godfather of surgery

Chapter 1336 Malicious Complaint
After the initial surprise at the "admission of wrongdoing" subsided, the media's reporting took a subtle turn.

A commentary published in Nature magazine, titled "The courage to make mistakes: Chinese scientific teams demonstrate a mature research culture," compared Yang Ping's team with research groups that try to cover up problems and attack those who question them, arguing that "this attitude of openly acknowledging limitations and inviting independent review marks a new stage in China's basic scientific research."

The BBC documentary has aired, and as promised, director David Copperfield focuses on "the humanity behind science." The film interweaves scenes of Zhang Lin recounting his experience with a sick child with shots of Yang Ping engrossed in research in his lab, accompanied by a somber yet hopeful soundtrack. At the end of the documentary, standing at the entrance of the Sanbo Institute, Copperfield says, "Here, I see another possibility for science; it's not just cold papers and piles of data, but a warm, humble exploration that is always human-centered."

The online celebrities' interests have also shifted. The Nobel Prize's popularity lasts about a month, and as new social hotspots emerge, the live streams outside the research institute gradually decrease. The security department can finally rotate shifts normally and no longer has to deal with those "academic check-in" enthusiasts trying to climb over the wall.

Zhang Lin reduced his media appearances, scheduling only two important in-depth interviews per week. The rest of the time, he returned to the clinical ward to continue working.

Every Thursday afternoon is the "Failure Data Sharing Session".

Jiang Jitong was the first to stand up: "Then I'll share a real failure. Last month, our team repeated the metabolic experiment of that strain six times in a row, and the results were different each time. We later found that it was because the animal room had changed a batch of bedding, and there was a slight difference in pH value. Just this slight difference completely changed the composition of the metabolites."

“This isn’t a failure,” Chu Xiaoxiao said. “It’s the discovery of a new variable.”

"But we wasted two weeks and three hundred mice," Jiang Jitong said with a wry smile. "And our first draft of the paper was completely scrapped."

Xu Zhiliang stammered as he shared a mistake he made during a clinical trial: he swapped the patient numbers of two groups, almost causing a complete error in the data analysis. "Fortunately... it was discovered before the statistics were compiled."

As the stories unfolded, the "imperfect data" locked in the lab drawers, the "stupid mistakes" that were not mentioned in group meetings, and the "experiments scrapped" due to various accidents were openly discussed.

Yang Ping sat in the last row, listening quietly.

After the sharing session, the young researchers huddled together to continue their discussion, the atmosphere more lively than any previous group meeting. Chu Xiaoxiao walked up to Yang Ping, somewhat nervously: "Professor, is this okay? Won't it make everyone think our team is actually full of flaws?"

“Quite the opposite.” Yang Ping looked at the young people talking enthusiastically. “The greatest enemy of science is not ignorance, but pretending to know. We need to create a safe space where we can say ‘I don’t know’ or ‘I messed up.’ This is more important than any technical training.”

Chu Xiaoxiao nodded: "I understand."

Lele's case has entered a critical stage.

Over the past few days, the team has completed the most comprehensive systematic assessment of this nine-year-old boy: genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microbiome, immune cell atlas, and even neuroendocrine markers and autonomic nervous system function tests. The amount of data is enormous; if printed out, it could fill three suitcases.

The analysis revealed that Lele's condition was far more complex than typical STING-associated vasculitis. His immune system was in a rare state of division: some inflammatory pathways were overactivated, like rusty gates that couldn't be closed; others were almost dormant, as if a pause button had been pressed. Metabolic data showed severe amino acid imbalances, abnormal gut microbiota composition, and a short-chain fatty acid profile that was drastically different from that of healthy children.

More importantly, Lele did not respond well to traditional immunosuppressants and instead experienced significant side effects, which explains why previous treatments had failed.

“This is a textbook case of systemic disorder.” During the treatment plan discussion, Song Ziming pointed to the correlation diagram on the whiteboard. “We are not facing a single target problem, but a disorder of the entire network.”

"Therefore, our strategy should not be to suppress or enhance any part," Yang Ping circled several key points with his pen, "but rather to recalibrate the entire system. Let the overactive parts calm down, let the dormant parts be moderately activated, and restore the system's ability to self-regulate. Current basic research on this disease has already supported us in rapidly establishing a regulatory theory."

