Animal experimentation constitutes a critical link between basic research and clinical application, making its research quality and translational efficiency paramount. Although considerable progress has been made in standardizing operational procedures and ethical guidelines, the standardization of outcome evaluation systems has significantly lagged, creating a key bottleneck that constrains the quality of biomedical research and evidence synthesis. This deficiency is manifested by pronounced heterogeneity in outcome selection across similar studies, incomplete methodological reporting, and disparate criteria for result interpretation, which severely impairs the comparability of findings and the evidence integration. To cope with this challenge, this paper systematically introduces a mature methodological tool from clinical research–the core outcome set (COS)–and explores its construction strategies and application potential in the field of animal experimentation. Given the extensive diversity of animal experiments, a pragmatic strategy of "focusing on key areas, implementing phased pilots, and promoting gradual expansion" should be adopted. This approach prioritizes the development of domain-specific COS for disease areas characterized by high research volume, urgent translational needs, and well-established animal models. A multi-source integration pathway for COS development is detailed, comprising systematic literature searches, methodological appraisals, and expert consensus, with the feasibility of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance efficiency also being examined. The development and promotion of such COS are not intended to restrict scientific exploration; rather, they aim to establish a new, tiered evaluation paradigm consisting of "core outcomes" (mandatory), "recommended outcomes" (encouraged), and "exploratory outcomes" (optional). This framework is expected not only to enhance research quality through standardization and to adhere to the "3R" principles but also to accelerate the accumulation of high-quality evidence. This, in turn, provides a solid foundation for higher-level evidence synthesis, ultimately facilitating the effective translation of basic research findings into clinical practice and providing an essential methodological framework for scientific advancement in relevant disciplines.

Methodological quality assessment is a pivotal link between primary studies and reliable evidence-based practice,and an essential pathway for operationalizing the core principles of the Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology(2nd edition).A prevalent challenge in practice,however,is the conflation of appraising methodological robustness(risk of bias assessment)with verifying reporting transparency(adherence to reporting guidelines).This paper systematically addresses this fundamental challenge,beginning with a clear distinction between the essence and boundaries of these two concepts.On this basis,the article provides a comprehensive review of mainstream quality assessment tools,covering the methodological features and evolutionary trajectory of numerous instruments for interventional(e.g.,RoB 2,ROBINS-I),observational(e.g.,NOS,the JBI/SIGN/NIH series),secondary(e.g.,AMSTAR 2),and other specific types of studies such as health economic evaluations.Furthermore,a complete case study is used to illustrate the practical application of the ROBINS-I tool.The paper's central thesis advocates for an"appraisal-informed design"philosophy,urging a conceptual shift from the retrospective critique of existing literature to the prospective quality control of new research by internalizing appraisal standards as design principles,while also exploring the emerging paradigm of artificial intelligence in assisting assessment.This paper provides a comprehensive methodological reference for researchers and practitioners to prudently select appropriate assessment tools and to conduct rigorous critical appraisals of pharmacoepidemiological evidence.

Methodological quality assessment is a pivotal link between primary studies and reliable evidence-based practice,and an essential pathway for operationalizing the core principles of the Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology(2nd edition).A prevalent challenge in practice,however,is the conflation of appraising methodological robustness(risk of bias assessment)with verifying reporting transparency(adherence to reporting guidelines).This paper systematically addresses this fundamental challenge,beginning with a clear distinction between the essence and boundaries of these two concepts.On this basis,the article provides a comprehensive review of mainstream quality assessment tools,covering the methodological features and evolutionary trajectory of numerous instruments for interventional(e.g.,RoB 2,ROBINS-I),observational(e.g.,NOS,the JBI/SIGN/NIH series),secondary(e.g.,AMSTAR 2),and other specific types of studies such as health economic evaluations.Furthermore,a complete case study is used to illustrate the practical application of the ROBINS-I tool.The paper's central thesis advocates for an"appraisal-informed design"philosophy,urging a conceptual shift from the retrospective critique of existing literature to the prospective quality control of new research by internalizing appraisal standards as design principles,while also exploring the emerging paradigm of artificial intelligence in assisting assessment.This paper provides a comprehensive methodological reference for researchers and practitioners to prudently select appropriate assessment tools and to conduct rigorous critical appraisals of pharmacoepidemiological evidence.

