ObjectiveTo construct an automatic measurement model for palmar tilt and radial inclination suitable for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） clinical scenarios， and to validate its accuracy and efficiency in TCM manipulative reduction settings. MethodsData on anteroposterior （AP） and lateral X-rays of distal radius fractures were collected from patients admitted to 18 TCM/ integrated TCM and western medicine hospitals in Jiangsu province between September 1st， 2023， and September 1st， 2024， via the Jiangsu Diagnosis and Treatment Big Data Platform for TCM Dominant Diseases. A medical image segmentation framework based on multi-scale feature fusion and edge-awareness was employed， combined with anatomical knowledge specific to TCM orthopedics， to optimize the feature extraction strategy of an artificial intelligence （AI） model. This framework enabled automatic segmentation of fracture regions and measurement of distal radius palmar tilt and radial inclination. The accuracy of the AI model in measuring radial inclination and volar tilt was validated， and the measurement time and average time gain rate of the AI model were compared to those of manual measurement. ResultsA total of 15,444 AP and lateral X-ray images of distal radius fractures were collected， and were divided into a training set （11,144 images， 5066 AP and 6078 lateral）， a validation set （3700 images， 1840 AP and 1860 lateral）， and an independent test set （600 images， 300 AP and 300 lateral） after preprocessing. In the measurement of 300 AP X-rays in the independent test set for radial inclination， when the degree error between AI measurement and manual measurement was ＜3° and ＜5°， AI measurement accuracy was 83% and 93%， respectively. In 300 lateral X-rays in the test set for palmar tilt， when AI measurements had an error of ＜3° and ＜5° compared to manual measurements， corresponding accuracy rate was 78% and 90%， respectively. For 50 X-ray images， AI measurement time was （1.37±0.05） min for radial inclination while manual measurement time was （22.57±2.52） min （P＜0.001）； in terms of palmar tilt， the AI measurement time was （1.33±0.14） min， shorter than （23.70±2.80） min for manual measurement time （P＜0.001）. Average time gain rates for manual and AI measurements were 93.93% and 94.39% respectively. ConclusionAn automatic measurement model for palmar tilt and radial inclination in distal radius fractures has been established， enabling more accurate and efficient assessment as well as providing a tool to support the quantitative evaluation of the efficacy of TCM manipulative reduction and large-sample clinical research.

OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture therapies are known for their effectiveness in treating a variety of gastric diseases, although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. This study tested the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) at acupoints Zhongwan (RN12) and Weishu (BL21) for managing gastric motility disorder (GMD) and investigated the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: A GMD model was used to evaluate the impact of EA on various aspects of gastric function including the amplitude of gastric motility, electrogastrogram, food intake, and the rate of gastric emptying. Immunofluorescence techniques were used to explore the activation of spinal neurons by EA, specifically examining the presence of cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-positive neurons and fibers emanating from acupoints RN12 and BL21. The stimulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn, the inhibition of sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal lateral horn, and their collective effects on the activity of sympathetic nerves were examined. RESULTS: EA at RN12 and BL21 significantly improved gastric motility compromised by GMD. Notably, EA activated spinal neurons, with CTB-positive neurons and fibers from RN12 and BL21 being detectable in both the dorsal root ganglia and the spinal dorsal horn. Further analysis revealed that EA at these acupoints not only stimulated GABAergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn but also suppressed sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal lateral horn, effectively reducing excessive activity of sympathetic nerves triggered by GMD. CONCLUSION EA treatment at RN12 and BL21 effectively enhances gastric motility in a GMD model. The therapeutic efficacy of this approach is attributed to the activation of spinal neurons and the modulation of the spinal GABAergic-sympathetic pathway, providing a neurobiological foundation for the role of acupuncture in treating gastric disorders. Please cite this article as: Zhang MT, Liang YF, Dai Q, Gao HR, Wang H, Chen L, Huang S, Wang XY, Shen GM. A spinal neural circuit for electroacupuncture that regulates gastric functional disorders. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 56-65.
