Investigator initiated trial （IIT） represents a primary format for clinical research in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. As key implementation sites for TCM-based IIT targeting malignant tumors， western medicine institutions often face unique challenges in conducting such studies， which limit their feasibility and standardization. This paper reviews the registration status of TCM-based IIT for malignancies conducted in western medical institutions and analyzes key difficulties， including complex project initiation and management processes， limited TCM knowledge and skills among western medicine physicians， and relatively low patient acceptance of TCM. From a practical perspective， the study proposes several optimization strategies. These include improving the review and management mechanisms of TCM-related IIT within western medical institutions， establishing multidisciplinary clinical research teams that integrate TCM and western medicine， and enhancing investigators' training in TCM theory and clinical skills. Additionally， the study suggests standardizing IIT operational procedures， objectifying the collection of TCM diagnostic information， refining subject recruitment methods， and increasing TCM involvement in patient follow-up and management. These investigator-oriented， TCM-featured， and operable strategies aim to promote the high-quality development of TCM-based IIT in western medicine institutions and enhance the clinical application of TCM.

Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of digital three-dimensional (3D) assisted unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) in the treatment of highly isolated lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with translaminar approach. METHODS: The clinical data of 59 patients who met the selection criteria and underwent UBE treatment due to highly isolated LDH between January 2022 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 25 cases were treated with digital 3D assisted translaminar approach (observation group) and 34 cases were treated with interlaminar approach (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, surgical segment, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and lateral articular surface preservation rate were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score and ODI were used to evaluate the improvements of pain and function before operation and at 3 and 6 months after operation. The modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness at last follow-up. RESULTS: One patient in the control group had dural tear, and the other patients had no nerve injury, infection, dural tear, or other related complications. There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups ( P>0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-13 months, with an average of 8.3 months. The lateral articular surface preservation rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P<0.05). Three patients in the observation group and 2 patients in the control group had calf muscle venous thrombosis, which was cured after anticoagulant treatment with rivaroxaban and delayed exercise time. There was no recurrence or second operation during the follow-up period. The VAS score and ODI of the two groups at 3 and 6 months after operation significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated according to the modified MacNab criteria, and there was no significant difference in the evaluation grade and excellent and good rate between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUTION UBE via translaminar approach is safe and effective for the treatment of highly isolated LDH, which is beneficial to protect the facet joint, maintain spinal stability, and reduce soft tissue injury. With the assistance of digital 3D technique, preoperative planning can be performed accurately.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Operative Time ; Pain Measurement

OBJECITVE: To investigate the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects. METHODS: Between November 2021 and February 2024, 11 patients with varying degrees of metatarsal defects caused by trauma were treated. There were 10 males and 1 female, aged 22-67 years, with a mean age of 51.2 years. The defect locations were as follows: the first metatarsal in 4 cases, the fifth metatarsal in 2 cases, the first and the second metatarsals in 1 case, the first to third metatarsals in 1 case, the third and the fourth metatarsals in 1 case, the third to fifth metatarsals in 1 case, and the first to fifth metatarsals in 1 case. The preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 67.0 (48.5, 72.5). Based on 3D-printed bilateral feet models and mirrored healthy-side foot arch angles for preoperative planning and design, the vascularized fibular graft was performed to repair the metatarsal defects. At last follow-up, the medial and lateral longitudinal arches of bilateral feet were measured on weight-bearing X-ray films, and functional assessment was conducted using the AOFAS score. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed, with an operation time ranging from 180 to 465 minutes (mean, 246.8 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention, with no occurrence of osteomyelitis. All patients were followed up 6-22 months (mean, 10 months). X-ray film reviews showed bone graft healing in all cases, with a healing time of 3-6 months (mean, 5 months). All patients underwent internal fixator removal at 6-12 months after operation. At last follow-up, no significant difference was observed in the medial and lateral longitudinal arches between the healthy and affected feet ( P>0.05). The AOFAS score of the affected foot was 78.0 (73.5, 84.0), showing a significant improvement compared to the preoperative score ( P<0.05). The effectiveness was rated as excellent in 1 case, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. Linear scarring remained at the donor site, with no functional impairment in adjacent joint movement. CONCLUSION 3D printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects can effectively restore the physiological angle of the foot arch, facilitate the recovery of weight-bearing alignment, promote good bone healing, and yield satisfactory clinical outcomes.
