Perimenopausal women are more susceptible to fire pathogen disturbances,often resulting in the restlessness of the mind owing to the deficiency and decline of the thoroughfare and conception vessels,as well as the insufficiency of the essence and blood of the viscera.CHENG Zhongling's theory of thief and child fire in Medical Insights proposes that thief fire primarily arises from exogenous pathogen invasion and improper diet,leading to syndromes such as food retention in the stomach or phlegm-fire stagnation.In contrast,child fire is generated endogenously,often owing to liver and kidney deficiency,resulting in an imbalance of water and fire and liver dysfunction,leading to excessive fire transformation.This theory provides a novel perspective for understanding the pathogenesis of perimenopausal insomnia.An in-depth exploration of the role of thief fire and child fire in perimenopausal insomnia is presented,along with a detailed discussion of corresponding treatment strategies.For the invasion of thief fire,therapeutic approaches include ascending and dispersing stagnant fire,clearing and moistening to remove interior heat,purging the heat accumulation to unblock the bowels,and subduing the fire and nourishing yin to eliminate depression.When child fire disturbs the spirit,treatment methods involve smoothing and relieving the liver qi to clear the stagnant heat,nourishing the true yin to restrain the yang,warming and nurturing the primordial qi and harmonizing the nutrient and defensive qi,and guiding and reducing the deficient heat to remove the floating fire.Clinical practice necessitates precise identification of thief and child fire,thorough investigation of exogenous pathogens and internal damage,and careful differentiation between deficiency and excess,as well as the superficial and internal aspects.Strict adherence to the treatment principle of"nourishing the child fire can drive out the thief fire,but driving out the thief fire should not harm the child fire"ensures a balanced approach.By harmonizing the yin and yang of the viscera and allowing the mind to be at ease,this strategy effectively alleviates perimenopausal insomnia.The application of these principles provides a practical and feasible theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the treatment of perimenopausal insomnia using traditional Chinese medicine.

BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease,and the etiology and development of its pathogenesis are still unclear.Timely diagnosis and treatment of early osteoarthritis are crucial,and there is currently no definite and effective method.Extracellular vesicles come from a wide range of sources,including non-coding RNAs such as small RNAs,circular RNAs,and long chain non-coding RNAs.Extracellular vesicles non-coding RNAs can be directly delivered from primitive cells to neighboring or remote cells,regulating cell activity through intercellular communication and playing an important regulatory role in reshaping the bone and joint microenvironment.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the intervention effects of exosome-derived non-coding RNAs on the joint microenvironment of osteoarthritis and the progress made in clinical application,and to clarify the potential of exosome-derived non-coding RNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:Search terms "exosomes,non-coding RNA,osteoarthritis,application,signal pathway,synovial fluid,cartilage cells,cartilage matrix,subchondral,mechanism" were used for the search on PubMed database.Finally,66 related articles were included for review analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Exosome-derived non-coding RNAs play an important regulatory role in the joint microenvironment during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis,mainly reflected in:exosome non-coding RNAs regulating the inflammatory response in the joint,degeneration of chondrocytes and cartilage matrix,subchondral bone remodeling,and intercellular communication.(2) The non-coding RNAs in exosomes can serve as biomarkers for osteoarthritis,aiding in the early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression and prognosis.(3) Exosome non-coding RNAs serve as therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis.Exosomes carry miRNAs to the articular chondrocytes and cartilage matrix to play a regulatory role.(4) Exosomes non-coding RNAs can improve the effect of cartilage tissue engineering by regulating gene expression and promoting intercellular communication to repair or regenerate damaged cartilage.(5) In future research,researchers should continue to explore the intervention mechanism of non-coding RNAs derived from exosomes on osteoarthritis,and apply them to clinical practice in combination with the latest research outcomes in cartilage tissue engineering,which will effectively help solve the pain of osteoarthritis patients.