Electroacupuncture ; Animals ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Stomach Diseases/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Rats ; Gastric Emptying ; Neurons ; Spinal Cord ; Stomach/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effects of bone setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirschner needle internal fixation in treating SandersⅡ-Ⅲ calcaneal fracture. METHODS: Clinical data of 52 patients with types Sanders Ⅱand Ⅲ calcaneal fracture (foot) treated with bone-setting manipulation combined with pry reduction and Kirscher needle internal fixation from July 2017 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 43 males and 9 females, aged from 31 to 72 years old with an average of (50.83±10.48) years old; 15 patients with Sanders typeⅡ and 37 patients with Sanders type Ⅲ. The changes of Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneus width and calcaneus height before operation and 24 months after operation were compared, and Maryland foot function score was performed to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 24 to 60 months with an average of (41.50±9.86)months. The fracture healed normally and the healing time was (11.00±0.95) weeks. Bühler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal bone width and calcaneal bone height were increased from (16.37±8.36)°, (96.27±9.62)°, (46.82±4.67) mm, (38.41±3.58) mm before operation to (31.48±8.24)°, (111.62±8.69)°, (42.06±4.83) mm, (44.21±3.82) mm at 24 months after operation, and the difference were statistically significant (P<0.01). Postoperative Maryland score at 24 months was (93.04±8.83), 40 patients got excellent result, 7 good and 5 fair. CONCLUSION Orthopedic manipulation combined with percutaneous reduction and Kirschner wire internal fixation could significantly improve Bühler angle, Gissane angle, width, and height of Sanders typeⅡ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures, and the curative effect is satisfactory.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Calcaneus/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Adult ; Aged ; Fractures, Bone/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Bone Wires ; Manipulation, Orthopedic/methods*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical features and genetic etiology of a patient with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) retrospectively. METHODS: A severely oligospermic patient from the Reproductive Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University was selected as the study subject. Clinical data and examination results were collected. High-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics were used to analyze the genetic etiology. And Sanger sequencing was employed to validate findings in the family. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the sperm ultrastructure, and immunofluorescence analysis was performed to examine the localization of FSIP2 protein in the sperm. RESULTS: The patient presented with severe oligospermia, and sperm morphology displayed MMAF. TEM revealed fibrous sheath and 9+2 microtubule structural disruptions in the sperm. Sequencing identified compound heterozygous variants in the FSIP2 gene (c.17798C > T, c.5927T > G), inherited from the father and mother, respectively. According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variants were classified as pathogenic. The patient's spouse underwent intracytoplasmic single sperm injection, resulting in one embryo, but no clinical pregnancy occurred after embryo transfer. CONCLUSION This study reported the mutation of FSIP2 gene c.17798C > T, c.5927T > G in a patient with MMAF. These findings expand the mutational spectrum of the FSIP2 gene and provide insights for genetic and assisted reproductive counseling for patients with MMAF.
