Objective To investigate the current status of job competency of full-time personnel who engaged in gastrointestinal endoscope cleaning and disinfection in medical institutions in Hubei Province,analyze the influencing factors,and provide reference for conducting the training for full-time personnel in gastrointestinal endoscope clea-ning and disinfection.Methods Through expert consultation and revision,as well as forming of questionnaire,an online survey was conducted.The questionnaire was filled out by full-time personnel who engaged in endoscope cleaning and disinfection in the endoscopy centers/rooms in medical institutions.Results A total of 195 full-time personnel engaged in cleaning and disinfecting gastrointestinal endoscopes in 185 medical institutions participated in the survey,with a self-assessment score of(4.48±0.41)point for job competency.Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the self-assessment scores of job competency based on different le-vels of training,training frequency,income satisfaction,and daily diagnosis and treatment volume(all P＜0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that full-time personnel with working years＞10 years,satisfying with their income,participating in provincial/national level training,receiving training at least once per year,and having an average daily diagnosis and treatment volume＞50 cases had higher self-assessment score of job competency(all P＜0.05).Conclusion In order to enhance the job competency of personnel who engage in gastrointestinal endo-scope cleaning and disinfection,it is recommended to encourage the participation in provincial/national training,and the hospital-wide training should emphasize the application and disposal of cleaning,disinfection,and storage de-vices of gastrointestinal endoscope,as well as disinfection knowledge,and encourage personnel to conduct relevant research.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between membranous urethral length (MUL) and early urinary continence recovery after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 71 prostate cancer patients who underwent RARP by a single surgeon at the PLA General Hospital between January 2020 and December 2023. Patient characteristics included: age of (65.32±6.04) years, BMI (25.21 ± 2.59) kg/m 2, prostate volume 32.41 (24.75, 44.40) ml, PSA 11.67 (8.22, 22.66) ng/ml. Gleason score [6/7/8/9-10: 15 (21.2%)/29 (40.8%)/16 (22.5%)/11 (15.5%)], Clinical stage [cT 1/cT 2/cT 3: 4 (5.6%)/61 (85.9%)/6 (8.5%)]. Measured MUL using multiparametric prostate MRI, median MUL was 13.25 (10.41-14.99) mm. Neurovascular bundle (NVB) preservation in 13 (18.3%) cases. Patients were grouped based on continence recovery at 1 and 3 months post-catheter removal. Age, BMI, prostate volume, PSA, Gleason score, clinical stage, NVB preservation, pathological stage, catheter indwelling time, and MUL were compared between groups. Multivariate analysis identified independent predictors of continence recovery. Results:All 71 surgeries were successful, pathological stage [pT 2/pT 3-4: 47 (66.2%)/24 (33.8%)], and catheter indwelling time 2.7 (2.0, 3.0) weeks. Follow-up data at 2 months were available for 71 patients, at 1 month, 42 patients achieved continence (continence group) and 29 had incontinence (incontinence group).No significant differences were observed between continence and incontinence groups in age [(64.93±6.48)years vs. (65.79±5.89) years], BMI [(26.26±2.52)kg/m 2 vs. (24.52±2.42) kg/m 2], prostate volume [32.00 (24.12, 41.11)ml vs. 33.00 (25.27, 47.97) ml], PSA [12.55 (8.31, 24.00) ng/ml vs. 11.30 (7.92, 20.65) ng/ml], Gleason score [6/7/8/9-10: 6 (14.2%)/18 (42.9%)/12 (28.6%)/6 (14.3%) vs. 9 (31.0%)/11 (37.9%)/4 (13.8%)/5 (17.3%)], clinical stage [cT 1/cT 2/cT 3: 2 (4.8%)/35 (83.3%)/5 (11.9%) vs. 2 (6.9%)/26 (89.7%)/1 (3.4%)], NVB preservation [7 (16.7%) vs. 6 (20.7%)], pathological stage [pT 2/pT 3-4: 27 (64.3%)/15 (35.7%) vs. 20 (69.0%)/9 (31.0%)], or catheter indwelling time [2.6(2.0, 3.0) weeks vs. 2.9 (2.0, 3.4) weeks]. However, MUL was significantly longer in the continence group [13.77 (11.70, 15.32) mm vs. 10.32 (9.65, 13.57) mm, P<0.01]. Follow-up data at 3 months were available for 69 patients, At 3 months, 61 patients achieved continence (continence group) and 8 remained incontinent (incontinence group). No significant differences were observed in age [(64.89±6.25)years vs. (68.13±4.09) years], BMI [(25.34±2.64)kg/m 2 vs. (24.36±2.49) kg/m 2], prostate volume [32.41 (24.44, 44.16)ml vs. 36.13 (27.48, 48.26) ml], PSA [12.50 (8.28, 22.76)ng/ml vs. 13.34 (5.88, 23.39) ng/ml], Gleason score [6/7/8/9-10: 12 (19.7%)/25 (41.0%)/14 (23.0%)/10 (16.3%) vs. 3 (37.5%)/3 (37.5%)/2 (25.0%)/0], clinical stage [cT 1/cT 2/cT 3: 3 (4.9%)/52 (85.2%)/6 (9.8%) vs. 1 (12.5%)/7 (87.5%)/0], NVB preservation [9 (14.8%) vs. 3 (37.5%)], pathological stage [pT 2/pT 3-4: 41 (67.2%)/20 (32.8%) vs. 5 (62.5%)/9 (31.0%)], or catheter indwelling time [2.7(2.0, 3.0)weeks vs. 3.0 (2.3, 3.7) weeks]. MUL remained significantly longer in the continence group [13.57 (10.57, 15.10)mm vs. 10.12 (9.36, 10.42) mm, P=0.002]. Multivariate logistic regression incorporating age, BMI, prostate volume, MUL, NVB preservation, and catheter indwelling time identified MUL as an independent protective factor for continence recovery at both 1 month [ OR=0.62, 95 CI 0.49-0.79, P<0.01] and 3 months [ OR=0.61, 95 CI 0.41-0.92, P=0.017]. Conclusions:MUL is independently associated with early urinary continence recovery after RARP, serving as a protective predictor at both 1 and 3 months after catheter removal.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for positive surgical margins（PSM）after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy（RARP），and to develop and validate a predictive nomogram.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 874 prostate cancer patients who underwent RARP performed by a single surgeon at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2012 and December 2018. Patients were divided into positive surgical margin（n=327）and negative surgical margin（n=547）groups based on postoperative margin status.The PSM group had significantly higher preoperative median tPSA［31.200（19.050，54.400）ng/ml vs. 15.050（9.840，27.590）ng/ml， P<0.01］，higher proportion of patients with PSAD>1 ng/ml 2［49.5%（162/327）vs. 21.2%（116/547）， P<0.01］，biopsy Gleason score ≥8［33.3%（109/327）vs. 21.2%（116/547）， P<0.01］，ISUP grade 4-5［33.3%（109/327）vs. 21.2%（116/547）， P<0.01］，clinical T stage ≥cT 3［11.3%（37/327）vs. 4.2%（23/547）， P<0.01］，and high-risk classification［82.3%（269/327）vs. 55.9%（306/547）， P<0.01］compared to the negative surgical margin group. Conversely，the PSM group had a lower prevalence of hypertension［29.7%（97/327）vs. 40.2%（220/547）， P=0.002］.Patients were randomly split into a training cohort（n=656，75%）and an internal validation cohort（n=218，25%）. An external validation cohort included 71 patients who underwent RARP by different surgeons between January 2014 and December 2016. No significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between cohorts（ P>0.05）.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified independent predictors of PSM，which were incorporated into a nomogram. Predictive performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curves，decision curve analysis（DCA），and calibration curve. Internal and external validations were performed. Results:The PSM group had longer postoperative hospitalization［6（5，8）vs. 6（5，7）days， P=0.028］，higher rates of pathologic Gleason score ≥8［41.5%（115/277）vs. 24.9%（111/446）， P<0.01］，ISUP grade 4-5［41.5%（115/277）vs. 24.9%（111/446）， P<0.01］，pT 3 stage［52.3%（171/327）vs. 17.4%（95/547）， P<0.01］，pN 1 stage［12.8%（42/327）vs. 3.8%（21/547）， P<0.01］，extracapsular