1.Engineered Bacteriophages for The Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Bacterial Infections
Yu-Ying CHEN ; Chun-Mei HUANG ; Jin-Zhi PAN ; De-Liang LIU ; Yang ZHOU ; Gui-Qin DAI ; Peng-Fei ZHAO ; Hong-Zhou LU ; Ming-Bin ZHENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1581-1596
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a serious challenge of global public health crisis. The overuse and misuse of conventional antibiotics have dramatically accelerated the emergence, evolution and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains, necessitating urgent exploration of novel antibacterial strategies. Bacteriophages serve as natural bacterial predators offering distinct advantages including high host specificity, autonomous self-replication capabilities and cost-effective large-scale production. However, wild-type phages present significant clinical limitations due to their narrow host ranges, susceptibility to rapid immune clearance and poor penetration of bacterial biofilms, which severely restrict their therapeutic applications. The convergence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology and advanced gene editing technologies has accelerated the development of engineered bacteriophage platforms, providing programmable, scalable and clinically translatable pathways to overcome these inherent biological constraints. Here, we systematically delineate four fundamental strategies for engineered bacteriophage development. Chemical modification utilizes reactive functional groups such as amino, carboxyl and thiol moieties on capsid proteins through esterification, amidation or click chemistry reactions to achieve precise drug conjugation and surface functionalization. In vivo editing encompasses ultraviolet or chemical mutagenesis for random mutation induction, homologous recombination for targeted genetic alterations, recombineering methodologies including electroporation-mediated bacteriophage recombination engineering, and CRISPR-Cas systems for precise genome editing to enable exact genetic reconstruction and host range reprogramming. In vitro synthesis leverages genome engineering platforms where intact phage genomes are transferred into yeast or host bacteria to facilitate highly efficient homologous recombination, enabling large DNA fragment assembly and cross-gene host range expansion without bacterial toxicity constraints. Directed evolution combines artificial selection through mutation library screening with rational design approaches involving chimeric receptor binding protein construction or site-specific mutagenesis, effectively balancing the discovery of unknown adaptive pathways with targeted host specificity modification. Moreover, we comprehensively discuss therapeutic applications across diverse clinical scenarios. Engineered bacteriophage effectively disrupt bacterial biofilms through sophisticated functionalized delivery platforms including nanozyme-conjugated phages, phage-liposome nanoconjugates and bio-responsive hydrogels, demonstrating significantly enhanced bactericidal efficiency compared to unmodified free phages. These bioengineered vectors attenuate bacterial virulence and resensitize pathogens to antibiotics by delivering CRISPR-Cas systems or base editors to disrupt critical virulence factors such as pili, capsule synthesis machineries and quorum sensing systems, or by inactivating antibiotic resistance determinants including beta-lactamase genes. As an intelligent nanomedicine delivery platform, engineered bacteriophage enable precise pathogen elimination an through photocatalytic reactive oxygen species generation, immunomodulatory interventions, or controlled release of antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, oral administration of engineered bacteriophage facilitates microbiota modulation, which selectively eliminate intestinal pathogens while preserve beneficial commensal microbiota, thereby restoring microbial community balance and preventing complications associated with dysbiosis. Finally, we critically analyze persistent challenges including host strain matching complexity, evolution of bacterial resistance mechanisms, pharmacokinetic optimization requirements, optimal administration route selection, large-scale production quality control standards and clinical dosing determination protocols. Through multidisciplinary integration of synthetic biology, infectious disease medicine and immunology, future translational medicine studies of bacteriophage should establish comprehensive technical platforms encompassing rapid phage screening, intelligent rational design, rigorous in vivo evaluation and standardized clinical validation processes, ultimately advancing engineered bacteriophage from laboratory innovations to clinically approved therapeutics for effectively combating MDR bacterial infections.