Humans ; Male ; Sperm Tail/pathology* ; Heterozygote ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Spermatozoa ; Mutation ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Adult ; Pedigree ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic

Addressing the enduring challenge of evaluating traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the integrated evidence chain-based effectiveness evaluation of TCMs (Eff-iEC) has emerged. This paper explored its capacity through a demonstration study that evaluated the effectiveness evidence of six commonly used anti-hepatic fibrosis Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), including Biejiajian Pill (BP), Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DZP), Biejia Ruangan Compound (BRC), Fuzheng Huayu Capsule (FHC), Anluo Huaxian Pill (AHP), and Heluo Shugan Capsule (HSC), using both Eff-iEC and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The recognition of these CPMs within the TCM academic community was also assessed through their inclusion in relevant medical documents. Results showed that the evidence of BRC and FHC received higher assessments in both Eff-iEC and GRADE system, while the assessments for others varied. Analysis of community recognition revealed that Eff-iEC more accurately reflects the clinical value of these CPMs, exhibiting superior evaluative capabilities. By breaking through the conventional pattern of TCMs effectiveness evaluation, Eff-iEC offers a novel epistemology that better aligns with the clinical realities and reasoning of TCMs, providing a coherent methodology for clinical decision-making, new drug evaluations, and health policy formulation.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA) in children, and to analyze its influencing factor of prognosis.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 40 children with FCA who were hospitalized at the Department of Neurology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from September 2015 to August 2024 were collected. A centralized follow-up was conducted in October 2024 via outpatient clinics or the internet. The pediatric stroke outcome measure (PSOM) was used to evaluate their outcomes. Based on the PSOM, the children were further divided into a group with normal neurological function and another group with abnormal neurological function. Differences between groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. Univariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influencing factors for neurological outcomes in children with FCA. Results:A total of 40 children were included, with 20 males and 20 females, and the onset age of 9.2 (6.8, 12.5) years. Among them, 12 cases (30%) had a history of varicella within 1 year before onset. There were 23 cases (58%) presenting with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or recurrent fluctuating symptoms of onset, while 3 cases (8%) developed progressive stroke within the first month of onset. The M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery was the most commonly affected vascular site, with a total of 16 cases (40%). Arterial occlusion occurred in 8 cases (20%). Lumbar puncture was completed in 36 children, and white blood cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid was increased in 6 cases. All 23 patients who completed magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (VWI) showed circular enhancement of the arterial wall. A total of 28 patients (70%) received antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy, and 16 patients (40%) received hormone therapy. At admission, the pediatric National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) score was 6.0 (2.0, 8.8) points, which decreased to 0.5 (0, 3.0) points at discharge. The follow-up duration was 1.6 (0.8, 4.9) years, with 1 case lost to follow-up. There was 1 case presenting with recurrence course manifesting as TIA. Among the 39 cases who completed the follow-up, 23 cases (59%) were assessed as neurologically normal by PSOM, while 16 cases (41%) were assessed as neurologically abnormal. Among the 29 cases who completed the imaging review, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) review in 23 cases indicated stability or improvement in the original arterial stenosis, with 6 cases experiencing transient worsening of arterial stenosis early in the disease course (within 2 months), which later improved. Arterial stenosis progression occurred in 6 cases at the final review of 29 cases who completed the imaging review, with 1 case developing progressive cerebral arteriopathy. The proportion of patients with headache, altered consciousness, and aphasia in the abnormal neurological function group, as well as the PedNISS scores at admission and discharge, were all higher than those in the normal neurological function group (all P<0.05). Univariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that only a PedNISS score>6 points at onset was an influencing factor for abnormal neurological function ( OR=20.58, 95% CI 3.93-107.70, P<0.001). Conclusions:Childhood FCA often presents with fluctuating onset, and the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery is frequently affected. Progression of arterial stenosis is common within 2 months of the disease course, but clinical progression and new ischemic lesions are uncommon. Most patients have a favorable long-term prognosis. PedNIHSS score>6 points at admission is related to abnormal neurological function outcomes.