Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system distinctive and effective in treating cancer, depression, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and other diseases. However, the relatively abstract diagnostic methods of TCM lack objective measurement, and the complex mechanisms of action are difficult to comprehend, which hinders the application and internationalization of TCM. Recently, while breakthroughs have been made in utilizing methods such as network pharmacology and virtual screening for TCM research, the rise of machine learning (ML) has significantly enhanced their integration with TCM. This article introduces representative methodological cases in quality control, mechanism research, diagnosis, and treatment processes of TCM, revealing the potential applications of ML technology in TCM. Furthermore, the challenges faced by ML in TCM applications are summarized, and future directions are discussed.

Objective:To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and 24-h urinary calcium excretion (24-h UCaE) and hypercalciuria in Chinese adults.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023 in nine cities in China and included 1 239 residents. Demographic characteristics were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations, fasting blood samples were assessed for bone metabolism indicators, and 24-h urine samples were used to determine the 24-h UCaE. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and 24-h UCaE and bone metabolism indexes. The relationship between serum 25(OH)D and hypercalciuria was analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model combined with restricted cubic spline modeling.Results:The mean participant age was (47.9±18.1) years, of which 453 (36.6%) were male. The percentages of vitamin D sufficiency, insufficiency, and deficiency were 7.6% (94/1 239), 29.0% (359/1 239), and 63.4% (786/1 239), respectively. The multiple linear regression model showed that after adjusting for the covariates the 24-h UCaE gradually increased with higher levels of 25(OH)D ( P overall <0.001, P nonlinear <0.001). The logistic regression analysis revealed that compared with the vitamin D deficient group, the OR for the prevalence of hypercalciuria in the vitamin D sufficient and vitamin D insufficient groups were 3.290 (95% CI 1.745 to 6.202) and 3.742 (95% CI 2.458 to 5.697), respectively. The results of the restricted cubic spline modeling showed a positive nonlinear relationship between 25(OH)D and the prevalence of hypercalciuria ( P overall <0.001, P nonlinear <0.001). The prevalence of hypercalciuria increased when 25(OH)D was >17.00 μg/L and peaked at 26.71 μg/L, after which there was a decreasing trend in the prevalence of hypercalciuria with increasing 25(OH)D. Conclusion:Associations between serum 25(OH)D levels and urinary calcium excretion and the prevalence of hypercalciuria were observed in the Chinese adult population.

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is an ancient medical system distinctive and effective in treating cancer,depression,coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),and other diseases.However,the relatively abstract diagnostic methods of TCM lack objective measurement,and the complex mechanisms of action are difficult to comprehend,which hinders the application and internationalization of TCM.Recently,while breakthroughs have been made in utilizing methods such as network pharmacology and virtual screening for TCM research,the rise of machine learning(ML)has significantly enhanced their inte-gration with TCM.This article introduces representative methodological cases in quality control,mechanism research,diagnosis,and treatment processes of TCM,revealing the potential applications of ML technology in TCM.Furthermore,the challenges faced by ML in TCM applications are summarized,and future directions are discussed.

