Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting a substantial proportion of women of reproductive age. It is frequently associated with ovulatory dysfunction, infertility, and an increased risk of chronic metabolic diseases. A hallmark pathological feature of PCOS is the arrest of follicular development, closely linked to impaired intercellular communication between the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells. Transzonal projections (TZPs) are specialized cytoplasmic extensions derived from granulosa cells that penetrate the zona pellucida to establish direct contact with the oocyte. These structures serve as essential conduits for the transfer of metabolites, signaling molecules (e.g., cAMP, cGMP), and regulatory factors (e.g., microRNAs, growth differentiation factors), thereby maintaining meiotic arrest, facilitating metabolic cooperation, and supporting gene expression regulation in the oocyte. The proper formation and maintenance of TZPs depend on the cytoskeletal integrity of granulosa cells and the regulated expression of key connexins, particularly CX37 and CX43. Recent studies have revealed that in PCOS, TZPs exhibit significant structural and functional abnormalities. Contributing factors—such as hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysregulation of critical signaling pathways (including PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β‑catenin, and MAPK/ERK)—collectively impair TZP integrity and reduce their formation. This disruption in granulosa-oocyte communication compromises oocyte quality and contributes to follicular arrest and anovulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of TZP biology, including their formation mechanisms, molecular composition, and stage-specific dynamics during folliculogenesis. We highlight the pathological alterations in TZPs observed in PCOS and elucidate how endocrine and metabolic disturbances—particularly androgen excess and hyperinsulinemia—downregulate CX43 expression and impair gap junction function, thereby exacerbating ovarian microenvironmental dysfunction. Furthermore, we explore emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring TZP integrity. Anti-androgen therapies (e.g., spironolactone, flutamide), insulin sensitizers (e.g., metformin), and GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., liraglutide) have shown potential in modulating connexin expression and enhancing granulosa-oocyte communication. In addition, agents such as melatonin, AMPK activators, and GDF9/BMP15 analogs may promote TZP formation and improve oocyte competence. Advanced technologies, including ovarian organoid models and CRISPR-based gene editing, offer promising platforms for studying TZP regulation and developing targeted interventions. In summary, TZPs are indispensable for maintaining follicular homeostasis, and their disruption plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of PCOS-related folliculogenesis failure. Targeting TZP integrity represents a promising therapeutic avenue in PCOS management and warrants further mechanistic and translational investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of personalized puncture planning before surgery using Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the elderly. METHODS: A total of 69 elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty from January 2020 20 to December 2021 with more than 1 year of follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty-four patients were individualized for preoperative planning with PACS software (observation group), including 8 males and 26 females, with a mean age of (73.30±7.96) years old;and 35 patients were treated with conventional treatment (control group), including 7 males and 28 females, with a mean age of (77.30±7.84) years old. The operation time, the amount of cement injection, cement leakage rate, bone watertight diffusion and refracture within 1 year between two groups were observed and compared. The Cobb's angle, low back pain visual analogue scale(VAS) and the modified Oswsetry disability indexes(ODI) before surgery and 1 day, 1 year after surgery were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Both groups successfully completed the operation without serious surgical complications, 2 refractures occurred in the control group. The operation time in the observation group was(41.9±11.9) min, which was less than that in the control group (52.7±13.6) min (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the cement injection volume between two groups (P>0.05). Two cases of cement leakage in the observation group was less than 8 in the control group (P<0.05). The bone cement distribution index of two groups had significant difference(P<0.05). There were no significant differences between two groups in Cobb's angle of the injured vertebras and ODI before and 1 day after surgery(P>0.05), however, the comparative differences were statistically significant at 1 year after surgery(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the VAS between two groups at each time period(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Using the PACS software to plan personalized puncture scheme can reduce the operation time, reduce the cement leakage rate, improve the diffusion of bone cement and longer maintain the postoperative form of vertebral body and the functional state of patients' lumbar back.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Vertebroplasty/methods* ; Fractures, Compression/diagnostic imaging* ; Spinal Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Retrospective Studies ; Radiology Information Systems

