ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating severe Bell's palsy and to explore its potential mechanism by investigating the effect on serum levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor （GDNF） and nerve growth factor （NGF）. MethodsA randomized， subject-blinded， sham-acupuncture controlled trial was conducted. A total of 130 patients with severe Bell's palsy were randomly allocated into a treatment group or a control group at a 1∶1 ratio. Both groups received conventional western medicine. In addition， the treatment group received acupuncture， while the control group received sham acupuncture， with each session lasting 30 minutes. The treatment course lasted 8 weeks for both groups， followed by a follow-up assessment at week 12. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving House-Brackmann （H-B） grade Ⅱ or lower at week 8. Secondary outcomes included Sunnybrook facial grading system scores at week 0， 4， 8， and 12， the time to satisfactory recovery（the time required to achieve H-B grade≤Ⅱ）， distribution of H-B grades and facial disability index （FDI） scores including the physical function subscale （FDIP） and social/well-being function subscale （FDIS） scores at week 0， 4， 8， and 12， and serum GDNF and NGF levels at week 0， 4， and 8. Adverse events and participants' self-assessments of treatment efficacy were also recorded. ResultsA total of 122 participants completed the study， including 62 in the treatment group and 60 in the control group. An intention-to-treat （ITT） analysis was performed， and missing data were handled using the last observation carried forward （LOCF） method. The proportion of patients achieving H-B grade ≤grade Ⅱ at week 8 was 78.5% （51/65） in the treatment group， significantly higher than 49.2% （32/65） in the control group （P＜0.05）. The Sunnybrook scores， FDIP and FDIS scores increased， while H-B grades decreased at week 4， 8， and 12 in both groups compared to week 0； moreover， improvements in all outcome measures were significantly greater in the treatment group than in the control group （P＜0.05）. The median time to satisfactory recovery was 6 weeks （95%CI： 5.697-6.303） in the treatment group， significantly shorter than 12 weeks （95%CI： 8.314-15.686） in the control group （P＜0.05）. Serum levels of GDNF and NGF were significantly higher in the treatment group at weeks 4 and 8 （P＜0.05）. No serious acupuncture-related adverse events occurred in either group. Adverse events were reported in 5 patients （7.69%） in the treatment group and 4 patients （6.15%） in the control group， with no statistically significant difference between groups （P＞0.05）. Patients' self-assessment of treatment efficacy after 8 weeks treatment was significantly better in the treatment group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionAcupuncture can effectively improve facial nerve function and shorten recovery time in patients with severe Bell's palsy， with a favorable safety profile. The therapeutic mechanism may be associated with the upregulation of serum GDNF and NGF levels.

Collaborative diagnosis and treatment between Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)and Western Medicine,as an important measure for the modernization and innovation of TCM,faces great challenges such as inadequate medical resource supply and supply-demand imbalance in the context of high-quality development strategy.Supply-demand analysis and the input-output framework of modern economic theory were applied to systematically analyze the operational status of collaborative diagnosis and treatment of TCM and Western Medicine in China,and explore the intrinsic economic mechanism of its development.Furthermore,in line with the concept of the"Three Medical Synergistic Collaborations",it proposes policy recommendations from the dimension of medical care,medical insurance,and medicine.

Objective To explore the relationship between plasma amyloid-β(Aβ)and cognitive impairment.Methods A total of all villagers(aged 40 years and above)from two villages of Xi'an,China,were enrolled.A validated Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination and neuropsychological battery were used to assess cognition.Levels of fasting plasma Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 were tested using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Relationship between plasma Aβ and cognitive impairment was analyzed using Logistic regression analysis.Results Of the 1 314 enrolled subjects,1 180(89.80％)had normal cognition,85(6.47％)had suspected cognitive impairment,and 49(3.73％)had probable cognitive impairment.Univariate analysis showed that plasma Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio was higher in the suspected cognitive impairment group than in the probable cognitive impairment group(P＜0.05)and normal cognitive group(P＜0.05);plasma Aβ1-42 level in the suspected cognitive impairment group was higher than that in normal cognitive group(P＜0.05).The level of Aβ1-40 did not differ between the three groups.After correcting for confounding factors(including age,gender,degree of education,cognitive impairment risk factors,habits of living)in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis,the results were consistent with those in the univariate analysis.Conclusion Levels of plasma Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio were elevated in patients with suspected cognitive impairment,indicating that elevated plasma Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio may be more pronounced in early stage of cognitive impairment.They may be early biomarkers for cognitive impairment,which can help identify and intervene the disease earlier.