Animal experiments are essential tools in biomedical research, serving as a bridge between basic research and clinical trials. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of animal experiments are crucial methods for integrating evidence from animal experiment, which can facilitate the translation of findings into clinical research, reduce translational risks, and promote resource integration in basic research. With the continuous development of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, its application in SRs/MAs of animal experiments has gained increasing attention. This article first outlines the principles and specific applications of the GRADE methodology in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, including qualitative descriptive systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and network meta-analyses. It then deeply analyzes the misuse of the GRADE methodology in practice, including incorrect evidence grading, improper classification of evidence, misapplication in qualitative systematic reviews, inconsistencies between the documentation of the upgrading and downgrading process and results, and inappropriate use for making recommendations. Furthermore, this article comprehensively discusses the factors influencing the grading of evidence certainty in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, including the impact of bias risk, indirectness, inconsistency, imprecision, and publication bias on evidence downgrading, as well as the role of large effect sizes and cross-species consistency in evidence upgrading. Finally, in response to the issues discussed, improvement strategies are proposed, including further research and optimization of the GRADE methodology for SRs/MAs of animal experiments, the development of reporting guidelines tailored to the characteristics of SRs/MAs in animal experiment research, and enhanced professional training for researchers in the GRADE methodology. This article aims to improve the quality of evidence in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, strengthen their reliability in clinical decision-making, and promote the more efficient translation of findings from animal experiment research into clinical practice.

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of atractylon on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. Changes in lung function parameters were measured in mice after intraperitoneal administration of atractylon. Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed by H&E staining, and the degree of pulmonary edema was assessed by the lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D). Kit assays were used to detect changes in oxidative stress markers in mouse serum and the protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). ELISA was employed to measure the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in BALF and serum. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of proteins related to the cGAS-STING pathway and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in lung tissue. Results showed that, compared to the ALI model group, mice in the low-dose and high-dose atractylon groups exhibited significant improvement in lung function parameters, alleviated pulmonary edema, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue. Protein content and inflammatory cytokine levels in serum and BALF were decreased, while serum oxidative stress indicators were improved. Western blot results further indicated that atractylon could regulate the cGAS-STING pathway, blocking the generation of inflammatory signals, and simultaneously inhibit VCAM-1 expression, thereby reducing pulmonary vascular injury. The results suggest that atractylon may alleviate LPS-induced ALI by modulating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and improving vascular endothelial injury. This study provides a new potential target and theoretical basis for the treatment of ALI, as well as a potential drug candidate for ALI therapy.

Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor characterized by locally invasive phenotypes,leading to facial bone destruction and a high recurrence rate.However,the mechanisms governing tumor initiation and recurrence are poorly understood.Here,we uncovered cellular landscapes and mechanisms that underlie tumor recurrence in ameloblastoma at single-cell resolution.Our results revealed that ameloblastoma exhibits five tumor subpopulations varying with respect to immune response(IR),bone remodeling(BR),tooth development(TD),epithelial development(ED),and cell cycle(CC)signatures.Of note,we found that CC ameloblastoma cells were endowed with stemness and contributed to tumor recurrence,which was dominated by the EZH2-mediated program.Targeting EZH2 effectively eliminated CC ameloblastoma cells and inhibited tumor growth in ameloblastoma patient-derived organoids.These data described the tumor subpopulation and clarified the identity,function,and regulatory mechanism of CC ameloblastoma cells,providing a potential therapeutic target for ameloblastoma.

