This paper reviews the published articles of recent years on the application of deep learning methods in automatic localization of acupoint, and summarizes it from 3 key links, i.e. the dataset construction, the neural network model design, and the accuracy evaluation of acupoint localization. The significant progress has been obtained in the field of deep learning for acupoint localization, but the scale of acupoint detection needs to be expanded and the precision, the generalization ability, and the real-time performance of the model be advanced. The future research should focus on the support of standardized datasets, and the integration of 3D modeling and multimodal data fusion, so as to increase the accuracy and strengthen the personalization of acupoint localization.
Deep Learning ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Neural Networks, Computer

Objective To explore the mechanism of Yiqi Tongbi Capsules in the treatment of ischemic heart failure(IHF)using network pharmacological method and molecular docking technique;To verify through in vivo experiments.Methods The effective components and corresponding target of Yiqi Tongbi Capsules were screened using TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases.The targets related to IHF disease were searched using GeneCards,OMIM and TTD databases.The common targets between the drug active components and IHF disease-related targets were obtained.A Chinese materia medica-active component-common target network was constructed to select the key targets.The common targets were input into the STRING database to obtain PPI network relationships,and the core targets were selected.The GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the common targets using the Metascape platform.The key active components and core targets were verified by molecular docking using the AutoDock 4.2.6 software.A mouse IHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery surgically,and the mice were divided into sham-operation group,model group,captopil group(3.25 mg/kg),Yiqi Tongbi Capsules low-,medium-,and high-dosage groups(2.34,4.68,9.36 g/kg).The heart function of mice was detected by Doppler ultrasound imaging system for 6 weeks after continuous administration;the mRNA expressions of LC3B,Beclin1,p62,EGFR and STAT3 were detected by RT-qPCR in mouse myocardial tissue.Results A total of 186 potential target genes for the therapeutic effects of Yiqi Tongbi Capsules on IHF were screened out;the top 5 key active components were quercetin,β-sitosterol,lutein,stigmasterol and baicalein;the core targets included AKT1,STAT3,HIF1A,BCL2 and EGFR,etc.The GO function and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the core targets mainly participated in the processes of active oxygen metabolism,cytokine receptor binding,and involving the pathways of lipid and atherosclerosis,AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and IL-17 signaling pathway.The key active components and core target genes had good binding affinity.Yiqi Tongbi Capsules significantly improved the heart function of IHF mice;the RT-qPCR results showed that the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway and autophagy process were activated in the myocardial tissue of the model group mice,but the degree was not enough to improve IHF.However,Yiqi Tongbi Capsules could significantly up-regulate the expression levels of LC3B,Beclin1 mRNA in the myocardial tissue of mice,and significantly down-regulate the expression of p62,EGFR and STAT3 mRNA.Conclusion Yiqi Tongbi Capsules may playing a role in the treatment of IHF by regulating quercetin,β-sitosterol and stigmasterol,among other active compounds,down-regulating the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway,enhancing autophagy in cardiomyocytes of IHF mice,and improving left ventricular remodeling.

