1.Effect of vibration therapy combined with suspension training on movement and knee joint function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Wenhan CHEN ; Jie MEN ; Wei YANG ; Xiaoyu ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(11):2225-2230
BACKGROUND:Physiotherapy is very important for the recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.In recent years,many doctors are optimizing the physical rehabilitation program after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.However,there is still a lack of efficient rehabilitation training after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of vibration therapy combined with suspension training on movement and knee joint function after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHODS:A total of 80 patients undergoing first unilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at the Affiliated Sport Hospital,Shanghai University of Sport were randomly divided into vibration therapy group(n=40)and vibration therapy+suspension training group(n=40).In the vibration therapy group,vibration therapy(10 minutes each,once a day,6 times per week)was performed at the 13th week after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Patients in the vibration therapy+suspension training group were treated with vibration therapy(10 minutes each,once a day,6 times per week)and suspension training(twice a week)at the 13th week after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Training in each group was performed for 8 weeks.Knee joint function was evaluated by knee joint Lysholm score before and 8 weeks after training.The symmetry index was evaluated by the isokinetic muscle strength evaluation training system.The balance test system was used to evaluate the average trace error difference of the bilateral multi-axes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with those before training,the knee Lysholm score and the knee extension and flexion symmetry indexes increased(P<0.05),and the average trace error difference decreased after training(P<0.05).Compared with the vibration therapy group,the knee Lysholm score in the vibration therapy+suspension training group increased(P<0.05),the knee extension and knee flexion symmetry index increased(P<0.05),and the average trace error difference decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,compared with vibration therapy training alone,vibration therapy combined with suspension training can significantly improve knee joint function,increase muscle strength and symmetry,and improve balance stability in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
2.Dynamics of eosinophil infiltration and microglia activation in brain tissues of mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Fanna WEI ; Renjie ZHANG ; Yahong HU ; Xiaoyu QIN ; Yunhai GUO ; Xiaojin MO ; Yan LU ; Jiahui SUN ; Yan ZHOU ; Jiatian GUO ; Peng SONG ; Yanhong CHU ; Bin XU ; Ting ZHANG ; Yuchun CAI ; Muxin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2025;37(2):163-175
Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.
3.Effects of Combined Tongue Three-Needle Acupuncture and Acupoint Application on Lianquan (CV 23) on Swallowing Function and Surface Electromyography Signals in Patients with Dysphagia after Ischemic Stroke
Xiaoyu DENG ; Dongmei XU ; Qiong FAN ; Lei YUAN ; Wei WU ; Haimei LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(15):1559-1565
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and potential mechanism of combined tongue three-needle acupuncture and acupoint application on Lianquan (CV 23) for patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke. MethodsA prospective study was conducted on 160 patients with post-stroke dysphagia, who were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 80 cases in each group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation training, while the treatment group received tongue three-needle acupuncture combined with acupoint application on Lianquan (CV 23) on the basis of conventional rehabilitation training, for 4 weeks in both groups. We compared the clinical effectivenss of both groups after treatment, and assessed the swallowing function including videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) and functional oral intake scale (FIOS), swallowing contrast test including hyoid maximum displacement (HmaxD), pharyngeal transit time (PTT), and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening, surface electromyography (sEMG) test including maximum amplitude and swallowing duration as well as swallowing quality of life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) score of the patients in both groups before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, respectively. ResultsThe total effective rate in treatment group was 82.50% (66/80), significantly higher than 66.25% (53/80) in control group (P<0.05). The VFSS, and FOIS scores, UES opening rate and HmaxD, sEMG maximal amplitude values, and SWAL-QOL scores were increased in both groups after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment compared with the values before treatment (P<0.05), while SSA scores, PTT, and swallowing duration were decreased compared within group before treatment (P<0.05). VFSS and FOIS scores, UES opening rate and HmaxD, sEMG maximal amplitude values, and SWAL-QOL scores after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment in the treatment group were higher (P<0.05), while SSA scores, PTT, and swallowing duration were lower (P<0.05) than those in the control group at the same time. ConclusionCombined tongue three-needle acupuncture and acupoint application on Lianquan (CV 23) for patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke can significantly improve swallowing activities, and its mechanism of action may be related to the improvement of the contraction ability and coordination of swallowing-related muscle groups.
