With the continuous advancement of medical research, it is increasingly recognized that the human body functions as a highly coordinated complex system, and the development of diseases often involves intricate interactions among multiple subsystems, including organs, tissues, and cells. Conventional pharmacological research, which primarily focuses on isolated subsystems, tends to emphasize direct interactions between drugs and the molecular targets in diseased organs. However, this approach often falls short in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by complex diseases such as metabolic disorders, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and aging. In recent years, inter-organ cross-talk and its role in diseases progression, as well as cross-organ effects of drug intervention, have gained significant attention. This has highlighted the potential for treating complex diseases through holistic regulation of multiple organs. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has long embraced a holistic and systemic approach for treatment, with concepts such as the interdependence and mutual restraint of the five Zang organs, the interconnection of Zang organs and Fu organs, treating the Zang organ diseases by regulating the Fu organs, treating the child organ diseases to cure the parent organs, and treating upper organ diseases by regulating lower organs. These concepts provide valuable insights into exploring the pathways and molecular mechanisms underlying inter-organ cross-talk. Building on our previous work on indirect actions of TCM, this paper introduces the concept of indirect pharmacology mediated by intermediate substances, as a new extension of classical pharmacology. This approach aims to offer new perspectives and innovative ideas for understanding inter-organ cross-talk and discovering cross-organ therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals

The genome tagging project (GTP) plays a pivotal role in addressing a critical gap in the understanding of protein functions. Within this framework, we successfully generated a human influenza hemagglutinin-tagged sperm-specific protein 411 (HA-tagged Ssp411) mouse model. This model is instrumental in probing the expression and function of Ssp411. Our research revealed that Ssp411 is expressed in the round spermatids, elongating spermatids, elongated spermatids, and epididymal spermatozoa. The comprehensive examination of the distribution of Ssp411 in these germ cells offers new perspectives on its involvement in spermiogenesis. Nevertheless, rigorous further inquiry is imperative to elucidate the precise mechanistic underpinnings of these functions. Ssp411 is not detectable in metaphase II (MII) oocytes, zygotes, or 2-cell stage embryos, highlighting its intricate role in early embryonic development. These findings not only advance our understanding of the role of Ssp411 in reproductive physiology but also significantly contribute to the overarching goals of the GTP, fostering groundbreaking advancements in the fields of spermiogenesis and reproductive biology.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatids/metabolism* ; Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Thioredoxins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

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*

Objective:To evaluate the initial clinical outcome of applying a comprehensive debulking procedure centered on the digital and plantar flaps with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle to reconstruct the hypertrophic toes and forefoots in one-stage surgery in multiple toes macrodactyly in children.Methods:The clinical data of children with macrodactyly deformity treated by the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Design toe and plantar arbitrary flaps with a few vascular perforating branches which pedicle at the comparatively healthy proximal side and resect all tissues beyond the normal length. In severe toe, a composite tissue nail-flap with the artery was dissected to reconstruct the toenail. Fat debulking on the surface of deep plantar fascia as well as within the osseofascial sheath, resecting partially of the fatty infiltrated nerve, transverse and longitudinal osteotomy to shorten and narrowed phalanxes without epiphyseal block, arthroplasty and flexor tendon tightening were performed. Finally, toes shaped by wrapping toe flaps, and pelmas restored by plantar flaps which both with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle. The operation time, healing time, and whether the toes and toenails are preserved were all recorded. The maximum circumference of both foot, the difference in shoe size, the presence of skin ulcers, wound scars, toe webbing morphology, the presence of basic sensation, and the satisfaction of parents were followed-up after surgery. The modified follow-up questionnaire was used to evaluate the surgical effect, the total score is 0-12 points, and the higher the score, the better the surgical outcome. Descriptive methods was used for statistical analysis, and the measurement data conforming to normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD.Results:A total of 15 patients were enrolled, including 11 males and 4 females. The median age at the time of operation was 2.75 years (0.9-10.8 years). There were 11 cases with 2 toes and 4 cases with 3 toes, a total of 34 toes involved. The average surgical duration was 4.13 hours (3.25 hours for 2 toes and 5.00 hours for 3 toes). Only one severe case with 3 toes involved was amputated the biggest toe ray and totally 2 toe nail flaps were harvested unsuccessfully intraoperative. Except 3 toes had distal skin partially necrosis and 2 nail flaps were completely necrotic which healed after dressing changes, the rest of the toes were healing well after operation. The average follow-up time was 4.8 months (3-11 months), the difference of circumference was less than 1.5 cm, as well as in length was less than 0.5 cm between feet and all children were able to wear the appropriate shoes with same size. A total of 4 toes failed to retain toenails, and 1 had a very thin toenail. Except for one case with insufficient web depth, the other toe webs were close to normal. There was no skin ulcer occurred, the basic sensation of the feet was present, and wound scars were inconspicuous. The score of the modified questionnaire was 10.54±0.88, all parents were satisfied with the results.Conclusion:Comprehensive procedure centered on the digital and plantar flaps with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle for debulking multiple toes macrodactyly in children could completely excise distal hypertrophic tissues in a single operation, and the size of the affected feet and toes can be greatly reduced to wearing shoes of the same size, and have a high success rate in preserving the toes, as well as nails. The reconstructed feet, toes and toe webbing have near-normal morphology, hidden scar, no ulcers after walked and achieve a good initial effect.

