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Developing a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for integrating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine (WM) requires the accurate identification, collation, and integration of all available evidence on TCM and WM in a comprehensive, meaningful, and resource‐efficient manner. This entails framing appropriate clinical questions, retrieving and synthesizing evidence from multiple resources, and providing concise and complete recommendations for specific diseases. However, some existing CPGs for integrating TCM and WM lack deep and organic integration. As the effective preparation of a CPG for integrating TCM and WM typically involves a complex set of principles, methodology, and steps, we believe that a cohesive, step‐by‐step guide on how to prepare a CPG for integrating TCM and WM is essential. To facilitate the design and development of a robust CPG, we present a clear and concise methodology, outlining relevant principles and procedures, supported by references for guidance. This technical specification aims to simplify the methodology for preparing a CPG for integrating TCM and WM; provide healthcare professionals and researchers with methodologically sound tools; and enhance the quality of CPGs for integrating TCM and WM. This technical specification may help elucidate this complex process, facilitate evaluation of the quality of published CPGs for integrating TCM and WM, and improve the understanding and application of recommendations for the combined and integrated use of TCM and WM in a new system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The World Health Organization advocated for enhanced integration of traditional medicine and complementary medicine into national healthcare systems across all countries. This study aims to explore the progress and challenges in integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine (ITCWM) in China over 20 years using nationwide data. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined various facets of ITCWM in China in terms of policies, resources, services, and funding. National policy documents from 2009 onwards were retrieved from official websites of the Chinese government. Data on ITCWM resources, services and subsidies from 2002 to 2021 were extracted from the China Statistical Yearbooks of Chinese Medicine and China Health Statistical Yearbooks. Research fund projects with the ITCWM discipline were collected from the database of National Natural Science Foundation of China. A mixed method of both quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed to present a comprehensive overview of the collected data. Results: This study presented five key findings. First, despite the issuance of 17 national policies by the Chinese government since 2009 to promote the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), only three of them were specifically tailored for ITCWM. Second, although the average annual growth rates of ITCWM institutions, beds, and practitioners reached 0.35%, 10.56%, and 10.88% from 2002 to 2021, with more equitable allocation of ITCWM resources, the overall proportion of ITCWM remained below 5% in 2021. Third, progress has been made in ITCWM practices, yet service efficiency requires further enhancement. In 2021, ITCWM hospitals accounted for 2% of outpatient and emergency visits and 1.57% of hospital admissions among all hospitals, and 9.82% of delivered services were preventive healthcare services. Fourth, ITCWM served a crucial role in primary healthcare services, but its service capabilities need improvement. From 2007 to 2021, the average growth rates of ITCWM clinics, outpatient departments, and practitioners in outpatient departments were 13.30%, 2.57%, and 12.14%, respectively, while the proportion within TCM hospitals dropped. Lastly, despite the Chinese government's emphasis on financial investment and related project funding for ITCWM, it remained lower than that allocated to TCM and western medicine. Conclusion: ITCWM played a pivotal role in China's healthcare system to advance individuals' health and well-being across the lifespan. In the future, China will provide further support to enhance ITCWM health resources and improve service capability, and the strategic integration of ITCWM into the broader healthcare system will play a crucial role in achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The collaborative treatment of Korean medicine (KM) and Western medicine (WM) in Korea has gained prominence since its initiation. However, comprehensive evaluations of patient satisfaction and care effectiveness remain limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction and the need for collaborative KM-WM treatment in the fourth phase of the national pilot project. Methods: A multicenter survey was conducted among 321 patients from 15 institutions participating in the fourth phase of the collaborative KM-WM pilot project, spanning from 1 August 2023 to 31 October 2023. Patient satisfaction and needs were assessed using a validated, semi-structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression were used in the analysis. Results: The overall satisfaction with collaborative KM-WM treatment was notably high (91.25%). Among the participants, 91.58% indicated the necessity of the collaborative KM-WM pilot project, whereas 90.66% pointed out the need to incorporate inpatient services into collaborative care. Expansion of the pilot project to additional institutions and primary healthcare settings was substantially demanded (85.36% and 80.06%, respectively). Treatment effects (β, 0.344; 95% CI: 0.237–0.451), appropriate treatment time (β, 0.140; 95% CI: 0.051–0.229), medical procedural efficiency (β, 0.227; 95% CI: 0.126–0.328), and promotional activities (β, 0.175; 95% CI: 0.101–0.250) significantly contributed to overall patient satisfaction (each, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The fourth phase of the KM-WM project reflects high patient satisfaction and a substantial need for collaborative treatment. Further research should include longitudinal studies and employ mixed-methods approaches to better understand, evaluate, and improve collaborative KM-WM treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate whether integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine (WM) is more effective than WM for acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods: Patients with AP were enrolled and divided into the TCM and WM (TCM&WM) and WM groups according to the therapeutic protocol in real clinical settings. We applied 1:3 propensity score matching, which was to adjust confounding factors. The primary outcome was mortality, whereas the secondary outcomes were organ failure, organ supportive therapies, local complications, hospitalization cost, and length of hospital stay. