OBJECTIVES: To analyze the early clinical outcomes of the Xcor^TM transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system in treating severe aortic stenosis. This study has been registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200065593). METHODS: This single-arm, prospective clinical trial enrolled patients with severe aortic stenosis treated with the Xcor^TM TAVR system at the Section of Heart Valve & Coronary Artery Surgery, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. Perioperative and follow-up parameters were compared to evaluate differences in hemodynamic outcomes. All-cause mortality, aortic regurgitation, paravalvular leakage, cerebrovascular events, and reoperation were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with severe aortic stenosis were included (20 males, 12 females), with (70.9±4.3) years old and a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of 6.45% (6.07%, 7.28%). Notably, 87.5% of patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class≥Ⅲ. All patients underwent successful Xcor^TM bioprosthesis implantation, achieving an immediate technical success rate of 100.0% and device success rate of 96.9%. Mean aortic valve gradient decreased from (55.21±23.17) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (8.45±5.30) mmHg, peak aortic jet velocity decreased from (4.66±0.85) m/s to (1.99±0.48) m/s, aortic valve area increased from (0.66±0.21) cm² to (2.09±0.67) cm² (all P<0.01). Intraoperative ventricular fibrillation occurred in one patient, while one case exhibited moderate prosthetic valve regurgitation and paravalvular leakage post-procedure. At 12-month follow-up, sustained improvements were observed in cardiac function, left ventricular ejection fraction, hemodynamic parameters, and SF-12 quality-of-life scores (all P<0.01). All-cause mortality was 12.5% (4/32), with 13.8% (4/29) developing moderate paravalvular leakage. CONCLUSIONS The Xcor^TM TAVR system demonstrated favorable early outcomes in severe aortic stenosis patients, significantly improving symptoms and hemodynamics while exhibiting excellent performance in preventing malignant arrhythmias and coronary obstruction.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement/methods* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged, 80 and over ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

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*

This paper summarizes Professor ZHANG Wei's experience in treating post-stroke dysphagia by using"unblocking pharyngeal orifice"grouping acupoints based on the concept of"harmonization and balance".Professor ZHANG Wei based on the theoretical of"the treatments should focus on where the meridians and collaterals pass through""the treatments should focus on where the acupoints are",target treatment,yin and yang balance,etc.,aiming at the basic pathogenesis of post-stroke dysphagia,that is,the obstruction of meridians and pharyngeal orifices,the obstruction of qi movement,as well as the fundamental pathogenesis of yin and yang imbalance and qi and blood disorder in stroke.She puts forward the concept of"harmonization and balance",followed the treatment principle of"unblocking the collaterals by opening and closing,relieving sore throat and opening the orifices,balancing yin and yang".The treatment characteristics of"selecting local acupoint and make direct action""taking its own advantages by selecting multi-channel acupoint""taking tongue,neck and body as a trinity acupuncture"and"combining supplementation and drainage to make a proper acupuncature therapy"have formed a unique"unblocking pharyngeal orifice"grouping acupoints.Professor ZHANG initially constructed a treatment plan combining tongue group acupoints,neck group acupoints and body group acupoints,and achieved unique effects in the clinical treatment of post-stroke dysphagia.