Objective:To evaluate the initial clinical outcome of applying a comprehensive debulking procedure centered on the digital and plantar flaps with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle to reconstruct the hypertrophic toes and forefoots in one-stage surgery in multiple toes macrodactyly in children.Methods:The clinical data of children with macrodactyly deformity treated by the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Design toe and plantar arbitrary flaps with a few vascular perforating branches which pedicle at the comparatively healthy proximal side and resect all tissues beyond the normal length. In severe toe, a composite tissue nail-flap with the artery was dissected to reconstruct the toenail. Fat debulking on the surface of deep plantar fascia as well as within the osseofascial sheath, resecting partially of the fatty infiltrated nerve, transverse and longitudinal osteotomy to shorten and narrowed phalanxes without epiphyseal block, arthroplasty and flexor tendon tightening were performed. Finally, toes shaped by wrapping toe flaps, and pelmas restored by plantar flaps which both with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle. The operation time, healing time, and whether the toes and toenails are preserved were all recorded. The maximum circumference of both foot, the difference in shoe size, the presence of skin ulcers, wound scars, toe webbing morphology, the presence of basic sensation, and the satisfaction of parents were followed-up after surgery. The modified follow-up questionnaire was used to evaluate the surgical effect, the total score is 0-12 points, and the higher the score, the better the surgical outcome. Descriptive methods was used for statistical analysis, and the measurement data conforming to normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD.Results:A total of 15 patients were enrolled, including 11 males and 4 females. The median age at the time of operation was 2.75 years (0.9-10.8 years). There were 11 cases with 2 toes and 4 cases with 3 toes, a total of 34 toes involved. The average surgical duration was 4.13 hours (3.25 hours for 2 toes and 5.00 hours for 3 toes). Only one severe case with 3 toes involved was amputated the biggest toe ray and totally 2 toe nail flaps were harvested unsuccessfully intraoperative. Except 3 toes had distal skin partially necrosis and 2 nail flaps were completely necrotic which healed after dressing changes, the rest of the toes were healing well after operation. The average follow-up time was 4.8 months (3-11 months), the difference of circumference was less than 1.5 cm, as well as in length was less than 0.5 cm between feet and all children were able to wear the appropriate shoes with same size. A total of 4 toes failed to retain toenails, and 1 had a very thin toenail. Except for one case with insufficient web depth, the other toe webs were close to normal. There was no skin ulcer occurred, the basic sensation of the feet was present, and wound scars were inconspicuous. The score of the modified questionnaire was 10.54±0.88, all parents were satisfied with the results.Conclusion:Comprehensive procedure centered on the digital and plantar flaps with comparatively healthy proximal pedicle for debulking multiple toes macrodactyly in children could completely excise distal hypertrophic tissues in a single operation, and the size of the affected feet and toes can be greatly reduced to wearing shoes of the same size, and have a high success rate in preserving the toes, as well as nails. The reconstructed feet, toes and toe webbing have near-normal morphology, hidden scar, no ulcers after walked and achieve a good initial effect.