He proposed a multi-pronged approach: extremely low doses of STING pathway modulators; personalized nutritional support; targeted probiotic intervention; gentle immune training; and neuro-immune regulation.

Each component requires precise calculations of dosage and timing; even the slightest deviation can lead to adverse effects. Further complicating matters, these interventions can interact with each other. Probiotics may affect drug metabolism, nutritional supplements may alter immune cell function, and breathing exercises may modulate inflammatory responses.

“We can build a dynamic adjustment model,” said a PhD from the Digital Medicine Laboratory at Nandu Medical University. “Based on real-time monitoring data, we can continuously fine-tune the plan.”

"Monitoring frequency?" Song Ziming asked.

"We conducted a comprehensive assessment every day during the first week, and then adjusted the plan based on the stability of the condition," Yang Ping said. "Lele needed to be hospitalized, so we specially set aside a ward to facilitate monitoring."

"Will the parents accept this?" Tang Shun worried. "Such a complicated plan sounds like an experiment..."

“I will talk to them,” Yang Ping said, closing his notebook. “But before that, we need everyone to have absolute confidence in the plan. Any doubts, please raise them now.”

There was a half-minute silence in the conference room. Chu Xiaoxiao raised her hand: "Professor, do we have a more conservative option? For example, could we try standard biologics combination therapy first, and if that doesn't work, then..."

“Lele’s condition can’t wait,” Yang Ping said calmly but firmly. “His most recent examination showed that the vasculitis has begun to affect his kidneys. Traditional treatments have limited effect on him, and side effects are already appearing. We have a theoretical window of opportunity to try a new approach. This approach is risky, but the risk of waiting is even greater.”

He looked around the conference room: “I know this sounds bold. But the core argument of systems regulation theory is that when faced with complex diseases, we need complex but sophisticated solutions. If we don’t believe it ourselves, how can we expect patients to believe it?”

Tang Shun said seriously, "Of course I believe that medicine has reached a point where it already has answers to those simple questions. What remains are complex questions. If we still use simple thinking to solve complex problems, that is the real risk."

Jiang Jitong nodded: "I believe it too. At least, it's a logically consistent solution that respects the complexity of the system."

Everyone raised their hands in agreement.

“Then it’s settled,” Yang Ping said. “I’ll talk to Lele’s parents tomorrow. If they agree, treatment will begin next week.”

The conversation with Lele's parents was arranged in a small conference room at the research institute. Yang Ping did not bring a team; it was just him and the two parents.

He spent two whole hours explaining in the simplest terms how complex Lele's condition was, why traditional treatments were ineffective, and the principles behind their new approach. He showed the complex data charts, but used analogies to help the parents understand: Lele's immune system was like a disorganized symphony orchestra, with some instruments too loud and others completely silent; what they needed to do was retune, not smash some of the instruments.

“The risks are huge,” Yang Ping said candidly at the end. “Although we have done a lot of calculations and simulations, the human body is more complex than any model. There may be adverse reactions that we cannot predict, and it may even make the situation worse.”

Lele's mother's eyes reddened: "What if we don't get treatment?"

“Based on the current progress, irreversible kidney damage will occur within six months, and dialysis may be necessary within a year.” Yang Ping’s voice was soft, but every word was clear. “After that, more organs will be affected. Optimistically, the survival period is no more than five years.”

The father gripped his wife's hand tightly: "If the treatment goes well... what's the best outcome?" "We don't know," Yang Ping answered honestly, "because this is the first attempt, but theoretically, if successful, Lele's immune system might return to some kind of balance, the disease activity would be controlled, and he could grow up normally, go to school, and even realize his dream of watching a rocket launch."

"What's the worst that could happen?"

“Serious adverse reactions may occur during treatment, accelerating disease progression or causing new problems.” Yang Ping looked them straight in the eye. “I have to tell you all of this.”

A long silence fell over the meeting room. Outside the window, birdsong from the banyan tree in the institute's courtyard drifted in, crisp and vibrant, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere inside.

“Professor Yang,” Dad finally spoke, his voice hoarse, “we don’t understand, so you should help us choose. We trust you.”

Yang Ping stated clearly, "Our entire team will do our best, but we cannot make the choices for you."