Objective:To investigate the effects of dual vascularized tissue-engineered bone constructed by vascular bundles and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on repair of large bone defects and vascular regeneration.Methods:EPCs were seeded on the demineralized bone matrix (DBM) scaffolds and cultured for 6 days. The attachment and morphology of EPCs on DBM scaffolds were observed by electron microscopy. Next, the radial artery was implanted into a vascular groove opened inside the DBM-EPCs composite scaffolds. Finally, models of a large segmental bone defect were constructed using the radii from 18 New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups using a simple random sampling method: DBM group, DBM+EPCs group, DBM+vascular bundle group, and DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group. The DBM group and DBM+EPCs group shared the same rabbits so that transplantations were conducted into the left and right forearms respectively; the DBM+vascular bundle group and DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group also shared the same rabbits so that transplantations were conducted into the left and right forearms respectively. Consequently, there were 9 experimental sites in each group. X-ray examination and gross morphological observation were performed to evaluate the bone regeneration in the experimental rabbits in each group at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery, and CD31 immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate the vascular regeneration. Micro-CT was used to analyze bone tissue parameters and reconstruct the three-dimensional structures of the defects site at 12 weeks after surgery.Results:Compared with the DBM, DBM+EPCs and DBM+vascular bundle groups, the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group showed new bone tissue crawling on the scaffold surface at 4 weeks after surgery, almost complete healing of the bone defect area at 8 weeks, and forming of a complete and dense bone bridge and appearance of a bone marrow cavity at 12 weeks. Micro-CT data at 12 weeks after surgery showed regular arrangement of the trabeculae, significantly improved mineralization, and increased thickness of the bone cortex in the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group. Additionally, in the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group, the number of microvessels was significantly higher than that in the other groups at 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery ( P<0.05), and the angiogenesis and bone tissue regeneration were particularly prominent at 12 weeks after surgery. The number of CD31 cells in the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group increased significantly more than that in the DBM, DBM+EPCs and DBM+vascular bundle groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:As the dual vascularized tissue-engineered bone constructed by vascular bundles and EPCs can significantly promote bone tissue regeneration and angiogenesis, it may be a potential therapeutic strategy for repair of large bone defects.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Yiqi Tongbi Capsules in the treatment of ischemic heart failure(IHF)using network pharmacological method and molecular docking technique;To verify through in vivo experiments.Methods The effective components and corresponding target of Yiqi Tongbi Capsules were screened using TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases.The targets related to IHF disease were searched using GeneCards,OMIM and TTD databases.The common targets between the drug active components and IHF disease-related targets were obtained.A Chinese materia medica-active component-common target network was constructed to select the key targets.The common targets were input into the STRING database to obtain PPI network relationships,and the core targets were selected.The GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the common targets using the Metascape platform.The key active components and core targets were verified by molecular docking using the AutoDock 4.2.6 software.A mouse IHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery surgically,and the mice were divided into sham-operation group,model group,captopil group(3.25 mg/kg),Yiqi Tongbi Capsules low-,medium-,and high-dosage groups(2.34,4.68,9.36 g/kg).The heart function of mice was detected by Doppler ultrasound imaging system for 6 weeks after continuous administration;the mRNA expressions of LC3B,Beclin1,p62,EGFR and STAT3 were detected by RT-qPCR in mouse myocardial tissue.Results A total of 186 potential target genes for the therapeutic effects of Yiqi Tongbi Capsules on IHF were screened out;the top 5 key active components were quercetin,β-sitosterol,lutein,stigmasterol and baicalein;the core targets included AKT1,STAT3,HIF1A,BCL2 and EGFR,etc.The GO function and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the core targets mainly participated in the processes of active oxygen metabolism,cytokine receptor binding,and involving the pathways of lipid and atherosclerosis,AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and IL-17 signaling pathway.The key active components and core target genes had good binding affinity.Yiqi Tongbi Capsules significantly improved the heart function of IHF mice;the RT-qPCR results showed that the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway and autophagy process were activated in the myocardial tissue of the model group mice,but the degree was not enough to improve IHF.However,Yiqi Tongbi Capsules could significantly up-regulate the expression levels of LC3B,Beclin1 mRNA in the myocardial tissue of mice,and significantly down-regulate the expression of p62,EGFR and STAT3 mRNA.Conclusion Yiqi Tongbi Capsules may playing a role in the treatment of IHF by regulating quercetin,β-sitosterol and stigmasterol,among other active compounds,down-regulating the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway,enhancing autophagy in cardiomyocytes of IHF mice,and improving left ventricular remodeling.

BACKGROUND:Dental follicle cells are widely used in periodontal tissue regeneration engineering because of their excellent characteristics.With the development of biological scaffold materials,their relationship with periodontal tissue regeneration technology is increasingly close.OBJECTIVE:To review the performance of ivory follicle cells under the influence of internal and external biological factors by different experiments,and analyze their effects on the biological characteristics of dental follicle cells with scaffold materials.METHODS:Using"dental follicle cell,scaffolds,material,periodontal tissue regeneration,tissue engineering,review"as English and Chinese key words,the articles published in PubMed,Sciencedirect,and CNKI from 2013 to 2023 were searched,and finally 95 articles were included for analysis and discussion.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Dental follicle cells originate from dental follicle tissue,which has certain stem cell differentiation potential.Because of its excellent performance,it is actively used in periodontal tissue regeneration engineering research.(2)The proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of dental follicle cells are affected by many biological factors,and both endogenous and exogenous factors can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of dental follicle cells to a certain extent.(3)3D printing technology and nanotechnology enable researchers to manufacture more suitable scaffold materials.(4)Polymer materials show us their flexibility and plasticity in periodontal tissue regeneration.We can manufacture targeted scaffold materials according to different defect sites to achieve efficient tissue regeneration.The good biocompatibility of inorganic materials makes them widely used in periodontal tissue regeneration engineering.By adjusting the content of nanoscale inorganic materials or improving the performance of scaffolds,scaffolds with better biocompatibility can be prepared.(5)There are many new synthetic(composite)materials,which show us excellent characteristics.However,because the mechanism of biological factors in scaffold materials on dental follicle cells is complicated,and the research on dental follicle cells is mostly concentrated on in vitro culture,so how to make scaffold materials more suitable for the growth and development of dental follicle cells and apply them safely and effectively in clinical treatment is the future research direction.

