OBJECTIVE: To propose a machine learning-based method for predicting the trajectories during manual acupuncture manipulation (MAM), aiming to improve the precision and consistency of acupuncture practitioner' operation and provide the real-time suggestions on MAM error correction. METHODS: Computer vision technology was used to analyze the hand micromotion when holding needle during acupuncture, and provide a three-dimensional coordinate description method of the index finger joints of the holding hand. Focusing on the 4 typical motions of MAM, a machine learning-based MAM trajectory predictive model was designed. By integrating the changes of phalangeal joint angle and hand skeletal information of acupuncture practitioner, the motion trajectory of the index finger joint was predicted accurately. Besides, the roles of machine learning-based MAM trajectory predictive model in the skill transmission of acupuncture manipulation were verified by stratified randomized controlled trial. RESULTS: The performance of MAM trajectory predictive model, based on the long short-term memory network (LSTM), obtained the highest stability and precision, up to 98%. The learning effect was improved when the model applied to the skill transmission of acupuncture manipulation. CONCLUSION The machine learning-based MAM predictive model provides acupuncture practitioner with precise action prediction and feedback. It is valuable and significant for the inheritance and error correction of manual operation of acupuncture.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Machine Learning ; Adult ; Male ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of manual acupuncture manipulations (MAMs) on subcutaneous muscle tissue, by developing quantitative models of "lifting and thrusting" and "twisting and rotating", based on machine learning techniques. METHODS: A depth camera was used to capture the acupuncture operator's hand movements during "lifting and thrusting" and "twisting and rotating" of needle. Simultaneously, the ultrasound imaging was employed to record the muscle tissue responses of the participants. Amplitude and angular features were extracted from the movement data of operators, and muscle fascicle slope features were derived from the data of ultrasound images. The dynamic time warping barycenter averaging algorithm was adopted to align the dual-source data. Various machine learning techniques were applied to build quantitative models, and the performance of each model was compared. The most optimal model was further analyzed for its interpretability. RESULTS: Among the quantitative models built for the two types of MAMs, the random forest model demonstrated the best performance. For the quantitative model of the "lifting and thrusting" technique, the coefficient of determination (R²) was 0.825. For the "twisting and rotating" technique, R² reached 0.872. CONCLUSION Machine learning can be used to effectively develop the models and quantify the effects of MAMs on subcutaneous muscle tissue. It provides a new perspective to understand the mechanism of acupuncture therapy and lays a foundation for optimizing acupuncture technology and designing personalized treatment regimen in the future.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Machine Learning ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Subcutaneous Tissue/diagnostic imaging* ; Young Adult

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system（Favorable, Marginal, Poor）. The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss（such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1） and syndromic hereditary hearing loss（such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome）, which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Prognosis ; Hearing Loss/surgery* ; Consensus ; Connexin 26 ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Connexins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE To develop a DNA authenticity identification kit of Gastrodia elata that combined DNA extraction technology with PCR technology, and to evaluate the performance of the kit methodologically. METHODS The ITS2 sequences of Gastrodia elata and its common forgeries, such as amabilis root, dahlia tuber and potato, were found by the National Center for Biotechnology Information(NCBI). DNAMAN was used for multi-sequence alignment, and NCBI-primer-blast was used to design specific primers of Gastrodia elata. Improved DNA extraction method to ensure efficient extraction of authentic Gastrodia elata and its common forgeries genomic DNA, UV spectrophotometry was used to measure the concentration and purity. The PCR reaction system was optimized, the composition and reaction conditions of the kit were determined, and the commercially available gastrodia elata samples were randomly sampled. RESULTS The DNA purity OD260/OD280 values of the samples extracted by the developed kit were (1.87±0.13). The minimum detection limit was 10 ng·μL−1, and the result of repeated detection was the same for 3 times. Repeated freezing and thawing for 5, 10, 15, 20 times had no effect on the detection effect, and it could be stored at −20℃ for 1 year, among 10 commercially available gastrodia elata samples tested, 7 were authentic and 3 were counterfeit. CONCLUSION The DNA authenticity test kit is highly specific, sensitive, reproducible and stable, and the test results are accurate, it is suitable for the rapid identification of asparagus and its common forgeries.