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also performed. Results: Of 5442 patients with AP, 4691 and 751 were included in the TCM&WM and WM groups, respectively. After PSM, patient baseline characteristics were well balanced. Compared with the WM group (n = 734), the TCM&WM group (n = 2096) had lower overall mortality rate (1.7% vs. 3.4%; risk ratio, 0.482; 95% confidence interval, 0.286–0.810; p = 0.005). The TCM&WM group was associated with lower risk of persistent renal failure, multiple organ failure, and infection, lower utilization of organ supportive therapies, shortened lengths of hospital and intensive care unit stay, and lower hospital costs. Sensitivity analyses showed similar results. Subgroup analysis favored TCM&WM treatment for patients aged < 60 years, with hypertriglyceridic etiology, and with admission interval between 24 and 48 h. Conclusion: TCM&WM treatment can achieve lower risks of mortality and organ failure and better economic effectiveness in patients with AP than WM treatment. This study provides a promising alternative of TCM&WM treatment for AP in the real‐world setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this era of rapid technological advancement, Western medicine has conquered an increasing number of complex diseases, while traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) continues its longstanding heritage, aiding humanity in the relentless battle against illness. A comprehensive understanding of the vital chemical components and mechanisms of action in both TCM and Western medicine can facilitate their integration, jointly safeguarding human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Accurate prediction of drug-target interactions (DTIs) is crucial for advancing drug discovery and repurposing. Computational methods have significantly improved the efficiency of experimental predictions for drug-target interactions in Western medicine. However, accurately predicting the complex relationships between Chinese medicine ingredients and targets remains a formidable challenge due to the vast number and high heterogeneity of these ingredients. In this study, we introduce the CWI-DTI method, which achieves high-accuracy prediction of DTIs using a large dataset of interactive relationships of drug ingredients or candidate targets. Moreover, we present a novel dataset to evaluate the prediction accuracy of both Chinese and Western medicine. Through meticulous collection and preprocessing of data on ingredients and targets, we employ an innovative autoencoder framework to fuse multiple drug (target) topological similarity matrices. Additionally, we employ denoising blocks, sparse blocks, and stacked blocks to extract crucial features from the similarity matrix, reducing noise and enhancing accuracy across diverse datasets. Our results indicate that the CWI-DTI model shows improved performance compared to several existing state-of-the-art methods on the datasets tested in both Western and Chinese medicine databases. The findings of this study hold immense promise for advancing DTI prediction in Chinese and Western medicine, thus fostering more efficient drug discovery and repurposing endeavors. Our model is available at https://github.com/WANG-BIN-LAB/CWIDTI .

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When the French invaded Vietnam, they disrupted the traditional Eastern medical system to establish a Western medical system. Initially, they set up a network of hospitals and clinics and brought doctors and medical staff from France to work. As the French began to exploit the colonies in Indochina, the demand for medical personnel increased, and the team from the metropole could not meet the needs of the healthcare system. In 1902, the French authorities officially implemented a policy of Western medical t raining in Vietnam by establishing the Hanoi Medical School. Over more than 40 years of existence and development, besides Hanoi Medical School, the French also opened the Native Practical Medical School in Southern Vietnam. The implementation of these policies and the activities of Western medical training underwent many changes and ups and downs but yielded positive results. The policies and activities of Western medical training marked a fundamental transformation of Vietnam's healthcare system, bringing it closer to global medical achievements. Though a product of colonialism and serving primarily the colonial elite, the Western medical training activities in Vietnam during the French colonial period still offer valuable lessons for developing Vietnam's healthcare today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prevalent among the aging male population and often presents with distressing lower urinary tract symptoms. There is emerging evidence that commercial oral poly-herbal traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation combined with Western medicine (WM) may offer enhanced therapeutic effects compared to WM alone in BPH treatment. Nevertheless, determining the optimal formulations for BPH remains controversial. We aimed to employ a network meta-analysis to compare and assess differences among commonly used and recommended poly-herbal TCM formulations outlined in the Chinese guidelines for BPH treatment, providing clinical medication recommendations and guidance. Methods: We extensively searched for RCTs of BPH patients that had oral poly-herbal TCM formulations and WM treatment, covering both English and Chinese databases up to 31 October 2023. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool Version 2 (ROB2). A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to assess the effectiveness of various formulations, followed by sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Results: Our meta-analysis included 107 RCTs involving 11,037 patients across 16 oral poly-herbal TCM formulations. The quality of the selected studies was assessed as “Some concerns”. Most formulations combined with WM demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy compared to WM alone. For clinical effective rate, Jingui Shenqi pill (JGSQ) + WM had the highest-ranking probability (87.38%). Concerning International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum flow rate of urine, Guizhi Fuling capsule (GZFL) + WM was most effective (91.10% and 98.55%). Regarding the quality of life score and postvoid residual urine, Pulean tablet (PLA) + WM ranked first (86.71% and 91.81%). In controlling prostate volume, Huange capsule (HE) + WM demonstrated the highest efficacy (95.65%). Additionally, among the interventions, Lingze (LZ) + WM capsule exhibited the lowest incidence of adverse drug reactions (2.32%). Conclusion: Combining oral poly-herbal TCM formulations with WM may provide greater therapeutic benefits in BPH treatment compared to WM alone. JGSQ, GZFL, PLA, and HE emerged as promising treatment options. However, further rigorous empirical studies are essential to substantiate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the late Qing dynasty (1840 A.D.