Humans ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Fibula/blood supply* ; Female ; Metatarsal Bones/injuries* ; Adult ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Aged ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of lumbar spondylolysis (LS) and the proportion of spondylolytic spondylolisthesis (SS) in China, and to evaluate the musculoskeletal status of patients with LS and SS. METHODS: Spine Computed Tomography (CT) images were collected from community populations aged 40 and above in a nationwide multi-center project. LS was diagnosed, and SS was graded by an experienced radiologist. Bone mineral density (BMD) and paraspinal muscle parameters were quantified based on CT images. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen patients of a total of 3,317 individuals were diagnosed with LS, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 3.53%. 63 of the 1,214 males (5.18%) and 54 of the 2,103 females (2.57%) were diagnosed with LS. SS occurred in 64/121 vertebrae (52.89%). BMD was not associated with LS ( P = 0.341). The L5 extensor paraspinal muscle density was higher in the LS group than in the non-LS group. In the LS group, patients with SS had a smaller L5 paraspinal extensor muscle cross-sectional area than those without SS ( P = 0.003). CONCLUSION The prevalence of LS in Chinese adults was 3.53%, with prevalence rates of 5.18% in males and 2.57% in females. Patients with LS have higher muscle density, whereas those with SS have smaller muscle cross-sectional areas at the L5 level.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Spondylolysis/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Aged, 80 and over ; Spondylolisthesis/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

Background: Intradermal microdroplet injections of botulinum toxin type-A (BoNT/A) effectively ameliorate rosacea-related angiogenesis, but the mechanism remains unclear. Objective: To explore the anti-angiogenesis of BoNT/A in the rosacea-like mouse model and to measure the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by mast cells. Methods: A rosacea-like mouse model was induced by LL37 in both Mas-related G-proteincoupled receptor B2 conditional knockout (MrgprB2 −/− ) mice and wild-type (WT) mice, then treated with BoNT/A and/or Apatinib. The abundance of endothelial cells and mast cells in mouse skin was determined using dual immunofluorescence staining. The VEGF levels in supernatants and cell lysates of laboratory of allergic disease 2 (LAD2) mast cells were assessed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blots, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of conditioned medium (CM) collected from LAD2 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was determined using tube formation assays. The number of proliferative cells was confirmed using the 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine incorporation assays.The effect of BoNT/A on the internalization of Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) was detected using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Results: LL37-induced rosacea-like skin manifestations were significantly alleviated in MrgprB2 −/− mice compared to WT controls. BoNT/A mitigated the LL37-induced secretion of VEGF by LAD2. The CM from BoNT/A-treated LAD2 inhibited HUVEC proliferation and tube formation. The LAD2 cells co-treated with LL37 and BoNT/A exhibited dramatically enhanced MRGPRX2 internalization. Conclusion BoNT/A enhances LL37-mediated MRGPRX2 internalization in mast cells, thereby reducing VEGF secretion and neovascularization and improving facial flushing symptom in rosacea.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of liver wedge resection and liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy for T2 gallbladder carcinoma (GBC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 168 patients who underwent radical resection of T2 GBC in The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to December 2021 were collected. There were 59 males and 109 females, aged (65±10)years. Of 168 patients, there were 112 cases in T2a stage and 56 cases in T2b stage. Of 112 patients in T2a stage, 73 cases underwent liver wedge resection and 39 cases underwent liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy. Of 56 patients in T2b stage, 27 cases underwent liver wedge resection and 29 cases underwent liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmen-tectomy. