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.

Objective To preliminarily investigate the safety and efficacy of donor pancreas needle biopsy in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 7 cases undergoing donor pancreas biopsy were collected retrospectively. All cases underwent donor pancreas biopsy before or during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Frozen section or paraffin sectioning techniques were used for tissue preparation, and hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were performed to histologically evaluate the donor pancreas. The quality of donor pancreas was comprehensively assessed by combining histological findings with the donor's clinical data. Postoperative follow-up data of 5 simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients were collected to summarize the safety of donor pancreas biopsy and the prognosis of transplant recipients. Results The 7 pancreas donors were aged 28 to 62 years, with a body mass index ranging from 20.76 to 27.68 kg/m². Liver ultrasound indicated fatty liver in 3 cases, while pancreatic ultrasound did not reveal any significant abnormalities. Among them, biopsy was performed on 2 donors after completion of pancreatic procurement and processing, and the frozen section histology showed moderate acute pancreatitis changes (edema of acinar cells, necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration). Combined with a serum amylase level elevated more than 3 times the upper limit of normal value, these two donor pancreases were finally discarded. The remaining 5 cases underwent biopsy immediately after pancreatic vascular anastomosis during simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation, and histological evaluation was performed on paraffin-embedded sections. No biopsy-related complications (such as bleeding, pancreatic fistula, etc.) occurred after transplantation. One recipient died of severe infection 2 months after transplantation, while the other 4 recipients were followed up for more than 5 years, with well-functioning transplant kidneys and pancreases. Conclusions Donor pancreas biopsy is relatively safe, and the risk of biopsy-related complications after transplantation is controllable. Comprehensive assessment of donor pancreas quality by combining histological evaluation with the donor's clinical indicators is conducive to improving the accuracy of donor pancreas selection and organ utilization.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of modified Banxia Xiexintang（MBXT） on polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance（PCOS-IR） rats and reveal its potential mechanisms based on the integrated analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics. MethodsFemale SD rats were selected， and a PCOS-IR model was established by intragastric administration of letrozole combined with a high-fat diet for 21 days. The modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， MBXT low-， medium-， and high-dose groups（6.62， 13.23， 26.46 g·kg^-1）， and metformin group（0.158 g·kg^-1）， with a normal group set up separately. After 14 days of administration， the estrous cycle was observed， ovarian morphology was examined by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， and the levels of testosterone（T）， estradiol（E₂）， follicle-stimulating hormone（FSH）， and luteinizing hormone（LH） in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. Serum metabolites and ovarian tissue gene expression were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic orbitrap mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS） and RNA-Seq technology， respectively， followed by multi-omics integrated analysis. ResultsPharmacodynamic findings revealed that all MBXT dose groups could reversed abnormal estrous cycles in PCOS-IR rats， improve polycystic ovarian lesions， and normalize dysregulated serum hormone levels（T， LH， E₂， FS， P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metabolomic analysis revealed that compared with the model group， MBXT reversed 278 differential metabolites such as estrone and S-formylglutathione， mainly involving pathways such as steroid hormone biosynthesis， glutathione metabolism， and lipid peroxidation regulation. Transcriptomic analysis identified 434 differentially expressed genes， and enrichment analysis revealed that MBXT significantly regulated lipid peroxidation defense systems， including glutathione metabolism， peroxisome function， and fatty acid metabolism， thereby intervening in ferroptosis processes. It also engaged in inflammation-related pathways such as the chemokine signaling pathway. Integrated analysis revealed that both metabolomics and transcriptomics co-enriched metabolic pathways associated with ferroptosis and fatty acid metabolism. And key Hub genes［such as Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 gene（Rac2） and Fas ligand gene（Faslg）］ showed significant correlations with differential metabolites. ConclusionMBXT can effectively ameliorate reproductive dysfunction and metabolic disorders in PCOS-IR rats. Its mechanism may be related to remodeling the immune-metabolism network， particularly by regulating MHC-mediated immune responses， inhibiting local ovarian ferroptosis， and enhancing steroid hormone synthesis pathways.