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity of total alkaloids from Gelsemium elegans Benth. (TAG) in vivo and in vitro and to elucidate their potential mechanisms of action through transcriptomic analysis. METHODS: TAG extraction was conducted, and the primary components were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of TAG (100, 150, and 200 µg/mL) on various tumor cells, including SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116, were assessed. Effects of TAG on HCC proliferation and apoptosis were detected by colony formation assays and cell stainings. Caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax protein levels were detected by Western blotting. In vivo, a tumor xenograft model was developed using H22 cells. Totally 40 Kunming mice were randomly assigned to model, cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg), TAG low-dose (TAG-L, 0.5 mg/kg), and TAG high-dose (TAG-H, 1 mg/kg) groups, with 10 mice in each group. Tumor volume, body weight, and tumor weight were recorded and compared during 14-day treatment. Immune organ index were calculated. Tissue changes were oberseved by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, as well as quatitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), were performed to detect mRNA and metabolite expressions. RESULTS: HPLC successfully identified the components of TAG extraction. Live cell imaging and analysis, along with cell viability assays, demonstrated that TAG inhibited the proliferation of SMMC-7721, HepG2, H22, CAL27, MCF7, HT29, and HCT116 cells. Colony formation assays, Hoechst 33258 staining, Rhodamine 123 staining, and Western blotting revealed that TAG not only inhibited HCC proliferation but also promoted apoptosis (P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that TAG inhibited the growth of solid tumors in HCC in mice (P<0.05). Transcriptomic analysis and RT-qPCR indicated that the inhibition of HCC by TAG was associated with the regulation of the key gene CXCL13. CONCLUSION TAG inhibits HCC both in vivo and in vitro, with its inhibitory effect linked to the regulation of the key gene CXCL13.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Humans ; Alkaloids/therapeutic use* ; Gelsemium/chemistry* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement mechanism of Huatan tongmai decoction on rats with polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） by regulating autophagy through phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B（AKT）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway. METHODS A total of 40 rats were randomly divided into blank group （purified water）， model group （purified water）， traditional Chinese medicine group [Huatan tongmai decoction， 24 g/（kg·d）] and chemical drug group [metformin， 0.16 g/（kg·d）]， with 10 rats in each group. Except for blank group， other groups were given a combination of high-fat diet and intragastric administration of 1 mg/kg letrozole suspension to establish PCOS rat model. After modeling， they were given relevant medicine or water intragastrically， once a day， for 42 consecutive days. After the last administration， the pathological and ultrastructural changes of ovarian tissue were observed. The levels of follicle stimulating hormone （FSH）， testosterone （T）， estradiol （E2） ，luteinizing hormone （LH） in serum were detected，and the LH/FSH ratio was calculated. mRNA expressions of Beclin-1， p62 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） in ovarian tissue were detected. The expressions of related proteins of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and autophagy in rat ovarian tissues were also detected. RESULTS Compared with blank group， the pathological damage and ultrastructural changes of the ovarian tissue in the model group rats were obvious， and a large number of autophagosomes could be seen in cells. The levels of T and LH and the LH/FSH ratio in serum， as well as mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3， were increased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the levels of E2 and FSH in serum， as well as mRNA and protein expressions of p62 and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K， AKT and mTOR proteins in ovarian tissue， were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the pathological damage of ovarian tissue in the administration groups was significantly reduced， the number of autophagosomes was smaller， and the expression levels of the above indicators were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Huatan tongmai decoction can inhibit autophagy in ovarian granular cells by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway， regulate the secretion of sex hormones， alleviate pathological damage in ovarian tissues， and promote normal follicular development， thereby exerting an ameliorative effect on PCOS rats.

Functional dyspepsia (FD), characterized by persistent or recurrent dyspeptic symptoms without identifiable organic, systemic or metabolic causes, is an increasingly recognized global health issue. The objective of this guideline is to equip clinicians and nursing professionals with evidence-based strategies for the management and treatment of adult patients with FD using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Guideline Development Group consulted existing TCM consensus documents on FD and convened a panel of 35 clinicians to generate initial clinical queries. To address these queries, a systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, China Biology Medicine (SinoMed) Database, Wanfang Database, Traditional Medicine Research Data Expanded (TMRDE), and the Traditional Chinese Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (TCMLARS). The evidence from the literature was critically appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The strength of the recommendations was ascertained through a consensus-building process involving TCM and allopathic medicine experts, methodologists, pharmacologists, nursing specialists, and health economists, leveraging their collective expertise and empirical knowledge. The guideline comprises a total of 43 evidence-informed recommendations that span a range of clinical aspects, including the pathogenesis according to TCM, diagnostic approaches, therapeutic interventions, efficacy assessments, and prognostic considerations. Please cite this article as: Zhang SS, Zhao LQ, Hou XH, Bian ZX, Zheng JH, Tian HH, Yang GH, Hong WS, He YY, Liu L, Shen H, Li YP, Xie S, Shu J, Zeng BF, Li JX, Liu Z, Xiao ZH, Xiao JD, Zheng PY, Huang SG, Chen SL, Fei GJ. International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025). J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):502-518.