Objective To summarize the current research status and cutting-edge trends of the off-label drug use in China,with a view to providing reference for researchers in this field.Methods CNKI and SinoMed databases were searched to collect research of the off-label drug use in China,and used Microsoft Excel 2021,the R software Bibliometric,and VOSviewer 1.6.18 to visualize the time and trend of publication,province,issuing authors and units,journals,keywords,and topic evolution of the included studies.Results 1 475 papers were included in the research.A total of 2 808 authors from 31 provinces,cities and regions had conducted relevant studies on over-the-counter medication,with an overall increasing trend in the number of publications.Among them,Guangdong province published the most studies related to this field,the Straits Pharmacy Journal and China Pharmacy published the most studies in this field.Proprietary Chinese medicines,antimicrobials,antitumor drugs,and other drugs were the research hotspots.In addition,the patients in pediatrics,outpatient emergency,obstetrics and gynecology,psychiatry and other departments as a special sick population,the clinical use of medication exists in the overspecification situation was also a future research trend.Conclusion At present,research in this field focuses more on OLDU for special populations,special diseases,special drugs,etc.In the future,researchers should conduct evidence-based evaluation of drugs on the basis of more high-quality evidence in order to seek the best evidence for guiding the clinical use of medication.At the same time,drug administration and medical institutions should also develop standardized management policies and systems to promote the rational and safe use of medication in healthcare institutions.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mosapride citrate dispersible tablet (MP) combined with Shugan Jieyu capsule (SGJY) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD).Methods:From April 2018 to January 2019, FD patients from 10 hospitals including Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Luohe Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Handan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Nanshi Hospital of Nanyang were selected for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to assess depression and anxiety in FD patients, respectively. According to the random number table method, 200 FD patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into SGJY+ MP group and placebo+ MP group, with 100 patients in each group, and all the patients were given oral MP. The patients of the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group were given oral SGJY or placebo on the basis of MP, respectively. The patients of both groups were treated continuously for 6 weeks. Total FD symptom scores, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores, as well as efficiency and safety were evaluated after treatment. Independent samples t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 193 patients were included into the full analysis set with 94 cases in the SGJY+ MP group and 99 cases in the placebo+ MP group. A total of 183 patients completed the 6-week trial, including 89 cases in the SGJY+ MP group and 94 cases in the placebo+ MP group. A total of 198 patients were included in the safety analysis set, including 99 cases in the SGJY+ MP group and 99 cases in the placebo+ MP group.After treatment, the total FD symptom scores of the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group were both lower than those of baseline before treatment (3.71±3.06 vs. 11.79±5.18 and 4.17±3.69 vs. 11.19±5.05), and the differences were both statistically significant ( t=-24.87 and -23.27, both P<0.001). The efficacy of the SGJY+ MP group was higher than that of the placebo+ MP group (86.5%, 77/89 vs. 74.5%, 70/94), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.69, P=0.030). The efficacy of patients with moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression in the SGJY+ MP group was both higher than that of patients in the placebo+ MP group (10/10 vs. 3/7, 85.0%, 17/20 vs. 8/14), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=5.66 and 5.33, P=0.017 and 0.010). The efficacy of patients with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) subtype in the SGJY+ MP group was higher than that of patients in the placebo+ MP group (93.0%, 53/57 vs. 76.5%, 39/51), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=5.82, P=0.016). The PHQ-9 scores of patients with depression in both SGJY+ MP and placebo+ MP groups were lower than those at baseline before treatment (3.63±2.76 vs. 7.87±2.24 and 3.35±2.51 vs. 7.63±2.25), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-14.88 and -15.87, both P<0.001). There was no significant difference in proportion of depressed patients with a ≥50% reduction in PHQ-9 scores from baseline value between the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group (60.2%, 50/83 vs. 62.8%, 54/86; χ2=0.05, P=0.825). The GAD-7 scores of anxious patients both the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group were lower than the baseline value before treatment (3.27±2.57 vs. 7.09±2.08 and 3.86±2.49 vs. 6.84±1.66), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-13.30 and -11.47, both P<0.001). The proportion of anxious patients with a ≥50% reduction in GAD-7 scores from baseline in the SGJY+ MP group was higher than that of the placebo+ MP group (54.4%, 43/79 vs. 36.5%, 27/74), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.53, P=0.033). There were no serious adverse events in both the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group during the treatment. There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events and adverse reactions during the treatment between the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group (7.1%, 7/99 vs. 5.1%, 5/99, and 3.0%, 3/99 vs. 3.0%, 3/99, respectively; both P>0.05). Conclusion:SGTY can safely and effectively improve the efficacy of the prokinetic drugs in the treatment of FD symptoms, especially in FD patients with PDS subtype or with moderate-to-severe anxiety and with depression.