Objective To explore the recognition capabilities of electronic nose combined with machine learning in identifying the breath odor map of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome elements. Methods The study design was a single-center observational study. General data and four diagnostic information were collected from 108 patients with pulmonary nodules admitted to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM from April 2023 to March 2024. The patients' TCM disease location and nature distribution characteristics were analyzed using the syndrome differentiation method. The Cyranose 320 electronic nose was used to collect the odor profiles of oral exhalation, and five machine learning algorithms including random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) were employed to identify the exhaled breath profiles of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules and different TCM syndromes. Results (1) The common disease locations in pulmonary nodules were ranked in descending order as liver, lung, and kidney; the common disease natures were ranked in descending order as Yin deficiency, phlegm, dampness, Qi stagnation, and blood deficiency. (2) The electronic nose combined with the RF algorithm had the best efficacy in identifying the exhaled breath profiles of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, with an AUC of 0.91, accuracy of 86.36%, specificity of 75.00%, and sensitivity of 92.85%. (3) The electronic nose combined with RF, LR, or XGBoost algorithms could effectively identify the different TCM disease locations and natures of pulmonary nodules, with classification accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity generally exceeding 80.00%.Conclusion Electronic nose combined with machine learning not only has the potential capabilities to differentiate the benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, but also provides new technologies and methods for the objective diagnosis of TCM syndromes in pulmonary nodules.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the neurotransmitter levels and gut microbiota in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome (TS). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) group, control group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, with 9 mice in each group. In the IDPN group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of IDPN (300 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days to induce stereotyped behaviors. Subsequently, in the acupuncture intervention group, standardized acupuncture treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days to IDPN-induced TS model mice. The selected acupoints included Baihui (DU 20), Yintang (DU 29), Waiguan (SJ 5), and Zulinqi (GB 41). In the tiapride group, mice were administered tiapride (50 mg/kg body weight) via oral gavage daily for 14 consecutive days. The control group, IDPN group, and acupuncture group received the same volume of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. Stereotypic behaviors were quantified through behavioral assessments. Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (ASP) in striatal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels were additionally quantified through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Gut microbial composition was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, while metabolic profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Acupuncture administration significantly attenuated stereotypic behaviors, concurrently reducing striatal levels of DA, Glu and ASP concentrations while upregulating DAT expression compared with untreated TS controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Comparative analysis identified significant differences in Muribaculaceae (P=0.001), Oscillospiraceae (P=0.049), Desulfovibrionaceae (P=0.001), and Marinifilaceae (P=0.014) following acupuncture intervention. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in 7 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways when compared to the TS mice, which involved various amino acid metabolisms associated with DA, Glu, and ASP. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture demonstrates significant modulatory effects on both central neurotransmitter systems and gut microbial ecology, thereby highlighting its dual therapeutic potential for TS management through gut-brain axis regulation.
Animals ; Tourette Syndrome/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice

The 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones were separated from agarwood of Aquilaria agallocha Roxb. and their anti-KRAS mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) activities were evaluated. 2-(2-Phenyethyl)chromones in agarwood were separated and purified by silica gel, RP-18 reverse phase silica gel, MCI gel CH20P, Diol, and semi preparative HPLC chromatography techniques, while the structures of the compounds were identified by extensive spectroscopic analysis, such as 1D and 2D NMR and ESI-MS. The cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was used to screen the anti-tumor activity of the isolated monomeric compounds on three KRAS-mutant NSCLC cells. The cell proliferation, cloning formation, adhesion ability, and cell cycle arrest activity of compound 8 were analyzed. Molecular docking and Western blot experiments were used to study the mechanism of compound 8. The in vivo anti-tumor activity of the compound 8 was evaluated by zebrafish cell derived xenograft (CDX) model. Nineteen known 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of agarwood. On A549 (KRAS G12S) cells, compounds 8, 10, and 19 showed good inhibitory activity, on H23 (KRAS G12C) cells, compounds 7, 8, and 19 showed good inhibitory activity, and on H358 (KRAS G12C) cells, compounds 8, 10, and 16 showed good inhibitory activity. Compound 8 had the best inhibitory activity in all three cell lines. It effectively inhibited cell proliferation, clone formation, adhesion ability, and arrested the H23 cell cycle at G2/M phase. Compound 8 could also inhibit the expression of c-Met and its downstream signaling pathways, effectively inhibiting tumor growth in zebrafish CDX model. In conclusion, among the nineteen known 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromones, compound 8 had the best activity and significantly inhibited the proliferation of KRAS-mutant NSCLC cells by arresting the cells in the G2/M phase.