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of focal cerebral arteriopathy (FCA) in children, and to analyze its influencing factor of prognosis.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data from 40 children with FCA who were hospitalized at the Department of Neurology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, from September 2015 to August 2024 were collected. A centralized follow-up was conducted in October 2024 via outpatient clinics or the internet. The pediatric stroke outcome measure (PSOM) was used to evaluate their outcomes. Based on the PSOM, the children were further divided into a group with normal neurological function and another group with abnormal neurological function. Differences between groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. Univariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influencing factors for neurological outcomes in children with FCA. Results:A total of 40 children were included, with 20 males and 20 females, and the onset age of 9.2 (6.8, 12.5) years. Among them, 12 cases (30%) had a history of varicella within 1 year before onset. There were 23 cases (58%) presenting with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or recurrent fluctuating symptoms of onset, while 3 cases (8%) developed progressive stroke within the first month of onset. The M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery was the most commonly affected vascular site, with a total of 16 cases (40%). Arterial occlusion occurred in 8 cases (20%). Lumbar puncture was completed in 36 children, and white blood cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid was increased in 6 cases. All 23 patients who completed magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (VWI) showed circular enhancement of the arterial wall. A total of 28 patients (70%) received antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy, and 16 patients (40%) received hormone therapy. At admission, the pediatric National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (PedNIHSS) score was 6.0 (2.0, 8.8) points, which decreased to 0.5 (0, 3.0) points at discharge. The follow-up duration was 1.6 (0.8, 4.9) years, with 1 case lost to follow-up. There was 1 case presenting with recurrence course manifesting as TIA. Among the 39 cases who completed the follow-up, 23 cases (59%) were assessed as neurologically normal by PSOM, while 16 cases (41%) were assessed as neurologically abnormal. Among the 29 cases who completed the imaging review, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) review in 23 cases indicated stability or improvement in the original arterial stenosis, with 6 cases experiencing transient worsening of arterial stenosis early in the disease course (within 2 months), which later improved. Arterial stenosis progression occurred in 6 cases at the final review of 29 cases who completed the imaging review, with 1 case developing progressive cerebral arteriopathy. The proportion of patients with headache, altered consciousness, and aphasia in the abnormal neurological function group, as well as the PedNISS scores at admission and discharge, were all higher than those in the normal neurological function group (all P<0.05). Univariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that only a PedNISS score>6 points at onset was an influencing factor for abnormal neurological function ( OR=20.58, 95% CI 3.93-107.70, P<0.001). Conclusions:Childhood FCA often presents with fluctuating onset, and the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery is frequently affected. Progression of arterial stenosis is common within 2 months of the disease course, but clinical progression and new ischemic lesions are uncommon. Most patients have a favorable long-term prognosis. PedNIHSS score>6 points at admission is related to abnormal neurological function outcomes.

Objective: To explore the diagnosis, surgical management and outcome of jugular foramen chondrosarcoma (CSA). Methods: Fifteen patients with jugular foramen CSA hospitalized in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2002 to February 2020 were retrospectively collected,of whom 2 were male and 13 were female, aging from 22 to 61 years old. The clinical symptoms and signs, imaging features, differential diagnosis, surgical approaches, function of facial nerve and cranial nerves IX to XII, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. Results: Patients with jugular foramen CSA mainly presented with facial paralysis, hearing loss, hoarseness, cough, tinnitus and local mass. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) could provide important information for diagnosis. CT showed irregular destruction on bone margin of the jugular foramen. MR demonstrated iso or hypointense on T1WI, hyperintense on T2WI and heterogeneous contrast-enhancement. Surgical approaches were chosen upon the sizes and scopes of the tumors. Inferior temporal fossa A approach was adopted in 12 cases, inferior temporal fossa B approach in 2 cases and mastoid combined parotid approach in 1 case. Five patients with facial nerve involved received great auricular nerve graft. The House Brackmann (H-B) grading scale was used to evaluate the facial nerve function. Preoperative facial nerve function ranked grade Ⅴ in 4 cases and grade Ⅵ in 1 case. Postoperative facial nerve function improved to grade Ⅲ in 2 cases and grade Ⅵ in 3 cases. Five patients presented with cranial nerves Ⅸ and Ⅹ palsies. Hoarseness and cough of 2 cases improved after operation, while the other 3 cases did not. All the patients were diagnosed CSA by histopathology and immunohistochemistry, with immunohistochemical staining showing vimentin and S-100 positive, but cytokeratin negative in tumor cells. All patients survived during 28 to 234 months' follow-up. Two patients suffered from tumor recurrence 7 years after surgery and received revision surgery. No complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage and intracranial infection occurred after operation. Conclusions: Jugular foramen CSA lacks characteristic symptoms or signs. Imaging is helpful to differential diagnosis. Surgery is the primary treatment of jugular foramen CSA. Patients with facial paralysis should receive surgery in time as to restore the facial nerve. Long-term follow-up is necessary after surgery in case of recurrence.