic linear model was used to test the predicted trends.The R language was used for predictive analysis and graphic plotting of the disease burden from 2020 to 2035.Results From 1990 to 2019,the standardized incidence rate and the standardized mortality rate of thyroid cancer in China were lower than those in the globe.The standardized incidence rate in China and the globe showed an increasing trend(with the increases of 102.65% and 40.65%,respectively),while the standardized mortality rate showed a decreasing trend(with the decreases of 7.63% and 4.91%,respectively).Compared with those of the female population,the standardized incidence and mortality rates of the Chinese male population increased significantly from 1990 to 2019(the rates of change in the male population were 48.65% and 214.60%,respectively;and the rates of change in the female population were -39.01% and 60.44%,respectively).China's overall standardized years of life lost(YLL),years lived with disability(YLD),and disability-adjusted life years(DALY)rates during the 30-year period were lower than the global average.The Chinese and global populations showed the standardized YLL rate decreasing by 16.61% and 6.88% and the standardized DALY rate decreasing by 10.77% and 3.65%,respectively,while the rates of standardized YLD increased by 128.91% and 46.89%,respectively.The magnitude of DALY in China and the world was mainly influenced by YLL.The standardized incidence,mortality,and DALY rates of the Chinese male population were gradually approaching the global levels.From 1990 and 2019,thyroid cancer showed a higher mortality rate in the population with the age ≥ 75 years and a higher incidence rate in the population with the age <75 years.It is projected that from 2020 to 2035,the standardized incidence rates in China and the world will increase by 36.66% and 21.15%,respectively;the standardized mortality rates will decrease by 20.19% and 3.46%,respectively;and the standardized DALY rate is expected to decrease by 7.08% in China and increase by 4.35% in the world.Conclusions From 1990 to 2019,China's standardized incidence rate of thyroid cancer increased and had a higher increase than the global level,and the standardized mortality rate decreased,with a slightly higher decrease than the global level.However,the increases in the standardized incidence rate and mortality rate of this disease in China's ≥75 years male population were severe.Although China's disease burden of thyroid cancer showed a decreasing trend in line with the global trend as a whole,the disease burden in the Chinese males was higher than that in the females.Specifically,the disease burden due to premature death was predominant,and the burden in specific populations requires policy attention.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Aged ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Reference Standards ; Cost of Illness ; China/epidemiology* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Incidence

Paeonia veitchii and P. lactiflora are both original plants of the famous Chinese medicinal drug Paeoniae Radix Rubra in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. They have important medicinal value and great potential in the flower market. The selection of stable and reliable reference genes is a necessary prerequisite for molecular research on P. veitchii. In this study, two reference genes, Actin and GAPDH, were selected as candidate genes from the transcriptome data of P. veitchii. The expression levels of the two candidate genes in different tissues(phloem, xylem, stem, leaf, petiole, and ovary) and different growth stages(bud stage, flowering stage, and dormant stage) of P. veitchii were detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative technology(qRT-PCR). Then, the stability of the expression of the two reference genes was comprehensively analyzed using geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, ΔCT, and RefFinder. The results showed that the expression patterns of Actin and GAPDH were stable in different tissues and growth stages of P. veitchii. Furthermore, the expression levels of eight genes(Pv-TPS01, Pv-TPS02, Pv-CYP01, Pv-CYP02, Pv-CYP03, Pv-BAHD01, Pv-UGT01, and Pv-UGT02) in different tissues were further detected based on the transcriptome data of P. veitchii. The results showed that when Actin and GAPDH were used as reference genes, the expression trends of the eight genes in different tissues of P. veitchii were consistent, validating the reliability of Actin and GAPDH as reference genes for P. veitchii. In conclusion, this study finds that Actin and GAPDH can be used as reference genes for studying gene expression levels in different tissues and growth stages of P. veitchii.
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Paeonia/genetics* ; Actins/genetics* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Transcriptome ; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases/genetics* ; Reference Standards ; Gene Expression Profiling/methods*

This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of Ruyi Zhenbao Pills in the treatment of osteoarthritis, aiming to clarify its clinical advantages and promote rational drug use and related policy transformation. Following the relevant standards in Guidelines for the Comprehensive Evaluation of Drugs in Clinical Practice and Technical Specifications for the Clinical Comprehensive Evaluation of Chinese Patent Medicine, comprehensive research and related data on Ruyi Zhenbao Pills in the treatment of osteoarthritis were collected in the dimensions of safety, effectiveness, economy, innovation, suitability, accessibility, and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) cha-racteristics(referred to as the "6+1" dimensions). Through evidence-based medicine, questionnaire surveys, health technology assessment, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, and other methods, a multi-criteria decision analysis(MCDA) model and CSC v2.0 software were used to comprehensively evaluate the clinical value of Ruyi Zhenbao Pills. Spontaneous reporting system data on adverse reactions and literature data indicate that the adverse reactions of Ruyi Zhenbao Pills are mostly general adverse reactions, with no reports of se-rious adverse reactions. The known risks are small, and its safety is rated as class A. It has been shown to effectively relieve joint pain and restore joint function in the treatment of osteoarthritis. However, more high-quality, large-sample randomized controlled trials are needed to further validate its effectiveness, which is rated as class B. There is evidence supporting its economic viability, and its economic is rated as class B. It demonstrates good clinical innovation, innovative enterprise service system, and industrial innovation, and innovation is rated as class A. Medical professionals and patients have a favorable perception of the suitability of Ruyi Zhenbao Pills, and further improvement can be made in terms of convenience of administration and promotion to facilitate rational drug use by healthcare professionals and patients. Suitability is rated as class B. The drug has a favorable price level, availability, and affordability, and accessibility is rated as class A. Ruyi Zhenbao Pills are a classic Tibetan medicinal prescription with excellent TCM theoretical characteristics. However, further research is needed on its use in human studies. TCM characteristics are rated as class B. Based on the evaluation results of the "6+1" dimensions, the comprehensive clinical evaluation is rated as grade B. Ruyi Zhenbao Pills have good clinical value in the treatment of osteoarthritis, and it is recommended to undergo the necessary procedures for conditional transformation into a policy for the management of essential clinical drugs.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Reference Standards ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Drugs, Essential ; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*

From the perspective of technical evaluation, this study reviewed the current situation of application and clinical application of medical device products were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in the market in recent years. The regulatory requirements of these products in China, USA, EU and Japan were compared and analyzed, and the monitoring situation of adverse events after listing, the standards for reference and the domestic and foreign regulatory documents were combined, the clinical application and regulatory risks of the product were analyzed. The problems such as pre-treatment, system matching, adequacy of performance index requirements, inter-room consistency, reference interval and registration unit were discussed and suggestions for supervision were given, with a view to the field of product R&D and production, review and approval of supervision to provide technical reference.
Chromatography, Liquid/methods* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Reference Standards ; Japan