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of modified Banxia Xiexintang（MBXT） in improving ovarian dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance（PCOS-IR） rats by inhibiting ferroptosis through the adenosine monophosphate（AMP）-activated protein kinase（AMPK）/fatty acid synthase（FASN）/glutathione peroxidase 4（GPX4） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-six female SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group（n=13） and a modeling group（n=63）. The modeling group established a PCOS-IR model by intragastric administration of letrozole combined with a high-fat diet for 21 days. After successful modeling， these rats were randomly divided into the model group， MBXT low-， medium-， and high-dose groups（6.62， 13.23， 26.46 g·kg^-1）， metformin group（0.158 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose of MBXT combined with ferroptosis inducer Erastin group（15 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. After 14 days of intervention， ovarian pathological morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， the mitochondrial ultrastructure of granulosa cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy（TEM）， ovarian reactive oxygen species（ROS） levels were detected by dihydroethidium（DHE） probe， biochemical methods were used to detect Fe²⁺， malondialdehyde（MDA）， glutathione（GSH） and other indicators in ovarian tissues， serum sex hormone and insulin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）， and the protein expressions of AMPK， FASN， acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4（ACSL4）， GPX4， and solute carrier family 7 member 11（SLC7A11） in ovarian tissues were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed polycystic changes in the ovaries， with atrophy of mitochondria in granulosa cells and increased membrane density. Serum levels of testosterone（T）， luteinizing hormone（LH）， and insulin were significantly increased（P<0.01）. The levels of ROS， MDA， 4-hydroxynonenal（4-HNE）， and Fe²⁺ in ovarian tissues were significantly elevated（P<0.01）， while adenosine triphosphate（ATP）， GSH， and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH） levels were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. The phosphorylation levels of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase （ACC）， as well as the protein expressions of SLC7A11， GPX4， and ferroptosis suppressor protein 1（FSP1） were significantly downregulated（P<0.01）， whereas the expressions of FASN， ACSL4， and nuclear receptor coactivator 4（NCOA4） were significantly upregulated（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， MBXT intervention at various doses improved the above pathological changes and biochemical indicators in a dose-dependent manner， with the high-dose group showing the most significant effect（P<0.01）. Compared with the MBXT high-dose group， the high-dose of MBXT combined with ferroptosis inducer Erastin group restored ovarian ferroptosis characteristics in rats， with increased ROS and lipid peroxidation products， and altered expressions of key proteins（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMBXT can effectively improve ovarian function and metabolic disorders in PCOS-IR rats. Its mechanism may be related to activating the AMPK/ACC signaling pathway， downregulating FASN and ACSL4 to reduce lipid peroxidation substrates， and restoring glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase/phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase（G6PD/PHGDH） metabolic flux to enhance the GPX4/FSP1 antioxidant defense system， thereby inhibiting ferroptosis in ovarian granulosa cells.

Diabetic nephropathy （DKD）， as a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus （DM）， is a major cause of end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. Its clinical manifestations include increased urinary protein excretion， thickening of the glomerular basement membrane， and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The pathogenesis of DKD is complex and involves multiple factors， including disordered glucose metabolism， hemodynamic alterations， and oxidative stress. Although modern medical approaches can alleviate certain symptoms， they still have limitations such as insufficient therapeutic targeting and prominent adverse effects. The transforming growth factor-β/Smad （TGF-β/Smad） signaling pathway is not only a tissue fibrosis pathway that has attracted considerable attention in recent years， but also regulates multiple protein molecules， including the glomerular podocyte slit diaphragm protein Podocin， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD）， thereby participating in various pathological processes and ultimately mediating renal injury. Flavonoid compounds， owing to their sustained pharmacological effects， broad spectrum of action， and high safety profile， have become ideal candidates for targeted therapy research in DKD. Existing studies have shown that these compounds can exert inhibitory effects on renal fibrosis， alleviate inflammatory responses， protect podocytes， and reduce oxidative stress by regulating the interactions between the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and the aforementioned protein molecules， thereby maintaining renal structure and function， reducing proteinuria， and significantly improving DKD lesions. This review briefly outlines the composition and functions of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway， elucidates the mechanisms by which this pathway regulates DKD， and focuses on summarizing major studies from the past decade on flavonoid-based interventions in DKD through targeted inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Furthermore， it discusses the considerable therapeutic potential of flavonoids in the treatment of this disease， aiming to provide a scientific basis for future clinical prevention and treatment of DKD and to promote the development of targeted drugs.