Purpose To explore the value of tumor intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics models based on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in predicting benign and malignant breast tumors.Materials and Methods This retrospective study analyzed clinical data and MRI imaging features from 309 patients with pathologically confirmed solitary breast tumors at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen Medical College from August 2018 to December 2022.The cohort was randomly divided into training(n=248)and testing(n=61)cohorts in an 8∶2 ratio.Using second-phase dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI images,five distinct peritumoral regions were segmented through 3D-Slicer software:intratumoral region,peritumoral 2 mm region,peritumoral 4 mm region,intratumoral combined with peritumoral 2 mm region and intratumoral combined with peritumoral 4 mm region.Radiomic features were extracted from these regions of interest.Machine learning algorithms integrated with Logistic regression analysis were employed for feature selection,with cross-validation techniques determining the optimal radiomic signature combination.Results Of 309 patients,150 were benign tumors and 159 were malignant tumors.The age,maximum diameter and enhancement type of benign and malignant breast tumors were statistically significant(Z/χ2=-7.695,-5.775,30.248;all P<0.001).For the region of interest of intratumoral combined with peritumoral 4 mm region,the area under curve,sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and F1 scores of the training and validation were 0.893,89.1%,75.0%,82.3%,0.838 and 0.881,74.2%,86.7%,80.3%,0.793,respectively.In the training set,the area under curve of intratumoral combined with peritumoral 4 mm region was significantly higher than that of intratumoral,peritumoral 2 mm,peritumoral 4 mm and intratumoral combined with peritumoral 2 mm regional imaging models(Z=2.506,2.982,3.392,2.157;all P<0.05).The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the calibration curve of the model combined with region of interest of intratumoral combined with peritumoral 4 mm region was highly consistent with the ideal curve(training P=0.381,validation P=0.159).The decision curve indicated that the net benefit of the radiomics model in the region of interest of intratumoral combined with peritumoral 4 mm region was the highest when the risk threshold was between 0 and 1.0.Conclusion The radiomics model has good predictive performance in predicting benign or malignant breast tumors,among them the combined region of interest of intratumoral combined with peritumoral 4 mm region provides the best performance and highest benefit.The technology clinical application will provide a non-invasive predictive method for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast tumors.

The phrase"wood element characterized by spreading harmony"from the Huangdi Neijing five-phase theory summarizes the fundamental nature and functions of the wood element,emphasizing the crucial significance of the harmonious virtue of wood in promoting the generation and transformation of all things.In human physiology,"wood element characterized by spreading harmony"corresponds to the harmonious spreading of liver-gallbladder qi,ensuring smooth liver qi regulation and proper functioning of the ascending-descending movement mechanisms.Bipolar disorder,categorized in traditional Chinese medicine as"depression"or"manic depressive psychosis,"primarily arises from hepatic wood dysfunction.Insufficient wood qi dispersion typically manifests as a depressive phase,whereas excessive dispersion leads to a manic phase,with alternating manic-depressive phase indicating qi movement disorder.By integrating wood qi characteristics,disease pathogenesis of bipolar disorder,and our team's clinical experience in treating emotional disorders,this study developed an integrated acupuncture and moxibustion diagnosis and treatment approach for bipolar disorder,focusing on soothing the liver and regulating spirit,structured as"acupuncture-moxibustion-consolidation."Based on the physiological characteristics of"wood element characterized by spreading harmony,"from liver failing to controll conveyance and dispersion:depressive phase should apply warm-nourishing growth method,manic phase should suppress hyperactive liver for tranquillizing mind method,and alternating manic-depressive phase should apply harmonized rigidity-flexibility method.These methods aim to regulate the spirit of the heart and brain,harmonize the qi movement of the spleen and stomach,and replenish the essence and blood of the liver and kidney.Clinical application through syndrome differentiation has demonstrated satisfactory therapeutic outcomes.

