Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exerts integrative effects on complex diseases owing to the characteristics of multiple components with multiple targets. However, the syndrome-based system of diagnosis and treatment in TCM can easily lead to bias because of varying medication preferences among physicians, which has been a major challenge in the global acceptance and application of TCM. Therefore, a standardized TCM prescription system needs to be explored to promote its clinical application. In this study, we first developed a gradient weighted disease-target-herbal ingredient-herb network to aid TCM formulation. We tested its efficacy against intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). First, the top 100 ICH targets in the GeneCards database were screened according to their relevance scores. Then, SymMap and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) databases were applied to find out the target-related ingredients and ingredient-containing herbs, respectively. The relevance of the resulting ingredients and herbs to ICH was determined by adding the relevance scores of the corresponding targets. The top five ICH therapeutic herbs were combined to form a tailored TCM prescriptions. The absorbed components in the serum were detected. In a mouse model of ICH, the new prescription exerted multifaceted effects, including improved neurological function, as well as attenuated neuronal damage, cell apoptosis, vascular leakage, and neuroinflammation. These effects matched well with the core pathological changes in ICH. The multi-targets-directed gradient-weighting strategy presents a promising avenue for tailoring precise, multipronged, unbiased, and standardized TCM prescriptions for complex diseases. This study provides a paradigm for advanced achievements-driven modern innovation in TCM concepts.

Objective To investigate the application and clinical significance of the medial plantar flap on repairing the medial ankle and foot soft tissue defects. Methods A total of 13 patients with the medial ankle and foot soft tissue defects were repaired by the local transferred medial plantar flap alone or in combination with sural neurovascular flap transplantation in the Yuebei People's Hospital Affiliated to the Medical College of the Shantou University from Jun. 2006 to Dec. 2012. Results All patients were followed-up of 4-21 weeks,and the average follow-up periods were 6. 3 weeks. All of the skin and soft tissue defects of the medial ankle and foot were repaired,and there were 2 cases of partial necrosis of flap were repaired after tow times skin grafting operation,and all cases without complications of wound infection or iatrogenic nerve injury. Conclusion The medial plantar flap on treating ipsilateral medial malleolus and foot skin and soft tissue defects is useful and effective with less complications,satisfactory effects,intact the ankle flexor and extensor device,allowing early functional exercise,good functional recovery.