This paper reviews the published articles of recent years on the application of deep learning methods in automatic localization of acupoint, and summarizes it from 3 key links, i.e. the dataset construction, the neural network model design, and the accuracy evaluation of acupoint localization. The significant progress has been obtained in the field of deep learning for acupoint localization, but the scale of acupoint detection needs to be expanded and the precision, the generalization ability, and the real-time performance of the model be advanced. The future research should focus on the support of standardized datasets, and the integration of 3D modeling and multimodal data fusion, so as to increase the accuracy and strengthen the personalization of acupoint localization.
Deep Learning ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Neural Networks, Computer

Objective This study aimed to develop an experimental animal platform for evaluating the feasibility and safety of intelligent acupuncture robots and to lay the foundation for further research.Methods Six 2-month-old Guangxi Bama miniature pigs were used as experimental subjects for acupuncture verification after anesthesia.First,manual acupuncture verification was carried out.Six acupoints were selected for each experimental animal and the needles were left for 20 min after the lifting,inserting,and twisting manipulation.Before and after controls were included.The experiment was carried out for 28 days,and each experiment was conducted once every 2 days for a total of 10 times.After verification of manual acupuncture,a point 10 mm from each of the six selected acupoints was selected,with a total of 12 points,and acupuncture operations were carried out on the experimental animals using the intelligent acupuncture module of the acupuncture robot at different frequencies and angles,to further verify the stability and feasibility of the animal platform.Results Routine safety-related blood indicators and blood biochemistry indicators after the procedure were normal and stable compared with those before the procedure.The average heart rate of the animals was 124 beats/min,the average blood pressure was 87/36 mmHg,and the average body temperature of was 36℃at a room temperature of 25℃,with no significant change in body temperature during and after the experiment.On the basis of this experimental platform,acupuncture manipulation using the intelligent acupuncture module of the acupuncture robot was completed successfully,with no abnormalities related to acupuncture such as bending,breaking,or stagnation of needles during the experimental process,and the experimental animals showed no obvious abnormalities.Conclusions This study established a stable experimental animal platform for evaluating the feasibility and safety of acupuncture carried out by intelligent acupuncture robots,based on the existing experimental method of miniature pigs.These result lay a foundation for further research related to the use of intelligent acupuncture robots.

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system, and its 5-year survival rate is only 4%. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is the most common post-transcriptional modification and dynamically regulates cancer development, while its role in PC treatment remains unclear. Materials and Methods: We treated PC cells with gemcitabine and quantified the overall m6A level with m6A methylation quantification. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were used to detect expression changes of m6A regulators. We verified the m6A modification on the target genes through m6A-immunoprecipitation (IP), and further in vivo experiments and immunofluorescence (IF) assays were applied to verify regulation of gemcitabine on Wilms’ tumor 1–associated protein (WTAP) and MYC. Results: Gemcitabine inhibited the proliferation and migration of PC cells and reduced the overall level of m6A modification. Additionally, the expression of the “writer” WTAP was significantly downregulated after gemcitabine treatment. We knocked down WTAP in cells and found target gene MYC expression was significantly downregulated, m6A-IP also confirmed the m6A modification on MYC. Our experiments showed that m6A-MYC may be recognized by the “reader” IGF2BP1. In vivo experiments revealed gemcitabine inhibited the tumorigenic ability of PC cells. IF analysis also showed that gemcitabine inhibited the expression of WTAP and MYC, which displayed a significant trend of co-expression. Conclusion Our study confirmed that gemcitabine interferes with WTAP protein expression in PC, reduces m6A modification on MYC and RNA stability, thereby inhibiting the downstream pathway of MYC, and inhibits the progression of PC.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of a newly developed intelligent acupuncture robot that simulates human manual acupuncture techniques through an animal experiment using miniature pigs. METHODS: Two 3-month-old Bama miniature pigs were selected. One pig was used for the manual needling techniques of the practitioner, and the other pig was used for the intelligent acupuncture robot. The acupoints selected were "Qiangfeng" "Bojian" "Xiaokua" "Huiyang" (BL 35) and "Baihui" (GV 20), with a straight insertion depth of 25-35 mm. The manipulation techniques, including lifting-thrusting and twisting at a frequency of 90 times/min, were applied for 1 min, with 30 s each for lifting-thrusting (10 mm amplitude) and twisting (180° angle). The practitioner's needling techniques were captured using an optical motion capture system, and the collected data were input into the intelligent acupuncture robot for replication on the second miniature pig. A complete needling session of five acupoints was considered one round, and three rounds were performed per session, every other day, for a total of five sessions, completing 15 rounds. The Fréchet distance method was used to compare the robot's replicated needling data with the practitioner's data, and curve fitting analysis was conducted to evaluate the robot's performance and precision. RESULTS: The intelligent acupuncture robot achieved a total completion rate of 96.00% for 75 needling operations, with a non-completion rate of 4.00%. The robot's replication of the practitioner's needling techniques showed a good fit, with many characteristic points overlapping. The average Fréchet distance was 18.67. The Fréchet distance for the lifting-thrusting and twisting techniques at Baihui (GV 20) and "Huiyang" (BL 35) acupoints was smaller than that at "Xiaokua" and "Qiangfeng" points (P<0.01). The accuracy of the lifting-thrusting technique at "Xiaokua" and "Qiangfeng" acupoints was lower than the twisting technique (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The intelligent acupuncture robot is able to replicate the pre-recorded manual needling parameters with a high degree of accuracy.
Animals ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Robotics/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of the feasibility of a new treatment method for atrophic rhinitis (ATR) based on tissue engineering technology (seed cells, scaffold materials, and growth factors), and provide new ideas for the treatment of ATR. METHODS: The literature related to ATR was extensively reviewed. Focusing on the three aspects of seed cells, scaffold materials, and growth factors, the recent research progress of ATR treatment was reviewed, and the future directions of tissue engineering technology to treat ATR were proposed. RESULTS: The pathogenesis and etiology of ATR are still unclear, and the effectiveness of the current treatments are still unsatisfactory. The construction of a cell-scaffold complex with sustained and controlled release of exogenous cytokines is expected to reverse the pathological changes of ATR, promoting the regeneration of normal nasal mucosa and reconstructing the atrophic turbinate. In recent years, the research progress of exosomes, three-dimensional printing, and organoids will promote the development of tissue engineering technology for ATR. CONCLUSION Tissue engineering technology can provide a new treatment method for ATR.
Humans ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Rhinitis, Atrophic ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Cytokines