Objective:To construct an analytic method aimed at the characteristics of the commonly method of supplementing and pouring of acupuncture based on the analysis and modeling of ultrasound images around acupoint region in the process of acupuncture.Methods:A total of 7 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination in Beijing Zhongguancun Hospital from June,2022 to June,2023 were selected,and their Kongzui acupoints were acupunctured by 10 acupuncturists with associate senior title as 4 kinds of acupuncture manipulations included reinforcing by twisting and rotating(RFTR),reducing by twisting and rotating(RDTR),reinforcing by lifting and thrusting(RFLT),and reducing by lifting and thrusting(RDLT).The B-ultrasound diagnostic device was used to collect the images of muscle and fascial tissue below the acupoint,so as to construct the model of images.The definition of virtual acupuncture point was adopted to study the regulation of perturbation of subcutaneous tissue that was caused after the skin was acupunctured by needle.The change regulation of the virtual acupuncture point of muscle bundle below skin at Zuikong acupoint of subjects was analyzed.Results:The difference value of average absolution value between peak and trough of the trajectory of virtual acupuncture point of twisting and rotating was 0.066±0.045,and the average value of amplitude of this method was less than that(0.428±0.276)of lifting and thrusting method,and the twisting and rotating method was uniform and symmetrical,and there was difference between two kinds of acupuncture methods.The characteristics of computer graphics was used to qualify the work effect of lifting and thrusting,and reinforcing and reducing,which showed the heavy insertion and light lifting of RFLT,and showed heavy lifting and light insertion of RDLT,thus distinguished the two methods[(RFLT)and(RDLT)].Conclusions:The ultrasound imaging and computer graphics can be used to analyze the regularity of the common"reinforcing and reducing"method of acupuncture and moxibustion.

Objective To investigate the voice emotion perception of bimodal listeners,and to provide refer-ence and suggestions for hearing rehabilitation of cochlear implant(CI)users.Methods A total of 17 Mandarin-speaking postingual deafness bimodal adults as well as 20 normal hearing(NH)adults and 18 adults with unilateral CI participated in the study.All participants received voice emotion recognition test.Results The NH group had significantly higher accuracy scores and shorter reaction times than the bimodal group and the unilateral CI group(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in accuracy between the bimodal group and the unilateral CI group(P＞0.05).The reaction time was significantly shorter in the bimodal users than in the unilateral CI users(P＜0.05).The bimodal listeners spent less time in female-speaker material than that in male-speaker material(P＜0.05).Neutral emotion had the highest accuracy(96.67％)and scared emotion had the lowest accuracy(41.82％).Conclusion A contralateral hearing aid(HA)improves the ability of voice emotion perception for Mandarin-speak-ing bimodal listeners,even though they continue to experience more challenges than NH peers.HA in the nonim-planted ear plays an important role in Mandarin-speaking bimodal listeners'voice emotion perception.

Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a systemic autoimmune disease with local joint pain as the main clinical manifestation. It is one of the diseases specifically responding to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The occurrence of RA is not only related to innate factors like genetic disorder but also associated with environmental factors， such as diets and microbial infection. The intestine， a vital human organ with digestive and immune functions， is a place where microorganisms colonize and exert intestinal metabolism-improving， barrier-protecting， and immunomodulatory effects. As the research on the onset and treatment of RA is deepening， the potential relationship of intestinal structural and functional abnormalities with the pathogenesis and progression of RA has been revealed. As clinical and experimental studies indicated， joint inflammation coexists with the impaired barrier function， imbalanced immune cells， and disordered gut microbiota. The theory of the gut-joint axis in the pathogenesis， progression， and treatment of RA is highly consistent with the holistic view in TCM. The recent pharmacological studies have shown that Chinese medicine prescriptions and active components can inhibit inflammation， protect joints， and maintain the intestinal function. This article summarizes the basic connotation of the gut-joint axis in RA and the mechanism by which TCM protect the intestinal barrier and modulate the immunity by regulating the gut microbiota structure and improving microbial metabolism in the treatment of RA. This review gives insights into the future research on the gut-joint axis in RA.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and genetic background of adrenoleukodystrophy(ALD).Methods:In this study, we reported a rare case of ALD who initially presented with progressive bilateral lower limb weakness. The clinical data of the patient and his family members were collected and the ABCD1 gene was sequenced for the patient and his three daughters by a high-throughput sequencing method.Results:The proband had a later onset of symptoms, a prolonged course of the disease, and initially exhibited bilateral lower limb weakness and nocturnal muscle spasms. The disease progressed to spastic quadriplegia, aphasia, dementia, swallowing difficulties, and urinary and fecal incontinence. Serum very-long-chain fatty acid concentrations were elevated. Subclinical cortisol secretion abnormalities were observed. Cranial imaging indicated symmetrical reduction in density around the lateral ventricles and white matter degeneration. The proband′s ABCD1 gene analysis revealed a novel heterozygous mutation c. 1367G>A, p. R456H. His three daughters carried the same nucleotide heterozygous mutation.Conclusion:This study investigates the clinical characteristics of ALD, providing additional clinical evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Additionally, a novel mutation in the ABCD1 gene was identified, contributing to the genetic variation database.