2.Modified Guizhi Fulingwan Regulates miR-34a-5p/DLL1/Notch Signaling Pathway to Promote Apoptosis and Inhibit Prostate Cancer
Yuanguang DONG ; Ying YANG ; Penghao SUN ; Yang HONG ; Lu PAN ; Jiapeng LI ; Lijiang ZHOU ; Di ZHANG ; Mingdian YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):122-133
ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism through which modified Guizhi Fulingwan (MGZFLW) promotes apoptosis and inhibits prostate cancer through the miR-34a-5p/δ-like protein 1 (DLL1)/Notch signaling pathway based on the traditional Chinese medicine theory of Yang transforming Qi while Yin constituting form. MethodsThe optimal intervention conditions of MGZFLW-containing serum and docetaxel (DXT) were screened by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. Human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) were allocated into blank, MGZFLW (10%), and DXT (30 nmol·L-1) groups. The effects of MGZFLW-containing serum on the migration and proliferation of PC-3 cells were evaluated by cell scratch and colony formation assays, and the apoptosis of PC-3 cells was detected by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The cells were transfected with miR-34a-5p mimics and miR-34a-5p inhibitor. The mRNA levels of miR-34a-5p, DLL1, Notch1 and its downstream effector factors Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD1), Hes family basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1 (Hes1), and hairy/enhancer-of-split related with YRPW motif 1 (Hey1) were determined by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of DLL1, Notch1, NICD1, Hes1, and Hey1 were determined by a WES fully automatic protein system. The effect of miR-34a-5p on the DLL1-mediated Notch pathway was evaluated based on the results. Further, after MGZFLW-containing serum intervention, the expression of DLL1 and Notch1 was detected by the immunofluorescence (IF) assay, and the mRNA and protein levels of miR-34a-5p/DLL1/Notch pathway-related molecules were quantified by Real-time PCR and the WES fully automatic protein system, respectively, to explore the regulatory effect of MGZFLW-containing serum on the miR-34a-5p/DLL1/Notch pathway. ResultsMGZFLW-containing serum inhibited the viability, migration, and proliferation and promote the apoptosis of PC-3 cells (P<0.01). The overexpression of miR-34a-5p down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of key molecules in the DLL1/Notch signaling pathway and promoted cell apoptosis (P<0.01), while inhibition of miR-34a-5p had the opposite effects. MGZFLW-containing serum reversed the activation of the DLL1/Notch pathway and the inhibition of apoptosis caused by miR-34a-5p inhibition, up-regulated the expression of miR-34a-5p, and down-regulated the expression of related molecules in this pathway (P<0.01). ConclusionMGZFLW can up-regulate the expression of miR-34a-5p to inhibit the DLL1/Notch signaling pathway and promote the apoptosis of prostate cancer cells, thereby inhibiting prostate cancer. This study provides experimental evidence for clarifying the molecular mechanism of the anti-prostate cancer effect of this formula.
3.Analysis of the influencing factors of early enteral nutrition-related diarrhea in severe patients with temporary ileostomy
Jia-Jia HU ; Lu-Lu GU ; Cui-Li WU ; Xiang-Hong YE ; Yan JIANG ; Xin-Ying WANG
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition 2025;32(1):48-53
Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of diarrhea during early enteral nutrition(EEN)therapy in severe patients with temporary ileostomy.Method:A total of 154 patients with temporary ileostomy who received EEN in the Department of General Surgery,Jinling Hospital from November 2019 to November 2023 were included in this study.All patients were divided into two groups:the diarrhea group(n=43)and the non-diarrhea group(n=111).The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed,and univariate analysis was performed to compare the differences between groups.The indicators with significant differences were subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the influencing factors of diarrhea during EEN therapy in severe patients with temporary ileostomy.Result:Among the 154 patients,43 developed diarrhea during EEN therapy,with an incidence of 27.9%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that enteral nutrition(EN)infusion rate(OR=6.342,P=0.001,95%CI:2.055~19.572),antibiotics type(OR=8.342,P=0.013,95%CI:1.577~44.119),mechanical ventilation(OR=7.011,P=0.001,95%CI:2.272~21.629),EN formulation type(OR=6.497,P=0.001,95%CI:2.177~19.392),and diabetes(OR=3.321,P=0.036,95%CI:1.080~10.215)were closely associated with EN-related diarrhea in severe patients with temporary ileostomy.Conclusion:There was a high incidence of diarrhea in severe patients with temporary ileostomy who received EEN.EN infusion rate,antibiotics use,mechanical ventilation,EN formulation type and diabetes were the influencing factors for presence of EEN-related diarrhea in the patients.Our data could provide a reference for preventing EEN-related diarrhea in severe patients with temporary ileostomy after surgery.