extension［52.3%（171/327）vs. 17.4%（95/547）， P<0.01］，and seminal vesicle invasion［34.6%（113/327）vs. 9.1%（50/547）， P<0.01］.Multivariate analysis identified elevated tPSA（ OR=1.014，95% CI 1.004—1.024，P=0.006）and PSAD ≥0.15 ng/（ml/g）（ OR=11.638，95% CI 1.450—93.396，P=0.021）as independent risk factors for PSM. The area under the ROC curve（AUC）of the nomogram constructed based on the above variables was 0.770（95% CI 0.735—0.805）. The AUC values for the internal and external validation sets were 0.698（95% CI 0.630—0.767）and 0.643（95% CI 0.513—0.774），respectively. The calibration curve demonstrated good agreement between the predicted and observed outcomes，and the DCA indicated that the predictive model has potential clinical utility in decision-making. Conclusion:tPSA and PSAD were identified as independent risk factors for PSM. The nomogram constructed based on these two independent predictive variables effectively predicted PSM after RARP.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between membranous urethral length (MUL) and early urinary continence recovery after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 71 prostate cancer patients who underwent RARP by a single surgeon at the PLA General Hospital between January 2020 and December 2023. Patient characteristics included: age of (65.32±6.04) years, BMI (25.21 ± 2.59) kg/m 2, prostate volume 32.41 (24.75, 44.40) ml, PSA 11.67 (8.22, 22.66) ng/ml. Gleason score [6/7/8/9-10: 15 (21.2%)/29 (40.8%)/16 (22.5%)/11 (15.5%)], Clinical stage [cT 1/cT 2/cT 3: 4 (5.6%)/61 (85.9%)/6 (8.5%)]. Measured MUL using multiparametric prostate MRI, median MUL was 13.25 (10.41-14.99) mm. Neurovascular bundle (NVB) preservation in 13 (18.3%) cases. Patients were grouped based on continence recovery at 1 and 3 months post-catheter removal. Age, BMI, prostate volume, PSA, Gleason score, clinical stage, NVB preservation, pathological stage, catheter indwelling time, and MUL were compared between groups. Multivariate analysis identified independent predictors of continence recovery. Results:All 71 surgeries were successful, pathological stage [pT 2/pT 3-4: 47 (66.2%)/24 (33.8%)], and catheter indwelling time 2.7 (2.0, 3.0) weeks. Follow-up data at 2 months were available for 71 patients, at 1 month, 42 patients achieved continence (continence group) and 29 had incontinence (incontinence group).No significant differences were observed between continence and incontinence groups in age [(64.93±6.48)years vs. (65.79±5.89) years], BMI [(26.26±2.52)kg/m 2 vs. (24.52±2.42) kg/m 2], prostate volume [32.00 (24.12, 41.11)ml vs. 33.00 (25.27, 47.97) ml], PSA [12.55 (8.31, 24.00) ng/ml vs. 11.30 (7.92, 20.65) ng/ml], Gleason score [6/7/8/9-10: 6 (14.2%)/18 (42.9%)/12 (28.6%)/6 (14.3%) vs. 9 (31.0%)/11 (37.9%)/4 (13.8%)/5 (17.3%)], clinical stage [cT 1/cT 2/cT 3: 2 (4.8%)/35 (83.3%)/5 (11.9%) vs. 2 (6.9%)/26 (89.7%)/1 (3.4%)], NVB preservation [7 (16.7%) vs. 6 (20.7%)], pathological stage [pT 2/pT 3-4: 27 (64.3%)/15 (35.7%) vs. 20 (69.0%)/9 (31.0%)], or catheter indwelling time [2.6(2.0, 3.0) weeks vs. 2.9 (2.0, 3.4) weeks]. However, MUL was significantly longer in the continence group [13.77 (11.70, 15.32) mm vs. 10.32 (9.65, 13.57) mm, P<0.01]. Follow-up data at 3 months were available for 69 patients, At 3 months, 61 patients achieved continence (continence group) and 8 remained incontinent (incontinence group). No significant differences were observed in age [(64.89±6.25)years vs. (68.13±4.09) years], BMI [(25.34±2.64)kg/m 2 vs. (24.36±2.49) kg/m 2], prostate volume [32.41 (24.44, 44.16)ml vs. 36.13 (27.48, 48.26) ml], PSA [12.50 (8.28, 22.76)ng/ml vs. 13.34 (5.88, 23.39) ng/ml], Gleason score [6/7/8/9-10: 12 (19.7%)/25 (41.0%)/14 (23.0%)/10 (16.3%) vs. 3 (37.5%)/3 (37.5%)/2 (25.0%)/0], clinical stage [cT 1/cT 2/cT 3: 3 (4.9%)/52 (85.2%)/6 (9.8%) vs. 1 (12.5%)/7 (87.5%)/0], NVB preservation [9 (14.8%) vs. 