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measure-ment data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rate and draw survival curve, and the Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. The COX proportional risk model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) Clinical data analysis of patients undergoing different extent of hepatic resection for T2 GBC. There was no significant difference in gender, age, cholecystoli-thiasis, preoperative total bilirubin, carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9, CA125, incidental GBC, perineural invasion, microvascular invasion, pathological differentiation, histopathological subtypes, N staging, TNM staging between patients with T2a and T2b GBC who underwent different extent of hepatic resection ( P>0.05). (2) Prognostic analysis of T2 GBC patients undergoing different extent of hepatic resection. The 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative disease-free survival rates of T2 GBC patients undergoing liver wedge resection were 78.0%, 60.1% and 51.4%, respectively, versus 86.8%, 80.0% and 68.0% of T2 GBC patients undergoing liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2 =5.205, P<0.05). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative overall survival rates of T2 GBC patients undergoing liver wedge resection were 85.0%, 62.5%, and 55.1%, respectively, versus 92.6%, 81.6%, and 68.8% for T2 GBC patients undergoing liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy, showing a significant difference in cumulative overall survival rate between them ( χ2=4.351, P<0.05). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative disease-free survival rates of T2b GBC patients undergoing liver wedge resection were 70.4%, 45.9% and 39.2%, respectively, versus 89.7%, 71.3% and 54.0% of T2b GBC patients undergoing liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=5.047, P<0.05). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative overall survival rates of T2b GBC patients undergoing liver wedge resection were 81.5%, 53.2%, and 41.0%, respectively, versus 89.7%, 77.0%, and 60.7% of T2b GBC patients undergoing liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy, showing no significant difference in cumulative overall survival rate between them ( χ2=4.014, P<0.05). (3) Analysis of factors influencing prognosis of patients undergoing radical resection for T2 GBC. Results of multivariate analysis showed that CA19-9>39.0 U/mL, perineural invasion, N1 and N2 stage were independent risk factors influencing disease-free survival time of patients undergoing radical resection for T2 GBC ( hazard ratio=2.736, 3.496, 2.638, 17.440, 95% confidence interval as 1.195-6.266, 1.213-10.073, 1.429-4.869, 8.362-36.374, P<0.05). Liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy was an independent protective factor influencing disease-free survival time of patients undergoing radical resection for T2 GBC ( hazard ratio=0.418, 95% confidence interval as 0.230-0.759, P<0.05). CA19-9 >39.0 U/mL, perineural invasion, ⅡB stage, ⅢB stage and ⅣB stage of TNM staging were independent risk factors influencing overall survival time of patients undergoing radical resection for T2 GBC ( hazard ratio=2.740, 3.210, 2.037, 3.439, 24.466, 95% confidence interval as 1.127-6.664, 1.049-9.819, 1.004-4.125, 1.730-6.846, 10.733-55.842, P<0.05). Liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy was an independent protective factor influencing overall survival time of patients undergoing radical resec-tion for T2 GBC ( hazard ratio=0.476, 95% confidence interval as 0.261-0.867, P<0.05). (4) Analysis of postoperative complications in patients undergoing different extent of hepatic resection for T2 GBC. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications of patients with T2a and T2b GBC undergoing liver wedge resection or liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared to liver wedge resection, liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy can effectively prolong the disease-free survival overall survival time of T2b GBC patients. There is no significant difference in the major complications. Liver Ⅳb and Ⅴ segmentectomy is an independent protective factor for prognosis of patients undergoing radical resection for T2 GBC.

