ObjectiveIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the foundational doctrine that the eyes reflect the essence of the internal viscera establishes ocular observation as a cornerstone of diagnostic practice. Specifically, the morphological characteristics and coloration variations of the scleral microvasculature serve as critical clinical indicators for assessing the dynamic balance of Qi and Blood, as well as the pathological status of internal organs. Historically, however, TCM eye diagnosis has relied predominantly on the subjective clinical experience and visual acuity of individual practitioners, leading to inherent challenges in standardization and reproducibility. While automated computer-aided diagnostic systems offer a promising solution, existing vessel segmentation algorithms encounter significant domain-specific bottlenecks when applied to scleral imagery. These challenges primarily stem from the highly reflective and moist nature of the ocular surface, which generates severe reflective interference. Furthermore, the inherent low contrast of fine capillary networks against complex background textures, compounded by non-uniform illumination, frequently results in high false-positive rates, misdetections, and severe vessel fragmentation. To address these critical limitations and advance the objective quantification of TCM diagnostics, this paper proposes a novel, highly robust sclera vessel segmentation framework that innovatively integrates Frangi-Sato dual-filter adaptive enhancement with pixel-level reflection detection. MethodsThe proposed methodology systematically addresses the segmentation pipeline through three synergistic stages. First, to overcome the structural limitations of single-filter approaches, a multi-scale weighted fusion strategy is meticulously designed to harness the complementary extraction capabilities of both Frangi and Sato filters. This adaptive enhancement optimally balances the preservation of main vessel trunk continuity with the heightened sensitivity required for delineating delicate, low-contrast peripheral capillaries. Second, to tackle the persistent issue of reflective highlights, a sophisticated multi-feature synergistic reflection detection module is introduced. By jointly analyzing local information entropy, gradient field variations, and intensity statistical distributions, this module achieves precise, pixel-level identification and elimination of reflective artifacts without compromising the underlying vascular structures. Finally, a dual-level adaptive thresholding strategy, featuring an innovative “core protection” mechanism, is implemented. This critical step effectively suppresses complex background noise while rigorously preserving the structural and topological integrity of the intricate vessel network, preventing the structural breaks often seen in conventional binarization methods. ResultsThe efficacy of the proposed framework was rigorously evaluated using both self-constructed clinical datasets specifically acquired for TCM research and standardized public datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art traditional approaches and contemporary deep learning models. Specifically, the proposed method achieves a Dice similarity coefficient of approximately 0.71 on the private clinical dataset, and secures the best performance across the majority of quantitative metrics on both datasets. Notably, the framework exhibits exceptional robustness and generalization capabilities in highly challenging scenarios characterized by intense reflective interference, low signal-to-noise ratios, and cross-domain image variations. ConclusionThis study successfully realizes the high-integrity, automated segmentation of scleral vessel networks under complex clinical imaging conditions. By overcoming the fundamental algorithmic challenges of reflection interference and micro-vessel loss, the proposed methodology provides potential support for the digitization, objective standardization, and intelligent advancement of modern TCM eye diagnosis systems.

ObjectiveIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the foundational doctrine that the eyes reflect the essence of the internal viscera establishes ocular observation as a cornerstone of diagnostic practice. Specifically, the morphological characteristics and coloration variations of the scleral microvasculature serve as critical clinical indicators for assessing the dynamic balance of Qi and Blood, as well as the pathological status of internal organs. Historically, however, TCM eye diagnosis has relied predominantly on the subjective clinical experience and visual acuity of individual practitioners, leading to inherent challenges in standardization and reproducibility. While automated computer-aided diagnostic systems offer a promising solution, existing vessel segmentation algorithms encounter significant domain-specific bottlenecks when applied to scleral imagery. These challenges primarily stem from the highly reflective and moist nature of the ocular surface, which generates severe reflective interference. Furthermore, the inherent low contrast of fine capillary networks against complex background textures, compounded by non-uniform illumination, frequently results in high false-positive rates, misdetections, and severe vessel fragmentation. To address these critical limitations and advance the objective quantification of TCM diagnostics, this paper proposes a novel, highly robust sclera vessel segmentation framework that innovatively integrates Frangi-Sato dual-filter adaptive enhancement with pixel-level reflection detection. MethodsThe proposed methodology systematically addresses the segmentation pipeline through three synergistic stages. First, to overcome the structural limitations of single-filter approaches, a multi-scale weighted fusion strategy is meticulously designed to harness the complementary extraction capabilities of both Frangi and Sato filters. This adaptive enhancement optimally balances the preservation of main vessel trunk continuity with the heightened sensitivity required for delineating delicate, low-contrast peripheral capillaries. Second, to tackle the persistent issue of reflective highlights, a sophisticated multi-feature synergistic reflection detection module is introduced. By jointly analyzing local information entropy, gradient field variations, and intensity statistical distributions, this module achieves precise, pixel-level identification and elimination of reflective artifacts without compromising the underlying vascular structures. Finally, a dual-level adaptive thresholding strategy, featuring an innovative “core protection” mechanism, is implemented. This critical step effectively suppresses complex background noise while rigorously preserving the structural and topological integrity of the intricate vessel network, preventing the structural breaks often seen in conventional binarization methods. ResultsThe efficacy of the proposed framework was rigorously evaluated using both self-constructed clinical datasets specifically acquired for TCM research and standardized public datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art traditional approaches and contemporary deep learning models. Specifically, the proposed method achieves a Dice similarity coefficient of approximately 0.71 on the private clinical dataset, and secures the best performance across the majority of quantitative metrics on both datasets. Notably, the framework exhibits exceptional robustness and generalization capabilities in highly challenging scenarios characterized by intense reflective interference, low signal-to-noise ratios, and cross-domain image variations. ConclusionThis study successfully realizes the high-integrity, automated segmentation of scleral vessel networks under complex clinical imaging conditions. By overcoming the fundamental algorithmic challenges of reflection interference and micro-vessel loss, the proposed methodology provides potential support for the digitization, objective standardization, and intelligent advancement of modern TCM eye diagnosis systems.

Objective To propose a framework for risk assessment and stepwise management of pulmonary nodules based on existing guidelines and key studies, and to clarify the boundaries for triage, workup escalation, and referral in different detection scenarios. Methods A problem-oriented evidence synthesis approach was used, prioritizing Chinese expert consensus, Fleischner Society Guidelines, British Thoracic Society (BTS) Guidelines, and Lung-RADS. This was supplemented by studies on risk models, imaging measurements, liquid biopsy, tissue sampling, and surgical treatments. This paper is not presented as a formal consensus or a validated clinical pathway. Results A three-tiered framework consisting of basic non-invasive assessment, advanced assessment, and invasive diagnosis was established. It specified the applicable populations, boundaries for the use of risk models, imaging review, management of conflicting results, evaluation of histopathological consistency, and post-intervention follow-up. Liquid biopsy, genetic testing, and artificial intelligence were defined as investigational or adjunctive tools. Conclusion This framework can serve as a preliminary reference for multidisciplinary teams in developing local protocols. It cannot replace applicable guidelines, pathological diagnosis, shared decision-making with patients, or real-world validation.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Euphorbia humifusa Willd.and their in vitro anti-hepatoma activity.METHODS Silica gel,D101 macroporous adsorption resin and semi-preparative RP-HPLC were used for isolated and purified,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity was determined by MTT mothod.