Electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as neuroimaging technologies, provided objective and visualized technical tools for analyzing the brain effect mechanisms of acupuncture and moxibustion from the perspectives of brain structure, function, metabolism, and hemodynamics. The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can compensate for issues such as the large and scattered nature of neuroimaging data, inconsistent quality, and high heterogeneity of image information. The integration of AI with neuroimaging can facilitate individualized, intelligent, and precise prediction of acupuncture and moxibustion effects, enable intelligent classification of differential acupuncture responses, and identify brain activation patterns. This paper focuses on EEG and MRI, analyzing how machine learning and deep learning optimize multimodal neuroimaging data and their applications in the study of acupuncture and moxibustion brain effects mechanisms. Furthermore, it highlights current research gaps and limitations to provide insights for future studies on acupuncture brain effects mechanisms.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain/physiology* ; Moxibustion ; Neuroimaging/methods* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Electroencephalography

The free inferior epigastric artery perforator flap is currently a highly regarded autologous breast reconstruction technique. However, in clinical practice, the anatomical characteristics of the lower abdominal vasculature and surrounding tissue structures do not always permit ideal perforator flap harvesting. In many cases, it becomes necessary to preserve a larger rectus abdominis muscle cuff to ensure reliable blood supply to the flap through the perforating vessels. Compared with various forms of rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps that all require incision of the anterior sheath and intramuscular vascular pedicle dissection, the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) perforator flap significantly reduces donor-site morbidity. Nevertheless, the anatomical variability of the superficial inferior epigastric vessels increases surgical uncertainty. Based on clinical observations, this study establishes a comprehensive clinical strategy algorithm. Primarily focusing on different configurations of free rectus abdominis flaps, it incorporates additional preparation of free SIEA perforator flaps when anatomical conditions permit. The objectives are to ensure reliable perfusion of the lower abdominal flap while minimizing donor-site damage and reducing surgical complexity.

Background::The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents significant medical and societal challenges. A well-designed IBD database is crucial for both epidemiological studies and clinical management. However, inconsistencies between regional databases hinder cross-institutional and international research, especially between Eastern and Western societies.Methods::We developed a new IBD database, the 301 IBD database, integrating the IBD clinical characteristics from the Penn IBD database (USA) and the latest IBD guidelines and consensus and clinical practices of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (PLAGH). We applied this database to analyze clinical data of IBD inpatients at PLAGH from 2008 to 2023.Results::The 301 IBD database contains 490 items in 6 sections including demographic characteristics, personal history, clinical phenotype, disease activity, laboratory tests and examinations, and treatment. Features of the 301 IBD database include inpatient focus, biochemical indicators and opportunistic infection focus, and more about ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated complications. Single-center analysis revealed an increasing hospitalization trend, from 2.35% in 2008 to 3.94% in 2023. We found that the clinical characteristics of our UC inpatients are predominantly male (62.5%), extensive lesions (55.1%), low usage of biologics (4.1%), and a high incidence of UC-CRC (3.0%). The clinical characteristics of CD inpatients included male predominance (68.39%), early onset age (35.43 ± 14.75-year-old), and high rate of surgery (25.81%).Conclusion::The 301 IBD database, integrating Eastern and Western clinical data, provides a valuable tool for IBD clinical research. Future international, multicenter collaborations are expected to further enhance its utility.

Background::The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents significant medical and societal challenges. A well-designed IBD database is crucial for both epidemiological studies and clinical management. However, inconsistencies between regional databases hinder cross-institutional and international research, especially between Eastern and Western societies.Methods::We developed a new IBD database, the 301 IBD database, integrating the IBD clinical characteristics from the Penn IBD database (USA) and the latest IBD guidelines and consensus and clinical practices of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (PLAGH). We applied this database to analyze clinical data of IBD inpatients at PLAGH from 2008 to 2023.Results::The 301 IBD database contains 490 items in 6 sections including demographic characteristics, personal history, clinical phenotype, disease activity, laboratory tests and examinations, and treatment. Features of the 301 IBD database include inpatient focus, biochemical indicators and opportunistic infection focus, and more about ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated complications. Single-center analysis revealed an increasing hospitalization trend, from 2.35% in 2008 to 3.94% in 2023. We found that the clinical characteristics of our UC inpatients are predominantly male (62.5%), extensive lesions (55.1%), low usage of biologics (4.1%), and a high incidence of UC-CRC (3.0%). The clinical characteristics of CD inpatients included male predominance (68.39%), early onset age (35.43 ± 14.75-year-old), and high rate of surgery (25.81%).Conclusion::The 301 IBD database, integrating Eastern and Western clinical data, provides a valuable tool for IBD clinical research. Future international, multicenter collaborations are expected to further enhance its utility.