Objective:To compare and analyze the distribution characteristics of fluoride and arsenic in drinking water in coal-burning borne endemic fluorosis and arsenic poisoning areas and non-endemic areas of Guizhou Province, and to assess the health risk.Methods:From January 2018 to December 2019, drinking water samples were collected from all endemic and non-endemic townships in 37 coal-burning borne endemic fluorosis counties (cities and districts) and 4 coal-burning borne endemic arsenic poisoning counties (cities and districts) in Guizhou Province. Fluoride and arsenic levels in drinking water were determined in all the affected and non-affected townships. Among them, 3 800 water samples were collected from fluorosis areas, 1 445 water samples from non-endemic areas, and 117 water samples from arsenic poisoning areas and non-endemic areas, respectively. Based on Monte Carlo simulation, a health risk assessment model recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was applied to quantitatively evaluate the health risks caused by fluoride and arsenic in drinking water in different regions through different pathways (drinking water intake or skin contact) to different populations (adult males, adult females and children).Results:According to the "Hygienic Standards for Drinking Water" (GB 5749-2022), the qualified rates of fluoride and arsenic levels in drinking water in the study area were 100%. The results of the health risk evaluation showed that in the same evaluation area (endemic area or non-endemic area), there were statistically significant differences in the average annual health risks caused by fluoride and arsenic exposure through drinking water among different populations through two different routes ( P < 0.001), with children's health risks > adult males > adult females ( P < 0.05). The average annual health risks of fluoride and arsenic in water samples from different water periods and source types were compared via the two exposure routes, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). At high ( P95) and moderate ( P50) exposure levels, the average annual total health risks of fluoride in drinking water via the two exposure routes (drinking water intake and skin contact) for adult males, adult females, children and the general population in fluorosis areas were a -1: 2.50 × 10 -9 and 8.64 × 10 -10, 2.20 × 10 -9 and 7.61 × 10 -10, 3.00 × 10 -9 and 1.04 × 10 -9, 2.36 × 10 -9 and 8.15 × 10 -10, respectively, and a -1: 2.44 × 10 -9 and 6.92 × 10 -10, 2.15 × 10 -9 and 6.09 × 10 -10, 2.93 × 10 -9 and 8.32 × 10 -10, 2.30 × 10 -9 and 6.53 × 10 -10 in non-endemic areas, respectively; the average annual total health risks of adult males, adult females, children, and the general population caused by arsenic ingestion through drinking water and skin contact in arsenic poisoning areas were a -1: 9.10 × 10 -7 and 3.67 × 10 -7, 8.11 × 10 -7 and 3.22 × 10 -7, 1.13 × 10 -6 and 4.45 × 10 -7, 8.95 × 10 -7 and 3.47 × 10 -7, respectively, and a -1: 2.42 × 10 -6 and 5.61 × 10 -7, 2.11 × 10 -6 and 4.80 × 10 -7, 2.88 × 10 -6 and 6.55 × 10 -7, 2.21 × 10 -6 and 5.25 × 10 -7 in non-endemic areas, respectively; average annual total health risks of adult males, adult females, children and the general population were all in the safe range [fluoride in drinking water: negligible levels recommended by the Royal Society and the Dutch Ministry of Construction and Environment were 1.0 × 10 -7 a -1 and 1.0 × 10 -8 a -1, respectively; arsenic in drinking water: the maximum acceptable level recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) was 5.0 × 10 -5 a -1]. Conclusions:The fluoride and arsenic levels in the drinking water of coal-burning borne endemic fluorosis and arsenic poisoning areas and non-endemic areas in Guizhou Province meet the requirements of hygienic standards for drinking water; the overall health risks of fluoride and arsenic to people of different ages and genders ingested through drinking water and through skin contact are within an acceptable range.

Objective To determine the role of AAMP in osteosarcoma cells and explore the mechanism of invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells regulated by AAMP through the YAP signaling pathway.Methods Public sequencing data analysis was used to explore the correlation between AAMP and osteosarcoma.q-PCR,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression levels of osteosarcoma cell-related molecules.CCK-8 was used to detect cell proliferation ability.Transwell and wound healing assays were used to detect the invasive and metastatic abilities of osteosarcoma cells.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the cell localization and expression levels of related molecules.Results High expression of AAMP was negatively correlated with the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma(P<0.05),and the expression of AAMP in patients with metastatic osteosarcoma increased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the AAMP interference group showed significantly decreased migratory,invasive,and EMT activities(P<0.05).The expression of p-CFL1 reduced after the knockdown of AAMP,and the cell plate pseudopods decreased significantly(P<0.05).A positive correlation was found between the expression levels of AAMP and YAP in osteosarcoma cells(P<0.05).Interfering with YAP expression can affect the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells.Conclusion AAMP promotes osteosarcoma cell metastasis by regulating the YAP signaling pathway,suggesting that AAMP may be a key molecule in promoting invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering activity of LFBEP-C1 in high glucose-fed Caenorhabditis elegans(C.elegans). Methods In this study,the fermented barley protein LFBEP-C1 was prepared and tested for its potential anti-obesity effects on C.elegans.The worms were fed Escherichia coli OP50(E.coli OP50),glucose,and different concentrations of LFBEP-C1.Body size,lifespan,movement,triglyceride content,and gene expression were analyzed.The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test. Results Compared with the model group,the head-swing frequency of C.elegans in the group of LFBEP-C1 at 20 μg/mL increased by 33.88%,and the body-bending frequency increased by 27.09%.This indicated that LFBEP-C1 improved the locomotive ability of C.elegans.The average lifespan of C.elegans reached 13.55 days,and the body length and width of the C.elegans decreased after LFBEP-C1 intake.Additionally,LFBEP-C1 reduced the content of lipid accumulation and triglyceride levels.The expression levels of sbp-1,daf-2,and mdt-15 significantly decreased,while those of daf-16,tph-1,mod-1,and ser-4 significantly increased after LFBEP-C1 intake.Changes in these genes explain the signaling pathways that regulate lipid metabolism. Conclusion LFBEP-C1 significantly reduced lipid deposition in C.elegans fed a high-glucose diet and alleviated the adverse effects of a high-glucose diet on the development,lifespan,and exercise behavior of C.elegans.In addition,LFBEP-C1 regulated lipid metabolism mainly by mediating the expression of genes in the sterol regulatory element-binding protein,insulin,and 5-hydroxytryptamine signaling pathways.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of four-hook needle combined with holographic image in robot-assisted partial nephrectomy for completely intrarenal tumors.Methods:The clinical data of 8 patients with completely intrarenal tumors treated by robot-assisted partial nephrectomy with four-hook needle combined with holographic image admitted to General Hospital of Central Theater Command from October 2023 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 males and 2 females, with average age of (44.5±12.0) years old. Tumors of 6 cases were in the left side and 2 cases in the right side. The maximum diameter of the tumor was (23.2±8.1) mm. The R. E.N.A.L. score was (9.0±1.4). The preoperative serum creatinine (Scr) was (73.1±14.7) μmol/L. CT-guided four-hook needle was used to locate the edge of completely intrarenal tumor before surgery. During the operation, the tumor was precisely resected under the guidance of hologram and four-hook needle. Perioperative data of patients were collected and analyzed.Results:All the tumor were successfully resected under the guidance of four-hook needle and hologram without conversion to radical nephrectomy or open surgery. The mean operative time was (117.0±14.5) min, the mean hot ischemia time was (20.2±5.1) min, the mean intraoperative blood loss was (75.0±17.3) ml, and the average hospitalization time was (9.5±1.3) days.The one week postoperative Scr was (73.2±14.8) μmol/L, which had no significant difference with that of before operation ( P=0.952). None of them received blood transfusion. The pathology results of 8 patients were clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and the surgical margins were negative. Conclusions:For completely intrarenal tumors, the four-hook needle combined with the hologram can guide the surgeon to quickly locate the tumor, accurately resect the tumor, reduce perioperative complications, and is safe and effective.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application value of injection of indocyanine green(ICG)via vasopuncture in fluorescence laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(FLRP).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 50 cases of PCa treated by injection of ICG via vasopuncture in FLRP.The patients were aged(70.60±5.67)years old,with an average PSA value of(18.42±2.69)μg/L.During the operation,we injected ICG at 0.5 ml by vasopuncture through the vas deferens at each side of the scrotum,observed the visualized images of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles using normal high-definition,black-and-white fluorescence,green fluorescence,and color fluorescence respectively,and then isolated the adherent seminal vesicles under the laparoscope.Results:A total of 93 injections of ICG were completed,86 bilaterally,4 on the right and 3 on the left.The vas defer-ens and seminal vesicles were visualized in 41 cases(60 sides,64.52%),19 bilaterally,7 on the right and 15 on the left.Spillage of the fluorescent agent occurred in 9 cases during the incision of the bladder neck and adhesion of the seminal vesicles was found intra-operatively in 10 cases,in which the seminal vesicles were all quickly located by fluorescence visualization.No rectal injury occurred during the surgery.Mild scrotal subcutaneous bruises were observed in 2 cases,with a postoperative pathological Gleason's score of 7.44±0.88.Conclusion:Injection of ICG by vasopuncture is minimally invasive and safe.ICG-mediated near-infrared imaging and real-time fluorescence imaging of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles can achieve precise positioning and removal of the seminal vesicles and prostate gland without causing rectal injury.