4.Application of a pre-intelligent precision dosing and verification system in automatic single-dose packaging
Runzan ZHANG ; Junyu LU ; Lei HONG ; Liucheng LI ; Jie YING
China Pharmacy 2025;36(17):2170-2175
OBJECTIVE To innovatively apply the pre-intelligent precision dosing and verification system (hereinafter referred to as “the system”), and to provide a reference for the high-level “intelligent” transformation of inpatient pharmacy. METHODS The limitations of the triple-serial dispensing mode, which comprised the automatic medicine packaging machine (ATC), intelligent tablet dispensing table (ITDT) and medication detection machine (MDM), were analyzed. The application of the system and the adoption of the barcode scanning verification method optimized the pre-dosing management, whole-tablet drug dispensing process and ATC temporary dosing management. The comparative analysis was conducted to assess dosing time, labor cost and packaging error of the eight-month period, before and after the system application. RESULTS The triple-serial dispensing mode had a weak ability to avoid error risks in the manual dosing stage, and also had errors in the verification stage. Through the innovative application system, the pre-dosing management had been upgraded, the whole-tablet drug dispensing process had been optimized, and the ATC temporary dosing management had been improved. The average time required for each drug for pre-dosing, whole-tablet drug dispensing and ATC temporary dosing was significantly shortened after the application of the system, compared with before the application of the system (P<0.001). The number of pharmacists was reduced from two to one. The error rate of ATC decreased significantly from 0.220‰ to 0.029‰ (P<0.001). Specifically, the rate of pharmacist-related errors (pre-dosing error, ITDT dosing error, and ATC temporary dosing error) decreased from 0.116‰ to 0.001‰ (P<0.001), and machine-related errors decreased from 0.096‰ to 0.023‰ (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This innovative integration mode greatly improves the working efficiency and quality of inpatient pharmacy. It enhances refined management of drug expiration and inventory, saves time and labor costs, improves the accuracy of drug dispensing, and ensures patient medication safety.
5.Establishment of HPLC characteristic chromatograms and content determination of nine constituents for Yixin Fumai Granules
Xin-ru CHI ; Zheng-wei CHEN ; Jie LI ; Ai-ying WU ; Li-hua YIN ; Hong-bing LIU ; Jing-guang LU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):1-6
AIM To establish the HPLC characteristic chromatograms for Yixin Fumai Granules,and to determine the contents of sodium danshensu,protocatechualdehyde,chlorogenic acid,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,ferulic acid,rosalinic acid,salvianolic acid A,salvianolic acid B,schisandrol A.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 35 ℃ thermostatic Acutfex PA-C18 column(4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 210,250,280,320 nm.Subsequently,cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed.RESULTS There were 11 characteristic peaks in the characteristic chromatograms for 15 batches of samples with the similarities of more than 0.980.Nine constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.999 6),whose average recoveries were 97.60%-107.02%with the RSDs of 0.78%-1.87%.Various batches of samples were clustered into 4 categories,2 principal components demonstrated the accumulative variance contribution rate of 89.454%.CONCLUSION This sensitive and reproducible method can provide a reference for the quality evaluation and control of Yixin Fumai Granules.
