1.Current Status, Trends, and Opportunities in the Study of Computable Phenotypes for Rare Diseases
Jindong WU ; Qiaorui WEN ; Jian GUO ; Shengfeng WANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):90-99
Disease computable phenotype is a data model designed to identify specific clinical conditions or characteristics, which automatically extracts information from clinical databases such as electronic health records through algorithms. Phenotypic data for rare diseases often reside in unstructured text. Due to the scarcity of rare disease cases, atypical symptoms, and insufficient physician experience, misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis rates remain high. In this context, the application of computable phenotype technology holds promise for improving the accuracy and efficiency of rare disease diagnosis. This article reviews the current research status, challenges, and opportunities of computable phenotype technology in biomedicine, particularly in the field of rare diseases, and proposes a development and validation framework for rare disease computable phenotypes, aiming to provide research and development insights for computable phenotypes to empower the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.
2.Comparison of bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual energy X ray absorptiometry in measuring body composition among Tibetan children and adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(4):569-573
Objective:
To compare the consistency between bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual energy X ray absorptiometry (DXA) in measuring body composition among Tibetan children and adolescents and to explore the applicability of BIA in plateau region, so as to provide scientific and convenient body composition measurement support among children and adolescents.
Methods:
From May to June, 2022, a total of 344 Tibetan children and adolescents aged 6-17 years were selected from Golmud Municipal National Middle School and Changjiangyuan Nationality Primary School in Qinghai Province by cluster sampling method, and their fat mass, fat mass percentage and lean mass were measured by DXA and BIA. The consistency and correlation between the two methods were assessed by using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Spearman correlation analysis, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman analysis.
Results:
DXA measured fat mass and fat mass percentage were significantly higher than those obtained by BIA (6-12 years old: Z =9.91, 11.28; 13-17 years old: Z =9.02, 10.21), while lean mass and lean mass percentage were significantly lower than BIA results (6-12 years old: Z =-11.60, -11.30; 13-17 years old: Z =-10.77, -10.36) (all P < 0.05 ). The two methods showed strong correlations in fat mass and lean mass (all r >0.80, all ICC >0.90), but exhibited poor agreement in fat mass percentage and lean mass percentage (6-12 years old: Lin s CCC =0.64, 0.41; 13-17 years old: Lin s CCC = 0.79 , 0.35). Bland-Altman analysis showed that the difference between the two methods was negatively correlated with the average value in FM%(6-12 years old: r =-0.75, 13-17 years old: r =-0.79, both P <0.01).
Conclusion
BIA and DXA show high consistency in measuring body fat mass and lean body mass in Tibetan children and adolescents, although some bias is still present in certain individuals.
3.Clinical Research and Basic Study on Effect of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsule (黄芩清热除痹胶囊) on Self-Perception of Patients and Immune Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Fanfan WANG ; Jian LIU ; Qin ZHOU ; Jianting WEN ; Yue SUN ; Mingyu HE
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):544-556
ObjectiveTo evaluate the comprehensive intervention effects of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsule (黄芩清热除痹胶囊, HQC) on self-perception of patients (SPP) and immune inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to explore its potential mechanisms. MethodsClinical data of 452 RA patients were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into a control group (274 cases), treated with conventional western medicine, and an observation group (178 cases), treated with HQC for at least 2 weeks in addition to conventional western medicine. The treatment duration was 2 weeks for both groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed at a ratio of 1∶1 to match patients between groups. SPP including the Chinese version of the short form-36 health survey (SF-36), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale (SDS), visual analog scale (VAS), and Chinese patient-reported index for rheumatoid arthritis (CPRI-RA), as well as immune inflammatory indicators, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), complement C3, and complement C4, were collected before and after treatment. Spearman correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between SPP and immune inflammatory indicators. Logistic regression, association rule analysis, and mediation analysis were performed to evaluate the effects and potential pathways of HQC on SPP and immune inflammatory indicators. Network pharmacology was applied to identify the active components and core targets of HQC in the treatment of RA, followed by molecular docking verification. In cell experiments, cells were divided into normal group, model group, 20% medicated serum group, and 80 nmol/L control group. Human synovial fibroblasts (FLS) were cultured with complete medium in the normal group, while human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) were cultured in the model group. In the 20% medicated serum group, RA-FLS were cultured with medium containing 20% HQC-medicated serum, and in the 80 nmol/L control group, RA-FLS were cultured with complete medium containing 80 nmol/L methotrexate suspension. After 48 h of