BACKGROUND:Dental follicle cells are widely used in periodontal tissue regeneration engineering because of their excellent characteristics.With the development of biological scaffold materials,their relationship with periodontal tissue regeneration technology is increasingly close.OBJECTIVE:To review the performance of ivory follicle cells under the influence of internal and external biological factors by different experiments,and analyze their effects on the biological characteristics of dental follicle cells with scaffold materials.METHODS:Using"dental follicle cell,scaffolds,material,periodontal tissue regeneration,tissue engineering,review"as English and Chinese key words,the articles published in PubMed,Sciencedirect,and CNKI from 2013 to 2023 were searched,and finally 95 articles were included for analysis and discussion.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Dental follicle cells originate from dental follicle tissue,which has certain stem cell differentiation potential.Because of its excellent performance,it is actively used in periodontal tissue regeneration engineering research.(2)The proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of dental follicle cells are affected by many biological factors,and both endogenous and exogenous factors can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of dental follicle cells to a certain extent.(3)3D printing technology and nanotechnology enable researchers to manufacture more suitable scaffold materials.(4)Polymer materials show us their flexibility and plasticity in periodontal tissue regeneration.We can manufacture targeted scaffold materials according to different defect sites to achieve efficient tissue regeneration.The good biocompatibility of inorganic materials makes them widely used in periodontal tissue regeneration engineering.By adjusting the content of nanoscale inorganic materials or improving the performance of scaffolds,scaffolds with better biocompatibility can be prepared.(5)There are many new synthetic(composite)materials,which show us excellent characteristics.However,because the mechanism of biological factors in scaffold materials on dental follicle cells is complicated,and the research on dental follicle cells is mostly concentrated on in vitro culture,so how to make scaffold materials more suitable for the growth and development of dental follicle cells and apply them safely and effectively in clinical treatment is the future research direction.

Objective:To investigate the effects of dual vascularized tissue-engineered bone constructed by vascular bundles and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on repair of large bone defects and vascular regeneration.Methods:EPCs were seeded on the demineralized bone matrix (DBM) scaffolds and cultured for 6 days. The attachment and morphology of EPCs on DBM scaffolds were observed by electron microscopy. Next, the radial artery was implanted into a vascular groove opened inside the DBM-EPCs composite scaffolds. Finally, models of a large segmental bone defect were constructed using the radii from 18 New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups using a simple random sampling method: DBM group, DBM+EPCs group, DBM+vascular bundle group, and DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group. The DBM group and DBM+EPCs group shared the same rabbits so that transplantations were conducted into the left and right forearms respectively; the DBM+vascular bundle group and DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group also shared the same rabbits so that transplantations were conducted into the left and right forearms respectively. Consequently, there were 9 experimental sites in each group. X-ray examination and gross morphological observation were performed to evaluate the bone regeneration in the experimental rabbits in each group at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery, and CD31 immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate the vascular regeneration. Micro-CT was used to analyze bone tissue parameters and reconstruct the three-dimensional structures of the defects site at 12 weeks after surgery.Results:Compared with the DBM, DBM+EPCs and DBM+vascular bundle groups, the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group showed new bone tissue crawling on the scaffold surface at 4 weeks after surgery, almost complete healing of the bone defect area at 8 weeks, and forming of a complete and dense bone bridge and appearance of a bone marrow cavity at 12 weeks. Micro-CT data at 12 weeks after surgery showed regular arrangement of the trabeculae, significantly improved mineralization, and increased thickness of the bone cortex in the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group. Additionally, in the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group, the number of microvessels was significantly higher than that in the other groups at 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery ( P<0.05), and the angiogenesis and bone tissue regeneration were particularly prominent at 12 weeks after surgery. The number of CD31 cells in the DBM+EPCs+vascular bundle group increased significantly more than that in the DBM, DBM+EPCs and DBM+vascular bundle groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:As the dual vascularized tissue-engineered bone constructed by vascular bundles and EPCs can significantly promote bone tissue regeneration and angiogenesis, it may be a potential therapeutic strategy for repair of large bone defects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a newly developed intelligent acupuncture robot that simulates human manual acupuncture techniques through an animal experiment using miniature pigs. METHODS: Two 3-month-old Bama miniature pigs were selected. One pig was used for the manual needling techniques of the practitioner, and the other pig was used for the intelligent acupuncture robot. The acupoints selected were "Qiangfeng" "Bojian" "Xiaokua" "Huiyang" (BL 35) and "Baihui" (GV 20), with a straight insertion depth of 25-35 mm. The manipulation techniques, including lifting-thrusting and twisting at a frequency of 90 times/min, were applied for 1 min, with 30 s each for lifting-thrusting (10 mm amplitude) and twisting (180° angle). The practitioner's needling techniques were captured using an optical motion capture system, and the collected data were input into the intelligent acupuncture robot for replication on the second miniature pig. A complete needling session of five acupoints was considered one round, and three rounds were performed per session, every other day, for a total of five sessions, completing 15 rounds. The Fréchet distance method was used to compare the robot's replicated needling data with the practitioner's data, and curve fitting analysis was conducted to evaluate the robot's performance and precision. RESULTS: The intelligent acupuncture robot achieved a total completion rate of 96.00% for 75 needling operations, with a non-completion rate of 4.00%. The robot's replication of the practitioner's needling techniques showed a good fit, with many characteristic points overlapping. The average Fréchet distance was 18.67. The Fréchet distance for the lifting-thrusting and twisting techniques at Baihui (GV 20) and "Huiyang" (BL 35) acupoints was smaller than that at "Xiaokua" and "Qiangfeng" points (P<0.01). The accuracy of the lifting-thrusting technique at "Xiaokua" and "Qiangfeng" acupoints was lower than the twisting technique (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The intelligent acupuncture robot is able to replicate the pre-recorded manual needling parameters with a high degree of accuracy.
Animals ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Robotics/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Male