Dyspepsia/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

Objective To explore the factors that affect the coordinated development of blood banks and apheresis plas-ma collection banks(hereinafter referred to as plasma banks),and explore feasible measures for the coordinated develop-ment of blood banks and plasma banks.Methods The blood information management system and blood source information management system were used to retrieve related data of blood and plasma donation from 9 cities in Shandong province from 2017 to 2021.The number of blood donors and plasma donors and the intersection of them were analyzed.The data analysis was performed using chi-square test,and a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the policies and information status,as well as expectations for coordinated development for blood and plasma donation.Results From 2017 to 2021,the total number of blood donors in 9 cities was higher than that of plasma donors,both have been increasing year by year,and the increase in plasma donors was significantly higher than that of blood donors(131.78%vs 23.90%,P<0.05).The inter-section proportion of blood and plasma donors had increased from 0.45%in 2017 to 1.04%in 2021,with an increase of 131.11%.Among the administrative regions where the participating blood and plasma banks located,94.2%have not re-leased relevant policy to promote the coordinated development of blood and plasma donation.The majority(63%)expected blood banks and plasma banks to be set at a distance more than 50 km apart.The top four functional requirements for the in-terconnection between blood banks and plasma banks management information system were blood test results(94.61%),ID number(87.54%),blood and plasma donation records(85.51%)and health consultation/examination results(82.15%).The top four elements of coordinated development between blood and plasma banks were policy support(96.25%),informa-tion networking(92.36%),top-level design(87.44%)and cultural construction(86.58%).Conclusion The number of donors who donate both blood(mainly whole blood)and plasma has been increasing year by year,which deserves our close attention.To achieve the coordinated development of blood donation and plasma donation,policy support is the most crucial and fundamental means.Establishment of a standard system and the share of blood and plasma donation information is neces-sary for blood informatization construction.It was critical to promote the coordinated development of blood and plasma dona-tion and ensure blood safety with improving legislation,formulating policies for coordinated development,strengthening top-level design,standardizing the publicity of blood and plasma donation and establishing the idea that blood and plasma dona-tion are equally honorable.

【Objective】 To establish a blood quality monitoring indicator system, in order to continuously improve blood quality and standardized management. 【Methods】 Based on the research of literature and standards, and guided by the key control points of blood collection and supply process, the blood quality monitoring indicator system was developed. Through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation, the indicator content was further revised and improved according to expert opinions after six months of trial implementation. The indicator weight was calculated by questionnaire and analytic hierarchy process. 【Results】 A blood quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply was constructed, including five primary indicators, namely blood donation service, blood component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control, as well as 72 secondary indicators, including definitions, calculation formulas, etc. Two rounds of expert consultation and two rounds of feasibility study meeting were held to revise 17 items and the weight of each indicator was obtained through the analytic hierarchy process. After partial adjustments, a blood quality monitoring indicator system was formed. 【Conclusion】 A blood quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply has been established for the first time, which can effectively evaluate the quality management level of blood banks and coordinate blood quality control activities of blood banks in Shandong like pieces in a chess game, thus improving the standardized management level

【Objective】 To objectively evaluate the quality control level of blood testing process in blood banks through quantitative monitoring and trend analysis, and to promote the homogenization level and standardized management of blood testing laboratories in blood banks. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply, including blood donation service, blood component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control was established. The questionnaire Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process with clear definition of indicators and calculation formulas was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong province. Quality monitoring indicators of each blood bank from January to December 2022 were collected, and 31 indicators in terms of blood testing were analyzed using SPSS25.0 software. 