-1912 A.D.), a large quantity of Western medicines entered China, which continuously impacted the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) market and revealed the shortcomings of Chinese medicines. Some personages in the TCM community followed the trend of learning from the West, and attempted to reform TCM, with the improvement on decoction becoming an important aspect of this effort. Through debates and trials, the improvement on decoction underwent three stages of conceptual evolution: "taking Chinese medicines as the foundation and referring to the dosage forms of Western medicines", "introducing Western techniques to serve the preparation of decoctions" and "integrating the theories of TCM and Western medicine to improve decoctions". The study highlights the effective complementarity between modern TCM and Western medicine in the field of pharmacy, and provides valuable experience and support for the reevaluation of the value of TCM in contemporary society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cerebral infarction (CI) is a common cerebrovascular disease worldwide, and the burden caused by the sequelae of CI has increased significantly. However, current treatment guidelines lack standardized recommendations for pharmacotherapy of sequelae of CI. This retrospective study collected and analyzed 1.98 million prescriptions concerning sequelae of CI from patients admitted to Zhiyun Health Internet Hospital in 2022. The mean age of patients was 66.2 ± 11.4 years, and 52.40% were male. 79.73% had one or more comorbidities. For treatment, the prescriptions of 1-, 2- and ≥ 3-drug accounted for 64.55%, 23.77% and 11.68% respectively. Chinese patent medicine (CPM) prescriptions, western medicine (WM) prescriptions, and CPM and WM combined (CPM + WM) prescriptions accounted for 53.81%, 27.33%, and 18.86% respectively. In CPM prescriptions, the most frequently prescribed medications were Salvia miltiorrhiza (34.81%), Ginkgo biloba (24.96%), Panax notoginseng (20.67%), Gastrodia (7.15%) and Ligusticum Wallichii (4.90%). For WM prescriptions, the most commonly prescribed agents were anti-hypertensive (32.82%), anti-thrombotic (16.06%), vasodilator (15.70%), anti-dementia (10.88%), and lipid-lowering (9.58%) drugs. Among CPM + WM prescriptions, 72.61% had CPM/WM = 1, 21.20% had CPM/WM 1. This research utilized real-world data extracted from internet hospitals in China to present valuable evidence of online prescription patterns among patients experiencing sequelae of CI.

Cerebral infarction (CI) is a common cerebrovascular disease worldwide, and the burden caused by the sequelae of CI has increased significantly. However, current treatment guidelines lack standardized recommendations for pharmacotherapy of sequelae of CI. This retrospective study collected and analyzed 1.98 million prescriptions concerning sequelae of CI from patients admitted to Zhiyun Health Internet Hospital in 2022. The mean age of patients was 66.2 ± 11.4 years, and 52.40% were male. 79.73% had one or more comorbidities. For treatment, the prescriptions of 1-, 2- and ≥ 3-drug accounted for 64.55%, 23.77% and 11.68% respectively. Chinese patent medicine (CPM) prescriptions, western medicine (WM) prescriptions, and CPM and WM combined (CPM + WM) prescriptions accounted for 53.81%, 27.33%, and 18.86% respectively. In CPM prescriptions, the most frequently prescribed medications were Salvia miltiorrhiza (34.81%), Ginkgo biloba (24.96%), Panax notoginseng (20.67%), Gastrodia (7.15%) and Ligusticum Wallichii (4.90%). For WM prescriptions, the most commonly prescribed agents were anti-hypertensive (32.82%), anti-thrombotic (16.06%), vasodilator (15.70%), anti-dementia (10.88%), and lipid-lowering (9.58%) drugs. Among CPM + WM prescriptions, 72.61% had CPM/WM = 1, 21.20% had CPM/WM < 1, and 6.19% had CPM/WM > 1. This research utilized real-world data extracted from internet hospitals in China to present valuable evidence of online prescription patterns among patients experiencing sequelae of CI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignant neoplasm with complex and poorly understood etiology. Cellular senescence, characterized by irreversible cell division arrest, plays a crucial role in the development of CRC by acting as a defense mechanism against tumor formation. Current clinical treatment modalities for CRC, such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, often come with significant side effects and high costs, placing a substantial physical and psychological burden on patients. Consequently, exploring Chinese medicinal treatments with milder side effects and consistent efficacy is essential. Recent research has highlighted the potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) components and formulations to modulate the senescence process of cancer cells and exhibit anticancer properties. These findings offer a promising avenue for the prevention and treatment of CRC within clinical settings. However, a comprehensive evaluation of how TCM can control cellular senescence to prevent and manage CRC is currently lacking. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of pharmaceutical compounds from western medicine, individual components of TCM, and their combinations in recent research that target cellular senescence as part of CRC treatment. The objective is to present new perspectives on CRC treatment and drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of precise electro-acupuncture stimulation in the pterygopalatine fossa for the treatment of chronic sinusitis. Methods In total, 40 patients with chronic sinusitis who visited the Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences between January 2022 and January 2023 were selected. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group (receiving precise electro-acupuncture in the pterygopalatine fossa) and the control group (receiving standard western medical treatment), with 20 cases in each groups. The treatments were administered twice a week for a period of 12 weeks. The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated through computed tomography(CT) of the sinus changes and the Lund-Mackay scoring system. Results In cases of total opacity and partial opacity, there were significant differences between the two patient groups before and after treatment (P < 0.05). Intra-group comparison revealed statistically significant improvements in both groups before and after treatment (P < 0.05). The treatment group exhibited significant improvement in various sinus conditions (P < 0.05), while in the control group, a significant improvement was only observed in the left maxillary sinus (P < 0.05). Inter-group comparison also demonstrated that the treatment group's improvements were superior to those of the control group across multiple indicators (P < 0.05). Conclusion The precise electro-acupuncture stimulation technique in the pterygopalatine fossa demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in the treatment of chronic sinusitis, with superior outcomes with respect to radiological changes compared to standard western medicine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of Western medicine and Huangqi Taizishen Chenpi decoction on treating severe pneumonia in children. This study involved 100 children diagnosed with severe pneumonia and treated at our hospital from January 2021 to September 2023. They were randomly assigned into two groups: an experimental group (n = 50; received Huangqi Taizishen Chenpi decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formulation) and a control group (n = 50; received conventional Western medical treatment). Then, the clinical outcomes between these two treatment modalities were compared. Among the 100 patients, 71 (71%) were infected by a single pathogen, with respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most common pathogens identified. The experimental group exhibited a significantly higher overall effective treatment rate (98%) compared to the control group (84%) (p < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group had significantly shorter hospital stays (11.30 ± 1.59 days), quicker resolution of lung rales (5.60 ± 1.70 days), and faster symptom improvement times (8.50 ± 1.91 days) than the control group (14.60 ± 2.08 days, 7.80 ± 2.33 days, 10.70 ± 2.13 days respectively) (p < 0.05). Post-treatment lung function tests, including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (2.76 ± 0.50 L), Maximum Mid-Expiratory Flow (MMF) (1.83 ± 0.56 L/s), and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) (2.25 ± 0.46 L), were significantly improved in the experimental group compared to the control group (2.41 ± 0.40 L, 1.43 ± 0.43 L/s, 1.87 ± 0.35 L respectively) (p < 0.05). The rate of adverse reactions in the experimental group was significantly lower (6%) compared to the control group (16%) (p < 0.05). Huangqi Taizishen Chenpi decoction significantly improves treatment outcomes in children with severe pneumonia, reduces the recovery period, and enhances the restoration of bodily functions with fewer adverse reactions, thereby demonstrating promising clinical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical trials of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine showed there was heterogeneity of outcome reporting in myocardial infarction (MI). Developing a core outcome set (COS) might improve the consistency of outcome reporting in future clinical trials. Methods: A list of outcomes was developed based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of MI and semistructured interviews with MI patients. Two rounds of Delphi survey for clinicians, researchers, journal editors, and methodologists were conducted. An online questionnaire sent to nurses. After an online consensus meeting, a COS for MI RCTs was developed. Results: After extracted data from clinical trials and discussed, 216 outcomes were included in round 1 of the Delphi survey. Seventy‐four participants completed round 1 of the Delphi survey. Sixty‐five participants completed round 2 of the Delphi survey. Twenty‐two nurses completed the online questionnaire. Fifteen participants attended the online consensus meeting, and 14 of them voted and determined the final COS. For all types of MI, it was recommended that left ventricular ejection fraction and quality of life be measured and reported. For acute MI, the participants in the consensus meeting recommended the following core outcomes: death from cardio‐cerebrovascular disease, cardiogenic shock, heart failure, troponin I, troponin T, creatine kinase isoenzyme, Killip class, target vessel revascularization, and emergency CABG. For previous MI, recurrent MI, recurrent angina pectoris, and heart failure readmission were recommended. Conclusions: The COS for MI in RCTs provides recommendations for clinical trials that seek to improve outcomes for patients with MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever since the introduction of Western biomedicine into China, there has been friction between proponents of this new approach, and proponents of the traditional medical practices that had evolved over thousands of years in China. For the most part, this friction has been couched in the unexamined assumption that Western medicine is based on science, while Chinese medicine is not. This article will examine that assumption, which in this author’s opinion is unjustified and incorrect. Having practiced acupuncture for the past 50 years, after receiving my doctoral degrees in medicine and physiology, my thinking on this topic has also evolved over time. I will begin this article with some historical information that bears on the topic under discussion, followed by my personal ideas about how to resolve the conflicts that have arisen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pruritus is common in cholestatic liver disease, with a high clinical incidence rate and complex pathogenesis. Accumulation of potential pruritus inducers such as steroids, bile acids, and lysophosphatidic acid in the systemic circulation is the main cause of pruritus in cholestatic liver disease. Currently, clinical treatment of cholestatic liver disease-related pruritus mainly includes medication, intervention therapy, and some experimental methods. However, there are still problems, such as unclear pathological mechanisms and unsatisfactory treatment responses in some patients with cholestatic liver disease-related pruritus. Effective treatment for patients still faces challenges. By extensively screening patients' plasma (and/or bile) samples through clinical trials, potential pruritus inducers can be identified comprehensively, which can provide a deeper understanding of the itch signaling pathways in cholestatic liver disease and a basis for the development of treatment strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown certain characteristics and advantages in clinical treatment. Based on the etiology and pathogenesis, external application, internal administration, and TCM-specific therapies have achieved good clinical efficacy. Similarly, the combination of Chinese medicine and Western medicine has also achieved more effective treatment for patients with cholestatic liver disease-related pruritus. This article will introduce the latest progress in the study of pruritus inducers in cholestatic liver disease and its treatment in TCM and Western medicine.