4.Postoperative Stage-based Functional Protection Strategies for Lung Cancer Based on Theory of "Lungs Governing Qi"
Luchang CAO ; Guanghui ZHU ; Ruike GAO ; Manman XU ; Xiaoyu ZHU ; Wei HOU ; Ying ZHANG ; Jie LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):86-93
Lung cancer (LC) is a significant global public health issue, with both its incidence and mortality rates ranking among the highest worldwide. The age-standardized incidence and mortality rates are increasing annually, posing a serious threat to the life and health of LC patients. Radical surgical resection is the primary treatment for malignant lung tumors. However, postoperative multidimensional functional impairments, including respiratory, mucosal, and psychological functions, are common. These impairments not only reduce patients' quality of life and affect their treatment tolerance and duration, but also negatively correlate with prognosis, facilitating disease recurrence and metastasis. At present, postoperative functional dysfunction after LC surgery remains a key clinical challenge that urgently needs to be addressed. There is a lack of standardized and regulated postoperative rehabilitation treatment management and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) differentiation and treatment strategies for LC. Focusing on the core underlying pathogenesis of "Qi sinking" after LC surgery, and guided by the classical TCM theory of "lungs governing Qi", this study, based on the core concept of the "five perspectives on treatment" theory, innovatively proposes the respiratory dysfunction as the core pathogenesis of "Qi sinking in the chest" during the rapid rehabilitation phase, mucosal dysfunction as the core pathogenesis of "Yin deficiency and Qi sinking" during the postoperative adjuvant treatment phase, and the psychological dysfunction as the core pathogenesis of "Qi sinking with emotional constraint" during the consolidation phase. Accordingly, stage-specific dynamic functional protection strategies are constructed. In the rapid rehabilitation phase, the strategy emphasizes tonifying Qi and uplifting sinking Qi, with differentiation and treatment based on the principle of ''descending before ascending''. In the adjuvant treatment phase, the approach focuses on nourishing Yin and uplifting Qi, with prescription combinations that integrate unblocking and tonification. In the consolidation phase, the strategy aims to resolve constraint and uplift Qi, with clinical treatment emphasizing a combination of dynamic and static methods. At each stage of functional rehabilitation, clinical differentiation and treatment should support healthy Qi and eliminate pathogenic factors simultaneously. This study is the first to propose the concept of postoperative functional protection in TCM, offering a new approach for TCM differentiation and treatment in the full-cycle, stage-based, and dynamic protection of postoperative function in LC patients. It is expected to contribute to the construction and development of an integrated TCM-Western medicine comprehensive program for cancer prevention and treatment in China.
5.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates Autophagy to Prevent and Treat Osteoarthritis: A Review
Jutang CHAI ; Qian YANG ; Hongxia NING ; Wenjuan LIU ; Tao LIU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Xiaoyu LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(2):287-298
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic, highly prevalent, painful, and disabling degenerative joint disease. It has imposed a heavy burden on social healthcare and patients' psychology and economy due to its clinical symptoms such as impaired joint mobility and severe joint pain and the immature therapies. Studies have shown that OA is closely associated with articular cartilage dysfunction, synthesis and degradation disorders of chondrocyte extracellular matrix (ECM), and joint inflammation. Moderate autophagy can restore the function of damaged chondrocytes, regulate chondrocyte apoptosis, and promote the synthesis and metabolism of ECM to alleviate the inflammation of joints and delay the onset and progression of OA. According to the clinical symptoms, OA can be classified into the category of impediment in traditional Chinese medicine. With the theories of holistic conception, treatment based on syndrome differentiation, and individualised diagnosis and treatment, traditional Chinese medicine has demonstrated definite effects in the treatment of OA in thousands of years of practice. Moreover, traditional Chinese medicine causes mild adverse reactions, and the patients have high tolerance and acceptance. This paper briefly explains the roles of autophagy and the related regulatory proteins, such as Unc-51-like autophagy-activated kinase 1 (ULK1), Beclin-1, and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), and details the latest research achievements in the prevention and control of OA by traditional Chinese medicines and its related markers via the regulation of autophagy, so as to provide a idea for the in-depth research in this field and the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing and treating OA.