The free inferior epigastric artery perforator flap is currently a highly regarded autologous breast reconstruction technique. However, in clinical practice, the anatomical characteristics of the lower abdominal vasculature and surrounding tissue structures do not always permit ideal perforator flap harvesting. In many cases, it becomes necessary to preserve a larger rectus abdominis muscle cuff to ensure reliable blood supply to the flap through the perforating vessels. Compared with various forms of rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps that all require incision of the anterior sheath and intramuscular vascular pedicle dissection, the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) perforator flap significantly reduces donor-site morbidity. Nevertheless, the anatomical variability of the superficial inferior epigastric vessels increases surgical uncertainty. Based on clinical observations, this study establishes a comprehensive clinical strategy algorithm. Primarily focusing on different configurations of free rectus abdominis flaps, it incorporates additional preparation of free SIEA perforator flaps when anatomical conditions permit. The objectives are to ensure reliable perfusion of the lower abdominal flap while minimizing donor-site damage and reducing surgical complexity.

Objective:To investigate the spectrum, drug resistance and risk factors of multidrug resistant organism (MDRO) in chronic osteomyelitis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted by cluster sampling to analyze the 414 patients with chronic osteomyelitis who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Department of Orthopaedics, The People's Hospital of Shanxi Province, Department of Traumatology, Yuncheng City Hospital, and Department of Orthopaedics, Linfen City Hospital from January 2016 to December 2021. The patients were assigned into 2 groups according to whether MDRO had been detected or not. In the MDRO infection group of 150 cases, there were 118 males and 32 females with an age of (48.8±16.2) years; in the non-MDRO infection group of 264 cases, there were 194 males and 70 females with an age of (46.0±17.8) years. The characteristics of bacterial spectrum and drug resistance in MDRO infection were described and analyzed. The 2 groups were compared in terms of clinical data like gender, age, course of disease, body mass index, history of antibiotic use before admission, combined internal diseases, combined trauma, and length of hospital stay. The items with P<0.05 were included in a multivariate logistic regression model to explore the risk factors for MDRO infection. Results:Pathogenic bacteria (331 strains) were detected in 286 of the 414 patients with chronic osteomyelitis, and infection with 168 strains of MDRO was detected in 150 of the 286 patients, yielding a detection rate of 50.8% (168/331). Of the 168 strains of MDR, 129 (76.8%, 129/168) were Gram-positive and 39 (23.2%, 39/168) Gram-negative. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently detected species of Gram-positive bacteria (58.1%, 75/129) and the most frequently detected pathogen (44.6%, 75/168) in this study. The resistance of Gram-positive bacteria to peptides and oxazolidinones was low (less than 10%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥45 years ( OR=6.991, 95% CI: 3.525 to 13.865, P<0.001), essential hypertension ( OR=4.191, 95% CI: 2.070 to 8.485, P<0.001), trauma ( OR=4.232, 95% CI: 2.409 to 7.435, P<0.001) and length of hospital stay ( OR=1.015, 95% CI: 1.001 to 1.029, P=0.030) were the risk factors for MDRO infection in patients with chronic osteomyelitis. Conclusions:The detection rate of MDRO is at a medium to high level. Gram positive bacteria are the main pathogens and resistant to most antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy guided by bacterial culture is of great significance for patients with chronic osteomyelitis. Age≥45 years, essential hypertension, trauma, and long hospital stay are risk factors for MDRO infection in patients with chronic osteomyelitis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) on the proliferation of GES-1 cells and the expressions of S100A8 and S100A9 in human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1. Methods: H. pylori were co-cultured with GES-1 cells at different infection plural (muhiplieity of infection (MOI) 50∶1, 100∶1, 200∶1), then the cells and cell culture supernatants were collected. The proliferative activity was detected by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) methods. The expression of S100A8 and S100A9 at mRNA level was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The levels of S100A8 and S100A9 proteins and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in cell culture supernatants were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T test and Pearson method were performed for statistical analysis. Results: The negative control group was taken as the baseline, the proliferation rates of GES-1 cells of the H. pylori multiplicity 50∶1 group, 100∶1 group and 200∶1 group were (105.51±4.78)%, (168.97±11.29)% and (64.05±10.11)%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the proliferation rate of GES-1 cells between H. pylori multiplicity 50∶1 group and negative control group (t=0.69, P=0.51). The proliferation rate of GES-1 cells of the H. pylori multiplicity 100∶1 group was higher than that of the negative control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=10.63, P<0.01). The proliferation rate of GES-1 in the H. pylori multiplicity 200∶1 group was lower than that of the negative control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=-5.54, P<0.01). The expression of S100A8 and S100A9 at the mRNA level in the H. pylori multiplicity 200∶1 group was 0.31±0.21 and 8.66±4.08, respectively, which were higher than those of the negative control group (0.06±0.05 and 0.08±0.08), and the differences were statistically significant (t=10.20 and 6.89, both P<0.05). The expressions of S100A8 at the protein level of H. pylori multiplicity 50∶1, 100∶1, and 200∶1 groups were (112.21±1.25) ng/mL, (120.39±1.61) ng/mL and (121.28±0.71) ng/mL, respectively; while the expression of S100A9 at the protein level were (179.43±2.44) ng/mL, (191.47±1.98) ng/mL and (201.80±2.06) ng/mL, respectively; and the expression of TNF-α levels were (285.52±3.64) ng/mL, (320.08±2.28) ng/mL and (350.97±2.90) ng/mL, respectively; which were all higher than those of the negative control group ((76.14±1.30) ng/mL, (161.35±1.31) ng/mL and (270.08±2.96) ng/mL, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant (t_S100A8=35.09, 43.06, 43.92, t_S100A9 = 11.13, 18.54, 24.90, t_TNF-α= 6.34, 20.54, 33.23; all P<0.01). The expressions of S100A8 and S100A9 at the protein level were positively correlated with TNF-α (r=0.92 and 0.95, both P<0.01). Conclusion S100A8 and S100A9 may be involved in the process of H. pylori induced proliferation disorder and inflammation in GES-1 cells.

