Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system distinctive and effective in treating cancer, depression, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and other diseases. However, the relatively abstract diagnostic methods of TCM lack objective measurement, and the complex mechanisms of action are difficult to comprehend, which hinders the application and internationalization of TCM. Recently, while breakthroughs have been made in utilizing methods such as network pharmacology and virtual screening for TCM research, the rise of machine learning (ML) has significantly enhanced their integration with TCM. This article introduces representative methodological cases in quality control, mechanism research, diagnosis, and treatment processes of TCM, revealing the potential applications of ML technology in TCM. Furthermore, the challenges faced by ML in TCM applications are summarized, and future directions are discussed.

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of endoscopic type Ⅰ tympanoplasty in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media accompanied by fungal otitis media.METHODS Based on the symptom characteristics of the external auditory canal and tympanic mucosa,80 patients were divided into four groups:dry ear without fungi group,dry ear with fungi group,wet ear without fungi group,and wet ear with fungi group.Record its clinical characteristics.Patients with fungal otitis externa should receive medication treatment during the perioperative period.Failure to heal the tympanic membrane repaired 6 months after surgery,recurrent perforation of the graft,and/or persistent inability to dry the ear are considered repair failures.RESULTS A total of 80 patients were included in this study,and the overall healing rate of the tympanic membrane in the four groups of patients was 98.8％.There was no significant difference in the postoperative tympanic membrane healing rate among the four groups of patients.The postoperative air bone conduction difference in all four groups of patients decreased compared to preoperative levels,but the difference was not statistically significant.CONCLUSION Patients with chronic suppurative otitis media accompanied by fungal otitis media undergoing type Ⅰ tympanoplasty showed no decrease in tympanic membrane healing rate and no significant improvement in efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of electronic laryngoscope combined with narrow band imaging（NBI） endoscope and its classification in the diagnosis of vocal cord leukoplakia. Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 115 cases of patients treated in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from September 2020 to November 2022. All 115 cases were diagnosed with vocal cord leukogramma using the electronic laryngoscopy and narrow band imaging endoscopy, followed by pathological examination in the outpatient tissue biopsy. The morphological characteristics of vocal cord leukoplakia and the correlation between narrow band imaging classification and pathological results were investigated. Results:Among 115 cases of vocal cord leukoplakia, 46 cases（40.00%） were diagnosed as benign lesions. Low grade intraepithelial neoplasia occurred in 29 cases（25.22%）. High-grade intraepithelial neoplasia（including carcinoma in situ） occurred in 22 cases（19.13%）. Invasive carcinoma（including suspected invasive carcinoma） was found in 18 cases（15.65%）. There were no statistical differences in the unilateral and bilateral distribution of vocal cord leukoplakia and pathological results（P>0.05）, but there were statistical differences in the size, thickness, lesion uniformity, clear boundary, pre-invasion commissure, symmetry,age over 55 years old, morphological classification, NBI classification and pathological results distribution（P<0.05）. The two-by-two comparison among the three groups of morphological classification（flat type, raised type, rough type） showed that P<0.017 was only compared between flat type and rough type, and P>0.017 was compared between the other two groups. The pairwise comparison among the three groups of NBI classification（Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ） was statistically significant（P<0.017）. There was a high correlation between NBI classification and pathological diagnosis, and the correlation coefficient was 0.705（P<0.05）. The risk of high intraepithelial neoplasia and cancerization in type Ⅳ was 9.125 times higher than that in type Ⅲ, and the risk of high intraepithelial neoplasia and cancerization in type Ⅴ was 271.078 times higher than that in type Ⅲ. The area under the curve of morphological classification and NBI classification were 0.672 and 0.896, respectively. Conclusion:There is a high match and correlation between NBI classification and pathological diagnosis. Electronic laryngoscope combined with narrow band imaging endoscope has a high diagnostic value for vocal cord leukoplakia, and a strong predictive ability for malignant leukoplakia.
Humans ; Vocal Cords/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Leukoplakia/diagnosis* ; Narrow Band Imaging/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Laryngoscopy/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Laryngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Aged ; Laryngoscopes ; Adult

OBJECTIVE To construct a comprehensive evaluation index system for anti-lung cancer drugs， and to provide a basis for drug selection and rational clinical use. METHODS Based on the Guidelines for the Management of Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation of Drugs （2021 edition for trial use）， a preliminary evaluation index system framework and an index preselection pool were initially formulated through literature analysis. The evaluation indices were then selected and modified by using the Delphi method. The weights of each index were determined through expert scoring and relevant calculations， thereby establishing a comprehensive evaluation index system for anti-lung cancer drugs. Referred to Quick Guideline for Drug Evaluation and Selection in Chinese Medical Institutions， scoring detailed rules for clinical comprehensive evaluation indexes of anti-lung cancer drugs were formulated. The constructed comprehensive evaluation index system and scoring detailed rules were applied to conduct empirical evaluation of the anti-lung cancer drug pembrolizumab. RESULTS The constructed comprehensive evaluation index system for anti-lung cancer drugs included 6 primary indicators and 15 secondary indicators. The weights of the primary indicators were as follows： safety （18）， efficacy （38）， economy （15）， innovation （9）， suitability （10）， and accessibility （10）. The scoring detailed rules for the comprehensive evaluation index system for anti-lung cancer drugs had been preliminarily established. The results of empirical evaluation showed that the comprehensive evaluation score （61 points） of pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy regimen was higher than that of the monotherapy chemotherapy regimen （56 points）. The former demonstrated superior efficacy， innovation and suitability compared to the latter， while the latter exhibited better safety and economy. CONCLUSIONS The constructed comprehensive evaluation index system for anti-lung cancer drugs has the potential for generalizability and practical application， providing a reference basis for rational clinical drug use.

Objective: This study’s objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of Pulsed Magnetic Therapy System (PMTS) in improving insomnia disorder. Methods: Participants with insomnia disorder were randomly assigned to receive either PMTS or sham treatment for four weeks (n= 153; PMTS: 76, sham: 77). Primary outcomes are the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores at week 0 (baseline), 1, 2, 3, 4 (treatment), and 5 (follow-up). Secondary outcomes are the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at baseline and week 4, and weekly sleep diary-derived values for sleep latency, sleep efficiency, real sleep time, waking after sleep onset, and sleep duration. Results: The ISI scores of the PMTS group and the sham group were 7.13±0.50, 11.07±0.51 at week 4, respectively. There was a significant group×time interaction for ISI (F3.214, 485.271=24.25, p<0.001, ηp 2=0.138). Only the PMTS group experienced continuous improvement throughout the study; in contrast, the sham group only experienced a modest improvement after the first week of therapy. At the end of the treatment and one week after it, the response of the PMTS group were 69.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58.6%–79.0%), 75.0% (95% CI: 64.1%–83.4%), respectively, which were higher than the response of the sham group (p<0.001). For each of the secondary outcomes, similar group×time interactions were discovered. The effects of the treatment persisted for at least a week. Conclusion PMTS is safe and effective in improving insomnia disorders.

Objective:To analyze the serum and urinary amino acid (AA) profiles of urolithiasis patients to explore the potential biomarkers for clinical screening and early diagnosis.Methods:Case-control study. Serum and urine samples were collected from 74 urolithiasis patients (aged 20-82 years, 41 men, 33 female) in the department of urology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University and 35 healthy controls (HC, aged 22-80 years old, 20 men, 15 female) from the health examination center from February 2015 to October 2017. Serum and urinary AA levels of patients and HC were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) based metabolomic strategy. The multivariate statistical analysis methods of principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) were employed for modeling. The variable importance projection (VIP) value of OPLS-DA model>1 and P<0.05 of t test were selected to screen the differential amino acid metabolites. The diagnostic capabilities of potential markers were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and binary logistic regression analysis. Results:Five AA metabolites including serine, glutamate, aspartic acid, isoleucine and glycine were found, which had statistically significant differences between the patient group and the control group ( P<0.05) and were associated with seven metabolic pathways. Serum serine, glutamate, aspartic acid, isoleucine and urine glycine and aspartic acid were combined into an integrated marker panel whose AUC value was 0.890, the sensitivity was 78.0%, and the specificity was 96.4%. Conclusion:Five amino acids in serum and urine could be used as an integrated biomarker panel for the clinical screening and early diagnosis of urolithiasis, which could provide some experimental basis for molecular urolithiasis research.

