This study aims to develop an abdominal acupoint localization system based on computer vision and convolutional neural networks (CNNs). To address the challenge of abdominal acupoint localization, a multi-task CNNs architecture was constructed and trained to locate the Shenque (CV8) and human body boundaries. Based on the identified Shenque (CV8), the system further deduces key characteristics of four acupoints: Shangwan (CV13), Qugu (CV2), and bilateral Daheng (SP15). An affine transformation matrix is applied to accurately map image coordinates to an acupoint template space, achieving precise localization of abdominal acupoints. Testing has verified that this system can accurately identify and locate abdominal acupoints in images. The development of this localization system provides technical support for TCM remote education, diagnostic assistance, and advanced TCM equipment, such as intelligent acupuncture robots, facilitating the standardization and intelligent advancement of acupuncture.
Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Deep Learning ; Abdomen/diagnostic imaging* ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted

BACKGROUND: The effect of the interval between previous Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and rescue treatment on therapeutic outcomes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between eradication rates and treatment interval durations in H. pylori infections. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2023 at six tertiary hospitals in Shandong, China. We recruited patients who were positive for H. pylori infection and required rescue treatment. Demographic information, previous times of eradication therapy, last eradication therapy date, and history of antibiotic use data were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on the rescue treatment interval length: Group A, ≥4 weeks and ≤3 months; Group B, >3 and ≤6 months; Group C, >6 and ≤12 months; and Group D, >12 months. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori . Drug compliance and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed. Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare eradication rates between groups. RESULTS: A total of 670 patients were enrolled in this study. The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 88.3% (158/179) in Group A, 89.6% (120/134) in Group B, 89.1% (123/138) in Group C, and 87.7% (192/219) in Group D. The per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 92.9% (156/168) in Group A, 94.5% (120/127) in Group B, 94.5% (121/128) in Group C, and 93.6% (190/203) in Group D. There was no statistically significant difference in the eradication rates between groups in either the ITT ( P = 0.949) or PP analysis ( P = 0.921). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of AEs ( P = 0.934) or drug compliance ( P = 0.849) between groups. CONCLUSION: The interval duration of rescue treatment had no significant effect on H. pylori eradication rates or the incidence of AEs. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05173493.
Humans ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Objective To observe the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)for evaluating blood supply pattern of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC).Methods A total of 210 single PDAC patients proved by pathology who underwent CEUS and contrast enhanced CT(CECT)examination were retrospectively enrolled.Blood supply patterns of PDAC,i.e.deficient or rich blood supply were evaluated based on findings of CEUS 25 s(CEUS-25 s)and 35 s(CEUS-35 s)after contrast agents injection and CECT,respectively.The evaluation results were compared among different methods.Disease free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)of patients with deficient and rich blood supply PDAC shown on CEUS-25 s were followed up and compared.Results CEUS-25 s found 60.00％(126/210)PDAC with deficient blood supply(poor blood supply group),while 40.00％(84/210)with rich blood supply(rich blood supply group).CEUS-35 s showed that the proportion deficient blood supply PDAC increased to 70.48％(148/210,P＜0.05),22 lesions changed from rich blood supply pattern on CEUS-25 s to deficient blood supply pattern.CECT displayed deficient blood supply in 91.90％(193/210)PDAC but rich blood supply in 8.10％(17/210)PDAC,both being significant different compared with results of CEUS-25 s and CEUS-35 s(both P＜0.05).Fifteen-five cases in deficient blood supply group and 39 in rich blood supply group completed 12(8,25)months'follow-up,and the median DFS of patients in deficient blood supply group and rich blood supply group was 8(6,10)and 12(7,17)months,respectively,with the median OS of 14(9,17)and 19(16,24)months,respectively.The median DFS and OS in poor blood supply group were both shorter than those in rich blood supply group(x2=17.227,27.166,both P＜0.001).Conclusion CEUS had important clinical value for evaluating blood supply pattern of PDAC.