AIM:To investigate the prevalence of visual impairment and its correction status among junior high school students in Xi'an, so as to provide evidence for the development of targeted myopia prevention and control strategies.METHODS: A stratified cluster sampling design was adopted. From March to May 2025, students in grades 7-9 were recruited from three schools in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China: Dongfang Middle School, the Middle School Attached to Xi'an University of Technology, and the Xingqing Campus of the High School Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University. In total, 3 974 students were invited, including 1 726 in grade 7, 1 206 in grade 8, and 1 042 in grade 9. The visual acuity was measured monocularly using a 5 m standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, with the fellow eye occluded; the line corresponding to the smallest optotype that could be correctly identified was recorded as the visual acuity value. Non-cycloplegic autorefraction was performed with a desktop autorefractor to obtain spherical equivalent(SE)values for refractive error screening.RESULTS: This study initially included 3 974 students, of whom 32 did not participate in the vision test, resulting in 3 942 students being included in the final analysis. Among them, 3 067(77.80%)were identified with poor vision. The prevalence of myopia was 81.47%(1 746)in males and 87.55%(1 575)in females(P<0.01). A stratified analysis by grade showed myopia rates of 81.72%(1 386)in junior grade one, 84.47%(1 017)in junior grade two, and 88.10%(918)in junior grade three, demonstrating a significant upward trend with increasing grade level(χ2=19.8484, P<0.01). Among the 3 321 myopic students, 2 287 adopted corrective measures. The rates of full correction, under-correction, and non-correction among all myopic students were 48.15%(1 599), 20.71%(688), and 31.14%(1 034), respectively. The rate of non-correction was significantly higher in male students than in females(32.70% vs 29.40%, χ2=4.2222, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a high prevalence of visual impairment among junior high school students in Xi'an, coupled with suboptimal spectacle-wearing and full-correction rates. There is an urgent need for collaborative efforts across society, schools, and families to implement effective interventions to slow the onset and progression of myopia in this population.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Yimei Baijiang formula （YMBJF） on colitis-associated colorectal cancer （CAC） and the nuclear factor kappaB （NF-κB） signaling pathway in mice. MethodsSixty male Balb/c mice of 4-6 weeks old were randomized into 6 groups： Normal， model， capecitabine （0.83 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （4.63， 9.25， 18.50 g·kg^-1， respectively） YMBJF. The mouse model of CAC was established by combining azoxymethane （AOM， 10 mg·kg^-1） and dextran sulfate sodium （DSS， 2%）. At the 5^th week after the start of modeling， the capecitabine group and the YMBJF groups were respectively administrated with the corresponding doses of drugs by gavage once a day for a total of 6 weeks. The body weights and general conditions of mice were measured and observed， and the disease activity index （DAI） was scored. The tumors in the colorectal tissue were counted， and the colorectal length was measured. The histological features of the colorectal tissue in each group of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression and localization of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-67 （Ki67）， proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）， and phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65） proteins were observed by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The apoptosis of tumor cells was observed by the TUNEL assay. The mRNA levels of IL-6，IL-1β， TNF-α， nuclear transcription factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）， NF-κB inhibitor alpha （IκBα）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in the colorectal tissue were quantified by Real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）. The protein levels of NF-κB p65， phosphorylated （p）-NF-κB p65， IκBα， p-IκBα， Bcl-2， and Bax in the colorectal tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， each YMBJF group showed decreases in DAI and tumor number （P0.01）， and the medium-dose and high-dose YMBJF groups showed increases in colorectal length （P0.05）. In addition， each YMBJF group showed alleviated colorectal mucosal pathological injury， declined levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the serum （P0.05）， reduced expression of Ki67 and PCNA （P0.01）， and down-regulated expression of p-NF-κB p65 （P0.05）. The apoptosis in the medium-dose and high-dose YMBJF groups increased （P0.01）. Each YMBJF group and the capecitabine group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， IL-6， NF-κB p65， and Bcl-2 （P0.05） and up-regulated mRNA levels of IκBα and Bax （P0.05）. The mRNA level of IκBα was up-regulated， and that of Bcl-2 was down-regulated （P0.05） in the high-dose YMBJF group. The protein levels of p-IκBα and Bcl-2 were down-regulated （P0.05） in each YMBJF group. The protein levels of IκBα and Bax were up-regulated in the medium-dose and high-dose YMBJF groups （P0.01）， while those of NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 were down-regulated （P0.05）. ConclusionYMBJF can reduce the number of tumors， reduce the levels of inflammatory factors， promote tumor cell apoptosis， and inhibit tumor cell proliferation by regulating the direct effector molecules of the NF-κB signaling pathway in the mouse model of CRC.