6.Effects and Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture at Zhongwan (CV12) on Gastric Nociceptive Response Induced by Gastric Acid Stimulation in Rats
Hong SHI ; Zhaokun YANG ; Xiaoyu WANG ; Wei HE ; Yangshuai SU ; Xiaoning ZHANG ; Hongye WAN ; Zhengyang QU ; Xianghong JING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(2):213-218
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of electroacupuncture at Zhongwan (CV12) on gastric nociceptive response induced by gastric acid stimulation and explore the underlying mechanisms associated with nuclei of the medullary viscerosensory and visceral motor neurons. MethodsTwenty SD rats were given intragastric administration of 0.5 mol/L diluted hydrochloric acid (0.5 ml/100 g) to induce gastric nociceptive response induction. Eight rats were randomly selected to record the gastric slow wave (GSW) area under the curve, and extracellular discharge frequency of neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV) before intragastric administration and at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 minutes after intragastric administration. The remaining 12 rats received electroacupuncture intervention at Zhongwan within 5 to 25 minutes after intragastric administration of diluted hydrochloric acid, with a duration of one minute. The GSW area under the curve and extracellular discharge frequency of NTS and DMV neurons were compared between the 1-minute intervals before and after electroacupuncture intervention. ResultsCompared to the baseline before intragastric administration, the area under the curve of GSW significantly increased at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 minutes after intragastric administration, and the extracellular discharge frequency of excitatory neurons in the NTS (accounting for 90%, 57/63) significantly increased at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 minutes, both reaching peak values at 1 minute after intragastric administration (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The extracellular discharge frequency of inhibitory neurons in the DMV (accounting for 91%, 20/22) showed a non-significant increase at 1 minute after intragastric administration (P>0.05), but significantly decreased at other timepoints (P<0.05). Compared to the baseline before electroacupuncture intervention, the GSW area under the curve and the extracellular discharge frequency of excitatory neurons in the NTS significantly decreased (P<0.05), while the extracellular discharge frequency of inhibitory neurons in the DMV showed no significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionElectroacupuncture at Zhongwan can improve gastric nociceptive response induced by gastric acid stimulation, possibly by reducing the transmission of visceral sensation and decreasing the excitability of NTS neurons in the medulla.
7.Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervening in Pyroptosis to Prevent and Treat Bone and Joint Related Diseases: A Review
Jutang CHAI ; Hongxia NING ; Yongzhang LI ; Xiaoyu LIU ; Xiaotao WEI ; Tao LIU ; Zhigang WEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):289-298
Osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gouty arthritis (GA), and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) are the most common bone and joint-related diseases in clinical practice. They can all affect related joints, leading to joint pain, swelling, dysfunction, and other symptoms. The difference is that OA is mainly caused by joint wear and age-related degradation and is manifested as joint pain, stiffness, and limited movement. RA is an autoimmune disease, manifested as joint pain, swelling, morning stiffness, and systemic symptoms. GA is caused by abnormal uric acid metabolism, manifested as acute arthritis, and IVDD is caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. Studies have shown that the mechanism of the occurrence and development of these bone and joint diseases is extremely complex. Pyroptosis is closely related to these bone and joint-related diseases by participating in bone and joint inflammation, cartilage metabolism imbalance, extracellular matrix degradation, and pathological damage of bone and joint. Inhibition of bone and joint-related pyroptosis will effectively prevent and treat bone and joint-related diseases. At the same time, many studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a prominent curative effect and obvious advantages in the prevention and treatment of bone and joint-related diseases. TCM can reduce the inflammatory reaction of bone and joints, improve the pathological damage of bone and joint diseases, and relieve bone and joint pain by inhibiting pyroptosis. Therefore, this article aims to briefly explain the relationship between pyroptosis and the occurrence and development of bone and joint-related diseases and summarize the latest research reports on the intervention of pyroptosis in the treatment of bone and joint-related diseases by TCM monomers, TCM extracts, and TCM compounds. It offers new ideas for the in-depth study of the pathogenesis and drug treatment of bone and joint diseases and provides a basis for the clinical use of TCM to prevent and treat bone and joint diseases.
