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.

Purpose To investigate the value of a radiomics model based on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis and breast cancer.Materials and Methods The MRI data of 82 patients with granulomatous mastitis or breast cancer confirmed by pathology in Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from February 2019 to January 2022 were retrospectively collected.Based on the first phase of DCE-MRI,the regions of interest(ROI)were delineated layer by layer by semi-automatic segmentation method and manual segmentation method,respectively.99 ROI were randomly assigned to 69 in training groups and 30 in test groups.The consistency difference between the two methods was compared.The original data extracted by the semi-automatic segmentation method were screened by correlation analysis and multi-factor Logistic regression.Six kinds of classifiers(Logistic regression,support vector machine,naive Bayes,decision tree,random forest,K nearest neighbor)were used to construct prediction models,and the differences in diagnostic efficiency,accuracy,sensitivity and specificity of each model were evaluated.Results A total of 99 lesions(n=37 cases with granulomatous mastitis and n=62 cases with breast cancer)were segmented from 82 patients.The radiomics data extracted by the two ROI segmentation methods had poor consistency between groups[Intraclass correlation coefficient=0.68(0.51,0.78)].Among the six prediction models constructed from the data extracted by the semi-automatic segmentation method,the diagnostic performance of the Logistic regression model and the support vector machine model was significantly better than those of other models,and the Logistic regression model had the best diagnostic performance and stability(training group:area under the curve 0.928,accuracy rate 0.855,sensitivity 0.837,specificity 0.885;test group:area under the curve 0.933,accuracy 0.833,sensitivity 0.895,specificity 0.727,respectively).Conclusion Radiomics based on DCE-MRI can provide high value for the differential diagnosis of granulomatous mastitis and breast cancer.The semi-automatic segmentation method is more recommended for the segmentation method of ROI.The prediction model constructed by Logistic regression and support vector machine shows better diagnostic efficiency and stability.

Selective occlusion of tumor vasculature has proven to be an effective strategy for cancer therapy. Among vascular coagulation agents, the extracellular domain of coagulation-inducing protein tissue factor, truncated tissue factor (tTF), is the most widely used. Since the truncated protein exhibits no coagulation activity and is rapidly cleared in the circulation, free tTF cannot be used for cancer treatment on its own but must be combined with other moieties. We here developed a novel, tumor-specific tTF delivery system through coupling tTF with the DNA aptamer, AS1411, which selectively binds to nucleolin receptors overexpressing on the surface of tumor vascular endothelial cells and is specifically cytotoxic to target cells. Systemic administration of the tTF-AS1411 conjugates into tumor-bearing animals induced intravascular thrombosis solely in tumors, thus reducing tumor blood supply and inducing tumor necrosis without apparent side effects. This conjugate represents a uniquely attractive candidate for the clinical translation of vessel occlusion agent for cancer therapy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of silica dust on the expression of Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) mRNA and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF6) mRNA of lung macrophages in rats. Methods: Selecting 40 SPF-class Wistar rats with average weight (200±20) g randomly divided into control group and 30 d, 60 d, 120 d experimental groups with 10 rats in each group according to body weight. The experimental groups rats were injected with 1 ml of SiO₂ (100 mg/ml) suspension through the trachea into lung only once, then they were respectively killed after 30, 60, 120 days. The control group rats were injected with 1 ml of saline into lung, and killed after 120 days. The lungs of the rats were taken for pathological observation. Lung macrophages were extracted and counted, and their activity was detected by MTT. RT-qPCR was used to assess the relative contents of MyD88 mRNA and TRAF6 mRNA. Results: Silica dust inhalation led to infiltration of lung tissue cells, thickening the alveolar wall and destruction of alveolar structure. The longer the exposure to dust, the more obvious the results were. The number of macrophages in all experimental groups and activity in the 30 d, 60 d groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) . Among them, 30 d group had the largest number and the highest activity. Compared with the control group, the expression of MyD88 mRNA and TRAF6 mRNA of lung macrophages in rats increased in the experimental groups (P<0.05) , especially in the 60 d group. Conclusion Silica dust inhalation can increase the expression of MyD88 and TRAF6 in macrophages, suggesting that silica dust can induce silicosis fibrosis by activating TLR/NF-κB signal pathway.