culture, cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the cell supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), transcription factor AP-1 subunit (JUN), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8) were detected by Western Blot, and cell migration ability was evaluated using Transwell assay. ResultsAfter PSM, 178 cases were included in each group. After treatment, SF-36 scores increased, while scores of SAS, SDS, VAS and CPRI-RA, levels of ESR, hs-CRP, IL-6, complement C3, and complement C4 levels decreased in both groups; IgG and IgM levels were also reduced in the observation group (P<0.05). Physical functioning (correlation coefficient -0.19, P<0.05) and social functioning (correlation coefficient -0.18, P<0.05) of SF-36 were negatively correlated with hs-CRP, while VAS score was positively correlated with hs-CRP (correlation coefficient 0.19, P<0.05). HQC showed high associations with improvements in multiple indicators of SPP and immune inflammatory, and acted as a protective factor for the improvement of several SPP; hs-CRP and ESR played partial mediating roles in the improvement of SPP induced by HQC (P<0.05). Network pharmacology analysis identified baicalein, quercetin, α1-sitosterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, baicalin, and crocetin as the core active components, and JUN, IL-6, VEGFA, MMP9, IL-1β, and CXCL8 as the core targets. Molecular docking results showed strong binding affinities of quercetin with VEGFA, JUN, MMP9, IL-6, and IL-1β, of baicalin with VEGFA and MMP9, and of wogonin with CXCL8. Cell experiments demonstrated that HQC and methotrexate inhibited RA-FLS viability and migration, reduced levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, decreased protein levels of MMP9, JUN, VEGFA, and CXCL8, and increased IL-10 levels (P<0.05). ConclusionHQC can improve SPP in RA by regulating immune inflammatory responses. Its mechanism may be related to multi-pathway and multi-target inhibition of synovial cell inflammation and migration.
4.Fluorescence Suppression Method of Raman Spectroscopy and Its Application in Skin and Cosmetics Analysis
Yun-Xia CHEN ; Jia-Rong WANG ; Jian-Yu ZHU ; Shi-Wen LIN ; Ya-Nan LIU ; Xiao-Yue MA ; Guang-Cheng XI ; Juan LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(7):1914-1926
Owing to its inherent advantages—such as being non-destructive, rapid, highly molecule-specific, and minimally interfered with by moisture—Raman spectroscopy has been widely adopted in the fields of skin barrier function assessment, monitoring the transdermal penetration of active cosmetic ingredients, and the identification and quality control of cosmetic products. Despite these strengths, the practical application of this technique faces a significant bottleneck: the strong fluorescence background generated by endogenous skin components and exogenous cosmetic additives. Endogenous skin substances, such as structural proteins (e.g., collagen and elastin), metabolic coenzymes (e.g., nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), and pigments (e.g., melanin), together with exogenous cosmetic constituents like organic colorants, chemical sunscreens, and fragrances, often possess strong absorption and emission characteristics. When excited by lasers, these components produce a fluorescence background that can be 106 to 108 times stronger than the Raman scattering signals, effectively masking the inherently weak vibrational fingerprint information. In recent years, driven by the rapid development of optoelectronic hardware and artificial intelligence algorithms, fluorescence suppression strategies have evolved from isolated, single-method approaches into comprehensive, multi-level synergistic systems. These systems are categorized into three distinct tiers: sample preparation, signal acquisition, and data processing. At the sample preparation level, techniques such as photobleaching and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are employed to eliminate or bypass the generation of fluorescence at the source. At the signal acquisition level, instrumental improvements—including the use of long-wavelength near-infrared excitation (typically 785 nm or 1 064 nm), confocal spatial filtering, and shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS)— are utilized to physically isolate Raman signals from the fluorescence background. Furthermore, at the data processing level, numerical baseline correction methods such as polynomial fitting, penalized least squares (e.g., airPLS, arPLS), wavelet transform, and derivative algorithms are increasingly integrated into the analytical pipeline to extract Raman spectral features from mixed signals without increasing hardware costs or acquisition time. This review provides a systematic categorization and critical evaluation of these fluorescence suppression methods, detailing their underlying principles, technical advantages, and inherent limitations in diverse experimental setups. By focusing on critical application scenarios—including skin barrier assessment, percutaneous absorption monitoring, the routine quality control of cosmetics, and the emerging field of portable on-site detection—this paper explores the current state of technique selection and optimization. Finally, the article discusses future development trends, emphasizing the necessity of constructing adaptive, tiered suppression strategies, developing intelligent and automated data processing algorithms, and promoting the integration of portable, multi-modal diagnostic devices. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive technical reference to facilitate the transition of Raman spectroscopy from a specialized laboratory tool into a routine, robust analytical platform for advancements in skin science and cosmetic research.
5.A new tetralone glycoside in leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus.