3 (37.5%)], pathological stage [pT 2/pT 3-4: 41 (67.2%)/20 (32.8%) vs. 5 (62.5%)/9 (31.0%)], or catheter indwelling time [2.7(2.0, 3.0)weeks vs. 3.0 (2.3, 3.7) weeks]. MUL remained significantly longer in the continence group [13.57 (10.57, 15.10)mm vs. 10.12 (9.36, 10.42) mm, P=0.002]. Multivariate logistic regression incorporating age, BMI, prostate volume, MUL, NVB preservation, and catheter indwelling time identified MUL as an independent protective factor for continence recovery at both 1 month [ OR=0.62, 95 CI 0.49-0.79, P<0.01] and 3 months [ OR=0.61, 95 CI 0.41-0.92, P=0.017]. Conclusions:MUL is independently associated with early urinary continence recovery after RARP, serving as a protective predictor at both 1 and 3 months after catheter removal.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for positive surgical margins（PSM）after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy（RARP），and to develop and validate a predictive nomogram.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 874 prostate cancer patients who underwent RARP performed by a single surgeon at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2012 and December 2018. Patients were divided into positive surgical margin（n=327）and negative surgical margin（n=547）groups based on postoperative margin status.The PSM group had significantly higher preoperative median tPSA［31.200（19.050，54.400）ng/ml vs. 15.050（9.840，27.590）ng/ml， P<0.01］，higher proportion of patients with PSAD>1 ng/ml 2［49.5%（162/327）vs. 21.2%（116/547）， P<0.01］，biopsy Gleason score ≥8［33.3%（109/327）vs. 21.2%（116/547）， P<0.01］，ISUP grade 4-5［33.3%（109/327）vs. 21.2%（116/547）， P<0.01］，clinical T stage ≥cT 3［11.3%（37/327）vs. 4.2%（23/547）， P<0.01］，and high-risk classification［82.3%（269/327）vs. 55.9%（306/547）， P<0.01］compared to the negative surgical margin group. Conversely，the PSM group had a lower prevalence of hypertension［29.7%（97/327）vs. 40.2%（220/547）， P=0.002］.Patients were randomly split into a training cohort（n=656，75%）and an internal validation cohort（n=218，25%）. An external validation cohort included 71 patients who underwent RARP by different surgeons between January 2014 and December 2016. No significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between cohorts（ P>0.05）.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified independent predictors of PSM，which were incorporated into a nomogram. Predictive performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic（ROC）curves，decision curve analysis（DCA），and calibration curve. Internal and external validations were performed. Results:The PSM group had longer postoperative hospitalization［6（5，8）vs. 6（5，7）days， P=0.028］，higher rates of pathologic Gleason score ≥8［41.5%（115/277）vs. 24.9%（111/446）， P<0.01］，ISUP grade 4-5［41.5%（115/277）vs. 24.9%（111/446）， P<0.01］，pT 3 stage［52.3%（171/327）vs. 17.4%（95/547）， P<0.01］，pN 1 stage［12.8%（42/327）vs. 3.8%（21/547）， P<0.01］，extracapsular extension［52.3%（171/327）vs. 17.4%（95/547）， P<0.01］，and seminal vesicle invasion［34.6%（113/327）vs. 9.1%（50/547）， P<0.01］.Multivariate analysis identified elevated tPSA（ OR=1.014，95% CI 1.004—1.024，P=0.006）and PSAD ≥0.15 ng/（ml/g）（ OR=11.638，95% CI 1.450—93.396，P=0.021）as independent risk factors for PSM. The area under the ROC curve（AUC）of the nomogram constructed based on the above variables was 0.770（95% CI 0.735—0.805）. The AUC values for the internal and external validation sets were 0.698（95% CI 0.630—0.767）and 0.643（95% CI 0.513—0.774），respectively. The calibration curve demonstrated good agreement between the predicted and observed outcomes，and the DCA indicated that the predictive model has potential clinical utility in decision-making. Conclusion:tPSA and PSAD were identified as independent risk factors for PSM. The nomogram constructed based on these two independent predictive variables effectively predicted PSM after RARP.