Objective To explore the distribution and localization of dopamine receptor D3-D5 in the small intestine of different species.Methods The distribution and expression of D3-D5 in the small intestine of mice,rats and rhesus monkeys were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.The expression of D3-D5 in immunoglobulin A positive plasma cells(IgA+PC)located in the lamina propria(LP)were detected by immunofluorescence double labeling.Results D3 and D5 were widely distributed in the epithelium,LP,submucosal plexus(SMP)and intermuscular plexus(MP)of the small intestine in mice,rats and rhesus monkeys.The distribution of D4 in the small intestinal of mice and rhesus monkeys were consistent with the result of D3 and D5.D4 was distributed only within the epithelium and LP of rat small intestine.D3 and D5 were expressed in the IgA+PC in the LP of mice and rats,whereas D4 was not.Conclusion The distribution and localization pattern of D3 and D5 are similar in the small intestine of mice,rats and rhesus monkeys,whereas those of D4 vary between different species.Dopamine may be involved in regulating the functions of IgA+PC.

Objective To develop an MRI-based habitat radiomics model for the preoperative prediction of endometrial cancer(EC)molecular subtypes.Methods Patients with pathologically proven EC from two hospitals were included in the training(n=270)and testing(n=70)cohorts.All patients had preoperative MRI and histological and molecular diagnoses.First,the tumor was divided into habitat subregions based on diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)and contrast-enhanced(CE)images.Subsequently,habitat radiomic features were extracted from different subregions of T1-weighted imaging(T1WI),T2-weighted imaging(T2WI),DWI,and CE images.Three machine learning classifiers,including logistic regression,support vector machines,and random forests,were applied to develop predictive models for p53-abnormal endometrial cancer,with model performance validated.The model demonstrating the best overall predictive performance was selected as the habitat radiomics model.Using the same procedure,a whole-region radiomics model based on T1WI,T2WI,DWI,and CE sequences and a clinical model were constructed.The performance of the models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves,and DeLong's test was employed to compare differences between the models.Decision curve analysis was used to assess the clinical benefits of the models'application.Results After feature selection,eight habitat radiomic features were retained to construct the habitat radiomics model,ten features for the whole-region radiomics model,and three clinical features for the clinical model.The habitat radiomics model achieved the highest area under the curve(AUC),with 0.855(0.788-0.922)in the training cohort and 0.769(0.631-0.907)in the testing cohort.DeLong's test showed that the habitat radiomics model outperformed the whole-region radiomics model in the training cohort(P=0.001),but there was no significant difference in the testing cohort(P=0.543).In both cohorts,the habitat radiomics model outperformed the clinical model(P=0.007,training cohort;P=0.038,testing cohort).Decision curve analysis(DCA)demonstrated that this model provided clinical benefit for diagnosis within a threshold probability range of approximately 0.2-0.8.Conclusion The MRI-based habitat radiomics model can accurately predict p53-abnormal EC,outperforming both the whole-region radiomics model and the clinical model,and is useful for the non-invasive molecular subtyping of endometrial cancer before surgery.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor de-escalation and nicorandil therapy in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 300 elderly patients with ACS were selected from the Sixth and Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital and Beijing Chaoyang Integrative Medicine Emergency Rescue and First Aid Hospital from November 2016 to June 2019,including 153 males and 147 females,aged>65 years old.All the patients received PCI,and all had double antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)scores≥2 and a new DAPT(PRECISE-DAPT)score of≥25.All patients were divided into two groups by random number table method before operation:ticagrelor group(n=146,ticagrelor 180 mg load dose followed by PCI,and ticagrelor 90 mg bid after surgery)and ticagrelor de-escalation + nicorandil group(n=154,ticagrelor 180 mg load dose followed by PCI,ticagrelor 90 mg bid+nicorandil 5 mg tid after surgery,changed to ticagrelor 60 mg bid+ nicorandil 5 mg tid 6 months later).Follow-up was 12 months.The composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction and stroke,the composite end points of mild hemorrhage,minor hemorrhage,other major hemorrhage and major fatal/life-threatening hemorrhage as defined by the PLATO study,and the composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction,stroke and bleeding within 12 months in the two groups were observed.Results The comparison of general baseline data between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).There was also no significant difference in the composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction and stroke between the two groups(P>0.05).The cumulative incidence of bleeding events in ticagrelor de-escalation + nicorandil group was significantly lower than that in ticagrelor group(P<0.05),while the composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction,stroke and bleeding were also significantly lower than those in tecagrelor group(P<0.05).Conclusion In elderly patients with ACS,the treatment of ticagrelor de-escalation + nicorandil after PCI may not increase the incidence of ischemic events such as cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction or stroke,and it may reduce the incidence of hemorrhagic events.