Classification-based strategies to simplify complex traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) researches through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the last decade (2011-2020): Theory, technical route and difficulty.

The difficulty of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) researches lies in the complexity of components, metabolites, and bioactivities. For a long time, there has been a lack of connections among the three parts, which is not conducive to the systematic elucidation of TCM effectiveness. To overcome this problem, a classification-based methodology for simplifying TCM researches was refined from literature in the past 10 years (2011-2020). The theoretical basis of this methodology is set theory, and its core concept is classification. Its starting point is that "although TCM may contain hundreds of compounds, the vast majority of these compounds are structurally similar". The methodology is composed by research strategies for components, metabolites and bioactivities of TCM, which are the three main parts of the review. Technical route, key steps and difficulty are introduced in each part. Two perspectives are highlighted in this review: set theory is a theoretical basis for all strategies from a conceptual perspective, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a common tool for all strategies from a technical perspective. The significance of these strategies is to simplify complex TCM researches, integrate isolated TCM researches, and build a bridge between traditional medicines and modern medicines. Potential research hotspots in the future, such as discovery of bioactive ingredients from TCM metabolites, are also discussed. The classification-based methodology is a summary of research experience in the past 10 years. We believe it will definitely provide support and reference for the following TCM researches.

[Application of tunica dartos flap coverage to tubularized incised plate urethroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of tunica dartos flap coverage to the prevention of urinary fistula in tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty. METHODS: This study included 140 cases of hypospadias following TIP urethroplasty, aged 1.9-22 (mean 5.6) years. Of the total number, 85 cases of the distal type were treated by coverage of the neourethra with the longitudinal ventrolateral pedicled-dartos penile skin flap, while the other 55 cases of the proximal type with the pedicled-dartos flap of arteriae scrotales anteriories. RESULTS: Urethrocutaneous fistula occurred in 12 of the patients, including 7 cases of distal and 6 cases of proximal hypospadias. CONCLUSION: For distal hypospadias, the longitudinal ventrolateral pedicled-dartos penile skin flap can be used, while for proximal urethroplasty, the pedicled-dartos flap of arteriae scrotales anteriories can be applied in coverage of the neourethra, which can effectively reduce the incidence of fistula.