Objective:To study the diagnostic value of the artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic system, ACR TI-RADS classification and AI+ ACR TI-RADS combined diagnostic performance in benign and malignant thyroid nodules and its guiding significance for surgical treatment.Methods:From Nov. 1, 2021, to Feb. 26, 2022, 349 patients with 605 thyroid nodules who received surgical treatment in Department of Thyroid (Hernia) Surgery, Department of General Surgery, the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital, were selected. There were 95 males and 254 females, male: female=1:2.67, aged 16-78 years, and the nodule diameter was 0.2-5.6 cm. SPSS 26.0 and R studio software were used for data processing. AI diagnostic system, ACR TI-RADS grading and AI+ ACR TI-RADS combined diagnostic efficacy were statistically analyzed, respectively. ROC curve analysis was performed in parallel.Results:The AUC value of AI+ ACR TI-RADS combined diagnosis was 0.900, greater than 0.857 of AI diagnostic system and 0.788 of ACR TI-RADS, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z= 7.631, both P<0.001) . The sensitivity of the combined diagnosis was 95.32%, the specificity was 84.61%, the accuracy was 92.56%, the positive predictive value was 94.69%, the negative predictive value was 86.27%, the missed diagnosis rate was 4.68%, and the misdiagnosis rate was 15.38%, which were better than the other two diagnostic methods. With an excellent coincidence rate with postoperative pathological results ( Kappa=0.804, P<0.001) . The accuracy of combined diagnosis in identifying the maximum diameter of different tumors was 89.58% for d≤0.5 cm, 96.09% for 0.54.0 cm, better than the other two diagnostic methods. Conclusions:The combined application of AI+ACR TI-RADS has a certain primary screening value in evaluating thyroid nodule properties. The combined diagnosis of the two can more effectively determine the benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of 0.3％ sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution in mild-to-moderate dry eye patients.Metbods A prospective,multicenter,and self-controlled clinical trial was performed on 200 patients who were diagnosed as mild-to-moderate dry eye from January 2015 to June 2017 in Eye Institute of Xiamen University,Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University,Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center,Xiangya Hospital Central South University,Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University,and Beijing Tongren Hospital,Capital Medical University.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committees of Eye Institute of Xiamen University,written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to any medical examination.All patients were treated with 0.3％ sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution 6 times per day (one drop each time) for 28 days.Corneal fluorescein sodium staining,tear film break-up time (BUT),Schirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰ t),degree of conjunctival hyperemia,eyelid margin,meibomian gland secretion,secretory capacity of meibomian gland and subjective symptoms were assessed at baseline,on the 14th day and 28th day after treatment.Bulbar impression cytology was evaluated at baseline and on the 28th day after treatment.Irritation of 0.3％ sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution was estimated on the 14th day and 28th day after treatment.Results The total score of subjective symptoms,BUT,S Ⅰ t,degree of conjunctival hyperemia were significantly different among different treatment time points (F =108.969,27.598,16.838,36.750;all at P＜0.01).Compared with before treatment,the total score of subjective symptoms was significantly decreased,the degree of conjunctival hyperemia and the total corneal fluorescein sodium staining point number were significant decreased on the 14th day and 28th day after treatment.The total score of subjective symptoms,degree of conjunctival hyperemia and total corneal fluorescein sodium staining point number on the 28th day after treatment were significant lower than those on the 14th day after treatment.Compared with before treatment,the BUT was significantly longer and the S Ⅰ t scores were significantly increased on the 14th day and 28th day after treatment.The BUT on the 28th day after treatment was significantly longer than that on the 14th day after treatment;no significant difference in S Ⅰ t was observed between the 28th day and the 14th day after treatment.The scores of palpebral margin change,meibomian gland secretory ability and secretion characteristics were not significantly different among different treatment time points(H=0.255,2.356,0.294;all at P＞0.05).The impression cytology grade on the 28th day after treatment was 1.08±0.74,which was significantly lower than 1.53±0.76 before treatment (t =5.979,P＜0.01).The number of goblet cells on the 28th day after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment (U =1 806.500,P＜ 0.01).On the 14th day after treatment,70％ of the patients indicated that the drug was non-irritating,and no patient had intolerable irritation affecting daily lives.All patients had good tolerance to this drug.Conclusions The use of 0.3％ sodium hyaluronate eye drops can improve the symptoms and signs of mild to moderate dry eye,which can be widely used for mild-to-moderate dry eye patients in clinic.