Objective To analyse the relationship between the left ventricular(LV)structure,function and changes of concentration of serum matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1),tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1),and evaluate the value of the change of serum MMP-1 and serum TIMP-1 in ventrieular remodeling of pregnant women complicating cardiac disease.Methods Fifty-eight cases of pregnant women with cardiac disease divided into three groups[group A had 17 cases who had clinical manifestations and no left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH)],group B had 15 cases who had clinical manifestations and LVH but no palmonaly hypertension(PH),group C had 26 cases who had clinical manifestations,LVH and PH which divided into three groups again:11 cases of slight group[PH from 30-49 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)],9 cases of moderate group(PH from 50-79 mm Hg)and 6 cases of severe group(PH≥80 mm Hg).Fifteen healthy pregnant women acted as control group.The left ventricular structure and function[(left ventrieular nlasS index(LVMI),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(INEDd),Ejection fraction(EF),E peak(E),A peak(A)and E/A],pulmonary pressure and plasma MMP-1,TIMP-1 values were determined in the third trimester of pregnancy.Results(1)LVMI (148±7)g/m~2 and LVEDd(58.9±3.5)mm in group C increased significantly(totally P＜0.01),EF (51.0±4.4)% decreased significantly(P＜0.01),E(50±10)cm/s decreased significantly(P＜0.01),A(81±13)cm/s increased(P＜0.05)and E/A(0.6±0.3)decreased significantly(P＜0.01)compared with normal subjects,group A and group B.(2)LVMI(150±7)g/m~2,LVEDd(69.7±3.4)mm in severe pulmonary hypertension group increased significantly(P＜0.01),EF(45.6±2.6)% decreased significantly(P＜0.01),E(44±9)cm/s decreased(P＜0.05),A(86±8)cm/s increased(P＜0.05)and E/A(0.52±0.17)decreased significantly(P＜0.01)compared with slight and moderate pulmonary hypertension group.(3)Plasma MMP-1(41±10)μg/L and TIMP-1(393±37)μg/L values in group C increased significantly compared with normal subjects,group A and group B(P＜0.01).(4)Plasma MMP-1(42±7)μg/L and TIMP-1(411±31)μg/L values of severe pulmonary hypertension group increased significantly compared with slight pulmonary hypertension group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(5)The correlation analysis indicated that:There was positive correlation between the serum concentration of MMP-1 and TIMP-1(r=0.587.P＜0.01).The serum concentration of MMP-1 was positively correlated with LVMI and LVEDd significantly(r=0.782,P＜0.001;r=0.648,P＜0.01)and was negatively correlated with EF significantly(r:-0.587,P＜0.01).(6)Plasma MMP-1 values＞50μg/L and plasma TIMP-1 values ＞450μg/L in 3 cardiac disease failure cases.Conclusions (1)The ventricular remodeling can be found in the third trimester of pregnancy of women complicating cardiac disease,and the more serious the left ventricular hypertrophy and PH,the more obvious the ventricular remodeling.(2)The changes in the plasma MMP-1/TIMP-1 values and MMP-1/TIMP-1 balance may play an important role in the left ventrieular structural.functional,and clinical manifestations of pregnant women complicating cardiac disease.(3)An increased MMP-1 and TIMP-1 level maybe can predict the presence of cardiac disease failure.