Objective:To investigate the application value of Hisense computer-assisted surgery system (CAS) three-dimensional reconstruction in the precision treatment of pediatric liver tumors.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 82 children with liver tumors who were admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2013 to September 2021 were collected. There were 39 males and 43 females, aged 13(19)months. Children underwent upper abdominal dynamic enhanced computed tomography (CT) examination, and three-dimensional reconstruction was performed on CT images of arterial, equili-brium and venous phases with Hisense CAS. Surgical feasibility and scheme were evaluated and conducted based on the results of upper abdominal dynamic enhanced CT examination, and then revised according to three-dimensional reconstruction results of Hisense CAS. Observation indicators: (1) comparison of surgical scheme between two-dimensional enhanced CT images and three-dimensional reconstruction results of Hisense CAS; (2) intraoperative and postoperative situations; (3) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted by outpatient examination to detect postoperative compli-cations and residual liver compensation up to November 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(IQR) or M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. Results:(1) Comparison of surgical scheme between two-dimensional CT images and three-dimensional reconstruction results of Hisense CAS. ① Based on the two-dimensional CT images, 42 cases of 82 children could undergo one-stage resection and 40 children could not. However, based on the three-dimensional reconstruction results of Hisense CAS, 48 cases of 82 children could undergo one-stage resection and 34 children could not. There were 6 children with one-stage resection feasibility based on the three-dimensional reconstruction results of Hisense CAS rather than the two-dimensional CT images. For the 34 children undergoing chemotherapy firstly, 31 cases had surgical feasibility after chemotherapy based on the two-dimensional CT images and 3 cases could not undergo surgery because of unapparent tumor regression or tumor surrounding impor-tant vessels. However, the 34 children had surgical feasibility after chemotherapy based on the three-dimensional reconstruction results of Hisense CAS. The revision rate of surgical feasibility was 11.0%(9/82) for the 82 children. ② Based on the two-dimensional CT images, 15 cases of 82 children underwent liver left lobectomy, 21 cases underwent liver right lobectomy, 7 cases underwent mesohepatectomy, 13 cases underwent extended left hemihepatectomy, 23 cases underwent extended right hemihepatectomy, 3 cases underwent segmental hepatectomy. However, based on the three-dimensional reconstruction results of Hisense CAS, 20 cases of 82 children underwent liver left lobectomy, 29 cases underwent liver right lobectomy, 7 cases underwent mesohepatectomy, 7 cases underwent extended left hemihepatectomy, 14 cases underwent extended right hemihepatectomy, 5 cases underwent segmental hepatectomy. The revision rate of surgical scheme was 36.6%(30/82) for the 82 children. (2) Intraoperative and postoperative situations. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative hospital stay of the 82 children were (182±18)minutes, 20(10)mL, (10.2±1.9)days, respectively. (3) Follow-up. All the 82 children were followed up for 10 (range, 2?18)months. There was no obvious complication occurred to the 82 children after surgery, and the residual liver can satisfy the liver compensation of body. All the children survived well.Conclusion:Three-dimensional reconstruction of Hisense CAS is conducive to judging the surgical feasibility and formulation of accurate surgical plan of children with liver tumors.

Background: Brucella infection induces brucellosis, a zoonotic disease. The intracellular circulation process and virulence of Brucella mainly depend on its type IV secretion system (T4SS) expressing secretory effectors. Secreted protein BspJ is a nucleomodulin of Brucella that invades the host cell nucleus. BspJ mediates host energy synthesis and apoptosis through interaction with proteins. However, the mechanism of BspJ as it affects the intracellular survival of Brucella remains to be clarified. Objectives: To verify the functions of nucleomodulin BspJ in Brucella's intracellular infection cycles. Methods: Constructed Brucella abortus BspJ gene deletion strain (B. abortus ΔBspJ) and complement strain (B. abortus pBspJ) and studied their roles in the proliferation of Brucella both in vivo and in vitro. Results: BspJ gene deletion reduced the survival and intracellular proliferation of Brucellaat the replicating Brucella-containing vacuoles (rBCV) stage. Compared with the parent strain, the colonization ability of the bacteria in mice was significantly reduced, causing less inflammatory infiltration and pathological damage. We also found that the knockout of BspJ altered the secretion of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ) in host cells and in mice to affect the intracellular survival of Brucella. Conclusions BspJ is extremely important for the circulatory proliferation of Brucella in the host, and it may be involved in a previously unknown mechanism of Brucella's intracellular survival.