ObjectiveTo address the challenges of unstructured classical Chinese expressions， nested entity relationships， and limited annotated data in famous traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） case records， this study proposes a joint relation extraction framework that integrates data augmentation and entity mapping， aiming to support the construction of TCM diagnostic knowledge graphs and clinical pattern mining. MethodsWe developed an annotation structure for entities and their relationships in TCM case texts and applied a data augmentation strategy by incorporating multiple ancient texts to expand the relation extraction dataset. A cascade binary tagging framework for relation triple extraction（CasRel） model for TCM semantics was designed， integrating a pre-trained bidirectional encoder representations from transformers（BERT） layer for classical TCM texts to enhance semantic representation， and using a head entity-relation-tail entity mapping mechanism to address entity nesting and relation overlapping issues. ResultsExperimental results showed that the CasRel model， combining data augmentation and entity mapping， outperformed the pipeline-based Bert-Radical-Lexicon（BRL）-bidirectional long short-term memory（BiLSTM）-Attention model. The overall precision， recall， and F₁-score across 12 relation types reached 65.73%， 64.03%， and 64.87%， which represent improvements of 14.26%， 7.98%， and 11.21% compared to the BRL-BiLSTM-Attention model， respectively. Notably， the F₁-score for tongue syndrome relations increased by 22.68%（69.32%）， and the prescription-syndrome relations performed the best with the F₁-score of 70.10%. ConclusionThe proposed framework significantly improves the semantic representation and complex dependencies in TCM texts， offering a reusable technical framework for structured mining of TCM case records. The constructed knowledge graph can support clinical syndrome differentiation， prescription optimization， and drug compatibility， providing a methodological reference for TCM artificial intelligence research.

Objective To explore the feasibility of magnetic compression technique (MCR) in the treatment of severe single mid-ureteral stricture in a rabbit model. Methods After 10 female New Zealand rabbits were selected, the distal end of the right ureter was ligated with silk thread. Two weeks after the operation, when the right ureter was dilated, the mid-ureter was ligated again with silk thread to create a severe single mid-ureteral stricture animal model. Longitudinal incisions were made at the upper and lower ends of the ligation site, and cylindrical NdFeB magnets with central holes (sub-magnets and main magnets) were placed to anastomose and recanalize the mid-ureteral stricture. The magnets were adjusted to the appropriate position to automatically align and attract each other. The longitudinal incision sites of the ureter were sutured with 6-0 Prolene thread, and the abdominal cavity was closed layer by layer. The operation time was recorded. X-ray films were taken every two days to confirm the position of the magnets and record the time of magnet detachment. Three weeks after the operation, the anastomotic specimens were obtained, and the formation of the anastomosis was evaluated with gross observation and histological staining. Results Two weeks after ligation, all experimental rabbits showed obvious dilation of the right ureter. The mid-ureteral ligation and placement of the male and female magnets were successfully completed in all 10 experimental rabbits, with an operation time of (24.00±5.15)minutes. The male and female magnets attracted each other well. X-ray examination showed that the magnets detached and entered the distal ureter (14.0±1.9) days after magnetic compression. The recanalization of the severe single mid-ureteral stricture was successfully achieved. The gross specimens and histological examination of the anastomosis showed that the anastomosis remained patent and the mucosal healing was good. All experimental rabbits survived well after the operation without serious complications. Conclusion MCT provides a new idea and novel method for the treatment of mid-ureteral stricture. This study confirmed the feasibility of this technique in treating severe single mid-ureteral stricture in a rabbit model. The operation is relatively simple and has potential for clinical application.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Clear aligner treatment is a novel technique in current orthodontic practice. Distinct from traditional fixed orthodontic appliances, clear aligners have different material features and biomechanical characteristics and treatment efficiencies, presenting new clinical challenges. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic description of the key clinical aspects of clear aligner treatment is essential to enhance treatment efficacy and facilitate the advancement and wide adoption of this new technique. This expert consensus discusses case selection and grading of treatment difficulty, principle of clear aligner therapy, clinical procedures and potential complications, which are crucial to the clinical success of clear aligner treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Orthodontic Appliance Design ; Orthodontic Appliances, Removable ; Tooth Movement Techniques/methods* ; Malocclusion/therapy* ; Orthodontics, Corrective/instrumentation*

Objective: Accurate evaluation of inflammation severity in ulcerative colitis (UC) can guide treatment strategy selection. The potential value of the pericolic fat attenuation index (FAI) on CT as an indicator of disease severity remains unknown.This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pericolic FAI in predicting UC severity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 148 patients (mean age 48 years; 87 males). The fat attenuation on CT was measured in four different locations: the mesocolic vascular side (MS) and opposite side of MS (OMS) around the most severe bowel lesion, the retroperitoneal space (RS), and the subcutaneous area. The fat attenuation indices (FAI MS, FAI OMS, and FAI RS) were calculated as the fat attenuation measured in MS, OMS, and RS, respectively, minus that of the subcutaneous area, and were obtained in the non-enhanced, arterial, and delayed phases. Correlations between the FAI and UC Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) were assessed using Spearman’s correlation. Predictors of severe UC (UCEIS ≥7) were selected by univariable analysis. The performance of FAI in predicting severe UC was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores were significantly higher than FAI RS in three phases (all P < 0.001). The FAIMS and FAI OMS scores moderately correlated with the UCEIS score (r = 0.474–0.649 among the three phases). Additionally, FAI MS and FAI OMS identified severe UC, with AUC varying from 0.77 to 0.85. Conclusion Increased CT attenuation of pericolic adipose tissue could serve as a noninvasive marker for evaluating UC severity. FAI MS and FAI OMS of three phases showed similar prediction accuracies for severe UC identification.