Abstract Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used for several centuries for metabolic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). At present, NAFLD has become the most prevalent form of chronic liver disease worldwide and can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there is still a lack of effective treatment strategies in Western medicine. The development of NAFLD is driven by multiple mechanisms, including genetic factors, insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and adipose tissue dysfunction. Currently, certain drugs, including insulin sensitizers, statins, vitamin E, ursodeoxycholic acid and betaine, are proven to be beneficial for the clinical treatment of NAFLD. Due to its complex pathogenesis, personalized medicine that integrates various mechanisms may provide better benefits to patients with NAFLD. The holistic view and syndrome differentiation of TCM have advantages in treating NAFLD, which are similar to the principles of personalized medicine. In TCM, NAFLD is primarily classified into five types based on clinical experience. It is located in the liver and is closely related to spleen and kidney functions. However, due to the multi-component characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine, its application in the treatment of NAFLD has been considerably limited. In this review, we summarize the advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of NAFLD, drawn from both the Western medicine and TCM perspectives. We highlight that Chinese and Western medicine have complementary advantages and should receive increased attention in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Background: The collaborative treatment of Korean medicine (KM) and Western medicine (WM) in Korea has gained prominence since its initiation. However, comprehensive evaluations of patient satisfaction and care effectiveness remain limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction and the need for collaborative KM-WM treatment in the fourth phase of the national pilot project. Methods: A multicenter survey was conducted among 321 patients from 15 institutions participating in the fourth phase of the collaborative KM-WM pilot project, spanning from 1 August 2023 to 31 October 2023. Patient satisfaction and needs were assessed using a validated, semi-structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression were used in the analysis. Results: The overall satisfaction with collaborative KM-WM treatment was notably high (91.25%). Among the participants, 91.58% indicated the necessity of the collaborative KM-WM pilot project, whereas 90.66% pointed out the need to incorporate inpatient services into collaborative care. Expansion of the pilot project to additional institutions and primary healthcare settings was substantially demanded (85.36% and 80.06%, respectively). Treatment effects (β, 0.344; 95% CI: 0.237–0.451), appropriate treatment time (β, 0.140; 95% CI: 0.051–0.229), medical procedural efficiency (β, 0.227; 95% CI: 0.126–0.328), and promotional activities (β, 0.175; 95% CI: 0.101–0.250) significantly contributed to overall patient satisfaction (each, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The fourth phase of the KM-WM project reflects high patient satisfaction and a substantial need for collaborative treatment. Further research should include longitudinal studies and employ mixed-methods approaches to better understand, evaluate, and improve collaborative KM-WM treatment.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used for several centuries for metabolic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). At present, NAFLD has become the most prevalent form of chronic liver disease worldwide and can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there is still a lack of effective treatment strategies in Western medicine. The development of NAFLD is driven by multiple mechanisms, including genetic factors, insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and adipose tissue dysfunction. Currently, certain drugs, including insulin sensitizers, statins, vitamin E, ursodeoxycholic acid and betaine, are proven to be beneficial for the clinical treatment of NAFLD. Due to its complex pathogenesis, personalized medicine that integrates various mechanisms may provide better benefits to patients with NAFLD. The holistic view and syndrome differentiation of TCM have advantages in treating NAFLD, which are similar to the principles of personalized medicine. In TCM, NAFLD is primarily classified into five types based on clinical experience. It is located in the liver and is closely related to spleen and kidney functions. However, due to the multi-component characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine, its application in the treatment of NAFLD has been considerably limited. In this review, we summarize the advances in the pathogenesis and treatment of NAFLD, drawn from both the Western medicine and TCM perspectives. We highlight that Chinese and Western medicine have complementary advantages and should receive increased attention in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the efficacy and safety of internal and external application of traditional Chinese medicine combined with Western medicine in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). METHODS: A total of 140 patients with postmenopausal OVCF received percutaneous kyphoplasty admitted into the hospital from Feb. 2020 to Oct. 2022 were selected to be divided into control group (70 cases, orally administered with Calcium carbonate D3 tablets, Calcitriol soft capsules and Alendronate sodium tablets after surgery) and research group (70 cases, Zuogui pills and Taohong Siwu decoction Huacai decoction for orally administration combined with Haitongpi decoction for external application) via random number table method, both groups were treated for 6 months. The efficacy and safety during treatment were compared between two groups, the pain condition, Oswestry disability index (ODI), bone mineral density, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood calcium and blood phosphorus levels before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate of the research group was 94. 29% ( 66 / 70), higher than that 80. 00% ( 56 / 70) of the control group, with statistically significant difference (P<0. 