The phrase"wood element characterized by spreading harmony"from the Huangdi Neijing five-phase theory summarizes the fundamental nature and functions of the wood element,emphasizing the crucial significance of the harmonious virtue of wood in promoting the generation and transformation of all things.In human physiology,"wood element characterized by spreading harmony"corresponds to the harmonious spreading of liver-gallbladder qi,ensuring smooth liver qi regulation and proper functioning of the ascending-descending movement mechanisms.Bipolar disorder,categorized in traditional Chinese medicine as"depression"or"manic depressive psychosis,"primarily arises from hepatic wood dysfunction.Insufficient wood qi dispersion typically manifests as a depressive phase,whereas excessive dispersion leads to a manic phase,with alternating manic-depressive phase indicating qi movement disorder.By integrating wood qi characteristics,disease pathogenesis of bipolar disorder,and our team's clinical experience in treating emotional disorders,this study developed an integrated acupuncture and moxibustion diagnosis and treatment approach for bipolar disorder,focusing on soothing the liver and regulating spirit,structured as"acupuncture-moxibustion-consolidation."Based on the physiological characteristics of"wood element characterized by spreading harmony,"from liver failing to controll conveyance and dispersion:depressive phase should apply warm-nourishing growth method,manic phase should suppress hyperactive liver for tranquillizing mind method,and alternating manic-depressive phase should apply harmonized rigidity-flexibility method.These methods aim to regulate the spirit of the heart and brain,harmonize the qi movement of the spleen and stomach,and replenish the essence and blood of the liver and kidney.Clinical application through syndrome differentiation has demonstrated satisfactory therapeutic outcomes.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the Kaiser score for ultrasound(US)BI-RADS 4A lesions and the potential to avoid unnecessary biopsies.Methods Data of patients who underwent breast US and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)between May 2019 and June 2023 were retrospectively collected,and all cases were confirmed by puncture biopsy or surgical pathology.The diagnostic efficacy of Kaiser score and MRI BI-RADS classification for US BI-RADS 4A lesions was calculated and compared using pathologic findings as the gold standard.Results A total of 119 lesions(74 benign and 45 malignant lesions)were found in the 119 patients.The diagnostic efficacy of the Kaiser score was significantly better than that of the MRI BI-RADS classification(AUC:0.88 vs.0.65,P＜0.000 1).The concordance of the Kaiser score results with the pathologic findings and the inter-observer concordance were better than that of the MRI BI-RADS classification.Unnecessary biopsies could be avoided in 87.8％(65/74)and 33.8％(25/74)of the cases when the Kaiser score and the MRI BI-RADS classification were applied for the diagnosis of US BI-RADS 4A lesions,respectively.Conclusion The Kaiser score can provide a diagnostic basis for risk stratification of US BI-RADS 4A lesions,and its diagnostic efficacy and inter-observer agreement are superior to those of MRI BI-RADS classification.

Objective To analyze the clinical features,therapeutic effects and relapse factors of anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-IgG antibody associated diseases(MOGAD)in adult patients.Methods The clinical data of 15 adult patients with MOGAD were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into conventional treatment group and plasma exchange group according to the treatment.The efficacy was analyzed by comparing the scores of mRS and expanded disability status scale(EDSS)before and after treatment.And the patients were divided into single course group and relapse course group according to the course of disease,and the relapse-related factors were analyzed.Results There were 10 patients in the conventional treatment group and 5 patients in the plasma exchange treatment group,and the mRS and EDSS of the two groups were significantly lower after treatment than those before treatment(all P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in mRS and EDSS scores between the plasma exchange group and the conventional treatment group after treatment(all P＞0.05).There were 11 patients in the unidirectional course group and 4 patients in the relapsing course group.There were no significant differences between the two groups in gender,age,severity of disease,clinical phenotype,antibody titer,and treatment plan in the acute stage(all P＞0.05).The detection rate of OCB in CSF of patients with relapse course was significantly higher than that of patients with single course.The proportion of patients with maintenance oral hormone duration＜6 months in recurrent disease course group was significantly higher than that in single disease course group(all P＜0.05).Conclusions MOGAD patients respond effectively to glucocorticoid pulse therapy and double filtration plasmapheresis during the acute phase,with a favorable prognosis.MOGAD have a risk of recurrence,those who present with encephalitis at the onset,have positive OCB in CSF,and have a shorter duration of oral glucocorticoid maintenance treatment may be more prone to recurrence.Acute-phase treatment with double filtration plasmapheresis may reduce the recurrence rate.

Perimenopausal anxiety and depression state fall under the categories of"visceral agitation"and"perimenopausal syndrome"in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Grounded in the theory of"Yang transforms qi,yin shapes form",this study posits that the pathogenesis of this condition is complex,often presenting with concurrent deficiency and excess syndromes,and is closely associated with yang deficiency-induced stagnation and qi stagnation leading to mental decline.The pathological mechanism is summarized as yang deficiency being the root and qi stagnation the manifestation.This article proposes a"yang-oriented treatment"approach for perimenopausal anxiety-depression disorders,employing a stepwise integrated acupuncture protocol termed"One Needling,Two Moxibustion,Three Consolidation":"One Needling"prioritizes regulating qi flow via acupuncture to soothe the liver and harmonize the spirit;"Two Moxibustion"utilizes refined moxibustion to warm yang,resolve stagnation,and activate yang circulation;"Three Consolidation"combines bloodletting therapy to remove stasis and regenerate tissues with intradermal needle embedding to stimulate yang and regulate visceral functions.This synergistic protocol aims to nourish the heart-mind,awaken the orifices of consciousness,alleviate perimenopausal anxiety and depressive symptoms,and consolidate therapeutic efficacy.

BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease,and the etiology and development of its pathogenesis are still unclear.Timely diagnosis and treatment of early osteoarthritis are crucial,and there is currently no definite and effective method.Extracellular vesicles come from a wide range of sources,including non-coding RNAs such as small RNAs,circular RNAs,and long chain non-coding RNAs.Extracellular vesicles non-coding RNAs can be directly delivered from primitive cells to neighboring or remote cells,regulating cell activity through intercellular communication and playing an important regulatory role in reshaping the bone and joint microenvironment.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the intervention effects of exosome-derived non-coding RNAs on the joint microenvironment of osteoarthritis and the progress made in clinical application,and to clarify the potential of exosome-derived non-coding RNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:Search terms "exosomes,non-coding RNA,osteoarthritis,application,signal pathway,synovial fluid,cartilage cells,cartilage matrix,subchondral,mechanism" were used for the search on PubMed database.Finally,66 related articles were included for review analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Exosome-derived non-coding RNAs play an important regulatory role in the joint microenvironment during the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis,mainly reflected in:exosome non-coding RNAs regulating the inflammatory response in the joint,degeneration of chondrocytes and cartilage matrix,subchondral bone remodeling,and intercellular communication.(2) The non-coding RNAs in exosomes can serve as biomarkers for osteoarthritis,aiding in the early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression and prognosis.(3) Exosome non-coding RNAs serve as therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis.Exosomes carry miRNAs to the articular chondrocytes and cartilage matrix to play a regulatory role.(4) Exosomes non-coding RNAs can improve the effect of cartilage tissue engineering by regulating gene expression and promoting intercellular communication to repair or regenerate damaged cartilage.(5) In future research,researchers should continue to explore the intervention mechanism of non-coding RNAs derived from exosomes on osteoarthritis,and apply them to clinical practice in combination with the latest research outcomes in cartilage tissue engineering,which will effectively help solve the pain of osteoarthritis patients.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between respiratory event duration and nocturnal oxygen saturation (SpO 2) in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and to explore its significance in assessing nocturnal hypoxemia and OSA severity. Methods:A prospective study was conducted on adult OSA patients diagnosed via overnight standard polysomnography (PSG) at the Department of Otolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2019 to December 2023. Data collected included demographic information, PSG reports, scale scores, and comorbidities. Patients were first stratified by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) severity. Relationships between respiratory event duration parameters,including total apnea-hypopnea time (TAHT), percentage of total sleep time with apnea-hypopnea (AHT%), total apnea time (TAT), total hypopnea time (THT), and mean apnea-hypopnea time (MAHT), and nocturnal SpO? parameters, including average SpO? (aSpO?), minimal SpO? (mSpO?), mean oxygen desaturation (MOD), and percentage of total sleep time with SpO?<90% (CT90), were analyzed. Patients were then divided into two groups based on the median MAHT (27.6 s) for SpO? comparison. Finally, severe OSA patients were further subclassified using an AHI inflection point (50 events/h) identified via scatter plot analysis to compare nocturnal SpO?. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0.Results:Among the 250 study subjects, there were 201 males and 49 females, with ages ranging from 18 to 76 years (mean age: 41.6 ± 11.9 years).TAHT, AHT%, and TAT in OSA patients demonstrated significant negative correlations with aSpO?( r=-0.698, -0.718, -0.646)and mSpO?( r=-0.746, -0.746, -0.748), while showing positive correlations with MOD ( r=0.783, 0.791, 0.823)and CT90 ( r=0.868, 0.866, 0.852), P<0.05. When stratified by MAHT median ( M=27.6 s), the "long-event" subgroup ( n=125) displayed significantly lower mSpO 2 and higher MOD and CT90 compared to the "short-event" subgroup ( n=125), Z=-3.319, 3.288, 2.242; P<0.05. No significant difference in aSpO 2 was observed ( P>0.05). Subgrouping severe OSA patients at AHI=50 events/hour revealed significant differences in aSpO 2, mSpO 2, MOD, and CT90 between groups ( Z=-5.011, -4.787, 5.142, 6.117, P<0.05). Conclusions:TAHT, AHT%, and TAT significantly correlate with nocturnal SpO? parameters in OSA patients and can supplement AHI in assessing OSA severity. MAHT independently reflects nocturnal oxygenation status beyond AHI.