Objective: To investigate the effect of auricular therapy on sleep improvement and the GABAergic system pathway in a rat model of insomnia and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods: According to the random number table, 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, auricular point sticking, auricular bloodletting, and auricular bloodletting combined with sticking groups, with 12 rats per group. Insomnia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine. After establishing the insomnia model, 36 rats were treated once a day with auricular point sticking or bloodletting for 5 consecutive days. After the intervention, the general condition and body weight of rats were observed; the righting reflex test was used to detect the sleep latency and duration; HE staining was used to observe the morphology of hypothalamic neuron cells; and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the GABA and glutamate content in rat serum. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect GABA ARα1 and GABA ARγ2 protein and mRNA expression in the hypothalamus of rats, and Western blotting(WB) was used to detect GABA ARα1, GABA ARγ2, GAD65/67, GAT-1, and GABA-T protein expression in the hypothalamus of rats. Results: Compared with the blank control group, the model group had a lower body weight, a significantly shorter sleep duration (P<0.05), severe damage to the morphological structure of hypothalamic neurons with disordered cell arrangement, larger intercellular gaps, enlarged cell bodies, and a vacuolated appearance. All the intervention groups had significantly higher body weight and longer sleep duration than the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the other intervention groups, the auricular point sticking group had a longer sleep duration (P<0.05), and the hypothalamic neuron cells in all intervention groups improved, with the auricular point sticking group showing more apparent improvement. The model group had a lower GABA and higher glutamate contents, and GABA ARα1, GABA ARγ2, and GAD65/67 protein expression in the hypothalamus were lower than in the blank control group. In contrast, GAT-1 and GABA-T protein expression was higher, and GABA ARα1 and GABA ARγ2 mRNA expression was lower (P<0.05). The serum GABA content in the auricular point sticking and auricular bloodletting groups was higher, and the serum glutamate content in the auricular point sticking and auricular bloodletting combined sticking groups was lower than in the model group. GABA ARα1 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus of each intervention group was significantly increased, and GABA ARγ2 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus of the auricular point sticking and auricular bloodletting combined sticking groups increased. GABA ARα1(IHC, WB), GABA ARγ2(WB), and GAD65/67 protein expression in the hypothalamus of the auricular point sticking group increased, whereas GAT-1 and GABA-T protein expression decreased. GABA ARα1 and GABA ARγ2 protein expression(IHC, WB) in the hypothalamus of the auricular bloodletting group increased, whereas GABA-T protein expression decreased. GABA ARγ1(IHC) and GABA ARγ2(WB) protein expression in the hypothalamus of the auricular bloodletting combined sticking group increased, whereas GAT-1 and GABA-T protein expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with in the inventation groups, the serum GABA content in the auricular point sticking group increased, the serum glutamate content decreased, GABA ARα1 and GABA ARγ2 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus increased, and GABA ARα1(IHC), GAD65/67 protein expression increased. In contrast, GABA-T protein expression decreased (P<0.05), and GABA ARγ2 protein expression(IHC) in the hypothalamus of the auricular bloodletting group increased (P<0.05). Conclusion Auricular therapy, particularly auricular point sticking, may have modulated the GABAergic system pathway by upregulating hypothalamic GABA ARα1, GABA ARγ2, and GAD65/67 protein expression while downregulating GAT-1 and GABA-T protein expression to alleviate symptoms in an insomnia rat model.

