The theory of yin-yang is a foundational concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been refined through millennia of clinical practice and theoretical development. This theory remains central to syndrome differentiation and therapeutic decision-making. With rapid advances in modern biomedicine and information sciences, this review synthesizes recent interdisciplinary progress linking yin-yang concepts to cellular metabolism, redox balance, gene regulation, and immunomodulation. We outline how pathological states historically described as “yin deficiency” or “yang hyperactivity” correspond to alterations in cellular energy conversion, molecular signaling networks, and systemic homeostasis, and we critically evaluate current evidence for mechanistic pathways. Notwithstanding promising correlations, major gaps persist in mechanistic clarity and the establishment of quantitative metrics, limiting the rigorous integration of yin-yang theory into evidence-based frameworks. To address these gaps, we propose a research roadmap that leverages modern biotechnology, mathematical modeling, and artificial intelligence for quantitative multiscale analysis. By integrating molecular, cellular, and systemic datasets, this approach can clarify the biological connotations of yin-yang balance for physiology, disease mechanisms, and clinical outcome assessment.

Objective To explore the application value of MR diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)and T2*mapping of parotid gland function in patients with head and neck tumors at different radiotherapy periods.Methods A total of 82 patients with head and neck tumors treated were selected.The data of parotid gland volume,salivary volume and parotid gland function were collected.MR DWI and T2*mapping were used to measure the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value and T2*value of parotid gland tissue,and the correlation between parotid gland function and imaging values were analyzed.Results There were all significant differences in parotid gland volume,salivary volume and secretion index among different radiotherapy periods,and parotid gland volume,salivary volume and secretion index during and after radiotherapy were significantly lower than those before radiotherapy.There were signifi-cant differences in T2*values among different radiotherapy periods,and T2*value during and after radiotherapy was significantly lower than that before radiotherapy.There were significant differences in ADC values among different radiotherapy periods,and the ADC value during and after radiotherapy was significantly higher than that before radiotherapy.ADC value was negatively correlated with parotid gland volume,salivary volume and secretion index(r=-0.436,-0.730,-0.718,respectively,P＜0.001),while the T2*value was positively correlated with parotid gland volume,salivary volume and secretion index(r=0.430,0.720,0.707,respec-tively,P＜0.001).Conclusion Parotid gland volume,secretion index and salivary volume show abnormal levels at different radio-therapy periods.MR DWI is negatively correlated with parotid gland function,while T2*mapping is positively correlated with parotid gland function.

Objective To investigate the effect of varying ureteral wall thickness(UWT)at the site of ureteral stones on the clinical efficacy of ureteroscopic lithotripsy(URL).Methods The clinical data of 164 patients with ureteral stones in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.According to different UWT,the patients were divided into the mild thickening group(84 cases,UWT<3.16 mm),the moderate thickening group(31 cases,UWT 3.16 to 3.49 mm),and the severe thickening group(49 cases,UWT>3.49 mm),and the differences of clinical related indicators among the three groups were compared.Results The incidence of postoperative renal colic and leukocyte disorder in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were lower than those in the severe thickening group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The postoperative catheterization time in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were shorter than that in the severe thickening group,and the incidences of secondary lithotripsy,residual stones and stone return to kidney in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were lower than those in the severe thickening group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The length of hospital stay and hospitalization cost in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were shorter/less than those in the severe thickening group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion With the increase of UWT(especially when UWT>3.49 mm),the incidence of postoperative complications and hospitalization cost of URL increase to varying degrees,and the surgical efficacy decreases.In clinical work,UWT measurement holds potential value in predicting the surgical efficacy and complications of URL.

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

In recent years, the abuse of antibiotics has led to antibiotic tolerance in the process of bacterial treatment, the morbidity and mortality caused by drug-resistant bacterial infection have further increased significantly. Drug delivery systems can be precisely designed to achieve controlled drug release, thereby reducing the risk of antibiotic toxicity and resistance, it is urgent to seek novel drug delivery systems to address the challenges posed by bacterial infections. This review first outlines the epidemic and prevention situation of bacterial infection, and further summarizes living microorganisms and their derivatives-based drug delivery systems, focusing on their natural characteristics such as surface specific proteins, physiological signal sensing, directed movement, and secretion of antibacterial substances, which show great potential in the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases by demonstrating their antibacterial effects. This review aims to provide ideas for the development of novel drug delivery systems based on living microorganisms and their derivatives for the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases.

