OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of manual acupuncture manipulations (MAMs) on subcutaneous muscle tissue, by developing quantitative models of "lifting and thrusting" and "twisting and rotating", based on machine learning techniques. METHODS: A depth camera was used to capture the acupuncture operator's hand movements during "lifting and thrusting" and "twisting and rotating" of needle. Simultaneously, the ultrasound imaging was employed to record the muscle tissue responses of the participants. Amplitude and angular features were extracted from the movement data of operators, and muscle fascicle slope features were derived from the data of ultrasound images. The dynamic time warping barycenter averaging algorithm was adopted to align the dual-source data. Various machine learning techniques were applied to build quantitative models, and the performance of each model was compared. The most optimal model was further analyzed for its interpretability. RESULTS: Among the quantitative models built for the two types of MAMs, the random forest model demonstrated the best performance. For the quantitative model of the "lifting and thrusting" technique, the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.825. For the "twisting and rotating" technique, R² reached 0.872. CONCLUSION Machine learning can be used to effectively develop the models and quantify the effects of MAMs on subcutaneous muscle tissue. It provides a new perspective to understand the mechanism of acupuncture therapy and lays a foundation for optimizing acupuncture technology and designing personalized treatment regimen in the future.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Machine Learning ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Subcutaneous Tissue/diagnostic imaging* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between fish consumption and stroke is inconsistent, and it is uncertain whether this association varies across predicted stroke risks. METHODS: A cohort study comprising 95,800 participants from the Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China project was conducted. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on fish consumption. Participants were stratified into low- and moderate-to-high-risk categories based on their 10-year stroke risk prediction scores. Hazard ratios ( HRs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models and additive interaction by relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (SI). RESULTS: During 703,869 person-years of follow-up, 2,773 incident stroke events were identified. Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, particularly among moderate-to-high-risk individuals ( HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.47-0.60) than among low-risk individuals ( HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.49-0.85). A significant additive interaction between fish consumption and predicted stroke risk was observed (RERI = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.80-5.36; SI = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.42-1.89; AP = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.28-0.43). CONCLUSION Higher fish consumption was associated with a lower risk of stroke, and this beneficial association was more pronounced in individuals with moderate-to-high stroke risk.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Stroke/etiology* ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Incidence ; Aged ; Animals ; Fishes ; Risk Factors ; Diet ; Seafood ; Adult ; Cohort Studies

OBJECTIVE: To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases. METHODS: TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases. RESULTS: Increased TB risk was linked to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall, whereas NO ₂, SO ₂, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM _2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM ₁₀ ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO ₂ ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO ₂ ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM _2.5 on TB. CONCLUSION Exposure to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Tuberculosis/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Meteorological Concepts ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Air Pollution ; Middle Aged

Objective:To investigate the associations of onset age, diabetes duration, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels with ischemic stroke risk in type 2 diabetes patients.Methods:The participants were from Comprehensive Research on the Prevention and Control of the Diabetes in Jiangsu Province. The study used data from baseline survey from December 2013 to January 2014 and follow-up until December 31, 2021. After excluding the participants who had been diagnosed with stroke at baseline survey and those with incomplete information on onset age, diabetes duration, and HbA1c level, a total of 17 576 type 2 diabetes patients were included. Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate the hazard ratio ( HR) and 95% CI of onset age, diabetes duration, and HbA1c level for ischemic stroke. Results:During the median follow-up time of 8.02 years, 2 622 ischemic stroke cases were registered. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model showed that a 5-year increase in type 2 diabetes onset age was significantly associated with a 5% decreased risk for ischemic stroke ( HR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.99). A 5-year increase in diabetes duration was associated with a 5% increased risk for ischemic stroke ( HR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10). Higher HbA1c (per 1 standard deviation increase: HR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.13-1.21) was associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke. Conclusion:The earlier onset age of diabetes, longer diabetes duration, and high levels of HbA1c are associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke in type 2 diabetes patients.