Objective:To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and 24-h urinary calcium excretion (24-h UCaE) and hypercalciuria in Chinese adults.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023 in nine cities in China and included 1 239 residents. Demographic characteristics were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations, fasting blood samples were assessed for bone metabolism indicators, and 24-h urine samples were used to determine the 24-h UCaE. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between serum 25(OH)D and 24-h UCaE and bone metabolism indexes. The relationship between serum 25(OH)D and hypercalciuria was analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model combined with restricted cubic spline modeling.Results:The mean participant age was (47.9±18.1) years, of which 453 (36.6%) were male. The percentages of vitamin D sufficiency, insufficiency, and deficiency were 7.6% (94/1 239), 29.0% (359/1 239), and 63.4% (786/1 239), respectively. The multiple linear regression model showed that after adjusting for the covariates the 24-h UCaE gradually increased with higher levels of 25(OH)D ( P overall <0.001, P nonlinear <0.001). The logistic regression analysis revealed that compared with the vitamin D deficient group, the OR for the prevalence of hypercalciuria in the vitamin D sufficient and vitamin D insufficient groups were 3.290 (95% CI 1.745 to 6.202) and 3.742 (95% CI 2.458 to 5.697), respectively. The results of the restricted cubic spline modeling showed a positive nonlinear relationship between 25(OH)D and the prevalence of hypercalciuria ( P overall <0.001, P nonlinear <0.001). The prevalence of hypercalciuria increased when 25(OH)D was >17.00 μg/L and peaked at 26.71 μg/L, after which there was a decreasing trend in the prevalence of hypercalciuria with increasing 25(OH)D. Conclusion:Associations between serum 25(OH)D levels and urinary calcium excretion and the prevalence of hypercalciuria were observed in the Chinese adult population.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for severe hyperbilirubinemia complicated by acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE), and the value of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and bilirubin (B)/albumin (A) ratio in predicting ABE.Methods:Clinical data of children with severe hyperbilirubinemia admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Ordos Central Hospital, People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Fourth Hospital of Baotou, Tongliao Hospital, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hohhot, the Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Manzhouli People's Hospital, and Chifeng Hospital from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021, were retrospectively collected. The subjects were divided into ABE and non-ABE groups based on the occurrence of ABE. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify high-risk factors for ABE. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, or Chi-square tests. Indicators with statistically significant differences were included in the multivariate logistic regression model, and stepwise regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of ABE. Results:(1) A total of 543 children were included in this study, accounting for 3.7% (543/14 831) of the total admissions during the same period. Among the 543 children, 81 (14.9%) had ABE, and 462 (85.1%) did not. The age at admission was (7.2±2.1) d, and the length of hospital stay was (5.2±2.2) d. The breastfeeding initiation time was 2 d (1-4 d) after birth. The peak TSB of the 543 cases was (385.98±51.22) μmol/L, and the age at peak TSB was (4.4±2.1) d. Fourteen cases (2.5%) gradually reached the peak TSB after admission [(392.01±61.24) μmol/L], while 529 cases (97.5%) had already reached the peak TSB at admission [(386.42±50.22) μmol/L]. Among the 543 cases, 356 had a clear etiology (65.6%, with 278 cases having a single cause and 78 cases having more than two causes), and 187 cases (34.4%) had an unknown etiology. (2) Compared with the non-ABE group, the breastfeeding initiation in the ABE group was later [6 h (2-6 h) vs. 2 h (1-3 h), Z=－6.87] and the length of hospital stay was longer [(6.5±1.9) d vs. (5.0±2.1) d, t=0.55]. The proportions of breastfeeding, delayed meconium passage, isoimmune hemolysis, and maternal gestational diabetes, as well as peak TSB and B/A ratio at peak TSB, were higher in the ABE group than in the non-ABE group [64.2% (52/81) vs. 36.8% (170/462), χ2=21.96; 16.0% (13/81) vs. 2.4% (11/462), χ2=27.32; 27.2% (22/81) vs. 10.6% (40/462), χ2=16.61; 24.7% (20/81) vs. 13.6% (63/462), χ2=6.50; (442±68) vs. (375±39) μmol/L, t=－8.55; (11.9±1.6) vs. (9.8±1.2), t=－11.61; all P<0.05]. The admission weight, proportion of transfer from the hospital's obstetrics department, unknown etiology, and breast milk jaundice were lower in the ABE group than in the non-ABE group [(3 098±482) vs. (3 278±493) g, t=3.04; 12.3% (10/81) vs. 42.4% (196/462), χ2=30.48; 3.7% (3/81) vs. 39.8% (184/462), χ2=39.83; 0.0% (0/81) vs. 5.8% (27/462), χ2=3.81; all P<0.05]. (3) Isoimmune hemolysis, peak TSB, and B/A ratio at peak TSB were independent risk factors for ABE [ OR(95% CI) were 2.924 (1.209-7.073), 1.006 (0.997-1.014), and 2.647 (1.841-3.805), respectively]. When the peak TSB was 380.05 μmol/L and the B/A ratio at peak TSB was 10.45, the sensitivity for predicting ABE was 0.963, the specificity was 0.789, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.752. Conclusions:Isoimmune hemolysis, peak TSB, and B/A ratio at peak TSB are independent risk factors for ABE. The B/A ratio at peak TSB and peak TSB can effectively predict ABE.