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as 22-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol(1),dimethyl 3,3'-[oxybis(4,1-phenylene)](2E,2'E)-diacrylate(2),N-(3-methoxy-1,3-dioxopropyl)-D-tryptophan methyl ester(3),N-acetyltryptophan methyl ester(4),N-(methoxycarbonyl)-tryptophan methyl ester(5),(3β,5α,17β)-4,4,8,14-tetramethyl-18-norandrostane-3,17-diol(6),3β,18,19β-trihydroxylupane(7),pregnenolone(8),3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(9),dehydrovomifoliol(10),loliolide(11),2,2'-oxybis(1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene)(12),dibutyl phthalate(13),4-methoxycinnamic acid(14),3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid(15),methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate(16),kaempferol(17),quercetin(18).The IC50 values of compounds 1,7 and 8 on HepG2 cells were(17.27±0.92),(19.11±2.14)and(7.53±1.09)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-16 are first isolated from this plant.Compounds 1,7 and 8 have anti-hepatoma activity.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies

OBJECTIVES: This study explores the differences in fluid flow within alveolar cancellous bone at various sites under orthodontic forces and elucidates the relationship between fluid shear stress and bone remodeling. These fin-dings lay the groundwork for understanding the biomechanical mechanisms of orthodontic tooth movement. METHODS: Stress relaxation tests were performed on human alveolar bone samples to determine material parameters by using the Prony series. An inverse model of alveolar bone was then developed for numerical simulations of fluid-structure interactions to calculate fluid flow within cancellous bone. Meanwhile, a rat model of tooth movement was established to investigate variations in bone remodeling speeds across different regions. RESULTS: The microstructural distribution of cancellous alveolar bone was similar in humans and rats. The bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness gradually decreased from root cervical region to root apical region, while the trabecular space gradually increased. Under the influence of orthodontic forces, fluid shear stress within cancellous bone showed spatial variability across different levels, with the highest shear stress occurring at the root apical region, ranging from 0 to 0.936 6 Pa. Additionally, the rat model of tooth movement indicated that bone remodeling occurred more rapidly at the root apical region. CONCLUSIONS Fluid stimulation has a remarkable effect on al-veolar bone remodeling, causing changes in the structure of alveolar bone and ultimately regulating the speed of structu-ral remodeling.
Bone Remodeling ; Animals ; Tooth Movement Techniques ; Rats ; Alveolar Process/physiology* ; Stress, Mechanical ; Humans ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cancellous Bone/physiology* ; Shear Strength

Objective To explore the value of low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical CT angiography(CT A)-cerebral CT perfusion(CTP)for detecting carotid atherosclerosis(CAS).Methods Totally 117 CAS patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into group A(n=19),B(n=52),C(n=46),and low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical CTA-brain CTP scanning,low contrast dose and low flow rate craniocervical CT A scanning,as well as conventional craniocervical CT A scanning were performed,respectively.Virtual monoenergetic images(VMI)of 40,50 and 60 keV were reconstructed in group A and B.The subjective and objective evaluations of image quality were compared among 3 groups.Results Subjective scores of image quality and diagnostic confidence of 40 and 50 keV VMI,and the diagnostic confidence of 60 keV VMI in group A and B were not significant different compared with those in group C(all P＞0.05).Signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of each segment of craniocervical blood vessels at 40 and 50 keV VMI in group A and B were all higher than those in group C(all P＜0.05).CNR of cavernous sinus segment of internal carotid artery(C5 segment),horizontal segment of middle cerebral artery(MCA)(A1 segment),lateral sulcus segment of MCA(M2 segment)and basilar artery(BA)segment in group A at 60 keV VMI were all higher than those in group C(all P＜0.05).SNR of C5 segment,A1 segment and BA segment,as well as CNR of BA segment of 60 keV VMI in group B were all higher than those in group C(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical was feasible for detecting CAS.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Euphorbia humifusa Willd.and their in vitro anti-hepatoma activity.METHODS Silica gel,D101 macroporous adsorption resin and semi-preparative RP-HPLC were used for isolated and purified,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity was determined by MTT mothod.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as 22-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol(1),dimethyl 3,3'-[oxybis(4,1-phenylene)](2E,2'E)-diacrylate(2),N-(3-methoxy-1,3-dioxopropyl)-D-tryptophan methyl ester(3),N-acetyltryptophan methyl ester(4),N-(methoxycarbonyl)-tryptophan methyl ester(5),(3β,5α,17β)-4,4,8,14-tetramethyl-18-norandrostane-3,17-diol(6),3β,18,19β-trihydroxylupane(7),pregnenolone(8),3-hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-7-megastigmen-9-one(9),dehydrovomifoliol(10),loliolide(11),2,2'-oxybis(1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene)(12),dibutyl phthalate(13),4-methoxycinnamic acid(14),3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid(15),methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate(16),kaempferol(17),quercetin(18).The IC50 values of compounds 1,7 and 8 on HepG2 cells were(17.27±0.92),(19.11±2.14)and(7.53±1.09)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-16 are first isolated from this plant.Compounds 1,7 and 8 have anti-hepatoma activity.