Objective: To study the predictive value of general movements(GMs) quality assessment technique(writhing movements)on the motor development outcome of high-risk infants, so as to provide a reference basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on the high-risk infants who were hospitalized in the Neonatal Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018, and the GMs quality assessment was finished and followed up to 12-month-old among high-risk infants.The clinical diagnostic criteria for patients with cerebral palsy and Peabody Development Motor Scales-2(PDMS-2)were used to evaluate the motor development outcome of 12-month-old high-risk infants.Furthermore, the predictive value of GMs writhing movements on the motor development outcome of high-risk infants were evaluated. Results: The predictive validity of writhing movements phase[cramped synchronized(CS)+ poor repertoire(PR)]for motor retardation and cerebral palsy in high-risk infants who met the inclusion criteria were as follows: the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value were 94.44%, 23.03%, 11.04%, 97.62% and 100%, 21.88%, 2.60%, 100%, respectively.The predictive sensitivity and negative predictive value of writhing movements PR for motor retardation and cerebral palsy were 92.31%, 100%; 98.18%, 100% respectively.The predictive sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of writhing movements CS for motor retardation and cerebral palsy were 100%, 95.81%, 100% and 100%, 95.31% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion GMs quality assessment(writhing movements)has high reliability in predicting the motor development outcome of high-risk infants, especially cramped-synchronized has significant value in early screening of children with motor retardation and cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors of the occurrence of propagated sensation effects at Zusanli (ST 36) based on artificial intelligence technology. METHODS: A total of 272 undergraduates and postgraduates of Guangzhou University of TCM were recruited. The basic information, including TCM constitution, body weight index (BMI), pulse, tongue and coating, face complexion, as well as the occurrence of propagated sensation effects at Zusanli (ST 36) with different acupuncture needles and techniques, were recorded. The repeated incremental pruning to produce error reduction (RIPPER) algorithm was applied to predict the results and summarize the rules of relevant factors. RESULTS: ① The propagated sensation effects were often observed in the subject with -deficiency constitution (55 cases in total, of them 1 case was misclassified). ② The propagated sensation effects were observed in the subject with balanced - constitution (39 cases in total, of them 0 case was misclassified). ③ The propagated sensation effects were observed in the subject with phlegm-damp constitution combined with thin tongue and white coating (31 cases in total, of them 8 cases were misclassified). ④ The propagated sensation effects were observed in the subject with phlegm-damp constitution combined with light tongue coating (7 cases in total, of them 2 cases were misclassified). ⑤ The propagated sensation effects were observed in all the subject with special constitution (6 cases in total, of them 0 cases were misclassified). ⑥ The propagated sensation effects were not observed in the subject with other constitution or the combination of constitution and symptoms (134 cases in total, of them 4 cases were misclassified). The accuracy rate of classification was 94.49%. The difference of acupuncture needles and techniques was not significant in propagated sensation effects (>0.05). CONCLUSION The TCM constitution may be the most essential factor in the occurrence of propagated sensation effects.
Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mucus ; Sensation ; Yin Deficiency ; Yin-Yang

Objective: To investigate the influence of n-hexane on vascular endothelial active substances in brain tissue in mice and its significance. Methods: A total of 48 healthy Kunming mice were randomly divided into high-dose exposure group, middle-dose exposure group, low-dose exposure group, and control group, with 12 mice in each group. All groups except the control group were exposed to n-hexane via static inhalation (0.035 g/L, 0.018 g/L, and 0.009 g/L for the high-, middle-, and low-dose exposure groups, respectively) 4 hours a day for 21 days. the mice in the control groups were not exposed to n-hexane. After the exposure, the lev-els of endothelin-1 (ET-1) , nitric oxide (NO) , and angiotensin II (Ang II) in brain tissue were measured in all groups. Results: There were significant differences in the levels of ET-1, NO, and Ang II between the three ex-posure groups and the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the high-and middle-dose expo-sure group had significant increases in the levels of ET-1 and Ang II and the high-dose exposure group had a sig-nificant reduction in the level of NO (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion n-Hexane can affect the vascular endothe-lial active substances in brain tissue in mice, and the changes and imbalance in vascular endothelial active sub-stances may be one of the reasons for central nervous system impairment caused by n-hexane.