ObjectiveTo explore the main mechanism of self-precipitation formed during the decoction of Sinitang（SNT）， and to provide a research basis for exploring the differences in the toxic and effective components of this compound. MethodsThe average precipitation yields of SNT， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma（GRR）-Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata（ALRP） decoction（GF）， ALRP-Zingiberis Rhizoma（ZR） decoction（FJ）， GRR-ZR decoction（GJD）， ALRP decoction（FZ）， ZR decoction（GJ） and GRR decoction（GC） were determined. The four main self-precipitation samples of SNT， GF， FZ and GC were physically characterized by particle size， scanning electron microscopy（SEM）， pH， total dissolved solids（TDS）， conductivity， and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy（FT-IR） analysis. The chemical compositions of SNT decoction and its different phases was identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS） for SNT， SNT self-precipitation and SNT supernatant， and the contents of its main toxic and effective components were determined by high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）. ResultsPrecipitation yield results of the 7 samples of SNT decoction and single decoction showed that SNT had the highest self-precipitation yield. The formation of SNT self-precipitation was mainly related to the reaction between ALRP and GRR components to form complexes， and FT-IR showed that GRR had the greatest influence on the formation of self-precipitation. A total of 110 components were identified in the SNT decoction， including 100 components in the SNT self-precipitation and 106 components in the SNT supernatant. And quantitative results of the main toxic and effective components revealed that the reaction between ALRP and GRR components formed complexes， resulting in the following content hierarchy for free components：SNT decoctionsupernatantself-precipitation， these components included free liquiritin， benzoylmesaconine， benzoylaconitine， benzoylhypacoitine， liquiritigenin， aconitine， hypoaconitine， isoliquiritigenin and ammonium glycyrrhizinate. ConclusionSNT exhibits spontaneous precipitation during compound decoction， with GRR exerting the greatest influence on its formation. This suggests GRR plays a significant role in the detoxification of SNT. The differences in the self-precipitated toxic-effective components of SNT compound decoction primarily manifest as changes in component content， reflecting the characteristics of SNT "deposition in vitro and sustained release in vivo" and the importance of "administered at draught" in the clinical application of SNT.

Objective:To analyze the multidrug resistance and genomic characteristics of Monophasic variant of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (monophasic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium) isolates from clinical patients and food sources in Henan province. Method:A total of 91 monophasic S.Typhimurium strains isolated from clinical and food sources in Henan from 2021 to 2023 were analyzed for antimicrobial sensitivity and underwent whole genome sequencing. Multilocus sequence typing(MLST), multidrug resistance genes and plasmid types were identified using the sequencing data. Phylogenetic tree based on core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites was constructed to analyze the genetic evolutionary relationship by comparing with international popular strains in public databases. The Chi-square test was used to compare drug resistance rates. Results:No significant difference was observed in the drug resistance rates between the clinical strains and food strains in Henan [82.19%(60/73) and 11/18, χ2=2.614, P=0.106]. The overall multidrug resistance (MDR) rate was 78.02%(71/91). Most strains were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline chloramphenicol, β-lactam and sulfonamides. Resistance genes carried by the isolates varied, as well as the drug-resistant phenotypes. MLST showed that 91 strains of S.Typhimurium belonged to ST34 and carried aminoglycoside acetyltransferase gene aac(6′)-Iaa and mobile genetic elements such as plasmids IncQ1 and IncHI2/IncHI2A. The results of cgMLST typing phylogenetic trees showed that food and clinical isolates from the same region in Henan were identified as the same cgST type and clustered in the same branch, which indicated the risk for cross-infection between animal and human. The phylogenetic tree of monophasic S.Typhimurium constructed based on SNP sites showed that the majority of monophasic S.Typhimurium strains in Henan were close to the strains from other provinces in China, other strains were close to the strains from Europe and Southeast Asia, suggesting the possibility of cross regional transmission of the strains. Pork was identified as the main food source. Conclusion:The prevalent ST type of monophasic S.Typhimurium isolated from Henan was ST34, which carried multiple antibiotic resistance genes and widespread drug resistance phenotypes. Most of the monophasic S.Typhimurium isolates in Henan showed a specific phylogenetic lineage with the foreign epidemic strains, indicating the possibility of dissemination of strains between humans and food.