The mother wiped away her tears and looked into her husband's eyes. In that glance, there was fear and hesitation, but in the end, there was a firm determination.

“We agree,” Dad said, “but we have one request.”

"Please speak."

“During the treatment, whether it’s good or bad, please tell us the whole truth.” The mother continued, “Don’t hide anything, don’t embellish it. Lele is smart, he should know what happened, in a way he can understand.”

Yang Ping nodded solemnly: "This is our most basic principle."

Lele will be admitted to the hospital in three days.

On the morning of the day Lele was to be admitted to the hospital, Tang Shun received an unexpected phone call.

The caller ID showed a Swedish international number. When I answered, it was Professor Carlsen, the chairman of the Nobel Committee.

“Dr. Tang, I’m sorry to bother you so early.” Carlson’s voice sounded a little tired. “There’s something I’d like to discuss directly with Professor Yang Ping, but he hasn’t been answering his phone.”

Tang Shun glanced at his watch; it should be 2 a.m. in Sweden. "Professor Carlsen, it's late at night, you—"

“I know, but I need to contact him immediately,” Carlson said seriously. “The committee has just received a formal complaint from a patient rights organization in Europe. They claim that Professor Yang Ping’s systemic regulation theory has ‘systemic risk concealment’ in clinical applications and accuse the team of continuing to conduct unverified treatment attempts knowing that they may cause irreversible damage.”

Tang Shun's heart sank: "Is this based on those three adverse reaction cases in Europe? We have already responded publicly and invited an independent review."

“Not only that,” Carlson interrupted him. “The complaint includes seven new anonymous cases claiming various serious problems after receiving treatment based on the principles of systems regulation. The complaint is eighty pages long, with some medical records attached, and it looks very professional.”

“That’s impossible!” Tang Shun blurted out. “All our clinical collaborations have strict agreements. If there are any new adverse reactions, the collaborating center must report to us within 24 hours. So far, we haven’t had any adverse reaction reports other than those three cases.”

“That’s the problem. They haven’t been trained by you, nor are they your partner centers, yet they’re using systemic therapy without authorization, claiming the technology came from a leak by you,” Carlson said.

"Where is Professor Yang now?" Carlson asked.

“He should be in the ward; a new patient was admitted today,” Tang Shun replied.

“Please make sure he reports to Professor Yang as soon as possible,” Carlson paused. “Dr. Tang, we completely believe that this illegal experimental treatment has nothing to do with you, but if it is not handled properly, it could easily affect the reputation of your theory and tarnish a revolutionary theory, so you need to take it very seriously.”

After hanging up the phone, Tang Shun stood there for a few seconds before rushing towards the ward area.

He found Yang Ping in the ward specially prepared for Lele. Lele had already changed into a hospital gown and was sitting on the bed drawing, while her parents were tidying up their things beside her.

"Professor!" Tang Shun said in a low voice.

Yang Ping immediately realized something was wrong. He nodded to Lele's parents and walked to the office with Tang Shun.

Yang Ping's expression remained unchanged after hearing Tang Shun's account.

"Seven anonymous cases?" Yang Ping repeated.

"Professor Carlson said the complaint documents looked very professional and included some medical records," Tang Shun calmly reported. "This is entirely intentional, designed to mislead the public into attributing this adverse reaction to us?"

Yang Ping simply hummed in response.

"So what do we do now? Should Lele's treatment still begin?"

Yang Ping didn't think much of it: "The treatment will start on time; Lele's condition can't wait."

"Although it's malicious, if the complaint escalates and the media sensationalizes it, it could have an impact—"

“Medical decisions should be based on the patient’s needs, not the direction of public opinion.” Yang Ping turned to Tang Shun. “Contact all formal collaborating centers to confirm whether there have been any unreported adverse reactions; have Zhang Lin prepare a statement, the core of which is ‘We welcome evidence-based oversight and firmly oppose any false or malicious accusations’; schedule a video conference with Professor Carlson for me this afternoon.”

"What about Lele over here..."

“I’m here,” Yang Ping said. “I will personally lead the first phase of the treatment plan. You handle the external issues, and I will take care of the internal ones.”

"I understand." Tang Shun nodded, turned around and quickly left.