Objective To observe the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)for evaluating blood supply pattern of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC).Methods A total of 210 single PDAC patients proved by pathology who underwent CEUS and contrast enhanced CT(CECT)examination were retrospectively enrolled.Blood supply patterns of PDAC,i.e.deficient or rich blood supply were evaluated based on findings of CEUS 25 s(CEUS-25 s)and 35 s(CEUS-35 s)after contrast agents injection and CECT,respectively.The evaluation results were compared among different methods.Disease free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)of patients with deficient and rich blood supply PDAC shown on CEUS-25 s were followed up and compared.Results CEUS-25 s found 60.00％(126/210)PDAC with deficient blood supply(poor blood supply group),while 40.00％(84/210)with rich blood supply(rich blood supply group).CEUS-35 s showed that the proportion deficient blood supply PDAC increased to 70.48％(148/210,P＜0.05),22 lesions changed from rich blood supply pattern on CEUS-25 s to deficient blood supply pattern.CECT displayed deficient blood supply in 91.90％(193/210)PDAC but rich blood supply in 8.10％(17/210)PDAC,both being significant different compared with results of CEUS-25 s and CEUS-35 s(both P＜0.05).Fifteen-five cases in deficient blood supply group and 39 in rich blood supply group completed 12(8,25)months'follow-up,and the median DFS of patients in deficient blood supply group and rich blood supply group was 8(6,10)and 12(7,17)months,respectively,with the median OS of 14(9,17)and 19(16,24)months,respectively.The median DFS and OS in poor blood supply group were both shorter than those in rich blood supply group(x2=17.227,27.166,both P＜0.001).Conclusion CEUS had important clinical value for evaluating blood supply pattern of PDAC.

Objective　To analyze the risk factors of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treated with intravenous thrombolysis.Methods　A total of 798 patients with AIS who received intravenous thrombolysis therapy with alteplase from the Department of Neurology,Yangpu Hospital,Tongji University from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively selected and divided into pneumonia group and non-pneumonia group according to the presence or the absence of SAP.The clinical of the two groups were compared.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the independent risk factors of SAP.Results　Of 798 cases,115 cases occurred SAP.By multivariate logistic regression analysis,age≥70 years(OR=2.846,95%CI 2.311~5.083,P<0.001),diabetes(OR=2.291,95%CI 1.601~3.945,P=0.003),chronic obstructive disease(OR=2.064,95%CI 1.759~3.528,P=0.005),NIHSS score at admission>8(OR=1.814,95%CI 1.502~2.452,P<0.001),unconsciousness(OR=2.325,95%CI 2.005~3.404,P=0.008),dysphagia(OR=2.457,95%CI 2.221~4.017,P<0.001),hemorrhagic transformation(OR=1.828,95%CI 1.653~2.523,P=0.012) were independent risk factors of SAP in AIS patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis.Conclusion　Age≥70 years,diabetes,chronic pulmonary disease,NIHSS score at admission,unconsciousness,dysphagia,hemorrhagic transformation were independent risk factors of SAP in AIS patients treated with thrombolysis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of BANK1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) in Chinese Han. MethodsTwo hundreds and twenty-one RA patients and 310 healthy controls who were Chinses Han population from Huashan Hopital and Changzheng Hospital in Shanghai,China were included.DNAs were extracted from peripheral whole blood for study.Samples were genotyped for three variants rs10516487,rs17266594 and rs3733197 in BANK1 by unlabelled probe high resolution melting (HRM) assay.The genotype frequencies of the detected polymorphisms were analyzed in relation to RA and the production of autoantibodies in RA patients.ResultsThe Tr genotype frequency was much higher in RA patients than in healthy controls(X2=6.241,P=0.044).The frequencies of rs10516487 G allele,rs17266594 T allele and rs3733197 G allele were increased among RA patients compared with healthy controls,although they didn't reach statistical significance.The rs10516487 and rs17266594 were found in strong linkage disequilibrium(D'=0.993,r2=0.985).And also the major TGG haplotype of 3-SNP was significantly associated with RA patients[P=0.037,OR =1.345,95％CI (1.018-1.776)].ConclusionBANK1 rs17266594 polymorphism is susceptible to RA,while rs10516487 and rs17266594 are linked in Chinese Han population.BANK1 SNPs TGG haplotype may contribute to RA susceptibility,too.