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Facial Paralysis/etiology* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Jugular Foramina ; Retrospective Studies ; Cough ; Hoarseness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Chondrosarcoma/surgery*

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of body weight and waist circumference on static and dynamic balance function in overweight and obese adults. MethodsParticipants （n=103） were selected by cluster random sampling from the Hypoglycemic Weight Loss Clinic of the Endocrinology Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. All participants were assessed for basic data collection， biochemical test， body weight， waist circumference and height measurement， static balance function assessed by balance error scoring system （BESS） and dynamic balance function assessed by functional reach test （FRT）. The BESS score and FRT distance of all participants were compared among groups according to different BMI grades and WC grades. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of participants' dynamic and static balance functions. Results① With the increase of BMI grading， the BESS score showed an upward trend， and the difference between groups was statistically significant （P = 0.004）. The BESS score of normal WC patients was lower than that of central obesity patients （P < 0.001）， which indicated that compared with normal BMI， overweight and obese people had poor dynamic and static balance ability； ② With the BMI grading， the FRT distance increased， showing a downward trend （P < 0.001）. The FRT distance in normal WC patients was significantly higher than that in central obesity patients （P < 0.001）， which indicated that the static and dynamic balance ability of central obesity patients was worse than that of normal WC patients； ③ In BMI overweight group， the FRT distance decreased significantly with the increase of WC （P = 0.02）. The results showed that under the condition of no difference in BMI， Compared with normal WC， the dynamic and static balance ability of central obese patients was worse； ④ The influence of BESS score on BMI（B=4.12，P =0.027， 95% CI=0.48-7.75）and WC（B = 3.47，P = 0.046， 95% CI = 0.07 - 6.88）was significant. The influence of FRT distance on BMI（B = -5.68，P = 0.001， 95% CI = -8.95 - 2.41）and WC（B = -4.71，P = 0.003， 95% CI = -7.83 to -1.61）was significant， which indicated that the static and dynamic balance ability of obese people was worse with the increase of BMI， and the ability of dynamic and static balance of central obesity was worse than that of normal WC. ConclusionWaist circumference is an independent factor affecting the dynamic and static balance function of overweight and obese people. Under similar BMI， the dynamic balance function of central obese people is worse than that of people with normal waist circumference， leading to higher risk of falling.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect of electroacupuncture at Siguan points and flunarizine hydrochloride capsule on migraine of liver yang hyperactivity. METHODS: A total of 110 patients with migraine of liver yang hyperactivity were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group (55 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a western medication group (55 cases, 2 cases dropped off). In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at Siguan points (Hegu [LI 4] and Taichong [LR 3]), with disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency and current intensity of 0.1-1 mA, 30 min each time, once a day, 5 times per week for 4 weeks. Flunarizine hydrochloride capsule was given orally in the western medication group, 10 mg a day for 4 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the migraine attack days were observed before and after treatment, during follow-up of 1, 3 and 6 months, and the migraine symptom score was observed before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, during follow-up of 1, 3 and 6 months, the VAS scores and the migraine attack days in the two groups were decreased compared with before treatment (Ｐ<0.05), and above indexes in the electroacupuncture group were lower than the western medication group (Ｐ<0.05). After treatment, the migraine symptom scores in the two groups were decreased (Ｐ<0.05), the change in the electroacupuncture group was greater than the western medication group (Ｐ<0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at Siguan points could effectively reduce headache intensity and migraine attack days, relieve migraine symptoms in patients with migraine of liver yang hyperactivity, and the efficacy is superior to oral flunarizine hydrochloride capsules.
Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; Flunarizine/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Liver ; Migraine Disorders/therapy*