Myocardial infarction （MI） and osteoporosis （OP）， as two prevalent metabolic diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates， are respectively characterized by cardiovascular system dysfunction and bone homeostasis imbalance， collectively posing significant global public health challenges. While clinically often considered as independent diseases， recent studies have revealed shared pathological mechanisms between the two. This study initiated its exploration from the traditional Chinese medicine concept of the "heart-bone" axis， systematically analyzing the correlation between MI and OP from perspectives including hemodynamics， neuroendocrinology， calcium homeostasis， inflammation and vascular injury， as well as hormone levels. By discussing the pathological mechanisms of "heart disease affecting the bones and bone disease affecting the heart"， the study also elucidated advancements in both Western and traditional Chinese medicine treatments. The goal is to provide novel insights and methodologies for the prevention and treatment of "heart-bone comorbidities"， thereby facilitating comprehensive management of cardiovascular and skeletal diseases.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Yimei Baijiang formula （YMBJF） on colitis-associated colorectal cancer （CAC） and the nuclear factor kappaB （NF-κB） signaling pathway in mice. MethodsSixty male Balb/c mice of 4-6 weeks old were randomized into 6 groups： Normal， model， capecitabine （0.83 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （4.63， 9.25， 18.50 g·kg^-1， respectively） YMBJF. The mouse model of CAC was established by combining azoxymethane （AOM， 10 mg·kg^-1） and dextran sulfate sodium （DSS， 2%）. At the 5^th week after the start of modeling， the capecitabine group and the YMBJF groups were respectively administrated with the corresponding doses of drugs by gavage once a day for a total of 6 weeks. The body weights and general conditions of mice were measured and observed， and the disease activity index （DAI） was scored. The tumors in the colorectal tissue were counted， and the colorectal length was measured. The histological features of the colorectal tissue in each group of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression and localization of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-67 （Ki67）， proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）， and phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65） proteins were observed by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The apoptosis of tumor cells was observed by the TUNEL assay. The mRNA levels of IL-6，IL-1β， TNF-α， nuclear transcription factor-κB p65 （NF-κB p65）， NF-κB inhibitor alpha （IκBα）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in the colorectal tissue were quantified by Real-time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）. The protein levels of NF-κB p65， phosphorylated （p）-NF-κB p65， IκBα， p-IκBα， Bcl-2， and Bax in the colorectal tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， each YMBJF group showed decreases in DAI and tumor number （P0.01）， and the medium-dose and high-dose YMBJF groups showed increases in colorectal length （P0.05）. In addition， each YMBJF group showed alleviated colorectal mucosal pathological injury， declined levels of IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the serum （P0.05）， reduced expression of Ki67 and PCNA （P0.01）， and down-regulated expression of p-NF-κB p65 （P0.05）. The apoptosis in the medium-dose and high-dose YMBJF groups increased （P0.01）. Each YMBJF group and the capecitabine group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， IL-6， NF-κB p65， and Bcl-2 （P0.05） and up-regulated mRNA levels of IκBα and Bax （P0.05）. The mRNA level of IκBα was up-regulated， and that of Bcl-2 was down-regulated （P0.05） in the high-dose YMBJF group. The protein levels of p-IκBα and Bcl-2 were down-regulated （P0.05） in each YMBJF group. The protein levels of IκBα and Bax were up-regulated in the medium-dose and high-dose YMBJF groups （P0.01）， while those of NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 were down-regulated （P0.05）. ConclusionYMBJF can reduce the number of tumors， reduce the levels of inflammatory factors， promote tumor cell apoptosis， and inhibit tumor cell proliferation by regulating the direct effector molecules of the NF-κB signaling pathway in the mouse model of CRC.

Myocardial infarction （MI） and osteoporosis （OP）， as two prevalent metabolic diseases with high morbidity and mortality rates， are respectively characterized by cardiovascular system dysfunction and bone homeostasis imbalance， collectively posing significant global public health challenges. While clinically often considered as independent diseases， recent studies have revealed shared pathological mechanisms between the two. This study initiated its exploration from the traditional Chinese medicine concept of the "heart-bone" axis， systematically analyzing the correlation between MI and OP from perspectives including hemodynamics， neuroendocrinology， calcium homeostasis， inflammation and vascular injury， as well as hormone levels. By discussing the pathological mechanisms of "heart disease affecting the bones and bone disease affecting the heart"， the study also elucidated advancements in both Western and traditional Chinese medicine treatments. The goal is to provide novel insights and methodologies for the prevention and treatment of "heart-bone comorbidities"， thereby facilitating comprehensive management of cardiovascular and skeletal diseases.