8.Drug resistance characteristics and treatment strategies of TB patients in three age groups in Guangdong Province from 2014 to 2020
Wenji ZHUO ; Ran WEI ; Yanmei CHEN ; Xunxun CHEN ; Meiling YU ; Huixin GUO ; Hongdi LIANG ; Jing LIANG ; Xiaoyu LAI
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2024;40(5):702-707
Objective To evalute the drug resistance characteristics of tuberculosis(TB)patients of all ages in Guangdong Province during 2014-2020,and provide prevention and treatment strategies of tuberculosis.Method We used 39,048 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB)belonging to patients with confirmed TB from 2014 to 2020,from 32 TB drug-resistant surveillance sites in Guangdong Province,and we retrospectively analyzed the laboratories data of patients with drug-resistant TB,and grouped patients by age and region,to explore the trend of drug-resistance of MTB clinical isolates,the trend and incidence differences of multi-resistant TB(including monodrug-resistant TB(MR-TB),polydrug-resistant TB(PDR-TB),multidrug-resistant TB(MDR-TB)and exten-sively drug-resistant TB(XDR-TB)),and resistance characteristics of MTB clinical isolates to drugs in focus(rifam-picin and ofloxacin).Result The differences in the resistance rates of MTB clinical isolates to nine antituberculosis drugs among patients at 32 TB drug resistance surveillance sites in Guangdong Province from 2014 to 2020 were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The rates of MR-TB,PDR-TB,MDR-TB,XDR-TB,and total resistance isolates of MTB clinical isolates were 14.46%,5.16%,5.16%,4.58%,and 1.29%,respectively.he pediatric group had a higher MR rate(15.4%)than the adult and geriatric groups,while the adult and geriatric groups had higher MDR rates(5.0%and 5.0%,respectively).The geriatric group also had a higher XDR rate(2.1%),with statistically significant differences(P<0.001).The rates of MR-TB(14.8%),PDR-TB(5.3%),MDR-TB(4.7%),XDR-TB(1.4%),ofloxacin resistance(11.33%)and rifampicin resistance(6.92%)of MTB clinical isolates were higher in patients from the Pearl River Delta than in other regions of Guangdong Province,with statistically significant differ-ences(P<0.001).Conclusion According to the data from the surveillance sites,the epidemiological trend of drug-resistant TB in Guangdong Province is leveling off during the period 2014-2020.However,the incidence of drug-resistant TB is higher in specific populations(e.g.children and the elderly),and the incidence of drug-resistant TB and the rate of drug resistance to drugs in focus are higher in the Pearl River Delta than in other regions of Guang-dong Province,necessitating further investigation and the development of novel prevention and control strategies.