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Sheng Mai San mixed Jiawei Sheng Xian Tang on patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF)of Qi deficiency blood stasis type,and its impact on the immune inflammatory response of patients.Methods Ninety patients with HFrEF of Qi deficiency blood stasis type were selected and divided into two groups according to the treatment plan.Patients of the conventional group(42 cases)took sacubitril/valsartan sodium tablets orally.Patients of the combined group(48 cases)were treated with Sheng Mai San combined with Jiawei Sheng Xian Tang on the basis of the conventional group,one dose per day,and divided it in two servings used in the morning and evening.The symptoms of the patients were evaluated by using traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score before and after the treatment respectively.Echocardiography technology was used to measure the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD)and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF).Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect pentaggrin 3(PTX3),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),galectin-3(Gal-3),interleukin(IL)-8,IL-6,IL-33 and angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ).N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)was detected by immunofluorescence analysis.The therapeutic effect was evaluated based on the symptoms and the New York Heart Association(NYHA)cardiac function classification in the United States.Results After treatment,the levels of TCM syndrome scores,LVEDD,TNF-α,PTX3,IL-8,IL-6,IL-33,NT-proBNP,Gal-3 and AngⅡ decreased in both groups,and those in the combined group were lower than those in the conventional group(P＜0.05).The LVEF increased,and which were higher in the combined group than those of the conventional group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the total effective rate of the combined group was higher than that of the conventional group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The Sheng Mai San mixed Jiawei Sheng Xian Tang as adjuvant therapy can effectively reduce the levels of immune inflammatory cytokines in HFrEF patients of Qi deficiency blood stasis type,improve their clinical symptoms and enhance therapeutic effect.

Objective To explore the correlation between the expression of serum human leukocyte antigen B27(HLA-B27) and serum amyloid A(SAA) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and the severity of the disease and the infection of other pulmonary pathogens. Methods From September 2021 to September 2023,120 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with pulmonary infection in Beijing Ditan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University were selected as the research group,and another 120 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were selected as the control group. According to the pneumonia severity index (PSI),the study group patients were divided into low-risk group (n=47),medium risk group (n=42) and high-risk group (n=31). Collected patient sputum for pathogen detection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to measure the expression levels of HLA-B27 and SAA in serum. Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the factors that affected the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis combined with pulmonary infection in patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of serum HLA-B27 and SAA for the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis combined with pulmonary infection in patients. Results Compared with the control group,the positive rate of serum HLA-B27(72.50％ vs 19.17％)in the study group,expression level of SAA (9.32±2.32 ng/ml vs 4.64±1.04 ng/ml)were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant(x2=68.744,t=20.164,all P<0.05). A total of 84 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated by the research group,including 46 Gram negative bacteria,34 Gram positive bacteria,and 4 fungi,with Klebsiella pneumoniae accounting for the highest proportion (15.48％). Compared with the low-risk group,the positive rate of HLA-B27(76.19％,93.55％ vs 55.32％),the expression level of SAA(9.35±2.35ng/ml,10.94±2.42ng/ml vs 8.23±2.23ng/ml)and the PSI score(108.63±12.47score,145.93±12.44 score vs 54.48±17.31 score) in the middle-risk group and the severe-risk group were significantly higher,and the differences were statistically significant (x2=4.256,13.130,t=2.306,5.077;15.021,25.384,all P<0.05). Serum HLA-B27 and SAA levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with pulmonary infection were positively correlated with PSI score (r=0.385,0.522,all P<0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that HLA-B27 positivity and SAA were risk factors affecting the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis combined with pulmonary infection in patients (P<0.05). The combined diagnosis of serum HLA-B27 and SAA had the highest area under the curve (AUC) for the severity of pulmonary infection in patients,which was superior to the individual diagnosis of serum HLA-B27 and elevated SAA expression levels (Z=3.132,2.131,P=0.002,0.033). Conclusion The pathogenic bacteria in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pulmonary infection are mainly Gram negative bacteria. The increases in serum HLA-B27 positive rate and SAA expression level are closely related to the disease progression in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pulmonary infection. The combination of the two can better diagnose the severity of the disease in patients with pulmonary infection.