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical practice and effect evaluation of specialized nurses-guided self-management for patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MethodsA total of 92 AS patients treated in the 2nd Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from July 2016 to July 2017 were selected by convenient sampling and divided into the treatment group (n=47) and the control group (n=45) according to the random number table. Patients in the treatment group underwent self-management for 12 weeks under the guidance of specialized nurses, while patients in the control group received conventional health education by specialized nurses. Physical function, quality of life and mental stress were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), function index scores and measurement index scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group, and there were statistically significant differences between the two groups (t=9.15, 7.69, 12.24; P＜0.01); the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) score of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group, and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=6.37, P＜0.01); the scores of anxiety and depression in the hospitalization-associated anxiety and depression scale of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group (t=10.69, 10.96; P＜0.01). ConclusionsThe practice of specialized nurses-guided self-management in AS patients can improve patients' physical function and quality of life and reduce their anxiety and depression.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of 0. 3％ sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution in mild.to. moderate dry eye patients. Methods A prospective,multicenter,and self.controlled clinical trial was performed on 200 patients who were diagnosed as mild.to.moderate dry eye from January 2015 to June 2017 in Eye Institute of Xiamen University,Eye &ENT Hospital of Fudan University,Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center,Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, and Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committees of Eye Institute of Xiamen University,written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to any medical examination. All patients were treated with 0. 3％ sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution 6 times per day ( one drop each time) for 28 days. Corneal fluorescein sodium staining,tear film break.up time (BUT),SchirmerⅠtest (SⅠt),degree of conjunctival hyperemia,eyelid margin,meibomian gland secretion,secretory capacity of meibomian gland and subjective symptoms were assessed at baseline,on the 14th day and 28th day after treatment. Bulbar impression cytology was evaluated at baseline and on the 28th day after treatment. Irritation of 0. 3％ sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution was estimated on the 14th day and 28th day after treatment. Results The total score of subjective symptoms,BUT,SⅠt,degree of conjunctival hyperemia were significantly different among different treatment time points( F=108. 969,27. 598,16. 838,36. 750;all at P<0. 01). Compared with before treatment,the total score of subjective symptoms was significantly decreased, the degree of conjunctival hyperemia and the total corneal fluorescein sodium staining point number were significant decreased on the 14th day and 28th day after treatment. The total score of subjective symptoms,degree of conjunctival hyperemia and total corneal fluorescein sodium staining point number on the 28th day after treatment were significant lower than those on the 14th day after treatment. Compared with before treatment,the BUT was significantly longer and the SⅠt scores were significantly increased on the 14th day and 28th day after treatment. The BUT on the 28th day after treatment was significantly longer than that on the 14th day after treatment;no significant difference in SⅠt was observed between the 28th day and the 14th day after treatment. The scores of palpebral margin change,meibomian gland secretory ability and secretion characteristics were not significantly different among different treatment time points(H=0. 255,2. 356,0. 294;all at P>0. 05). The impression cytology grade on the 28th day after treatment was 1. 08±0. 74,which was significantly lower than 1. 53±0. 76 before treatment (t=5. 979, P<0. 01). The number of goblet cells on the 28th day after treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment(U=1806. 500,P<0. 01). On the 14th day after treatment,70％ of the patients indicated that the drug was non.irritating,and no patient had intolerable irritation affecting daily lives. All patients had good tolerance to this drug. Conclusions The use of 0. 3％ sodium hyaluronate eye drops can improve the symptoms and signs of mild to moderate dry eye,which can be widely used for mild.to.moderate dry eye patients in clinic.