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture synchronized with speech training on speech function of patients with post-stroke motor aphasia.Methods Sixty inpatients with post-stroke motor aphasia were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Univer-sity of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from January to August,2023.They were randomly divided into control group(n=30)and synchronous group(n=30).Both groups received acupuncture and speech training;the con-trol group received acupuncture in the morning and speech training in the afternoon,while the synchronous group received acupuncture and speech training synchronously,for three weeks.They were assessed with Chi-nese Rehabilitation Research Center Standard Aphasia Examination(CRRCAE),Non-Language-Based Cognitive Assessment(NLCA)and Communication Activities of Daily Living(CADL)before and after treatment.Results The subscores of CRRCAE and NLCA,and score of CADL increased in both groups(|t|>2.081,P<0.05)after treatment,and they were better in the synchronous group than in the control group(|t|>2.680,P<0.05).Conclusion Synchronous mode of acupuncture and speech training is more effective on post-stroke motor aphasia than time-sequence mode.

Objective To observe the effect of synchronous acupuncture and articulation training on spastic dysarthria after stroke.Methods From January to August,2023,64 stroke patients in the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Tradi-tional Chinese Medicine were selected,and randomly divided into control group(n=32)and synchronous group(n=32).Both groups received routine neurological treatment and basic articulation training.The control group added asynchronous acupuncture,while the synchronous group added synchronous acupuncture,for four weeks.Before and after treatment,the modified Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment(m-FDA),Speech Intelligibility Test(SIT),maximum phonation time(MPT)and maximum counting ability(MCA)were used to evaluate the curative effects.Results After treatment,the scores of m-FDA in all the dimensions decreased in both groups(t>2.882,P<0.01);ex-cept for the jaw dimension,the scores of m-FDA in reflexes,respiration,lips,soft palate,larynx,tongue and speech dimensions were significantly lower in the synchronous group than in the control group(t>2.050,P<0.05).After treatment,the results of SIT,and MPT and MCA significantly increased in both groups(t>21.061,P<0.001),and they were better in the synchronous group than in the control group(t>11.412,P<0.001).Conclusion Synchronous acupuncture and articulation training can effectively alleviate the severity of spastic dysarthria after stroke,which was superior to asynchronous acupuncture and articulation training.

Objective To explore the value of contrast agent injection protocol based on individualized iodine delivery rate(IDR)applicated in enhanced spectral CT scanning of colorectal cancer.Methods Totally 131 colorectal cancer patients were prospectively collected and randomly divided into conventional group(group A,n=64,contrast agents were injected with routine method)and individualized group(group B,n=67,contrast agents were injected with individualized IDR method).Whole abdominal energy spectrum CT scanning was performed,and 70 keV images at arterial and venous phases(A70 keV)of group A and 40-70 keV images(interval 10 keV)at arterial and venous phases(B40-70 keV)of group B were reconstructed,and iodine-based material maps were reconstructed.Subjective and objective evaluation on quality of enhanced images were performed,lesions'normalized iodine concentration(NIC)were calculated,and the above indexes were compared between groups.Results Iodine intake in group B was lower than that in group A(P＜0.001).The subjective scores of B60 keV images at both arterial and venous phases were the highest,which were not different from those of A70 keV images(both P＞0.05).CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of superior mesenteric artery(SMA)and abdominal aorta on arterial B40-60 keV images were higher than those in arterial A70 keV images(all P＜0.05).CT values,SNR and CNR of superior mesenteric vein(SMV)on venous B40-50 keV,as well as CT values and CNR of SMV on venous B60 keV images were all higher than those on venous A70 keV images(all P＜0.05).No significant difference of lesions'NIC in arterial and venous phases was detected between groups(both P＞0.05).Conclusion Injection of contrast agents based on IDR combined with 60 keV single energy image for enhanced energy spectrum CT scanning of colorectal cancer could reduce the amount of contrast agents while do not affect imaging quality.

Objective To explore the influencing factors and configuration pathways of China's Internet hospital development,and to provide theoretical basis and strategic suggestions for building an efficient and high-quality Internet hospital service system.Methods It takes 88 internet hospitals as the research object,based on the TOE framework,and adopts the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis method to explore the configuration paths that affect the development of internet hospitals.Results There are four configuration paths that constitute the high-efficiency development of Internet hospitals,namely,"capability support type of technology and environment collaboration"path(H1),"organization type"path(H2a),"organization-balance type"path(H2b),and"infrastructure support type of organization and environment collaboration"path(H3).A single factor cannot constitute a necessary condition for the development of internet hospitals.It requires the mutual coordination of technology,organization,and environment to jointly promote the development of internet hospitals.Conclusion The development of internet hospitals depends on diversified driving paths,which require the synergistic effects of multiple factors and the strengthening of organizational leadership.Combining actual circumstances,suitable development paths should be chosen to promote the development of internet hospitals.