Objective:To investigate exercise fear condition and its influencing factors in patients with coronary heart dis-ease(CHD)involving in phase Ⅱ cardiac rehabilitation after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:Conven-ience sampling was performed among cardiac rehabilitation patients from a Shanxi grade-A tertiary hospital between Janu-ary 2023 and June 2023.General data questionnaire,Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-Short Version for Heart patients(TSK-SV H),the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support(MSPSS)and the Post Percutaneous Coronary In-tervention Health Literacy Scale(PPCIHLS)were used for assessment.Pearson and Spearman rank correlation analyses were applied to investigate the relationships between social support factors and health literacy factors with patients'fear of exercise;multivariate linear regression models and quantile regression models were used to analyze the influencing factors of fear of exercise.Results:Among the 118 patients,average TSK-SV H score was(33.78±3.79)points;10.2％patients showed significant fear.The correlation analysis showed that PPCIHLS score was negatively correlated with TSK-SV H score(r=-0.423,P＜0.001).Results from multivariate regression analysis indicated that health literacy,cardiac func-tion class and drinking status affected the average score of exercise fear(P＜0.05 all).The quantile regression model pro-vided additional insights,showing that the impact of factors such as living situation,drinking status,cardiac function class and health literacy on exercise fear varied across different quantiles.Notably,cardiac function class had a consistently posi-tive effect on TSK-SV H score at various quantiles.Conclusion:Improving health literacy and tailored rehabilitation plans are vital to reduce exercise fear and improve cardiac rehabilitation effect.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the current status of research on the development of indicators for entrustable professional activities (EPAs) of residents in China.Methods:We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, Airiti Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for literature on the development of EPA indicators for residents in China published between January 1, 2005 and February 28, 2025. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data, followed by descriptive analysis. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for expert opinion. Quantitative data were presented as medians (ranges) and qualitative data were presented as frequencies (percentages).Results:A total of eight articles were included, in which two general EPA indicator systems and six specialty-specific EPA indicator systems were developed for residents. The overall quality of the research was high, with the main shortcomings related to the methods used in the process of constructing the consensus indicators. The number of experts recruited ranged from 22 to 45, with 100.00% response rate, high authority coefficients (0.820-0.914), and high coordination coefficients (0.157-0.741). Most of the studies used literature reviews as one source for the indicator pool (8 studies, 100.00%), employed the Delphi method to reach consensus (6 studies, 75.00%), and provided inclusion criteria for the indicators (7 studies, 87.50%). However, only one study (12.50%) explored the practical application of the developed indicators, and none of the studies set indicator weights or conducted quality assessments. The number of EPA indicators developed ranged from 10 to 38 per study. The reporting of EPA indicators was included in most studies regarding titles (8 studies, 100.00%) and the expected levels of entrustment at various stages of training (6 studies, 75.00%), but the reporting on other aspects was lacking. Among the specialty-specific EPA indicators, 38.39% overlapped with the general EPAs indicators.Conclusions:The research on the development of EPA indicators for residents in China is still in its early stages, and there is room for improvement in methodological quality and reporting coverage. There is partial overlap between specialty-specific and general EPA indicators, failing to fully reflect the unique characteristics of different specialties.