Objective To investigate the current status of job competency of full-time personnel who engaged in gastrointestinal endoscope cleaning and disinfection in medical institutions in Hubei Province,analyze the influencing factors,and provide reference for conducting the training for full-time personnel in gastrointestinal endoscope clea-ning and disinfection.Methods Through expert consultation and revision,as well as forming of questionnaire,an online survey was conducted.The questionnaire was filled out by full-time personnel who engaged in endoscope cleaning and disinfection in the endoscopy centers/rooms in medical institutions.Results A total of 195 full-time personnel engaged in cleaning and disinfecting gastrointestinal endoscopes in 185 medical institutions participated in the survey,with a self-assessment score of(4.48±0.41)point for job competency.Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the self-assessment scores of job competency based on different le-vels of training,training frequency,income satisfaction,and daily diagnosis and treatment volume(all P＜0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that full-time personnel with working years＞10 years,satisfying with their income,participating in provincial/national level training,receiving training at least once per year,and having an average daily diagnosis and treatment volume＞50 cases had higher self-assessment score of job competency(all P＜0.05).Conclusion In order to enhance the job competency of personnel who engage in gastrointestinal endo-scope cleaning and disinfection,it is recommended to encourage the participation in provincial/national training,and the hospital-wide training should emphasize the application and disposal of cleaning,disinfection,and storage de-vices of gastrointestinal endoscope,as well as disinfection knowledge,and encourage personnel to conduct relevant research.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among middle and high school students in Zhejiang Province, so as to provide scientific basis for the implementation of depressive intervention. Methods: Based on the health status and associated factors of middle and high school students in the project "Monitoring of Common Diseases and Health Influencing Factors of Students" during 2018 to 2021, a total of 73 309 students including middle school, ordinary high school and vocational high school surveyed in 11 cities of Zhejiang Province were selected by multi stage stratified cluster random sampling method. From 2018 to 2021, there were 6 008, 21 917, 23 712 and 21 672 students, respectively. The Chi square test and Logistic regression model were used to analyze the influencing factors of depressive symptoms in middle and high school students. Results: From 2018 to 2021, depressive symptoms detection rate of middle school students was 14.8%, with higher rate in girls (17.1%) than in boys (12.7%), higher rate in high school (17.1% in ordinary high school, 17.6% in vocational high school) than middle school (12.5%)( χ 2=278.77, 327.22, P <0.05). Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in depressive symptoms detection rate among middle school students with different years (2018: 16.7%，2019: 17.9% , 2020: 13.1%, 2021: 13.0%), residence (yes: 16.3%, no:13.5%), body mass index classification (not overweight or obesity: 14.8%, overweight: 14.2%, Obesity: 15.7%), weekly exercise days (0-2 d: 17.1%, 3-5 d: 12.5%, 6-7 d: 13.1%) and bullying (yes: 35.5%, no: 10.7%) ( χ 2=293.40, 118.35, 7.83, 287.24, 4 978.84, P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that female students, ordinary high schools, vocational high schools, obesity, school bullying were positively correlated with depression ( OR =1.65, 1.70, 1.60, 1.12, 5.21), exercise 3 to 5 days per week, exercise 6 to 7 days per week were negatively correlated with depression ( OR=0.77, 0.81, P <0.01). Conclusions Depressive symptoms among middle and high school students in Zhejiang Province are prominent. Strengthening mental health education for students and providing attention and support from families, schools, and society are essential steps to reduce the occurrence of depressive symptoms among these students.