Objective: To assess the dynamic changes of microcirculation at acupoints in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and cold congelation and blood stasis syndrome using laser speckle blood flow imaging. Methods: Patients with primary dysmenorrhea and cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome (primary dysmenorrhea group, n=53) and healthy female college students(control group, n=57) who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from October 2020 to July 2022 were enrolled at Hebei University of Chinese Medicine. On the premenstrual and first day of menstruation, a laser speckle blood flow imaging system was used to measure the microcirculation blood flow perfusion on the surface of acupoints related to the conception, thoroughfare, and governor vessels, and stomach, spleen, and bladder meridians in the abdomen and lumbosacral regions. The dynamic changes in microcirculation were calculated based on the difference in average blood flow perfusion at each acupoint before and after menstruation. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of dynamic changes in microcirculation on the surface of each acupoint. The microcirculation sensitization rate of acupoints was calculated. Results: Compared with the control group, the dynamic changes in microcirculation at the following acupoints in the primary dysmenorrhea group were increased (P<0.05): conception vessel (Yinjiao[CV7], Qihai[CV6], Shimen[CV5], Guanyuan[CV4]); left thoroughfare vessel (left Huangshu[KI16], left Zhongzhu[KI15], left Siman[KI14], left Qixue[KI13], left Dahe[KI12], left Henggu[KI11]); left stomach meridian (left Tianshu[ST25], left Wailing[ST26], left Qichong[ST30]); left spleen meridian (left Daheng[SP15], left Fujie[SP14]); right thoroughfare vessel (right Huangshu[KI16], right Zhongzhu[KI15], right Siman[KI14], right Qixue[KI13], right Dahe[KI12], right Henggu[KI11]); right stomach meridian (right Wailing[ST26], right Daju[ST27], right Shuidao[ST28], right Guilai[ST29], right Qichong[ST30]); and right spleen meridian (right Fujie[SP14]). The area under the ROC curve of conception vessel (Yinjiao[CV7], Qihai[CV6], Shimen[CV5], Guanyuan[CV4]), thoroughfare vessel (right Siman[KI14], left Huangshu[KI16], right Qixue[KI13], right Zhongzhu[KI15], right Dahe[KI12], left Zhongzhu[KI15], left Siman[KI14], right Huangshu[KI16], left Qixue[KI13], right Henggu[KI11], left Henggu[KI11], left Dahe[KI12]); stomach meridian (left Tianshu[ST25], right Guilai[ST29], left Wailing[ST26], right Shuidao[ST28], right Daju[ST27], right Wailing[ST26], right Qichong[ST30], left Qichong[ST30]), and spleen meridian (left Daheng[SP15], left Fujie[SP14], right Fujie[SP14]) was 0.610-0.682 (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the sensitization rate of some acupoints in the primary dysmenorrhea group increased (P<0.05). Conclusion With the onset of menstruation, the blood flow perfusion of some acupoints in the abdomen (thoroughfare, and conception vessels, and stomach and spleen meridians) of patients with primary dysmenorrhea and cold blood coagulation and blood stasis syndrome increased, and the status of acupoints changed from a resting state to an active state. These acupoints are sensitive in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and cold blood coagulation and blood stasis syndrome and have a certain diagnostic efficacy, providing a basis for further analyzing the efficacy and mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion to treat primary dysmenorrhea with cold blood coagulation and blood stasis syndrome.