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mosapride citrate dispersible tablet (MP) combined with Shugan Jieyu capsule (SGJY) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD).Methods:From April 2018 to January 2019, FD patients from 10 hospitals including Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Luohe Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Handan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Nanshi Hospital of Nanyang were selected for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to assess depression and anxiety in FD patients, respectively. According to the random number table method, 200 FD patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into SGJY+ MP group and placebo+ MP group, with 100 patients in each group, and all the patients were given oral MP. The patients of the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group were given oral SGJY or placebo on the basis of MP, respectively. The patients of both groups were treated continuously for 6 weeks. Total FD symptom scores, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores, as well as efficiency and safety were evaluated after treatment. Independent samples t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 193 patients were included into the full analysis set with 94 cases in the SGJY+ MP group and 99 cases in the placebo+ MP group. A total of 183 patients completed the 6-week trial, including 89 cases in the SGJY+ MP group and 94 cases in the placebo+ MP group. A total of 198 patients were included in the safety analysis set, including 99 cases in the SGJY+ MP group and 99 cases in the placebo+ MP group.After treatment, the total FD symptom scores of the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group were both lower than those of baseline before treatment (3.71±3.06 vs. 11.79±5.18 and 4.17±3.69 vs. 11.19±5.05), and the differences were both statistically significant ( t=-24.87 and -23.27, both P<0.001). The efficacy of the SGJY+ MP group was higher than that of the placebo+ MP group (86.5%, 77/89 vs. 74.5%, 70/94), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.69, P=0.030). The efficacy of patients with moderate-to-severe anxiety and depression in the SGJY+ MP group was both higher than that of patients in the placebo+ MP group (10/10 vs. 3/7, 85.0%, 17/20 vs. 8/14), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=5.66 and 5.33, P=0.017 and 0.010). The efficacy of patients with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) subtype in the SGJY+ MP group was higher than that of patients in the placebo+ MP group (93.0%, 53/57 vs. 76.5%, 39/51), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=5.82, P=0.016). The PHQ-9 scores of patients with depression in both SGJY+ MP and placebo+ MP groups were lower than those at baseline before treatment (3.63±2.76 vs. 7.87±2.24 and 3.35±2.51 vs. 7.63±2.25), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-14.88 and -15.87, both P<0.001). There was no significant difference in proportion of depressed patients with a ≥50% reduction in PHQ-9 scores from baseline value between the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group (60.2%, 50/83 vs. 62.8%, 54/86; χ2=0.05, P=0.825). The GAD-7 scores of anxious patients both the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group were lower than the baseline value before treatment (3.27±2.57 vs. 7.09±2.08 and 3.86±2.49 vs. 6.84±1.66), and the differences were statistically significant ( t=-13.30 and -11.47, both P<0.001). The proportion of anxious patients with a ≥50% reduction in GAD-7 scores from baseline in the SGJY+ MP group was higher than that of the placebo+ MP group (54.4%, 43/79 vs. 36.5%, 27/74), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.53, P=0.033). There were no serious adverse events in both the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group during the treatment. There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events and adverse reactions during the treatment between the SGJY+ MP group and the placebo+ MP group (7.1%, 7/99 vs. 5.1%, 5/99, and 3.0%, 3/99 vs. 3.0%, 3/99, respectively; both P>0.05). Conclusion:SGTY can safely and effectively improve the efficacy of the prokinetic drugs in the treatment of FD symptoms, especially in FD patients with PDS subtype or with moderate-to-severe anxiety and with depression.

Objective:To investigate the timing of the first frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) on clinical and perinatal outcomes in whole embryo freezing patients, who used the medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in progestin primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of patients with the first FET after ovulation induction by PPOS protocol in Reproductive Medicine Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2015 to November 2021. According to the time interval between the day of oocytes retrieved and the day of the first FET in the ovulation induction cycle, they were divided into two groups. Group A: transplantation was performed during the first menstrual cycle after oocyte retrieval (time interval ≥24 d and <45 d, n=80), group B: transplantation was performed at least one month apart after oocytes retrieved (time interval ≥45 d, n=1 040). After propensity score matching (PSM), the general data, clinical excretion promotion, embryo laboratory indicators, indicators related to the first FET cycle, clinical and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results:Before PSM, the age of group A was significantly higher than that of group B [38 (35, 41) years vs. 37 (32, 40) years, P=0.020]. After PSM, there were no significant differences in general data, ovulation induction cycle data, embryo laboratory indicators, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate and perinatal outcomes between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with FET at least one month after oocytes retrieval, FET during the first menstrual cycle after PPOS does not affect clinical or perinatal outcomes. FET can be performed as early as possible after oocytes retrieval according to the condition of patients to shorten the time to reach their first live birth.