To investigate the associations of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its subtypes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jiangsu Province.Methods:The participants were enrolled in the Comprehensive Research project regarding 'Prevention and Control of Diabetes' in Jiangsu Province. The baseline survey was conducted from 2013 to 2014, and follow-up until December 31, 2021. After excluding the participants who self-reported with chronic liver disease/stroke/coronary heart disease at baseline survey and those with incomplete information on GGT, a total of 16 147 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate the hazard ratio ( HR) and their 95% CI of GGT for CVD, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Restricted cubic spline models were applied to analyze the dose-response relationship between GGT and the risk of CVD and its subtypes. Results:During the median follow-up time of 8.02 years, 2 860 CVD cases were registered, including 196 cases of myocardial infarction and 2 730 cases of stroke. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model indicated that compared to the lowest serum GGT level group, the highest GGT level group had a 24% increased risk of CVD ( HR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.09-1.41) and a 23% increased risk of stroke ( HR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.40). The restricted cubic spline model showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between GGT and the risk of CVD, myocardial infarction, and stroke in T2DM patients. Conclusions:High levels of GGT may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in T2DM patients, which needs further exploration and validation in future clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of circ_0000263 on HeLa cell activity, apoptosis, telomerase activity, and radiosensitivity.Methods:The Hela cells were divided into si-NC, si-circ, vector, circ_0000263, anti-NC, anti-miR-338-3p, miR-NC, miR-338-3p, si-circ+anti-NC, si-circ+ anti-miR-338-3p, si-circ+vector, si-circ+TERT, sh-NC, sh-circ groups. Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expressions of circ_0000263 and miR-338-3p. Cell clone formation array was used to detect cell survival; cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to detect cell proliferation; flow cytometry to detect apoptosis; western blot method to detect the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cleaved-casp3, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) proteins; double luciferase assay to detect the targeting relationships of circ_0000263 and miR-338-3p, miR-338-3p and TERT; telomere repeat amplification enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (TRAR-ELISA) to detect telomerase activity.Results:Circ_0000263 was highly expressed in Hela cells, miR-338-3p was low expressed, and TERT was highly expressed; circ_0000263 was also highly expressed in Hela cells treated with radiation ( P＜0.05). Knockdown of circ_0000263 inhibited the clone formation and cell proliferation ability of HeLa cells, and enhanced the radiosensitivity and apoptosis of HeLa cells. In contrast, knockdown of circ_0000263 decreased PCNA protein expression level and enhanced Cleaved-casp3 protein expression level in HeLa cells ( P＜0.05). The apoptosis rate in the si-circ group was (13.19±1.12)%, which was higher than (6.80±0.62)% of si-NC group ( P＜0.05). The apoptosis rate in the si-circ+4 Gy group was (24.82±1.57)%, which was higher than (17.00±0.96)% of si-NC+4 Gy group ( P＜0.05). Circ_0000263 targeted regulated miR-338-3p, and miR-338-3p targeted regulated TERT. MiR-338-3p was lowly expressed in HeLa cells, and knockdown of circ_0000263 elevated miR-338-3p expression level in HeLa cells. Circ_0000263 regulated TERT expression and inhibited telomerase activity through miR-338-3p. MiR-338-3p/TERT can restore the effect of circ_0000263 on the radiosensitivity of Hela cells. The apoptosis rate in the si-circ+anti-NC group was (27.37±0.89)%, which was higher than (18.22±1.18)% of the si-circ+anti-miR-338-3p group ( P＜0.05). The apoptosis rate in the si-circ+vector group was (27.55±0.48)%, which was higher than (20.10±0.68)% of si-circ+TERT group ( P＜0.05). After 72 hours of radiation by 4 Gy, the cell survival fraction of si-circ+anti-NC group was 0.41±0.02, which was lower than 0.66±0.03 of the si-circ+anti-miR-338-3p group ( P＜0.05); the cell survival fraction of si-circ+vector group was 0.42±0.05, which was lower than 0.70±0.03 of si-circ+TERT group ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Inhibiting the expression of circ_0000263 supresses the proliferation of Hela cells by regulating miR-338-3p/TERT, promotes apoptosis, inhibits telomerase activity, increases the radiosensitivity of cancer cells, and provides a theoretical basis for improving the radiosensitivity of Hela cells.

Objective:To explore the trends and distribution of liver cancer between sexes, ages, and urban-rural areas in Tianjin, China from 1999 to 2021, and provide data for targeted prevention and control strategies of liver cancer in Tianjin.Methods:Liver cancer mortality data of Tianjin during 1999-2021 were from the Tianjin population based mortality surveillance system maintained by the Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the population data of permanent Tianjin residents were from Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau. Liver cancer mortality, years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), and disability adjusted life years (DALY) were calculated using the cause of death surveillance data collected by Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The distributions of these data among residents of different sexes, ages, and regions were analyzed. Segi's world standard population was used for standardization. Joinpoint regression was used for trend analysis on the mortality rate of liver cancer and the disease burden.Results:The liver cancer mortality rate in Tianjin decreased by 46.75% from 1999 to 2021, with distinct phased characteristics. From 1999 to 2010, the age-sex-standardized mortality rate (SMR) decreased from 12.62/100 000 to 11.64/100 000 with an annual percent change (APC) of -1.32% ( P=0.003). From 2010 to 2021, the SMR decreased from 11.64/100 000 to 6.72/100 000 (APC=-3.89%, P＜0.001). The age-sex-standardized DALY rates(SDR) decreased by 50.63% from 1999 to 2021, also with distinct phased characteristics. From 1999 to 2010, the SDR decreased from 388.67/100 000 to 349.38/100 000 (APC=-1.35%, P=0.002). From 2010 to 2021, the SDR decreased from 349.38/100 000 to 191.88/100 000 (APC=-4.43%, P＜0.001). The liver cancer mortality rate declined most rapidly in the age group under 45 years; the APC for those under 35 years was -5.07% ( P＜0.001), and for those aged 35-44 years, the APC was 0.63% ( P=0.707) and -8.21% ( P＜0.001) before and after 2007, respectively. Both SMR and SDR were significantly higher in males than in females ( P＜0.01). Both SMR and SDR were significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas from 1999 to 2007 ( P＜0.05), but they became similar after 2008. Liver cancer DALY are predominantly YLL, accounting for 99%. The median age of liver cancer deaths in Tianjin during 1999-2021 was 64-68 years old, with males lower than females ( P＜0.05), and rural areas lower than urban areas ( P＜0.05), generally showing an increasing trend (1999-2014: APC=0.11%, P=0.047; 2014-2021: APC=0.51%, P=0.005). Conclusions:Liver cancer mortality rate and disease burden decreased from 1999 to 2021 in Tianjin, with an especially accelerated decline after 2010. Further efforts to reduce liver cancer mortality in Tianjin are needed, and special attention should be focused on the elderly, male, and rural residents.