Objective:To evaluate the utility of pulse oximetry-derived parameters—specifically, the pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveform area under the curve (POP AUC) and the peripheral perfusion index (PPI)—in assessing disease severity and predicting prognosis in patients with sepsis. Methods:In this prospective descriptive study, 68 patients with sepsis were categorized based on illness severity into septic shock and non-shock groups, and by 28-day outcome into survival and non-survival groups. POP AUC, PPI, and lactate (Lac) levels were recorded at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after admission. APACHEⅡ and SOFA scores were calculated within the first 24 hours. The prognostic value of these parameters was evaluated. Results:Significant differences were observed between the septic shock and non-shock groups in POP AUC, PPI, Lac (all P < 0.05 except at 96 h), APACHEⅡ, and SOFA scores (all P < 0.05). These differences were most pronounced at admission: POP AUC0 (2475.1 ± 899.0) vs. (4260.3 ± 1028.5), PPI 0 (0.78 ± 0.74) vs. (3.13 ± 2.18), Lac 0 (4.95 ± 4.32) vs. (2.07 ± 1.55), APACHE Ⅱ (16.78 ± 5.59) vs. 11.82 ± 4.89), and SOFA (8.89 ± 3.25) vs. (5.06 ± 2.60). Optimal prognostic cut-off values were 2741.43 for POP AUC, 0.97 for PPI, 2.05 for Lac, 12.5 for APACHEⅡ, and 5.5 for SOFA. ROC curve analysis showed that at 24 hours, POP AUC and PPI had significantly larger AUC values than Lac ( P < 0.05), while no significant differences were found among other parameters. Significant differences between non-survivors and survivors were also found in POP AUC, PPI (at 0, 24, and 48 h), APACHE II, and SOFA (all P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in PPI (72 h and 96 h) or Lac between the two outcome groups. Conclusions:POP AUC and PPI, as derived from pulse oximetry, are non-inferior to Lac, SOFA, and APACHEⅡ scores in evaluating disease severity and predicting 28-day mortality in sepsis patients. These parameters show promise as practical and non-invasive tools for clinical assessment in sepsis.

AIM:This study aims to investigate the role of ferroptosis in the myocardium of mice with lipopoly-saccharide(LPS)-induced sepsis and in the injury of H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes,and to explore the regulatory function of microRNA-351-5p(miR-351-5p)in this context.METHODS:An in vivo model of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy was established in mice through intraperitoneal injection of LPS.Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into negative control(NC)group,LPS group,and LPS+ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1)group.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was conducted to assess cardiac injury,and plasma levels of creatine kinase(CK)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)were also measured.Additionally,the levels of Fe2+and malondialdehyde(MDA)in plasma were quantified,and the mRNA levels of acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4)and prostaglandin-endperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2)were de-tected by RT-qPCR.In vitro,H9c2 cardiomyocytes were stimulated with LPS to create cellular models,followed by treat-ment with Fer-1,inhibitor NC,or miR-351-5p inhibitor.Cell viability was evaluated using CCK8 assay,intracellular re-active oxygen species(ROS)were measured by flow cytometry,intracellular Fe2+levels were assessed using a fluorescence probe,and the protein expression of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and ACSL4 was analyzed by Western blot.The MDA and reduced glutathione(GSH)levels were measured using commercial kits.MicroRNA(miRNA)sequencing was performed on the LPS-stimulated H9c2 cardiomyocyte models,with differential miRNAs identified and subsequently vali-dated using RT-qPCR.RESULTS:The mice in LPS group exhibited significant myocardial tissue dysregulation com-pared with NC group,with enlarged space,increased plasma CK and LDH levels(P<0.05),elevated Fe2+and MDA levels in myocardial tissues(P<0.05),and increased mRNA levels of ACSL4 and PTGS2(P<0.05).In contrast,the mice in LPS+Fer-1 group demonstrated improved myocardial tissue structure,reduced space,decreased plasma CK and LDH levels(P<0.05),and lower Fe2+and MDA levels in myocardial tissues(P<0.05),along with decreased mRNA level of PTGS2(P<0.05).In H9c2 cardiomyocytes,cell viability,intracellular GSH level,and GPX4 protein level were significantly reduced in LPS group compared with NC group(P<0.05),while ROS,MDA,Fe2+,and ACSL4 protein levels were elevated(P<0.05).The cells in LPS+Fer-1 group showed increased viability,intracellular GSH level,and GPX4 protein level compared with LPS group(P<0.05),alongside reduced ROS,MDA,Fe2+,and ACSL4 levels(P<0.05).miRNA sequencing revealed a significant decrease