Objective: To investigate the influence of sodium nitrite exposure on sulfhemoglobin and hydroxyl radicals in mice. Methods: A total of 60 mice were randomly divided into low-, middle-, and high-dose groups (the concentrations of sodium nitrite were 0.055 mg/ml, 0.110 mg/ml, and 0.220 mg/ml, respectively) and control group (treated with distilled water) , with 15 mice in each group (male/female ratio=1: 1) . A free-drink model was applied and the duration of exposure was 2 weeks. The body weight of all mice was recorded before exposure and at weeks 1 and 2 of exposure. At the end of exposure, the mice were treated with intraperitoneally injected sodium salicylate to capture the hydroxyl radicals and produce 2, 5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and high-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure their content. Spectrophotometry was used to measure the relative content of sulfhemoglobin. Results: At week 2 of exposure, the low-, middle-, and high-dose groups had significantly lower body weight than the control group (22.8±2.8 g/21.6±2.8 g/21.2±3.0 g vs 25.6±2.2 g, P<0.05) . The low-, middle-, and high-dose groups had a significantly higher total content of hydroxyl radicals than the control group[ (0.015 3±0.006 5) μg/ml, (0.016 4±0.017 2) μg/ml, and (0.062 7±0.091 0) μg/ml vs (0.009 ±0.007 3) μg/ml, P<0.05]. The relative content of sulfhemoglobin was 1.54%±0.73%, 2.22%±0.44%, and 2.80%±0.69%, respectively, in the low-, middle-, and high-dose groups, and the middle- and high-dose groups had a significant increase in the relative content of sulfhemoglobin compared with the control group (2.22%±0.44%/2.80%±0.69% vs 1.76%±0.60%, P<0.05) . The content of hydroxyl radicals was positively correlated with the relative content of sulfhemoglobin (r=0.837, P<0.05) . Conclusion Sodium nitrite exposure can increase the content of sulfhemoglobin and hydroxyl radicals in blood, and there is a positive correlation between them.

Objective: To investigate the effect of silica dust on protein oxidative injury in the lung tissue of mice. Methods: A total of 60 mice were randomly divided into control group (not exposed to dust) , 2-hour group (inhalation of dust for 2 hours per day) , 4-hour group (inhalation of dust for 4 hours per day) , and 8-hour group (inhalation of dust for 8 hours per day) , with 15 mice in each group. During dust exposure, the mice were placed in a dust exposure cabinet; the dust was blown with an air blower and the concentration was maintained at 125 mg/m³. All mice were exposed to silica dust for 3 weeks. The changes of the lung were observed after dust exposure ended, and spectrophotometry was performed to measure the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl in the lung tissue. Results: The 2-, 4-, and 8-hour groups had marked edema, sporadic punctate hemorrhage, and nodular shadow in the lungs. Compared with the control group, the 2-, 4-, and 8-hour groups had a significant increase in lung coefficient (7.03±0.78 mg/g, 8.48±0.93 mg/g, and 8.99±0.85 mg/g vs 5.52±0.81 mg/g, P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the 2-, 4-, and 8-hour groups had significant increases in the content of MDA (2.83±0.52, 3.94±0.65, and 4.56±0.77 nmol/mg prot vs 1.26±0.36 nmol/mg prot, P<0.05) and protein carbonyl (1.61±0.44, 1.96±0.47, and 2.20±0.58 nmol/mg prot vs 1.13±0.21 nmol/mg prot, P<0.05) in lung tissue. The 4- and 8-hour groups had a significantly lower activity of SOD than the control group (153.69±20.58 and 140.35±18.97 U/mg prot vs 186.00±25.46 U/mg prot, P<0.05) . Conclusions Silica dust may lead to protein oxidative injury in the lung tissue of mice, which might play an important role in lung injury.