Ting-Si GUO ; Qin HUANG ; Qi-Qi HU ; Fei-Bing HUANG ; Qing-Ling XIE ; Han-Wen YUAN ; Wei WANG ; Yu-Qing JIAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(1):146-167
The chemical constituents from leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus were isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel, C_(18) reverse-phase silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20 gel, as well as semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Six compounds were identified by UV, IR, NMR, MS, calculated ECD, and comparison with literature data as cyclopaloside D(1), boscialin(2),(5R,6S)-6-hydroxy-6-[(E)-3-hydroxybut-1-enyl]-1,1,5-trimethylcyclohexanone(3), 3S,5R-dihydroxy-6R,7-megastigmadien-9-one(4), 3S,5R-dihydroxy-6S,7-megastigmadien-9-one(5), and gingerglycolipid A(6), respectively. Among them, compound 1 was identified as a new tetralone glycoside, and compounds 2-6 were isolated from leaves of C. paliurus for the first time. Furthermore, compound 1 exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with the IC_(50) of(454.20±31.81)μmol·L~(-1) and(881.82±42.31)μmol·L~(-1) in scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals, respectively.
Plant Leaves/chemistry*
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Glycosides/isolation & purification*
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Juglandaceae/chemistry*
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Tetralones/isolation & purification*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*
6.Research progress in treatment of ulcerative colitis with traditional Chinese medicine.
Wen-Xin ZHENG ; Hong LI ; Chen MA ; Qin WANG ; Jian GU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):860-873
Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic, non-specific inflammatory disease with a complex etiology and a tendency for recurrence. So far, the clinical efficacy of western medicine in treating UC has been poor and is often accompanied by adverse reactions. Therefore, the multi-target, multi-level, synergistic, and heterogeneous characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) are more beneficial for the treatment of UC. As one of the largest microbiotas, the intestinal flora is closely related to human health and disease. Once the intestinal flora becomes dysfunctional, it can affect the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, thereby exacerbating UC. Additionally, the abnormal activation of signaling pathways may lead to dysregulation of the inflammatory response and play an important role in the pathogenesis of UC. Many studies have shown that individual TCMs and their compounds can further protect the intestinal barrier and immune system function by regulating the intestinal flora and associated signaling pathways, achieving therapeutic effects for UC. This paper summarizes the latest research results in China and abroad on the regulation of intestinal flora and related signaling pathways by individual TCMs and compounds in the treatment of UC, aiming to provide theoretical references for the clinical practice of TCM in treating UC and for related new drug research and development.
Humans
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Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
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Animals
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
7.Pharmacodynamics study and establishment of a PK-PD model for Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma in treating osteoarthritis in rats.
En-Hui WU ; Jian-Hua ZHANG ; Wen-Jun CHEN ; Ya-Hong WANG ; Hua YIN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(5):1377-1384
This study aims to reveal the correlation between the pharmacokinetics(PK) and pharmacodynamics(PD) of multiple components in Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma and clarify the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of this herb pair in treating osteoarthritis. The Hulth method was used to establish the rat model of osteoarthritis and plasma was collected at various time points after drug administration. The plasma concentrations of multiple components were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the plasma concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-3, MMP-13, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), nitric oxide(NO), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) as pharmacodynamic indicators. Self-defined weighting coefficients were used to calculate the PK and PD data, and a Sigmoid E_(max) fitting model was used to evaluate the synergistic effect of the compatibility of Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The PK-PD models for Epimedii Folium, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma were E=(1.926×C~(2.652))/(0.136 6~(2.652)+C~(2.652)), E=(1.618×C~(345.2))/(0.118 4~(345.2)+C~(345.2)), and E=(2.305×C~(2.786))/(0.240 3~(2.786)+C~(2.786)), respectively. The E_(max) of Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma was larger than those of the two herbal medicines alone. The EC_(50) of the herb pair was lower than the sum of Epimedii Folium and Chuanxiong Rhizoma alone. The concentrations of MMP-3, MMP-13, IL-1β, NO, and TNF-α were correlated with mass concentrations of multiple components in Epimedii Folium and Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and the compatibility was better than single use. Epimedii Folium, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, and Epimedii Folium-Chuanxiong Rhizoma may play a role in the treatment of osteoarthritis by inhibiting MMP-3, MMP-13, IL-1β, NO, and TNF-α.
Animals
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Rats
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Male
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Osteoarthritis/metabolism*
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Epimedium/chemistry*
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Interleukin-1beta/blood*
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood*
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Disease Models, Animal
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Nitric Oxide/blood*
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Humans
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Rhizome/chemistry*
8.Optimization of extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules based on AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN.