05). After treatment, the visual analogue scales (VAS) scores, ODI scores, serum ALP and blood phosphorus levels of both groups were lower than those before treatment, the lumbar orthostatic bone mineral density, femoral neck bone mineral density and blood calcium levels of both groups were higher than those before treatment, with statistically significant difference (P<0. 05); the VAS score, ODI score, serum ALP and blood phosphorus levels of the research group were lower than those of the control group, and lumbar orthostatic bone mineral density, femoral neck bone mineral density and blood calcium level of the research group were higher than those of the control group, with statistically significant difference ( P < 0. 05). No abnormalities in blood routine examination, urine routine examination, stool routine examination, liver/ renal function and electrocardiograms were observed in both groups during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The internal and external application of traditional Chinese medicine combined with Western medicine in the treatment of postmenopausal OVCF is safe and effective, which can relieve patients’ pain, reduce the degree of dysfunction, improve bone mineral density, regulate serum ALP, blood calcium and blood phosphorus levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theory of "lung governing skin and hair" has always occupied an important position in the clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine. However, in western medicine, the close correlation between the lungs and the skin in health and disease has not been established. The difference between these two medical views has triggered an urgent need for the scientific interpretation and clinical application of the theory of "lung governing skin and hair" in western medicine. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the application of "lung governing skin and hair" in chinese medicine and the correlation between the lung and the skin in western medicine from the connotation and history of " lung governing skin and hair" in Chinese medicine. In addition, we will discuss the common pathologic biomarkers of lung and skin diseases in western medicine and the co-morbidities between lung and skin, with the aim to provide new ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung and skin diseases and modern research, as well as providing a direction for the integration of the theory of "lung governing skin and hair" into the clinical practice of western medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among Nigerian Christians, there is a clash of doctrine and reality revolving around the question of the correct Christian attitude towards traditional medicine. The clash resides in the fact that, while most of them consult traditional healers, especially in critical health situations, some still hold that, using traditional medicine, contradicts the Christian faith. Employing the descriptive approach, this article attempted to reconcile the use of African traditional medicine with the Christian faith. This research found that Western missionaries condemned African healing practices, teaching that Christians should find healing only at the hospitals and in Christian prayer. However, African converts continued to rely on native healers, particularly for ailments for which Western medicine was ineffective – a practice which continues till date in Nigeria. Moreover, many Nigerian Christians, especially the Aladura group, still believe that sometimes ailments have supernatural causes, and therefore combine African and Christian methods for healing. This article postulated that this approach to healing is appropriate because it is not offensive to the Christian faith and provides alternatives for Christian patients. Contribution: This article is a contribution in Christian ethics. It argues that a solution to the clash between doctrine and reality in Nigerian Christians’ attitude to African traditional medicine is to adopt traditional African healing practices that are not offensive to the Christian faith.

The 'Western Medicine' came to India through th Portuguese in early 16 Century. However, it was not institutionalized in a concrete sense until British East India Company constructed hospital at Madras followed by Surat and Machhalipattam, which were the first trading ports of the British on the Indian soil. It was in 1639 that through the construction of Fort Saint George the first permanent medical facility came into existence by the Britishers. This very hospital subsequently was moved to its current location in 1772 known as 'Madras General Hospital'. In 1835 this very hospital came to be converted into 'Madras Medical School'.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) overwhelmingly represents the predominant histological subtype of lung cancer, with lung adenocarcinoma emerging as the most prevalent form. Conventional Western medical treatments encompass a spectrum of modalities, including surgical interventions, cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy. In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methodologies encompass traditional Chinese medicine treatments, acupuncture therapies, and tuina treatments. While conventional Western medicine has made remarkable strides in the treatment of lung cancer, it is important to acknowledge the limitations inherent in singular treatment approaches. Consequently, the quest for a more comprehensive and integrative therapeutic paradigm becomes imperative. A deficiency of evaluation criteria specific to lung adenocarcinoma treatment in the realm of TCM represents an outstanding challenge in need of resolution. Nonetheless, in the backdrop of the continuous evolution of lung adenocarcinoma treatment modalities, the amalgamation of Chinese and Western medical approaches for treating this condition has exhibited a promising trajectory. It not only contributes to mitigating toxicity and augmenting efficacy but also serves to reduce a spectrum of postoperative complications, thereby enhancing the quality of patients’ survival and extending life expectancy. This article furnishes a comprehensive survey of the research advancements in the integration of Chinese and Western medical approaches for treating lung adenocarcinoma. It elucidates the merits and demerits of individual and combined therapeutic strategies, surmounts current limitations, underscores the virtues of amalgamating Chinese and Western medical paradigms, and offers a more holistic, integrated, and efficacious treatment blueprint.