Chemical cleaning and disinfection are crucial steps for eliminating infection in root canal treatment.However,irrigant selection or irrigation procedures are far from clear.The vapor lock effect in the apical region has yet to be solved,impeding irrigation efficacy and resulting in residual infections and compromised treatment outcomes.Additionally,ambiguous clinical indications for root canal medication and non-standardized dressing protocols must be clarified.Inappropriate intracanal medication may present side effects and jeopardize the therapeutic outcomes.Indeed,clinicians have been aware of these concerns for years.Based on the current evidence of studies,this article reviews the properties of various irrigants and intracanal medicaments and elucidates their effectiveness and interactions.The evolution of different kinetic irrigation methods,their effects,limitations,the paradigm shift,current indications,and effective operational procedures regarding intracanal medication are also discussed.This expert consensus aims to establish the clinical operation guidelines for root canal irrigation and a position statement on intracanal medication,thus facilitating a better understanding of infection control,standardizing clinical practice,and ultimately improving the success of endodontic therapy.

Objective:To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month Ba Duan Jin exercise program in improving the balance of community-dwelling older adults.Methods:A two arms, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1 028 community residents aged 60-80 years in 40 communities in 5 provinces of China. Participants in the intervention group (20 communities, 523 people) received Ba Duan Jin exercise 5 days/week, 1 hour/day for 6 months, and three times of falls prevention health education, and the control group (20 communities, 505 people) received falls prevention health education same as the intervention group. The Berg balance scale (BBS) score was the leading outcome indicator, and the secondary outcome indicators included the length of time of standing on one foot (with eyes open and closed), standing in a tandem stance (with eyes open and closed), the closed circle test, and the timed up to test.Results:A total of 1 028 participants were included in the final analysis, including 731 women (71.11%) and 297 men (28.89%), and the age was (69.87±5.67) years. After the 3-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 3.05 (95% CI: 2.23-3.88) points ( P<0.001). After the 6-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 4.70 (95% CI: 4.03-5.37) points ( P<0.001). Ba Duan Jin showed significant improvement ( P<0.05) in all secondary outcomes after 6 months of exercise in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions:This study showed that Ba Duan Jin exercise can improve balance in community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80. The longer the exercise time, the better the improvement.

Ewing sarcoma(EWS)is an invasive and primary bone tumor with a high incidence in children and adolescents.The presence and extent of metastases at the time of diagnosis remains the most important prognostic factor in determining a patient's prognosis.Up now,considerable ambiguity exists regarding the optimal modality for detecting bone marrow metastases.Bone marrow biopsy and/or aspiration(BMBA)is the gold standard for determining bone marrow metastases.This invasive and painful procedure may be amenable to being replaced by 18F-FDG PET/CT because of its high sensitivity in detecting EWS bone and extraosseous metastases.This review provides an overview of the current literature,concludes that there is no longer a systematic consensus on the implementation of BMAB criteria for the diagnosis of bone marrow metastases in EWS,and summarizes the current practical strategies and clinical practices for the diagnosis of EWS bone marrow metastases accordingly.