6.Development of a classification system for nursing science and directions of future development
Ying WU ; Lanshu ZHOU ; Siyuan TANG ; Changrong YUAN ; Hongying PI ; Xiuying HU ; Hong LU ; Jingli CHEN ; Yanling WANG ; Mei SUN ; Guihua XU
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(13):1541-1547
As an independent first-level discipline,an appropriate classification of nursing science is significant.In China,each nursing degree-granting institution has developed its own secondary-level discipline directions based on its research characteristics and strengths,with varying names and research scopes.Furthermore,there is no unified global classification system.This paper,based on the characteristics of nursing as a discipline and combined with China's discipline classification principles,used literature analysis,comprehensive classification,philosophical reflection,logical reasoning,and expert consultation methods to explore the connotation of nursing,its unique research objects and scope,and to construct a secondary-level discipline classification system for nursing science that is suitable for China's national conditions.The paper also discussed the challenges faced by the nursing discipline and its future development directions,providing theoretical and practical guidance for the development of the nursing discipline.
7.Efficacy and Safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills Combined with Amlodipine in Treatment of Hypertensive Patients with Blood Deficiency and Gan-Yang Hyperactivity: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Fan WANG ; Hai-Qing GAO ; Zhe LYU ; Xiao-Ming WANG ; Hui HAN ; Yong-Xia WANG ; Feng LU ; Bo DONG ; Jun PU ; Feng LIU ; Xiu-Guang ZU ; Hong-Bin LIU ; Li YANG ; Shao-Ying ZHANG ; Yong-Mei YAN ; Xiao-Li WANG ; Jin-Han CHEN ; Min LIU ; Yun-Mei YANG ; Xiao-Ying LI
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(3):195-205
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills (YXQNP) combined with amlodipine in treating patients with grade 1 hypertension.
METHODS:
This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Adult patients with grade 1 hypertension of blood deficiency and Gan (Liver)-yang hyperactivity syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment or the control groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received YXQNP and amlodipine besylate, while the control group received YXQNP's placebo and amlodipine besylate. The treatment duration lasted for 180 days. Outcomes assessed included changes in blood pressure, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores, symptoms and target organ functions before and after treatment in both groups. Additionally, adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, and diarrhea, were recorded in both groups.
RESULTS:
A total of 662 subjects were enrolled, of whom 608 (91.8%) completed the trial (306 in the treatment and 302 in the control groups). After 180 days of treatment, the standard deviations and coefficients of variation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the treatment group compared with the control group. The improvement rates of dizziness, headache, insomnia, and waist soreness were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the overall therapeutic effects on CM clinical syndromes were significantly increased in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 180 days of treatment, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle brachial index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were improved in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred during the study period.
CONCLUSIONS
Combination therapy of YXQNP with amlodipine significantly improved symptoms such as dizziness and headache, reduced blood pressure variability, and showed a trend toward lowering urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that this regimen has good clinical efficacy and safety. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022470).
Humans
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Amlodipine/adverse effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
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Male
;
Female
;
Hypertension/complications*
;
Middle Aged
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Drug Therapy, Combination
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Adult
;
Blood Pressure/drug effects*
;
Double-Blind Method
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Aged
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Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*
8.Chinese expert consensus on the evaluation of allergen-specific immunotherapy outcomes(Wuhan, 2025).