In prokaryotes like Escherichia coli (E. coli), transcription tends to be coupled with translation, which is usually manifested in the mutual regulation of transcription and translation such as transcription polarity, transcription attenuation and synchronization of transcription and translation rates. Indirect coupling and physical coupling are two different models of the coupling. Indirect coupling maintained by the alarmone (p)ppGpp may require the assistance of DksA and TufA proteins. Physical coupling could be divided into those mediated by NusG or RfaH factors and those induced via “collision” under non-factor condition. Changes in transcription or translation in response to pressure will lead to mutual transitions among several coupling modes. Coupling is necessary for normal gene expression, and its release will contribute to adverse events such as transcription termination, R-loop formation, conflict between replication and transcription and mRNA cleavage. The related technologies of structural biology have clearly demonstrated the structural details and characteristics of partial coupled expressomes. These technologies, combined with methods like multiomics analysis, will provide deeper insights into the coupling. Significantly, the study of the coupling may bring new ideas for development of the targeted antibiotics.

BACKGROUND:Superovulation is a common therapy in assisted reproductive technology.In clinical practice,some patients experience repeated superovulation to get pregnant. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of repeated superovulation on the developmental potential of oocytes in mice and humans. METHODS:Both animal experiments and retrospective clinical research were conducted.The animal study involved 90 SPF grade ICR 8-week-old female mice,who were randomly divided into three groups for 1,3,and 5 superovulations,respectively.The clinical study involved 306 patients who had undergone three consecutive in vitro fertilization cycles.The number of ovules obtained and embryonic development in different cycles were compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The animal study indicated that repeated superovulation did not affect the embryonic development or developmental speed of mouse embryos.Similarly,there was no significant difference in the mouse blastocyst apoptosis,DNA damage,or the formation of inner cell mass and trophectoderm(P>0.05).(2)The clinical study also revealed no significant differences in the number of retrieved oocytes(8.60±5.04,8.58±4.87,and 8.38±4.63,P=0.81)and transferable embryos(2.42±1.99,2.40±1.92,and 2.64±2.00,P=0.26)over the three cycles.(3)In both the young group(<35 years)and the old group(≥35 years),the embryo quality was not affected by repeated superovulation(P>0.05).(4)These findings show that repeated superovulation does not affect the developmental potential of oocytes in mice and humans.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the innovation and sustainable development ability of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) preparation in medical institutions, and to provide reference for the decision-making of administrative departments and the sustainable development of TCM preparation in hospitals. METHODS Based on the information data of 133 medical institutions in Zhejiang Province, analytic hierarchy process was used to construct the evaluation system of innovation and sustainable development ability of TCM preparation of medical institutions, and the prediction model of evaluation system of TCM preparation room/center was built by back propagation neural network. RESULTS The evaluation index system for innovation and sustainable development of TCM preparations in medical institutions included 4 second-level indexes and 19 third-level indexes. Among them, the number of varieties developed, the number of over one million varieties, the number of registered varieties, the way of research and development, and the area of preparation room had higher weight values, which were 0.15758, 0.12928,0.09343, 0.07879 and 0.07458, respectively. The entropy weight method and analytic hierarchy process index weights were used to construct the back propagation neural network. The overall correlation coefficients of the training models of the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm and the Scaled Conjugate Gradient algorithm were 0.98983 and 0.93480, respectively. CONCLUSION This study establishes a scientific and effective comprehensive evaluation system for the innovation and sustainable development ability of TCM preparations in medical institutions, which can realize the prediction and evaluation of the comprehensive ability of TCM preparations in medical institutions.