Objective To analyze the composition of the aqueous extract of Polygonatum Cyrtonema Hua(PCHE)and evaluate its antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo.Our aim is to provide a theoretical basis for the further development and utilization of Polygonatum Cyrtonema Hua.Methods(1)PCHE was prepared by aqueous extraction,and the chemical composition of PCHE was analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and phenol-sulfuric acid method.The inhibitory activity on tumor cells proliferation of PCHE was detected by CCK-8 assay.Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry,and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by Western Blot.The inhibitory activity of PCHE-containing serum on cell proliferation was detected.(2)A B16 tumor-bearing mice model was constructed and model mice were randomly divided into the model group(saline),the positive drug group(CTX:50 mg·kg-1),and PCHE low-,medium-,and high-dose groups(55.9,111.8,223.6 mg·kg-1),and treated by gavage for 7 days.Changes in body weight and tumor volume of mice were observed during the treatment period.The mice were executed after the treatment,and the histopathological changes of heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney and tumor were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Results The polysaccharide content of PCHE reached(10.07±1.3)%,and the flavonoid content was(0.044±0.004)%,and thirty-nine components were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS,which contained antitumor components such as flavonoids(baicalein,quercetin,luteolin and rutin),organic acids(ferulic acid)and polyphenols(gallic acid),etc.PCHE exhibited the inhibitory effects on Hela,A549,4T1,B16,MFC and HepG2 cells,among which the inhibitory effect on B16 cells was the most significant(P＜0.001),and PCHE induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in B16 cells(P＜0.001).The results of double-staining flow cytometry and Western Blot showed that PCHE significantly promoted apoptosis of B16 cells,decreased the expression of Bcl-2,and promoted the expression of Bax(P＜0.01,P＜0.001).and PCHE constituents absorbed into blood also had an inhibitory effect on B16 cells(P＜0.001).In addition,the results of in vivo activity assay showed that different doses of PCHE could inhibit tumor growth,induce tumor cell necrosis,reduce Bcl-2 expression,and increase Bax expression compared with the model group.Conclusion The ingredients in PCHE are abundant.It contains a variety of antitumor active ingredients,which can inhibit tumor growth,induce tumor cell apoptosis,show strong anti-tumor effects and be worthy of in-depth study.

For the past few years, the indocyanine green fluorescence imaging has been widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract diseases. Fluorescence visualization of the biliary system by indocyanine green accurately localize the diseased tissue and identify the biliary structures precisely, which effectively avoids the damage to the natural biliary structure and greatly improves the accuracy and safety of biliary surgery. However, the application of this new technology in biliary surgery is still at the exploratory stage, showing great potential for application while also exposing many problems and controversies. It is believed that with the continuous development and improvement, the indocyanine green fluorescence cholangiography will play a more important role in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract diseases in the future, and bring more benefits to patients.

Objective:To analyze the clinic effects of arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy and suture button suspensionplasty in the treatment of first carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) Eaton stage II/III arthrosis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on a total of 15 cases (16 hands) of patients including 5 males (1 bilateral) and 10 females with CMCJ stage II/III arthrosis who underwent surgical treatment at the first affiliated hospital of Shenzhen university from January 2020 to June 2022, with mean age of 56.7±6.4 years (range, 46-75 years). The duration from pain to treatment was 7.8±3.2 months (range, 4-14 months). X-ray showed narrowing of CMCJ with osteophytes and distal radial subluxation. All the patients were treated with arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy and suture button suspensionplasty. The preoperative and last postoperative follow-up radiographs, visual analogue scale (VAS), thumb's Kapandji scores, disabilies of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores, grip and pinch strength and time to return to work were compared.Results:All cases were followed up for 19.6±6.3 months (range, 11-36 months). The postoperative X-ray showed all the CMCJs were reduced with a normal height of first metacarpal. The mean time for patients to return to their daily activities was 18.69±3.70 d and the mean time to return to work was 24.63±4.91 d. The average VAS score decreased from 6.56±1.15 preoperatively to 1.00 (0.75, 1.25). The preoperative Kapandji's score was 8.00±0.82 and the postoperative Kapandji's score was 8.00 (7.25, 9.00). The average DASH values improved from 24.06±3.19 to 4.00 (3.00, 5.00). The were significant differences except for Kapandji score ( Z=-4.905, P<0.001; Z=-0.121, P=0.905; Z=-4.846, P<0.001). The mean grip and pinch strength showed improvement from an average of 16.4 (14.13, 18.68) kg and 1.70±0.35 kg to 26.14±3.27 kg and 3.58±0.91 kg with significant difference ( Z=-4.617, P<0.001; t=-7.669, P<0.001). Conclusion:Arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy and suture button suspensionplasty is a minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of first CMCJ Eaton stage II/III arthrosis. By this technique, the patients' existing instability and pain problems can be solved.