OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the innervated medial plantar flap for reconstructing soft tissue defects, particularly in the weight-bearing zone, after resection of foot tumors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 patients with malignant skin and soft tissue tumors of the foot treated between October 2023 and December 2024. The cohort included 8 males and 4 females, aged 42-67 years (mean, 57.5 years). Tumor types comprised malignant melanoma (5 cases), squamous cell carcinoma (4 cases), arsenical keratosis (2 cases), and tumor-induced osteomalacia (1 case). Soft tissue defects located in the heel weight-bearing region in 10 cases and non-weight-bearing ankle region in 2 cases, with defect sizes ranging from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 6.0 cm×4.0 cm. Preoperative photon-counting CT angiography (PC-CTA) was performed to assess the medial plantar artery and its perforators. All patients underwent radical tumor resection with confirmed negative margins. The resulting defects were reconstructed using a innervated medial plantar flap incorporating sensory branches of the medial plantar nerve. The flap donor site was covered with a split-thickness skin graft harvested from the ipsilateral inguinal region. RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed in all 12 patients. All flaps survived completely without vascular compromise, partial necrosis, or total loss. Incisions healed primarily without dehiscence or infection. Minor skin graft necrosis occurred at the donor site in 3 patients, which healed within 2-3 weeks with routine dressing changes. No donor site complication (e.g., tendon or nerve injury) occurred. Patients were followed up 2-16 months (mean, 10.3 months). At last follow-up, there was no tumor recurrence. Flaps exhibited good color and texture match with surrounding tissue, restored sensation, and all feet achieved normal weight-bearing activity. CONCLUSION The innervated medial plantar flap, precisely designed based on PC-CTA localization, provides reliable blood supply and effective sensory restoration. It is an ideal method for reconstructing soft tissue defects after foot tumor resection, especially in the heel weight-bearing region.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Adult ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/surgery* ; Surgical Flaps/blood supply* ; Foot/surgery* ; Skin Neoplasms/surgery* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Skin Transplantation/methods* ; Melanoma/surgery*

(+)-Borneol, the main component of "Natural Borneol" in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, is a high-end spice and precious medicine. Plant extraction cannot meet the increasing demand for (+)-borneol, while microbial biosynthesis offers a sustainable supply route. However, its production was extremely low compared with other monoterpenes, even with extensively optimizing the mevalonate pathway. We found that the key challenge is the complex and unusual dephosphorylation reaction of bornyl diphosphate (BPP), which suffers the side-reaction and the competition from the cellular dephosphorylation process, especially lipid metabolism, thus limiting (+)-borneol synthesis. Here, we systematically optimized the dephosphorylation process by identifying, characterizing phosphatases, and balancing cellular dephosphorylation metabolism. For the first time, we identified two endogenous phosphatases and seven heterologous phosphatases, which significantly increased (+)-borneol production by up to 152%. By engineering BPP dephosphorylation and optimizing the MVA pathway, the production of (+)-borneol was increased by 33.8-fold, which enabled the production of 753 mg/L under fed-batch fermentation in shake flasks, so far the highest reported in the literature. This study showed that rewiring dephosphorylation metabolism was essential for high-level production of (+)-borneol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and balancing cellular dephosphorylation is also helpful for efficient biosynthesis of other terpenoids since all whose biosynthesis involves the dephosphorylation procedure.

Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong derived from"Xiongqiong",and in the Song Dynasty's Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang,it was already distinguished from Chuanxiong Rhizoma in usage.Doctors in the Ming Dynasty further clarified the differences in efficacy between the two.However,with the widespread circulation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong gradually became marginalized,serving as a substitute,and is now only cultivated and used in small quantities within Jiangxi Province.This article reviewed the prescriptions and the ancient Chinese medical books that have records of Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong,analyzed its specific applications alongside Chuanxiong Rhizoma in prescriptions and case studies to elucidate their differences in efficacy:Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong is pungent and has strong dispersing power and is good at unblocking meridians and promoting qi circulation,which is suitable for excessive syndromes;Chuanxiong Rhizoma is good at promoting blood circulation and relieving pain,and is good at regulating and nourishing,which is suitable for patients with deficiency syndromes,aiming to provide insights and recommendations for the further development and rational clinical medication of Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong.

Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

Promoting the international acceptance of clinical studies about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions is a key strategy for internationalization of TCM. However, the complexities of TCM interventions—in terms of the theories, practice patterns, and components—pose challenges to the design and implementation of clinical studies that are well accepted by the international community. This article summarized the current status of clinical studies about TCM interventions that were published in international journals, explored underlying barriers hindering the international acceptance, and discussed potential strategies for future development.

Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong derived from"Xiongqiong",and in the Song Dynasty's Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang,it was already distinguished from Chuanxiong Rhizoma in usage.Doctors in the Ming Dynasty further clarified the differences in efficacy between the two.However,with the widespread circulation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong gradually became marginalized,serving as a substitute,and is now only cultivated and used in small quantities within Jiangxi Province.This article reviewed the prescriptions and the ancient Chinese medical books that have records of Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong,analyzed its specific applications alongside Chuanxiong Rhizoma in prescriptions and case studies to elucidate their differences in efficacy:Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong is pungent and has strong dispersing power and is good at unblocking meridians and promoting qi circulation,which is suitable for excessive syndromes;Chuanxiong Rhizoma is good at promoting blood circulation and relieving pain,and is good at regulating and nourishing,which is suitable for patients with deficiency syndromes,aiming to provide insights and recommendations for the further development and rational clinical medication of Ligusticum sinense cv.Fuxiong.

This article outlines the composition and species characteristics of Chinese materia medica (CMM) resources identified in the fourth national survey of CMM resources. The survey was conducted based on field investigations and office collation, adhering to the “four principles” emphasizing the existence of survey records, voucher specimens, actual photographs, and evidence of medicinal use, to summarize the species of CMMresources and ensure the scientific integrity and accuracy of the results. According to the findings, China has 18,817 CMM resources, including 15,321 medicinal plants, 826 medicinal fungi, 2517 medicinal animals, and 153 medicinal minerals. Additionally, in the fourth national survey of CMM resources, 3151 species of unique medicinal plants, 464 species of rare and endangeredmedicinal plants, and 196 new species in China underwent specialized investigations. These latest statistics are expected to provide the most up-to-date foundational data for the protection, management, development, and utilization of these CMM resources over an extended period, offering scientific guidance for the development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry.

Clinical trials play a crucial role in advancing the field of human health care. The registration of clinical trials can effectively identify potential publication bias and prevent unnecessary duplication of research efforts, serving as a source of transparent data for health care professionals and researchers, enhancing the quality of clinical research, and presenting more transparent, standardized, authentic, and useful clinical trials. To enhance the capacity for evidence production in traditional medicine from the source, the International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry (ITMCTR), a cross-regional registry focusing on the theme of traditional medicine, was established. Under the current registration background, this study aims to introduce the problems and current status related to clinical trial registration, as well as the features and functions of the ITMCTR. The results of this study illustrate the necessity of establishing a specialized registration platform for traditional medicine to assist researchers in understanding the basic background of registration and relevant information regarding registration platforms, regardless of whether their research is related to traditional medicine or not. Ultimately, the results of this work will help researchers choose the appropriate platform for more efficient and transparent registration.