BACKGROUND:Croton cream can activate ERK pathways and have anti-apoptotic effects on neuronal cells.It is not clear whether it synergistically exerts anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the activation of JNK and p38 pathways. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of croton cream on neuronal damage and apoptosis in the ischemic cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:(1)Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream low-dose group,croton cream medium-dose group,croton cream high-dose group and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Except for the sham operation group,animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared in rats by the thread method.Rats in the three croton cream groups were given 20,40,and 60 mg/kg croton cream,respectively.Rats in the sham operation and model groups were given the same amount of normal saline,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.The optimal concentration of croton cream,namely the high dose of croton cream,was selected based on neurological deficit score,TTC staining,brain tissue water content,hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining.(2)Another 120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream group,JNK inhibitor group,croton cream+JNK inhibitor group,p38 MAPK inhibitor group,croton cream+p38 MAPK inhibitor group,and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared using the thread method in all the groups except in the sham operation group.Thirty minutes before modeling,10 μL of SP600125(JNK inhibitor)and 10 μL of SB203580(p38 MAPK inhibitor)were injected into the lateral ventricle of the rats,respectively.Rats in croton cream groups were intragastrically given 60 mg/kg croton cream.Seven days later,the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway,apoptosis-related proteins and cell apoptosis were detected by western blot,TUNEL staining and flow cytometry,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham operation group,neurological deficit score,cerebral water content,cerebral infarction volume and apoptosis rate were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05),where nerve cells showed scattered distribution.Compared with the model group,neurological deficit score,water content of brain tissue and cerebral infarction volume were significantly decreased in the croton cream medium-dose group,high-dose group and nimodipine group(P<0.05),and the pathological morphology of nerve cells was significantly improved.(2)Compared with the JNK inhibitor group,p-JNK/JNK,p-p38/p38 and Bax expressions in rat brain tissue and the apoptotic rate were significantly decreased in the croton cream+inhibitor groups(P<0.05),while the expression of and Bcl-2 was significantly increased(P<0.05).To conclude,croton cream may inhibit the activation of JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway and reduce neuronal apoptosis to achieve neuroprotective effects in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective To investigate the dietary patterns of rural residents in the high-incidence areas of esophageal cancer (EC), and to explore the clustering and influencing factors of risk factors associated with high-incidence characteristics. Methods A special structured questionnaire was applied to conduct a face-to-face survey on the dietary patterns of rural residents in Yanting county of Sichuan Province from July to August 2021. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the influencing factors of risk factor clustering for EC. Results There were 838 valid questionnaires in this study. A total of 90.8% of rural residents used clean water such as tap water. In the past one year, the people who ate fruits and vegetables, soybean products, onions and garlic in high frequency accounted for 69.5%, 32.8% and 74.5%, respectively; the people who ate kimchi, pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, barbecue, hot food and mildew food in low frequency accounted for 59.2%, 79.6%, 68.2%, 90.3%, 80.9% and 90.3%, respectively. The clustering of risk factors for EC was found in 73.3% of residents, and the aggregation of two risk factors was the most common mode (28.2%), among which tumor history and preserved food was the main clustering pattern (4.6%). The logistic regression model revealed that the gender, age, marital status and occupation were independent influencing factors for the risk factors clustering of EC (P<0.05). Conclusion A majority of rural residents in high-incidence areas of EC in Yanting county have good eating habits, but the clustering of some risk factors is still at a high level. Gender, age, marital status, and occupation are influencing factors of the risk factors clustering of EC.

Objective To explore the differences in scapular motion and shoulder function between patients suffering from rotator cuff tears(RCT)with and without type Ⅲ scapular dyskinesis(SD).Meth-ods Between September 2021 and March 2023,sixteen patients suffering from rotator cuff tears with SD(SD group)and 17 counterparts without SD(non-SD group)were recruited from the Sports Hospital of the General Administration of Sport of China.Their scapular motion was assessed by measuring three parameters in the X-rays,including scapular spine line(LSS),scapular upward rotation angle(SU-RA),and coracoid upward shift distance(CUSD).Moreover,their shoulder range of motion in flexion,abduction and external rotation were recorded,and further evaluated using the Pain Visual Analog Scale(VAS)and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score(ASES).Results No significant differenc-es were found between the two groups in the average score of SURA,CUSD and LSS at 0°～30° shoul-der abduction,or in that of CUSD and LSS at 60°～90°shoulder abduction.However,the average SU-RA score of the SD group at 60°～90°shoulder abduction was significantly greater than the other group(P<0.05).The shoulder ranges of motion during active flexion,abduction and external rotation were significantly smaller in the SD group than in the non-SD group(P<0.05).Moreover,the average VAS score in the SD group was significantly higher than the non-SD group(P<0.05),while the average ASES score was significantly lower than the latter group(P<0.05).Conclusions RCT patients type III SD exhibits greater scapular upward rotation during shoulder abduction compared to those without SD.Moreover,the former patients suffer from more severe pain and have worse shoulder range of motion and functional performance than the latter.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

The lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating acupuncture and moxibustion technique,developed by Professor FU Wen-Bin,a renowned traditional Chinese medicine expert in Guangdong Province,represents an innovative achievement in acupuncture therapy for depression-related disorders.Drawing upon the rich legacy of master scholars,meticulous study of medical literature,and over three decades of continuous research and innovation,Professor FU has formulated this technique with profound influence and widespread application.By tracing the developmental trajectory of the Lingnan liver-soothing and spirit-regulating technique,this paper sheds light on its significant guiding principles and reference value for the development of other distinctive acupuncture techniques.Furthermore,it offers insights and inspiration for advancement in various fields of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective Space radiation is an important environmental factor affecting the health and efficiency of astronauts.To explore the effects of radiation on electroencephalogram(EEG)signal,and to provide references for further study of the effects of radiation on Central Nervous System(brain)injury.Methods The resting state EEG of radiotherapy volunteers were collected before and after X-ray exposure.The effects of radiation on EEG was studied by means of spectral analysis,nonlinear dynamic characteristic analysis,correlation coefficient analysis and microstate analysis.Results The results show that radiation induced a"slow wave"phenomenon in the EEG spectrum,with a decrease in Gravity Frequency,Sample Entropy,and Lempel-Ziv Complexity,and an increase in Fatigue Index.The average duration and frequency of EEG microstate C both significantly decreased,and the proportion of time for microstate D decreased,while the average correlation coefficient between microstates A and C increased.Conclusion A decrease was induced by radiation in neuronal excitability,which may affect cognitive brain networks and brain attention.This study can provide reference for the study of radiation damage to the Central Nervous System(brain).

Objective To investigate correlation between the expression level of multiple cytokine levels in neonatal umbilical cord plasma and early-onset sepsis for screening out the cytokines with good diagnostic value for early-onset neonatal sepsis(EONS).Methods Full-term neonates and preterm neonates(Gestational age ≥ 32 weeks)of 310 cases between September 2021 and June 2023 were selected as study subjects.According to clinical signs,laboratory results and blood culture,these subjects were divided into 3 groups:control group without sepsis,EONS blood culture positive group and EONS blood culture negative group.Umbilical cord blood plasma of all subjects was collected within 72 hours after birth.The expression levels of cytokines IL-2,IL-4,IL-6,IL-9,IL-10,IL-21,IFN-γ and TNF-α were determined,and cytokines with high expression levels(high correlation)were screened out.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the specificity and sensitivity of the selected cytokines in the diagnosis of neonatal early-onset sepsis.Results Among the 8 cytokines mentioned above,the concentrations of IL-6,IL-9 and IL-21 in cord blood plasma of neonatal early-onset sepsis positive blood culture patients(392.6±258.7pg/ml,11.9±7.5pg/ml,29.1±16.8 pg/ml)and negative blood culture patients(353.8±244.5pg/ml,10.4±6.3pg/ml,27.7±19.2pg/ml)were higher than those of the control group(34.9±25.1pg/ml,5.9±4.5pg/ml,10.8±10.1 pg/ml),with significant differences(t=23.961,20.732;15.174,17.824;22.466,21.193,all P＜0.01),and the increase of IL-6 concentration was the most obvious.ROC curve analysis(the cut-off values of IL-6,IL-9 and IL-21:123.0 pg/ml,3.60 pg/ml,6.00 pg/ml,respectively)showed that the areas under the ROC curve for IL-6,IL-9 and IL-21 alone detection were 0.876(95％CI:0.786～0.955),0.782(95％CI:0.667～0.875)and 0.825(95％CI:0.737～0.913),respectively.The area under the ROC curve for the combined detection of IL-6,IL-9 and IL-21 was 0.930(95％CI:0.875～0.997).The combined detection of IL-6,IL-9 and IL-21 improved the specificity and sensitivity of the test than IL-6,IL-9 and IL-21 alone detection,and the differences were statistically significant(Z=2.137,2.391,2.257,all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in cytokine expression between positive blood culture and negative blood culture neonates with early-onset sepsis(t=0.276～3.377,all P＞0.05).Conclusion The cytokines expression of IL-6,IL-9 and IL-21 in neonatal umbilical cord plasma of neonatal early-onset sepsis were increased.Combined detection of IL-6,IL-9 and IL-21 has good diagnostic value for early-onset neonatal sepsis.