Objective:To explore a better measurement mode of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the skin of lymphedema limbs, and to test its diagnostic efficacy in lymphedema.Methods:Between 1st and 10th August, 2023, 22 healthy volunteers were recruited in the Department of Medical Ultrasonics, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Ulrasound, the First Afiliaed Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University to measure the Young's modulus (E-value) of limb skin by SWE using a gel pad (GP group) and the thick-layer coupling gel (CG group) respectively. Then between 15th August and 28th September, 2023, 11 patients with 13 lower limb lymphedema, who were treated in the Department of Microsurgery, Orhopaedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliaed Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, were consecutively enrolled to find out the E-value of skin in oedematous limbs. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was constructed and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were calculated to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency. SPSS 26.0, R studio and GraphPad Prism 8 software were used for statistical analysis. Paired sample non-parametric test (Wilcoxon signed rank test) was used to compare the difference in E-value between the 2 groups. P<0.01 was considered statistically significant. Spearman correlation test was used to analyse the correlation of E-value values between the GP group and CG group. Results:Overall, it was found from the healthy volunteers that E-value of skin in distal limbs were higher than that in proximal limbs, especially in lower extremities. E-value of all scanned location in GP group were found higher than those of CG group with statistically significant difference ( P<0.01), and the values of interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed a good repeatability. The 11 patients with lymphedema in 13 lower extremities were examined with the thick-layer coupling gel. The skin E-value in calf of patients with lymphedema were significantly higher than that of the healthy volunteers ( P<0.01), except the skin of thighs ( P>0.01). A lymphedema was diagnosed while either a skin E-value was 27.6 kPa calculated by Youden index or with the thickness of skin was 2.3 mm. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy in the diagnosis of a lymphedema were found at 92.3%, 100%, 100%, 95.7% and 97.1%, respectively. The area under curve (AUC) of ROC was 0.962. The correlation coefficients (R) of E-value in arm, forearm, thigh and lower leg in the GP group and CP group were 0.665, 0.882, 0.850 and 0.815, respectively, which were all significantly correlated. Conclusion:Application of thick layer coupler in ultrasound skin SWE is highly feasible, and the combination of ultrasound skin SWE and skin thickness has higher diagnostic efficiency in the diagnosis of lower extremities lymphedema. It allows more accurate ultrasonic image technical support for early monitoring and diagnosis of lymphedema, microsurgical treatment and a quantitatively perioperative evaluation.