Objective:To study factors associated with postoperative acute pancreatitis (POAP) in patients following pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods:This retrospective analysis included 60 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from Jan 2020 to Aug 2021. Enhanced computed tomography was used to identify POAP during postoperative period of 4 to 9 days. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to find out the risk factors of POAP.Results:Of the 60 patients, 13 cases (21.7%) developed POAP. The incidence of clinically related pancreatic fistula with abdominal abscess (76.9% vs.19.1%, χ2=15.71, P<0.000 1), postoperative hospital stay (26 d vs. 18 d, U=141.5, P=0.002 5) and the severity of complications (Clavien-Dindo grade≥Ⅲ: 53.8% vs. 21.3%, χ2=5.32, P=0.02) were significantly higher in the POAP group. But there was no significant deviation between the two groups when it comes to the severe post pancreatectomy delayed hemorrhage (7.7% vs. 0, χ2=3.68, P=0.06) and the delayed gastric emptying (30.8% vs. 21.3%, χ2=0.51, P=0.47). In the univariate analysis, patients with higher body mass index ( P=0.000 3), smaller main pancreatic duct diameter ( P<0.000 1) and softer texture of the pancreas ( P=0.009) were more likely to develop POAP after pancreaticoduodenectomy. In the multivariate analysis, the pancreatic duct diameter≤2 mm ( OR=0.005,95% CI 0.000 06-0.44, P=0.020), the softer texture of pancreas ( OR=0.005, 95% CI 0.000 04-0.47, P=0.023) were risk factors for POAP. Conclusions:Patients with postoperative acute pancreatitis increased the incidence of pancreatic fistula complicating abdominal abscess.Small caliber pancreatic tube, soft texture of pancreas were risk factors of POAP.

Objective:To compare the effectiveness and recurrence rate of different types of mesh or without mesh in laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair.Methods:From Jan 2016 to Mar 2022 at the three hospital 90 patients with hiatal hernia, including 26 cases without mesh, 29 cases using synthetic mesh, and 35 cases using biological mesh underwent laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair.Results:The surgical procedures was successful in all the 90 cases without conversion to open surgeny. There were no statistically significant differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay among the three groups ( P>0.05), and there were statistically significant differences in hospital cost between the group without mesh and synthetic mesh and biological mesh ( P<0.05). Long-term follow-up was achieved in 87 patients, with a follow-up rate of 96.7% (87/90), and a median follow-up time of 44 months. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications (diarrhea, dysphagia, abdominal distension, chest pain), recurrence rate of symptoms (acid reflux, heartburn) and patient satisfaction among the three groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair, the mesh should be carefully selected according to the specific intraoperative situation for a satisfactory clinical efficacy.