Objective To explore the application value of Auto-prescription combined with low-dose contrast and adaptive statisti-cal iterative reconstruction-Veo(ASIR-V)algorithm in the computed tomography angiography(CTA)of thoracodorsal artery(TDA).Methods A total of 100 patients who underwent TDA CTA examination were prospectively selected.A tube voltage of 120 kVp and contrast agent of 1.5 mL/kg were used for group A(50 cases),and images were reconstructed with 40％ post-set ASIR-V.The Auto-prescription for tube voltage and contrast agent of 1.2 mL/kg were used for group B(50 cases),while images were reconstruc-ted with 40％,60％,and 80％ post-set ASIR-V,labeled as subgroups B1 to B3.The objective and subjective evaluation results of the images were compared between and within groups.Results Group A had an effective dose(ED)of 2.98(2.65,4.03)mSv,while group B had an ED of 1.92(1.44,3.33)mSv.The iodine intake in group B was lower than that in group A,and the CT value of the axillary artery in group B was significantly higher than that in group A(P＜0.001).With the increased of ASIR-V level in group B,the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of the images gradually increased(P＜0.05).In terms of subjec-tive scores on axial images,both subgroups B2 and B3 were superior to group A(P＜0.001);with the increased of ASIR-V level in group B,subjective scores of axial images increased first and then decreased,among which subjective score of subgroup B2 was the highest and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).In terms of subjective scores on three-dimensional image quality,subgroups B1 to B3 were superior to group A(P＜0.001).Conclusion The use of Auto-prescription combined with low-dose con-trast and 60％ ASIR-V can significantly optimize the display of TDA,and reduce the radiation dose and contrast agent dose to a certain extent.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of chronic hepatitis C(CHC)patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3(HCV GT3)infection and the risk factors for disease progression.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1 002 CHC patients from 11 clinical centers in Northwest China from December 2017 to November 2023,and according to their genotype,they were divided into GT1,GT2,GT3,and GT6 groups.Clinical features were compared between the patients with different genotypes.The one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the Scheffe test was used for further comparison between two groups.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of data with skewed distribution between groups;the chi-square test or Fisher test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for the progression of CHC to liver cirrhosis.Results In terms of the genotype,there were 427 patients with GT1 infection,242 with GT2 infection,299 with GT3 infection(210 patients with GT3a infection,87 with GT3b infection,and 2 with unclassified genotype),and 34 with GT6 infection.The patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.2±0.6 years,P<0.05)or GT2 infection(51.3±0.5 years vs 53.7±0.8 years,P<0.05),and for the patients with liver cirrhosis,the patients with GT3 infection had a significantly younger age than those with GT1 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 59.4±0.9 years,P<0.001)or GT2 infection(52.1±0.5 years vs 58.1±1.1 years,P<0.001).Among the patients with GT3 infection,male patients accounted for 77.9%and the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 46.2%,which were significantly higher than those among the patients with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection(all P<0.001).At baseline,the patients with GT3 infection had significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)than those with GT1 or GT2 infection,significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI)and fibrosis-4(FIB4)than those with GT1,GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly lower platelet count(PLT)than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,a significantly higher level of alpha-fetoprotein than those with GT2 or GT6 infection,and a significantly lower level of albumin(Alb)than those with GT6 infection(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the patients with GT3a infection and those with GT3b infection in age,sex,the proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis,comorbidities,HCV RNA quantification,PLT,ALT,AST,alkaline phosphatase,Alb,APRI,and FIB-4(all P>0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that PLT≤150×109/L(odds ratio[OR]=10.72,95%confidence interval[CI]:5.76-35.86,P<0.001)and Alb≤35 g/L(OR=3.74,95%CI:1.22-11.45,P=0.021)were risk factors for liver cirrhosis.Conclusion Most CHC patients with GT3 infection are male in Northwest China,and compared with the patients with other genotypes,such patients tend to have a younger age of onset and higher degrees of liver inflammation activity and fibrosis.Low PLT and a low level of Alb are risk factors for progression to liver cirrhosis in CHC patients with GT3 infection.

Objective To explore the relationship between plasma amyloid-β(Aβ)and cognitive impairment.Methods A total of all villagers(aged 40 years and above)from two villages of Xi'an,China,were enrolled.A validated Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination and neuropsychological battery were used to assess cognition.Levels of fasting plasma Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 were tested using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Relationship between plasma Aβ and cognitive impairment was analyzed using Logistic regression analysis.Results Of the 1 314 enrolled subjects,1 180(89.80％)had normal cognition,85(6.47％)had suspected cognitive impairment,and 49(3.73％)had probable cognitive impairment.Univariate analysis showed that plasma Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio was higher in the suspected cognitive impairment group than in the probable cognitive impairment group(P＜0.05)and normal cognitive group(P＜0.05);plasma Aβ1-42 level in the suspected cognitive impairment group was higher than that in normal cognitive group(P＜0.05).The level of Aβ1-40 did not differ between the three groups.After correcting for confounding factors(including age,gender,degree of education,cognitive impairment risk factors,habits of living)in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis,the results were consistent with those in the univariate analysis.Conclusion Levels of plasma Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio were elevated in patients with suspected cognitive impairment,indicating that elevated plasma Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio may be more pronounced in early stage of cognitive impairment.They may be early biomarkers for cognitive impairment,which can help identify and intervene the disease earlier.