9.Early retinal degeneration and activation of microglia in C57BL/6N mice
Huan MENG ; Tingting DENG ; Ziqiang LIU ; Xiaoyu HOU ; Chuanzheng MA ; Wei YUAN ; Ming JIN
International Eye Science 2024;24(10):1536-1541
AIM: To observe the early retinal degeneration and activation of microglia in C57BL/6N(Crb1rd8/rd8)mice.METHODS:Totally 15 male SPF C57BL/6N mice and 15 male SPF C57BL/6J mice were raised normally, and fundus photography examinations were performed by Micron-Ⅲ at the time of 0, 4, 8, 12 wk of enrollment to calculate the number and area of retinopathy. At the end of experiment, all mice were sacrificed and the right eyeballs were removed to prepare retinal tissue slices. After HE staining, the retinal tissue morphology was observed under optical microscope while the location and level of CX3CR1 expression were detected in immunohistochemical staining. The left eyeballs were removed to isolate retina, then Western-Blot was used to analyze the expression of CD86 and CD206 proteins in retina, and the concentration of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-10 in retina was detected by electrochemiluminescence.RESULTS:The result of fundus photography examinations showed that the number of retinopathy in the C57BL/6N significantly increased at 4, 8, and 12 wk, and there were differences in variations compared with the C57BL/6J at the same time point(all P<0.05). In the changes in area of retinopathy, there was a difference between two groups at 12 wk(P<0.05), but no difference in variations within groups(both P>0.05). HE staining of retinal tissue showed that the retinal structure of C57BL/6N mice was abnormal, with loose and disordered cell arrangement, and the photoreceptor layer was obviously protruding to the inner side of retina with a drusen-like protrusion. The retinal structure of C57BL/6J mice was clearer, with orderly cell arrangement and no obvious abnormality. Immunohistochemical results showed that CX3CR1 was highly expressed in ganglion cell layer, inner and outer plexiform layer, photoreceptor cell layer and lesion in the retina of C57BL/6N mice, with a mean density of 0.285±0.056 in C57BL/6N and 0.189±0.084 in C57BL/6J mice(P<0.05). The results of Western-Blot showed that the expression of CD86 and CD206 in retina of C57BL/6N increased compared with that in C57BL/6J to varying degrees, and the difference of CD86 was statistically significant(P<0.05). The results of cytokine detection showed that the level of IL-1β, TNF-α in C57BL/6N was significantly higher than that of C57BL/6J, while IL-10 was significantly lower(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The retinal degeneration of C57BL/6N(Crb1rd8/rd8)mice progressed slowly and gradually aggravated with age. The retinal structure of the lesion was disordered and accompanied by microglial infiltration dominated by M1 polarization.
10.Comparative study of different large language models and medical professionals of different levels responding to ophthalmology questions
Hui HUANG ; Jinyu HU ; Xiaoyu WANG ; Shuyuan YE ; Shinan WU ; Cheng CHEN ; Liangqi HE ; Yanmei ZENG ; Hong WEI ; Yi SHAO
International Eye Science 2024;24(3):458-462
AIM: To evaluate the performance of three distinct large language models(LLM), including GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and PaLM2, in responding to queries within the field of ophthalmology, and to compare their performance with three different levels of medical professionals: medical undergraduates, master of medicine, and attending physicians.METHODS: A total of 100 ophthalmic multiple-choice tests, which covered ophthalmic basic knowledge, clinical knowledge, ophthalmic examination and diagnostic methods, and treatment for ocular disease, were conducted on three different kinds of LLM and three different levels of medical professionals(9 undergraduates, 6 postgraduates and 3 attending physicians), respectively. The performance of LLM was comprehensively evaluated from the aspects of mean scores, consistency and confidence of response, and it was compared with human.RESULTS: Notably, each LLM surpassed the average performance of undergraduate medical students(GPT-4:56, GPT-3.5:42, PaLM2:47, undergraduate students:40). Specifically, performance of GPT-3.5 and PaLM2 was slightly lower than those of master's students(51), while GPT-4 exhibited a performance comparable to attending physicians(62). Furthermore, GPT-4 showed significantly higher response consistency and self-confidence compared with GPT-3.5 and PaLM2.CONCLUSION: LLM represented by GPT-4 performs well in the field of ophthalmology, and the LLM model can provide clinical decision-making and teaching aids for clinicians and medical education.

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