Zi-An LI ; De-Wen LIU ; Xin-Jian LI ; Bing-Yu WU ; Qun LAN ; Meng-Jia GUO ; Jia-Hui SUN ; Nan-Yang LIU ; Hui PEI ; Hao LI ; Hong YI ; Jin-Yu WANG ; Liang-Mian CHEN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2674-2683
By employing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP), the CRITIC method(a weight determination method based on indicator correlations), and the AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, the weight coefficients of evaluation indicators were determined, followed by a comprehensive score comparison. The grey correlation analysis was then performed to analyze the results calculated using the hybrid weighting method. Subsequently, a backpropagation-artificial neural network(BP-ANN) model was constructed to predict the extraction process parameters and optimize the extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules(SHJG). In the extraction process, an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize three factors at three levels, including extraction frequency, water addition amount, and extraction time. The evaluation indicators included geniposide, berberine, ginsenoside Rg_1 + Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, ferulic acid, and extract yield. Finally, the optimal extraction results obtained by the orthogonal experiment, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN method were compared, and validation experiments were conducted. The results showed that the optimal extraction process involved two rounds of aqueous extraction, each lasting one hour; the first extraction used ten times the amount of added water, while the second extraction used eight times the amount. In the validation experiments, the average content of each indicator component was higher than the average content obtained in the orthogonal experiment, with a higher comprehensive score. The optimized extraction process parameters were reliable and stable, making them suitable for subsequent preparation process research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
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Neural Networks, Computer
9.Characterization of hippocampal components of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula based on HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and network pharmacology and assessment of its therapeutic potential for nervous system diseases.
Wen-Qing HU ; Hui-Yuan GAO ; Li YANG ; Yu-Xin WANG ; Hao-Jie CHENG ; Si-Yu YANG ; Mei-Yu ZHANG ; Jian SUN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(14):4053-4062
In this study, the pharmacodynamic components and potential pharmacological functions of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula in treating nervous system diseases were investigated by hippocampal component characterization and network pharmacology. After rats were administrated with Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula by gavage, high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was employed to explore the components in the hippocampus of rats. Fifty-seven components were identified in the hippocampus of rats by comparing the extract of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula, herbal components in the hippocampus after administration, and blank samples. KEGG and GO analyses predicted 74 core targets including GSK3B, MAPK1, AKT, IL6. These targets were involved in PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT, Wnt, and other signaling pathways. The results indicated that Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula may ameliorate other nervous system diseases enriched in DO, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and mental and emotional disorders by mediating target pathways, inhibiting inflammation, reducing neuronal damage, and alleviating hippocampal atrophy. The relevant activities exhibited by this formula in nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and diabetic neuropathy have extremely high development value and are worthy of further in-depth research. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for expanding the application of Danzhi Xiaoyao Formula in the treatment of nervous system diseases.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Animals
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Rats
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Hippocampus/metabolism*
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Network Pharmacology
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
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Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Male
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Nervous System Diseases/genetics*
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Humans
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Signal Transduction/drug effects*
10.Clinical efficacy of hallux valgus under the guiding of minimally invasive hallux valgus diagnosis and treatment system.
Pei-Biao CAI ; Yi-Biao DOU ; Chuang-Jian LIN ; Guan-Nan WEN ; Hai-Bo CHEN ; Chuang-Ming WANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(6):566-571
OBJECTIVE:
To explore short-term clinical efficacy of minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment system for hallux valgus in guiding the treatment of hallux valgus.
METHODS:
From March 2021 to November 2023, 68 patients (136 feet) with hallux valgus were treated under guidance of minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment system, including 12 males and 56 females;aged from 25 to 68 years old with an average of (42.5±8.5) years old, the course of disease ranged from 3.2 to 15.6 years with an average of (10.3±2.6) years. The changes of hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA), visual analog scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score were recorded and compared before operation and 12 months after operation.
RESULTS:
Sixty-five patients (130 feet) were followed up for 12 to 15 months with an average of (13.8±0.5) months, 3 patients (6 feet) were not followed up as required. HVA and IMA improved from (35.5±3.5) ° and (12.5±2.0) ° before operation to (10.5±2.5) ° and (8.5±1.5) °12 months after operation, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05);VAS decreased from (5.5±1.2) before operation to (1.2±0.5) at 12 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);AOFAS forefoot score increased from (50.6±5.1) before operation to (93.8±5.6) at 12 months after operation, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Among them, 102 feet were got excellent result, 24 feet good, and 4 feet fair. Two patients were developed calf intermuscular vein thrombosis, and were cured after 3 months of symptomatic treatment.
CONCLUSION
Under the guidance of minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment system for hallux valgus, the treatment of HV could obviously improve HVA and IMA, and significantly alleviate pain symptoms, and accelerate functional recovery.
Humans
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Hallux Valgus/diagnosis*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Adult
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Aged
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Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods*
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Treatment Outcome


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