Accurate prediction of drug-target interactions (DTIs) is crucial for advancing drug discovery and repurposing. Computational methods have significantly improved the efficiency of experimental predictions for drug-target interactions in Western medicine. However, accurately predicting the complex relationships between Chinese medicine ingredients and targets remains a formidable challenge due to the vast number and high heterogeneity of these ingredients. In this study, we introduce the CWI-DTI method, which achieves high-accuracy prediction of DTIs using a large dataset of interactive relationships of drug ingredients or candidate targets. Moreover, we present a novel dataset to evaluate the prediction accuracy of both Chinese and Western medicine. Through meticulous collection and preprocessing of data on ingredients and targets, we employ an innovative autoencoder framework to fuse multiple drug (target) topological similarity matrices. Additionally, we employ denoising blocks, sparse blocks, and stacked blocks to extract crucial features from the similarity matrix, reducing noise and enhancing accuracy across diverse datasets. Our results indicate that the CWI-DTI model shows improved performance compared to several existing state-of-the-art methods on the datasets tested in both Western and Chinese medicine databases. The findings of this study hold immense promise for advancing DTI prediction in Chinese and Western medicine, thus fostering more efficient drug discovery and repurposing endeavors. Our model is available at https://github.com/WANG-BIN-LAB/CWIDTI ., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: The World Health Organization advocated for enhanced integration of traditional medicine and complementary medicine into national healthcare systems across all countries. This study aims to explore the progress and challenges in integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine (ITCWM) in China over 20 years using nationwide data., Methods: This cross-sectional study examined various facets of ITCWM in China in terms of policies, resources, services, and funding. National policy documents from 2009 onwards were retrieved from official websites of the Chinese government. Data on ITCWM resources, services and subsidies from 2002 to 2021 were extracted from the China Statistical Yearbooks of Chinese Medicine and China Health Statistical Yearbooks. Research fund projects with the ITCWM discipline were collected from the database of National Natural Science Foundation of China. A mixed method of both quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed to present a comprehensive overview of the collected data., Results: This study presented five key findings. First, despite the issuance of 17 national policies by the Chinese government since 2009 to promote the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), only three of them were specifically tailored for ITCWM. Second, although the average annual growth rates of ITCWM institutions, beds, and practitioners reached 0.35%, 10.56%, and 10.88% from 2002 to 2021, with more equitable allocation of ITCWM resources, the overall proportion of ITCWM remained below 5% in 2021. Third, progress has been made in ITCWM practices, yet service efficiency requires further enhancement. In 2021, ITCWM hospitals accounted for 2% of outpatient and emergency visits and 1.57% of hospital admissions among all hospitals, and 9.82% of delivered services were preventive healthcare services. Fourth, ITCWM served a crucial role in primary healthcare services, but its service capabilities need improvement. From 2007 to 2021, the average growth rates of ITCWM clinics, outpatient departments, and practitioners in outpatient departments were 13.30%, 2.57%, and 12.14%, respectively, while the proportion within TCM hospitals dropped. Lastly, despite the Chinese government's emphasis on financial investment and related project funding for ITCWM, it remained lower than that allocated to TCM and western medicine., Conclusion: ITCWM played a pivotal role in China's healthcare system to advance individuals' health and well-being across the lifespan. In the future, China will provide further support to enhance ITCWM health resources and improve service capability, and the strategic integration of ITCWM into the broader healthcare system will play a crucial role in achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Zhou, Fei, Lai, Lan, Liu, Wang, Fang, Liu and Rong.)

• Mixed methods study of thinking styles of traditional Chinese and Western medical physicians. • Both Chinese and Western physicians were inclined to Hierarchical and Liberal styles. • Chinese physicians were more inclined to Liberal and Legislative thinking styles. • Themes from interviews were self-awareness, characteristics, factors and changes. • Medical training as students had greatest influence on physicians' thinking style. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine (WM) stem from distinct cultural and regional contexts, with the primary difference in their approaches to clinical reasoning. This study aims to investigate the cognitive preferences of TCM and WM physicians in clinical diagnosis and treatment, providing valuable insights for the advancement of TCM. We implemented a two-phase mixed methods approach comprising questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The Thinking Style Inventory (TSI) was used to evaluate the thinking styles of physicians through convenience sampling. Additionally, a total of six physicians (three practicing TCM and three WM) were selected by purposive sampling and open-ended responses regarding self-cognition and influencing factors were analyzed using thematic analysis. A total of 150 surveys and six interviews consistently indicated a preference among both TCM and WM physicians for Legislative, Executive, Hierarchical, Liberal, and External styles. In contrast, TCM physicians exhibited a tendency towards Legislative and Liberal styles, whereas WM physicians leaned towards Executive and Judicial styles. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed four themes: self-understanding, thinking characteristics, influencing factors, and style changes. Our study identified that within TCM and WM, a blend of shared characteristics and distinct individuality in thinking styles existed, exhibiting variations in the growth processes of physicians. Both TCM and WM physicians attributed the formation of their thinking styles to factors such as education, internship experience, Chinese social culture and personal disposition. Furthermore, empirical research methods emerged as effective tools for studying clinical reasoning in healthcare contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prevalent among the aging male population and often presents with distressing lower urinary tract symptoms. There is emerging evidence that commercial oral poly-herbal traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation combined with Western medicine (WM) may offer enhanced therapeutic effects compared to WM alone in BPH treatment. Nevertheless, determining the optimal formulations for BPH remains controversial. We aimed to employ a network meta-analysis to compare and assess differences among commonly used and recommended poly-herbal TCM formulations outlined in the Chinese guidelines for BPH treatment, providing clinical medication recommendations and guidance. Methods: We extensively searched for RCTs of BPH patients that had oral poly-herbal TCM formulations and WM treatment, covering both English and Chinese databases up to 31 October 2023. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool Version 2 (ROB2). A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to assess the effectiveness of various formulations, followed by sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Results: Our meta-analysis included 107 RCTs involving 11,037 patients across 16 oral poly-herbal TCM formulations. The quality of the selected studies was assessed as "Some concerns". Most formulations combined with WM demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy compared to WM alone. For clinical effective rate, Jingui Shenqi pill (JGSQ) + WM had the highest-ranking probability (87.38%). Concerning International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum flow rate of urine, Guizhi Fuling capsule (GZFL) + WM was most effective (91.10% and 98.55%). Regarding the quality of life score and postvoid residual urine, Pulean tablet (PLA) + WM ranked first (86.71% and 91.81%). In controlling prostate volume, Huange capsule (HE) + WM demonstrated the highest efficacy (95.65%). Additionally, among the interventions, Lingze (LZ) + WM capsule exhibited the lowest incidence of adverse drug reactions (2.32%). Conclusion: Combining oral poly-herbal TCM formulations with WM may provide greater therapeutic benefits in BPH treatment compared to WM alone. JGSQ, GZFL, PLA, and HE emerged as promising treatment options. However, further rigorous empirical studies are essential to substantiate these findings. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display&#95;record.php?RecordID=459651, CRD 42023459651., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zeng, Wang, Zhu, Li, Liu, Chen, Huang and Luo.)