Objective:To characterize the biomechanics of distal dynamic locking and distal static locking of proximal femur bionic nails (PFBN) in fixation of intertrochanteric fractures by a finite element analysis.Methods:The CT image data from the hip to the upper tibia from an adult male volunteer were used to establish a three-dimensional model of the femur by Mimics 20.0 and Geomagic 2013 which was processed further into a model of Evans type I intertrochanteric fracture by software NX 12.0. With reference to the internal fixation parameters commonly used, 4 models of PFBN fixation were established: distal single transverse nail dynamic locking (model A), single oblique nail dynamic locking (model B), single nail static locking (model C) and double nail dynamic locking (model D). Abaqus 6.14 software was used to load and analyze the internal fixation stresses and displacements of fracture ends.Results:Under a 2100N loading, the peak stress was located upon the main nail in the 4 models. The smallest peak stress upon the main nail was in Model D (161.9 MPa), decreased by 15.9% compared with model A (192.5 MPa), by 15.6% compared with model B (191.9 MPa), and by 0.9% compared with model C (163.3 MPa). The peak stress upon the fixation screw was the largest in model A (95.3 MPa), the smallest in model B (91.5 MPa), and 91.5 MPa and 92.2 MPa in models C and D, respectively. The overall displacements of the implants, in a descending order, were 10.14 mm in model A, 10.10 mm in model B, 10.09 mm in model C, and 10.05 mm in model D. Similarly, the displacements of fracture ends were 0.125 mm in model A, 0.121 mm in model B, 0.110 mm in model C, and 0.098 mm in model D.Conclusion:Compared with dynamic locking, distal static locking of PFBN provides a better mechanical stability and reduces stress concentration upon internal fixation.

Objective To observe the effect of Baduanjin exercise on depression,sleep quality and life quality of patients with breast cancer in the rehabilitation period.Methods A total of 76 breast can-cer patients in postoperative rehabilitation were randomly divided into an intervention group of 38 with 2 dropping out,and a control group of 38 with 3 dropouts.Both groups received routine nursing and rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery,while the intervention group additionally practised Baduanjin for 6 weeks.The Beck Depression Inventory-Ⅱ(BDI-Ⅱ-C),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30(EORTC QLQ-C30)were used to evaluate both groups be-fore,as well as 3 and 6 weeks after intervention.Results After 3-week intervention,the average BDI-Ⅱ-C score,the total PSQI score and the scores of all dimensions except for the hypnotic drug dimen-sion of the intervention group was significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05),and the control group at the same time point(P<0.05),while the scores of physical,emotional,cognitive,social and role function in EORTC QLQ-C30 were significantly higher than the latter(P<0.05).Three weeks lat-er,the average BDI-Ⅱ-C score,the total PSQI score and the scores of all dimensions except for the hypnotic drug dimension of the intervention group was significantly lower than before treatment(P<0.05),and the control group at the same time point(P<0.05),while the various scores of EORTC QLQ-C30 were significantly higher than the latter(P<0.05).Compared with after 3-week intervention,after 6-week intervention,the average BDI-Ⅱ-C score,the total PSQI score and the scores of its all dimensions except for the sleep disorder dimension of the intervention group decreased significantly,while all dimension scores of EORTC QLQ-C30 except the cognitive function dimension increased sig-nificantly(P<0.05 for all).Conclusion Baduanjin is feasible in improving the sleep and life quality of patients in the rehabilitation period after breast cancer surgery,and relieving their depression.