Nitrate is the main form of inorganic nitrogen that crop absorbs, and nitrate transporter 2 (NRT2) is a high affinity transporter using nitrate as a specific substrate. When the available nitrate is limited, the high affinity transport systems are activated and play an important role in the process of nitrate absorption and transport. Most NRT2 cannot transport nitrates alone and require the assistance of a helper protein belonging to nitrate assimilation related family (NAR2) to complete the absorption or transport of nitrates. Crop nitrogen utilization efficiency is affected by environmental conditions, and there are differences between varieties, so it is of great significance to develop varieties with high nitrogen utilization efficiency. Sorghum bicolor has high stress tolerance and is more efficient in soil nitrogen uptake and utilization. The S. bicolor genome database was scanned to systematically analyze the gene structure, chromosomal localization, physicochemical properties, secondary structure and transmembrane domain, signal peptide and subcellular localization, promoter region cis-acting elements, phylogenetic evolution, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) recognition and annotation, and selection pressure of the gene family members. Through bioinformatics analysis, 5 NRT2 gene members (designated as SbNRT2-1a, SbNRT2-1b, SbNRT2-2, SbNRT2-3, and SbNRT2-4) and 2 NAR2 gene members (designated as SbNRT3-1 and SbNRT3-2) were identified, the number of which was less than that of foxtail millet. SbNRT2/3 were distributed on 3 chromosomes, and could be divided into four subfamilies. The genetic structure of the same subfamilies was highly similar. The average value of SbNRT2/3 hydrophilicity was positive, indicating that they were all hydrophobic proteins, whereas α-helix and random coil accounted for more than 70% of the total secondary structure. Subcellular localization occurred on plasma membrane, where SbNRT2 proteins did not contain signal peptides, but SbNRT3 proteins contained signal peptides. Further analysis revealed that the number of transmembrane domains of the SbNRT2s family members was greater than 10, while that of the SbNRT3s were 2. There was a close collinearity between NRT2/3s of S. bicolor and Zea mays. Protein domains analysis showed the presence of MFS_1 and NAR2 protein domains, which supported executing high affinity nitrate transport. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that SbNRT2/3 were more closely related to those of Z. mays and Setaria italic. Analysis of gene promoter cis-acting elements indicated that the promoter region of SbNRT2/3 had several plant hormones and stress response elements, which might respond to growth and environmental cues. Gene expression heat map showed that SbNRT2-3 and SbNRT3-1 were induced by nitrate in the root and stem, respectively, and SbNRT2-4 and SbNRT2-3 were induced by low nitrogen in the root and stem. Non-synonymous SNP variants were found in SbNRT2-4 and SbNRT2-1a. Selection pressure analysis showed that the SbNRT2/3 were subject to purification and selection during evolution. The expression of SbNRT2/3 gene and the effect of aphid infection were consistent with the expression analysis results of genes in different tissues, and SbNRT2-1b and SbNRT3-1 were significantly expressed in the roots of aphid lines 5-27sug, and the expression levels of SbNRT2-3, SbNRT2-4 and SbNRT3-2 were significantly reduced in sorghum aphid infested leaves. Overall, genome-wide identification, expression and DNA variation analysis of NRT2/3 gene family of Sorghum bicolor provided a basis for elucidating the high efficiency of sorghum in nitrogen utilization.
Nitrate Transporters ; Nitrates/metabolism* ; Sorghum/metabolism* ; Anion Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Protein Sorting Signals/genetics* ; Nitrogen/metabolism* ; DNA ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism*

Abdomen/diagnostic imaging* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Body Composition ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Acupuncture therapy is a therapeutic method in traditional Chinese medicine. Its clinical efficacy has widely accepted internationally but its mechanism of action is still unclear. In recent years, more and more researchers began to use brain network analysis to explore the mechanism of action of acupuncture. This article reviews the significance of brain network analysis in the study of acupuncture effect, that is, brain network analysis can effectively assess changes in cerebral function in chronic pain and observe the real therapeutic effect of acupuncture. It also reviews various methods of brain network analysis, including brain functional connectivity (FC) analysis, amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) analysis, regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis, small-world network (SWN) analysis, positron emission computed tomography (PET) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI); the shortcomings and prospects of brain network analysis in the application of acupuncture. A summary of the newest research advances in the application of brain network analysis to the study of acupuncture effect provides a certain reference for the future scientific study.