in several miRNAs,with miR-351-5p showing the most pro-nounced reduction.In LPS+miR-351 inhibitor group,H9c2 cell viability significantly declined(P<0.05),and the levels of GSH and GPX4 were notably lowered(P<0.05),while ROS,MDA,Fe2+and ACSL4 protein levels were significantly elevated(P<0.05).However,in LPS+miR-351 inhibitor+Fer-1 group,the cell viability increased(P<0.05),and the GSH level rose significantly(P<0.05),with corresponding decreases in intracellular ROS,Fe2+and ACSL4 protein levels(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Inhibition of ferroptosis attenuated sepsis-induced myocardial injury,and inhibition of miR-351-5p promotes sepsis-induced ferroptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

AIM:This study aimed to utilize network pharmacology and an anxiety rat model to investigate the intervention targets and underlying mechanisms of Baixiangdan capsule(BXD)in the treatment of anxiety-like behavior.METHODS:We screened the action targets of BXD on the anxiety model using network pharmacology,followed by Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis of the identified targets.Additionally,we evaluated the effects of BXD on rat anxiety behaviors induced by foot shock,with measurement of serum level of c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor(JIK),and the protein levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),phos-phorylated JNK(p-JNK)and JIK in the left hippocampus and hypothalamus.RESULTS:A total of 97 targets,including the dopamine D1/D3 receptors,were identified as intersection targets.GO enrichment analysis indicated that target pro-teins were significantly involved in molecular functions such as catecholamine binding,receptor activation,and signal transduction.KEGG pathway analysis revealed that neural receptor-ligand pathways,including dopaminergic synapses(15%)and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction(18%),were notably represented.In behavioral experiments,BXD and diazepam treatments significantly reduced total path in the open-field test(P＜0.01),while the number of entries into the central region increased(P＜0.05).Additionally,the percentage of entry times of the open arm and the percentage of time spent in the open arm were also increased(P＜0.01).Furthermore,BXD treatment led to decreased ratio of p-JNK/JNK and increased level of JIK(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:The traditional Chinese medicine BXD demonstrates a promising efficacy in alleviating anxiety-like behaviors in model rats.It operates through a multi-component,multi-target,and multi-pathway approach,primarily by modulating the JIK/JNK signaling pathway.

Objective:To develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic scoring model for magnetic resonance imaging-detected extramural vascular invasion (AI-mrEMVI) and evaluate its performance and prognostic value in patients with rectal cancer.Methods:In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, a total of 2 501 rectal cancer patients from seven centers between November 2012 and December 2020 were included and divided into completely independent training ( n=1 830) and validation ( n=671) cohorts. A nnUNet-based AI-mrEMVI scoring model was constructed. Manual mrEMVI scores assigned by two radiologists served as the reference standard for accessing the accuracy of the AI-mrEMVI scoring. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic stratification ability of the AI-mrEMVI scores. The concordance index (C-index) was calculated to evaluate prognostic performance. Results:In the validation cohort, the manual mrEMVI scores were 0-2 in 425 patients (63.3%), 3 in 89 (13.4%), and 4 in 157 (23.4%). The AI-mrEMVI model identified 0-2 in 375 patients (55.9%), 3 in 95 (14.2%), and 4 in 201 (30.0%), with an overall accuracy of 81.1% (544/671, 95% CI 77.9%-84.0%). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for patients with AI-mrEMVI scores of 0-2, 3, and 4 were 85.2%, 70.0%, and 58.2%, respectively, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.2%, 81.6%, and 62.6%, respectively (DFS: χ2=48.74, P<0.001; OS: χ2=30.04, P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression showed that for DFS, AI-mrEMVI scores of 3 and 4 were associated with hazard ratios ( HR) of 1.75 (95% CI 1.11-2.77, P=0.016) and 2.65 (95% CI 1.86-3.78, P<0.001), respectively. For OS, an AI-mrEMVI score of 4 was associated with an HR of 2.56 (95% CI 1.62-4.03, P<0.001). The C-index values of the AI-mrEMVI scoring model for predicting DFS and OS were 0.647 (95% CI 0.608-0.686) and 0.650 (95% CI 0.598-0.702), respectively. Conclusion:The proposed AI-mrEMVI automatic scoring model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and performed favorably in predicting DFS and OS prognostic risk in patients with rectal cancer.