Yuqin DENG ; Xi LUO ; Zhuofu LIU ; Shuguang SUN ; Jing YE ; Tiansheng WANG ; Jianjun CHEN ; Meiping LU ; Yin YAO ; Ying WANG ; Wei ZHOU ; Bei LIU ; Qingxiang ZENG ; Yuanteng XU ; Qintai YANG ; Yucheng YANG ; Feng LIU ; Chengli XU ; Yanan SUN ; Haiyu HONG ; Haibo YE ; Liqiang ZHANG ; Fenghong CHEN ; Huabin LI ; Hongtian WANG ; Yuncheng LI ; Wenlong LIU ; Yu XU ; Hongfei LOU
Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2025;39(11):1075-1085
Allergen-specific immunotherapy(AIT) remains the only therapeutic approach with the potential to modify the natural course of allergic rhinitis(AR). Nevertheless, considerable inter-individual variability exists in patients'responses to AIT. To facilitate more reliable assessment of treatment efficacy, the China Rhinopathy Research Cooperation Group(CRRCG) convened young and middle-aged nasal experts in China to formulate the present consensus. The recommended subjective outcome measures for AIT comprise symptom scores, medication scores, combined symptom and medication scores, quality-of-life assessments, evaluation of disease control, and assessment of comorbidities. Objective indicators may supplement these measures. Currently available objective approaches include skin prick testing, nasal provocation testing, and allergen exposure chambers. However, these methods remain constrained by practical limitations and are not yet appropriate for routine implementation in clinical efficacy evaluation. In addition, several biomarkers, including sIgE and the sIgE/tIgE ratio, sIgG4, serum IgE-blocking activity, IgA, cytokines and chemokines, as well as immune cell surface molecules and their functional activity, have been shown to have associations with AIT outcomes. While these biomarkers may complement subjective assessments, they are subject to significant limitations. Consequently, large-scale multicenter trials and real-world evidence are required to strengthen the evidence base. The present consensus underscores the necessity of integrating patients'subjective experiences with objective testing throughout the treatment process, thereby providing a more comprehensive and accurate framework for efficacy evaluation. Looking forward, future investigations should prioritize the incorporation of multi-omics data and artificial intelligence methodologies, which hold promise for overcoming current limitations in assessment strategies and for advancing both the standardization and personalization of AIT.
Humans
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Allergens/immunology*
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China
;
Consensus
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Desensitization, Immunologic
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Immunoglobulin E
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Quality of Life
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Rhinitis, Allergic/therapy*
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Treatment Outcome
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East Asian People
9.Discovery of Yersinia LcrV as a novel biased agonist of formyl peptide receptor 1 to bi-directionally modulate intracellular kinases in triple-negative breast cancer.
Yunjun GE ; Huiwen GUAN ; Ting LI ; Jie WANG ; Liang YING ; Shuhui GUO ; Jinjian LU ; Richard D YE ; Guosheng WU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(7):3646-3662
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are significant drug targets, but their potential in cancer therapy remains underexplored. Conventional GPCR agonists or antagonists have shown limited effectiveness in cancer treatment, necessitating new GPCR-targeting strategies for more effective therapies. This study discovers that Yersinia pestis LcrV, a crucial linker protein for plague infection, acts as a biased agonist of a GPCR, the formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1). The LcrV protein induces unique conformational changes in FPR1, resulting in G proteins being activated in a distinctive state without subunit dissociation. This leads to a biased signaling profile characterized by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responses and β-arrestin2 recruitment, but not calcium mobilization. In FPR1-expressing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, LcrV bi-directionally modulates intracellular signaling pathways, downregulating extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and Akt pathways while upregulating Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 pathways. This dual modulation results in cell cycle arrest and the inhibition of TNBC cell proliferation. In TNBC xenograft mouse models, long-term LcrV treatment inhibits tumor growth more effectively than a conventional FPR1 antagonist. Additionally, LcrV treatment reprograms tumor cells by reducing stemness-associated proteins OCT4 and c-MYC. Our findings highlight the potential of biased GPCR agonists as a novel GPCR-targeting strategy for cancer treatment.
10.International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for functional dyspepsia (2025).
Sheng-Sheng ZHANG ; Lu-Qing ZHAO ; Xiao-Hua HOU ; Zhao-Xiang BIAN ; Jian-Hua ZHENG ; Hai-He TIAN ; Guan-Hu YANG ; Won-Sook HONG ; Yu-Ying HE ; Li LIU ; Hong SHEN ; Yan-Ping LI ; Sheng XIE ; Jin SHU ; Bin-Fang ZENG ; Jun-Xiang LI ; Zhen LIU ; Zheng-Hua XIAO ; Jing-Dong XIAO ; Pei-Yong ZHENG ; Shao-Gang HUANG ; Sheng-Liang CHEN ; Gui-Jun FEI
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(5):502-518
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*
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Humans
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*
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Practice Guidelines as Topic
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

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