Objective To explore the application value of modified self-traction Overlap method in intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy of Ivor Lewis surgery.Methods The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted.The clinical data of 12 patients with lower esophageal carcinoma who underwent Ivor Lewis surgery in the Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from January to May 2018 were collected.There were 9 males and 3 females,aged from 50 to 73 years,with a median age of 61 years.Modified self-traction Overlap method was used for intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy during the surgery.The esophagus was pulled down with the ligature as traction and rotated clockwise by 45 degrees to perform side-to-side esophagogastric anastomosis.The common opening was closed by a laparoscopic linear cutting suturing device to form an esophagogastric Overlap triangle anastomosis,and finally the esophagus was disconnected.Observation indicators:(1) intraoperative and postoperative situations;(2) follow-up situations.Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect survival situation and tumor recurrence and metastasis up to January 2019.Measurement data were described as M (range).Results (1) Intraoperative and postoperative situations:all the 12 patients underwent successful Ivor Lewis surgery,without conversion to open surgery.The operation time,time of tubular gastroesophageal anastomosis,volume of intraoperative blood loss,time to initial anal exsufflation and time for initial fluid diet intake were 145 minutes (range,125-189 minutes),20 minutes (range,16-35 minutes),98 mL (range,78-135 mL),4 days (range,3-5 days),6 days (range,5-7 days),respectively.All the patients had no complication.Patients underwent upper gastrointestinal iodine hydrography at 5 days after surgery,confirming no anastomotic leakage or stenosis.Patients recovered well and were discharged postoperatively.The duration of postoperative hospital stay was 8 days (range,7-11 days).(2) Follow-up situations:12 patients were followed up for 8.0-12.0 months,with a median time of 10.6 months.Patients survived well,with no tumor recurrence or metastasis.Condusion Modified self-traction Overlap method in thoracic esophagogastrostomy of Ivor Lewis surgery is safe and feasible for lower esophageal carcinoma,with easy operating

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy of high-flow nasal cannulae oxygen (HFNC) in patients with respiratory failure.Methods Computerized PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, VIP, Wanfang Database up to March 31st, 2017, all published available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies about HFNC therapy for patients with respiratory failure were searched. The control group was treated with face mask oxygen therapy (FM) or non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), while the experimental group was treated with HFNC. The main outcomemeasurements included endotracheal intubation rate, patient comfort, and the secondary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The quality of the literature was completed by two professionally trained evidence-based medical students, and meta-analysis was performed on quality-compliant literature. Funnel plot was used to analyze the publication bias.Results A total of 17 articles were enrolled including 15 RCTs and 2 cohort studies. There were 3909 patients enrolled, 1907 patients in HFNC group, and 2002 in control group (1068 patients with FM, and 934 with NIPPV). Meta-analysis showed that HFNC had a significant advantage over FM in reducing the tracheal intubation rate of patients with respiratory failure [odds ratio (OR) = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.29-0.89,P = 0.02], but there was no significant difference as compared with that of NIPPV (OR = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.54-1.17,P = 0.25). It was shown by pooled analysis of two subgroups that compared with FM/NIPPV, HFNC had a significant advantage in reducing tracheal intubation rate in patients with respiratory failure (pooledOR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.47-0.94, P = 0.02). Compared with FM, patients with respiratory failure were more likely to receive HFNC for comfort [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.41, 95%CI = -0.56 to -0.26,P < 0.00001]. There was no significant difference in hospital mortality between HFNC and FM (OR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.55-1.24,P = 0.35) or NIPPV (OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.37-1.17, P = 0.16). The results of pooled analysis of two subgroups were still unchanged (pooledOR = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.54-1.05, P = 0.09). It was shown by the funnel analysis that there was a bias in the study of tracheal intubation rate in the literature, while the bias of patient comfort and hospital mortality was low.Conclusions Compared with FM, HFNC could reduce the rate of tracheal intubation in patients with respiratory failure, but no difference was found as compared with NIPPV. Compared with FM, HFNC made patients more comfortable, and it was easier to be accepted and tolerated. However, there was no difference in hospital mortality among FM, NIPPV, and HFNC.

To meet the requirements for the development of marine resources and military operations, divers usually dive deeper than the depth at which narcosis is present during air diving.Under this condition, heliox is required for this div-ing.Sofar, some countries have developed their own decompression tables for routine heliox diving.The best-known is tables from USA and France.In the preceding century, tables of Former Soviet Union and France used for routine heliox diving were introduced into China.On the basis of both types of tables,Chinese Navy developed their own tables for this purpose. In this paper, we summarized the characteristics of these tables from 5 countries and compared them in terms of structure, oxygen use, total decompression time, first stop and other features.This may provide a basis for future modification of ta-bles used in China and the development of new tables for routine heliox diving.