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the recurrence risk prediction model of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) .Methods:Research on DFU recurrence risk prediction models was electronically searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and China Biomedical Service System. The search period was from database establishment to July 20, 2023. Two researchers independently screened literature and conducted data extraction and quality evaluation using the prediction model research data extraction table and the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) .Results:A total of 8 articles were included, including 14 models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve included in the model ranged from 0.660 to 0.940. The most common five predictors in the model were ulcers location, glycosylated hemoglobin, smoking, combined peripheral neuropathy and diabetes course. All 8 articles had a high risk of bias, mainly due to insufficient sample size, improper handling and reporting of missing data, and a lack of internal validation, which might lead to overfitting of the model. Only one article was subjected to external validation.Conclusions:The research on DFU recurrence risk prediction models is still in the development stage, and the predictive performance of various studies is still acceptable, but there is a high risk of bias. Future research still needs to use rigorous statistical analysis methods to construct new risk prediction models and improve internal and external validation.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for severe hyperbilirubinemia complicated by acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE), and the value of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and bilirubin (B)/albumin (A) ratio in predicting ABE.Methods:Clinical data of children with severe hyperbilirubinemia admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Ordos Central Hospital, People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Fourth Hospital of Baotou, Tongliao Hospital, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hohhot, the Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Manzhouli People's Hospital, and Chifeng Hospital from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021, were retrospectively collected. The subjects were divided into ABE and non-ABE groups based on the occurrence of ABE. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify high-risk factors for ABE. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, or Chi-square tests. Indicators with statistically significant differences were included in the multivariate logistic regression model, and stepwise regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of ABE. Results:(1) A total of 543 children were included in this study, accounting for 3.7% (543/14 831) of the total admissions during the same period. Among the 543 children, 81 (14.9%) had ABE, and 462 (85.1%) did not. The age at admission was (7.2±2.1) d, and the length of hospital stay was (5.2±2.2) d. The breastfeeding initiation time was 2 d (1-4 d) after birth. The peak TSB of the 543 cases was (385.98±51.22) μmol/L, and the age at peak TSB was (4.4±2.1) d. Fourteen cases (2.5%) gradually reached the peak TSB after admission [(392.01±61.24) μmol/L], while 529 cases (97.5%) had already reached the peak TSB at admission [(386.42±50.22) μmol/L]. Among the 543 cases, 356 had a clear etiology (65.6%, with 278 cases having a single cause and 78 cases having more than two causes), and 187 cases (34.4%) had an unknown etiology. (2) Compared with the non-ABE group, the breastfeeding initiation in the ABE group was later [6 h (2-6 h) vs. 2 h (1-3 h), Z=－6.87] and the length of hospital stay was longer [(6.5±1.9) d vs. (5.0±2.1) d, t=0.55]. The proportions of breastfeeding, delayed meconium passage, isoimmune hemolysis, and maternal gestational diabetes, as well as peak TSB and B/A ratio at peak TSB, were higher in the ABE group than in the non-ABE group [64.2% (52/81) vs. 36.8% (170/462), χ2=21.96; 16.0% (13/81) vs. 2.4% (11/462), χ2=27.32; 27.2% (22/81) vs. 10.6% (40/462), χ2=16.61; 24.7% (20/81) vs. 13.6% (63/462), χ2=6.50; (442±68) vs. (375±39) μmol/L, t=－8.55; (11.9±1.6) vs. (9.8±1.2), t=－11.61; all P<0.05]. The admission weight, proportion of transfer from the hospital's obstetrics department, unknown etiology, and breast milk jaundice were lower in the ABE group than in the non-ABE group [(3 098±482) vs. (3 278±493) g, t=3.04; 12.3% (10/81) vs. 42.4% (196/462), χ2=30.48; 3.7% (3/81) vs. 39.8% (184/462), χ2=39.83; 0.0% (0/81) vs. 5.8% (27/462), χ2=3.81; all P<0.05]. (3) Isoimmune hemolysis, peak TSB, and B/A ratio at peak TSB were independent risk factors for ABE [ OR(95% CI) were 2.924 (1.209-7.073), 1.006 (0.997-1.014), and 2.647 (1.841-3.805), respectively]. When the peak TSB was 380.05 μmol/L and the B/A ratio at peak TSB was 10.45, the sensitivity for predicting ABE was 0.963, the specificity was 0.789, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.752. Conclusions:Isoimmune hemolysis, peak TSB, and B/A ratio at peak TSB are independent risk factors for ABE. The B/A ratio at peak TSB and peak TSB can effectively predict ABE.