【Results】 The proportion of unqualified serological tests in 17 blood bank laboratories was 55.84% for ALT, 13.63% for HBsAg, 5.08% for anti HCV, 5.62% for anti HIV, 18.18% for anti TP, and 1.65% for other factors (mainly sample quality). The detection unqualified rate and median were (1.23±0.57)% and 1.11%, respectively. The ALT unqualified rate and median were (0.74±0.53)% and 0.60%, respectively. The detection unqualified rate was positively correlated with ALT unqualified rate (r=0.974, P<0.05). The unqualified rate of HBsAg, anti HCV, anti HIV and anti TP was (0.15±0.09)%, (0.05±0.04)%, (0.06±0.03)% and (0.20±0.05)% respectively. The average unqualified rate, average hemolysis rate, average insufficient volume rate and the abnormal hematocrit rate of samples in 17 blood bank laboratories was 0.21‰, 0.08‰, 0.01‰ and 0.02‰ respectively. There were differences in the retest concordance rates of four HBsAg, anti HCV and anti HIV reagents, and three anti TP reagents among 17 blood bank laboratories (P<0.05). The usage rate of ELISA reagents was (114.56±3.30)%, the outage rate of ELISA was (10.23±7.05) ‰, and the out of range rate of ELISA was (0.90±1.17) ‰. There was no correlation between the out of range rate, outrage rate and usage rate (all P>0.05), while the outrage rate was positively correlated with the usage rate (r=0.592, P<0.05). A total of 443 HBV DNA positive samples were detected in all blood banks, with an unqualified rate of 3.78/10 000; 15 HCV RNA positive samples were detected, with an unqualified rate of 0.13/10 000; 5 HIV RNA positive samples were detected, with an unqualified rate of 0.04/10 000. The unqualified rate of NAT was (0.72±0.04)‰, the single NAT reaction rate [(0.39±0.02)‰] was positively correlated with the single HBV DNA reaction rate [ (0.36±0.02) ‰] (r=0.886, P<0.05). There was a difference in the discriminated reactive rate by individual NAT among three blood bank laboratories (C, F, H) (P<0.05). The median resolution rate of 17 blood station laboratories by minipool test was 36.36%, the median rate of invalid batch of NAT was 0.67%, and the median rate of invalid result of NAT was 0.07‰. The consistency rate of ELISA dual reagent detection results was (99.63±0.24)%, and the median length of equipment failure was 14 days. The error rate of blood type testing in blood collection department was 0.14‰. 【Conclusion】 The quality monitoring indicator system for blood testing process in Shandong can monitor potential risks before, during and after the experiment, and has good applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness, and can facilitate the continuous improvement of laboratory quality control level. The application of blood testing quality monitoring indicators will promote the homogenization and standardization of blood quality management in Shandong, and lay the foundation for future comprehensive evaluations of blood banks.

【Objective】 To establish an effective quality monitoring indicator system for blood quality control in blood banks, in order to analyze the quality control indicators for blood collection and supply, and evaluate blood quality control process, thus promoting continuous improvement and standardizing management of blood quality control in blood banks. 【Methods】 A quality monitoring indicator system covering the whole process of blood collection and supply, including blood donation services, component preparation, blood testing, blood supply and quality control was established. The Questionnaire of Quality Monitoring Indicators for Blood Collection and Supply Process was distributed to 17 blood banks in Shandong, which clarified the definition and calculation formula of indicators. The quality monitoring indicator data from January to December 2022 in each blood bank were collected, and 20 quality control indicators data were analyzed by SPSS25.0 software. 【Results】 The average pass rate of key equipment monitoring, environment monitoring, key material monitoring, and blood testing item monitoring of 17 blood banks were 99.47%, 99.51%, 99.95% and 98.99%, respectively. Significant difference was noticed in the pass rate of environment monitoring among blood banks of varied scales(P<0.05), and the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between the total number of blood quality testing items and the total amount of blood component preparation was 0.645 (P<0.05). The average discarding rates of blood testing or non-blood testing were 1.14% and 3.36% respectively, showing significant difference among blood banks of varied scales (P<0.05). The average discarding rate of lipemic blood was 3.07%, which had a positive correlation with the discarding rate of non testing (r=0.981 3, P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the discarding rate of lipemic blood between blood banks with lipemic blood control measures and those without (P<0.05). The average discarding rate of abnormal color, non-standard volume, blood bag damage, hemolysis, blood protein precipitation and blood clotting were 0.20%, 0.14%, 0.06%, 0.06%, 0.02% and 0.02% respectively, showing statistically significant differences among large, medium and small blood banks(P<0.05).The average discarding rates of expired blood, other factors, confidential unit exclusion and unqualified samples were 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.003% and 0.004%, respectively. The discarding rate of blood with air bubbles was 0.015%, while that of blood with foreign body and unqualified label were 0. 【Conclusion】 The quality control indicator system of blood banks in Shandong can monitor weak points in process management, with good applicability, feasibility, and effectiveness. It is conducive to evaluate different blood banks, continuously improve the quality control level of blood collection and supply, promote the homogenization and standardization of blood quality management, and lay the foundation for comprehensive evaluation of blood banks in Shandong.