Microgravity in the space environment can potentially have various negative effects on the human body, one of which is bone loss. Given the increasing frequency of human space activities, there is an urgent need to identify effective anti-osteoporosis drugs for the microgravity environment. Traditional microgravity experiments conducted in space suffer from limitations such as time-consuming procedures, high costs, and small sample sizes. In recent years, the in-silico drug discovery method has emerged as a promising strategy due to the advancements in bioinformatics and computer technology. In this study, we first collected a total of 184,915 literature articles related to microgravity and bone loss. We employed a combination of dependency path extraction and clustering techniques to extract data from the text. Afterwards, we conducted data cleaning and standardization to integrate data from several sources, including The Global Network of Biomedical Relationships (GNBR), Curated Drug-Drug Interactions Database (DDInter), Search Tool for Interacting Chemicals (STITCH), DrugBank, and Traditional Chinese Medicines Integrated Database (TCMID). Through this integration process, we constructed the Microgravity Biology Knowledge Graph (MBKG) consisting of 134,796 biological entities and 3,395,273 triplets. Subsequently, the TransE model was utilized to perform knowledge graph embedding. By calculating the distances between entities in the model space, the model successfully predicted potential drugs for treating osteoporosis and microgravity-induced bone loss. The results indicate that out of the top 10 ranked western medicines, 7 have been approved for the treatment of osteoporosis. Additionally, among the top 10 ranked traditional Chinese medicines, 5 have scientific literature supporting their effectiveness in treating bone loss. Among the top 20 predicted medicines for microgravity-induced bone loss, 15 have been studied in microgravity or simulated microgravity environments, while the remaining 5 are also applicable for treating osteoporosis. This research highlights the potential application of MBKG in the field of space drug discovery., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Advancements in medicine introduced a relatively invented death into our lives: Brain Death. It intermingles with our perceptions of classical death due to knowing the heart is beating, the color of the skin is pink, and the body’s temperature is warm. Hence, accepting brain death as death might get complicated in terms of relatives of the brain-dead person. The interviews revealed that the reluctance to cadaveric organ donations is highly connected to the cultural perception of death. Furthermore, folklore interferes with altruistic cadaveric donations, particularly folk beliefs, rituals, social norms, and oral traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qi continues to be questionably translated in the West as the biblical idea of lifeforce. The true meaning of qi may be closer to the Western scientific definition of energy as the material basis of everything in the Universe. To illustrate this, parallels are drawn between the writings of ancient Chinese thinkers and Western definitions of energy, including the laws of thermodynamics underlying Western scientific thought and yin-yang theory underlying Chinese scientific thought. The focus is on the similarities in theories of material reality while acknowledging how differences in cultural mindset create distinct styles of description of the same ideas. The purpose in establishing a more accurate translation of qi, by removing Western projections, is to improve patient-practitioner communication and to remove obstacles to the acceptance of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine as a mainstream medical intervention in the West., Competing Interests: No competing financial interests exist., (Copyright 2024, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.)

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) overwhelmingly represents the predominant histological subtype of lung cancer, with lung adenocarcinoma emerging as the most prevalent form. Conventional Western medical treatments encompass a spectrum of modalities, including surgical interventions, cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy. In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) methodologies encompass traditional Chinese medicine treatments, acupuncture therapies, and tuina treatments. While conventional Western medicine has made remarkable strides in the treatment of lung cancer, it is important to acknowledge the limitations inherent in singular treatment approaches. Consequently, the quest for a more comprehensive and integrative therapeutic paradigm becomes imperative. A deficiency of evaluation criteria specific to lung adenocarcinoma treatment in the realm of TCM represents an outstanding challenge in need of resolution. Nonetheless, in the backdrop of the continuous evolution of lung adenocarcinoma treatment modalities, the amalgamation of Chinese and Western medical approaches for treating this condition has exhibited a promising trajectory. It not only contributes to mitigating toxicity and augmenting efficacy but also serves to reduce a spectrum of postoperative complications, thereby enhancing the quality of patients' survival and extending life expectancy. This article furnishes a comprehensive survey of the research advancements in the integration of Chinese and Western medical approaches for treating lung adenocarcinoma. It elucidates the merits and demerits of individual and combined therapeutic strategies, surmounts current limitations, underscores the virtues of amalgamating Chinese and Western medical paradigms, and offers a more holistic, integrated, and efficacious treatment blueprint., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Jiang and Bu.)