Objective To investigate clinical value of Tei index used for monitoring right ventricular (RV) function in pregnant women complicating cardiac disease accompanying pulmonary hypertension(PH) and the influence on left ventricular(LV) function due to overload pressure of RV. Methods Fifty-eight pregnant women complicating cardiac disease (including 32 cases with congenital heart disease,14 cases with rheumatic heart disease and 8 cases with arrhythmia)were enrolled in this study, among 26 cases coexisted with pulmonary hypertension. According to the pressure of PH, those patients were divided into three groups:11 cases in mild group[30-49 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)],9 cases in moderate group (50-79 mm Hg)and 6 cases in severe group (≥80 mm Hg). In the mean time, 15 healthy pregnant women were matched as control. Tei index were measured for LV and RV respectively. Results (1) The isovolumetric relaxation time [IRT,(93±52) ms] and isovolumetric contraction time [ICT,(66±41) ms] of RV in PH group were significantly higher than normal controls [(39±19) ms in IRT and (38±20) ms in ICT] and the other patients without PH group[(59±12) ms in IRT and (43±19)ms in ICT, P<0.01, P<0.05;P<0.05,P<0.05]; however, ejection time (ET) was(239±46) ms significantly shortened in PH group (P<0.05,P<0.01) when compared with (250±41) ms in patients without PH and (299±38) ms in normal controls. Tei index in PH group were 0.72±0.49, which were significantly higher than 0.38±0.12 in normal controls and 0.43±0.16 in patients without PH (P<0.01,P<0.05). (2) The IRT[(99±27)ms] and ICT[(71±40) ms] of LV in PH group were significantly higher than in normal controls [(88±20) ms,(50±24)ms] (P<0.01,P<0.01). ET of LV in PH group [(202±26)ms] were significantly shortened that (290±21)ms in normal controls and (220±36)ms in patients without PH (P<0.01,P<0.05). Tei index of LV in PH group were significantly higher than 0.43±0.15 in normal controls and 0.58±0.21 in patients without PH (P<0.01,P<0.05). (3) Positive correlation between Tei index of RV and pressure of pumonaroy artery were observed (r=0.84, P<0.01). (4) Tei index of RV in severe PH were significantly higher than mild PH (0.75±0.43 vs. 0.68±0.35, P<0.01) and moderate PH (0.75±0.43 vs. 0.71±0.14, P<0.05). Conclusions (1)The Tei index is a novel efficient Doppler index in assessing RV function of pregnant women complicating cardiac disease accompanying PH. And the fluctuation of Tei index might reflect seriousness of the disease. (2) The overload pressure of RV pressure due to PH has significant influence on LV function.