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

Objective: To assess the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI of the extraocular muscles (EOMs) for determining the activity of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and treatment response to glucocorticoids (GCs). Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with TAO (41 active, 82 eyes; 24 inactive, 48 eyes). Twenty-two active patients completed the GC treatment and follow-up assessment, including 15 patients (30 eyes) and 7 patients (14 eyes), defined as responsive and unresponsive, respectively. Model-free (time to peak [TTP], area under the curve [AUC], and Slope max) and model-based (Ktrans , Kep, and Ve) parameters of EOMs in embedded simplified histogram analyses were calculated and compared between groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance. Results: Active patients exhibited significantly higher TTP at the 10th percentile (-10th), TTP-mean, and TTP at the 90th percentile (-90th); AUC-10th, AUC-mean, AUC-90th, and AUC-max; Ktrans -10th and Ktrans -mean; and Ve-10th, Ve-mean, Ve-90th, and Ve-max than inactive patients (P < 0.05). Responsive patients exhibited significantly lower TTP-min; higher Ktrans -mean and Ktrans -max; and higher Kep-10th, Kep-mean, and Kep-max than unresponsive patients (P < 0.05). TTP-mean and Ve-mean were independent variables for determining disease activity (P = 0.017 and 0.022, respectively). A combination of the two parameters could determine active TAO with moderate performance (AUROC = 0.687). TTP-min and Ktrans -mean were independent predictors of the response to GCs (P = 0.023 and 0.004, respectively), uniting which could determine the response to GCs with decent performance (AUROC = 0.821). Conclusion DCE-MRI-derived model-free and model-based parameters of EOMs can assist in the evaluation of TAO. In particular, TTP-mean and Ve-mean could be useful for determining the activity of TAO, whereas TTP-min and K trans -mean could be promising biomarkers for determining the response to GCs.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effect of decompression and bone grafting on osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH) at different sites of necrotic lesions. METHODS: A total of 105 patients with ARCOⅡstage ONFH admitted from January 2017 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 71 males and 34 females, with an average age of (55.20±10.98) years old. The mean course of all patients was(15.91±9.85) months. According to Japanese Inveatigation Committee (JIC) classification, all patients were divided into 4 types:17 cases of type A, 26 cases of type B, 33 cases of type C1 and 29 cases of type C2. All four groups were treated with decompression of the pulp core and bone grafting. Visual analogue scale(VAS) and Harris hip joint score were used before and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the operation, and the collapse of the femoral head was observed by X-ray examination within 2 years. RESULTS: All 105 patients were successful on operation without complications, and the mean follow-up duration was (24.45±2.75) months. Harris score showed that there was no statistical difference among four groups before surgery and 3, 6 months after surgery (P>0.05);at 12 and 24 months after surgery, there were significant differences among all groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in intragroup Harris scores at preoperative and postoperative time points among four groups (P<0.01). VAS showed that there was no statistical difference among four groups before and 3, 6 months after surgery (P>0.05);at 12 and 24 months after surgery, there were significant differences among all groups (P<0.01). There were significant differences in VAS at preoperative and postoperative time points among four groups (P<0.01). None of the patients in four groups had femoral head collapse before and 3, 6 months after surgery. At 12 months after operation, there were 3 cases of femoral head collapse in group C and 4 cases in group C2(P>0.05);At 24 months after operation, 1 case of femoral head collapse occurred in group B, 6 cases in group C1 and 8 cases in group C2(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Core decompression and bone grafting can improve the effect of ONFH and hip preservation. The effect of hip preservation for ONFH is closely related to the location of the osteonecrosis lesion, so the influence of the location of lesion on the effect of hip preservation should be considered in clinical treatment, so as to make better preoperative hip preservation plan.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Femur Head Necrosis/diagnosis* ; Femur Head/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Decompression, Surgical ; Bone Transplantation