Objective:To investigate the structural changes in the spinal cord in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and their relationship with clinical disability.Methods:This study was cross-sectional. A retrospective analysis of clinical and imaging data from 124 patients with MS (MS group), 101 patients with aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD (NMOSD group), and 110 healthy controls (HC group) from seven medical centers were conducted from January 2018 to October 2021. All subjects underwent 3D T 1WI, and the upper cervical spinal cord cross-sectional area (MUCCA) was segmented and measured. All patients completed the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) assessments at baseline and during follow-up, as well as the baseline 25-foot walk test (T25FW) and the nine-hole peg test (NHPT). Patients were classified into EDSS progression and non-progression groups based on follow-up EDSS scores. Comparisons of MUCCA among the three groups were conducted using analysis of covariance, controlling for age and sex as covariates. Pairwise comparisons between groups were performed using the HSD test. Univariate linear regression and logistic models were employed to identify candidate predictors of baseline clinical disability status or EDSS progression in the MS and NMOSD groups. L1 regularized multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of baseline clinical disability status or EDSS progression. Independent predictors were then combined to establish a logistic regression model, and the model′s performance in predicting EDSS progression was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis and the area under the curve (AUC). Results:A total of 144 patients completed follow-up EDSS assessments, with a follow-up duration of 3.30 (1.10, 6.42) years, including 82 patients in the MS group and 62 patients in the NMOSD group. Controlling for sex and age as covariates, the overall difference in MUCCA among the MS, NMOSD, and HC groups was statistically significant ( P=0.001). The MUCCA in the MS group was lower than that in the HC group, with a significant difference ( t=-2.54, P=0.007); the MUCCA in the NMOSD group was also lower than that in the HC group, with a significant difference ( t=-2.80, P=0.002). However, the difference in MUCCA between the MS and NMOSD groups was not statistically significant ( t=-0.40, P=0.882). In the MS group, MUCCA was an independent predictor of baseline EDSS score (β=-0.03), baseline T25FW score (β=-0.09), and baseline NHPT score (β=-0.30). In the NMOSD group, MUCCA (β=-0.08), age (β=0.06), and baseline EDSS score (β=-0.43) were independent predictors of EDSS progression, and the logistic regression model incorporating these three factors predicted EDSS progression with an AUC of 0.82. Conclusions:Significant spinal cord atrophy occurs in patients with both MS and NMOSD. Atrophy of the upper cervical spinal cord can predict the degree of disability in MS patients and the progression of clinical disability in NMOSD patients.

Chronic pain has emerged as a prevalent medical challenge in contemporary society.Patients suffering from chronic pain frequently develop comorbid psychological disorders,including anxiety,depression,post-traumatic stress disorder,and various psychiatric syndromes.These psychological complications not only affect patients' pain perception and responses,but may also constitute critical obstacles during pain management interventions.Acupuncture is a long-established clinical practice that has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in alleviating diverse pain types and has shown favorable therapeutic outcomes in ameliorating emotional disturbances such as anxiety and depression.The precise mechanisms underlying acupuncture-induced analgesia and anxiolytic effects,however,remain to be fully elucidated.In this context,it is essential to establish suitable and stable animal models to allow in-depth investigations into the pathogenesis of pain-related emotional disorders and the mechanistic foundations of acupuncture.This article presents a comprehensive review of recent literature regarding the selection of experimental animals,model-establishment method ologies,and behavioral-assessment paradigms pertaining to animal model platforms of chronic pain with comorbid anxiety.We also provide an in-depth discussion of research advancements regarding acupuncture intervention parameters,including needling techniques,acupoint selection,treatment duration,and efficacy evaluation within these animal models.This review proposes comprehensive and reference strategies for constructing preclinical animal models to investigate the mechanisms of acupuncture in managing chronic pain with comorbid anxiety,thus supporting scientific advancements in related research fields.

AIM:This study investigated the potential mechanism of acupuncture regulating adenosine A1 re-ceptor(ADORA1)in the mouse caudate putamen(CPu)to improve neuroplasticity and alleviate inflammatory pain.METHODS:Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups,namely,saline,complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA),acupuncture(MA),acupuncture+ADORA1 shRNA(MA+shRNA),and acupuncture+negative shRNA(MA+NCshRNA)groups.Twenty-one days before modeling,the mice in the MA+shRNA and MA+NCshRNA groups were in-jected with ADORA1 shRNA and control virus into the CPu.Modeling was performed 21 d later by injection of CFA into the right plantar skin of mice in the model and acupuncture groups to induce adjuvant-mediated arthritis.On day 2 after modeling,mice in the acupuncture groups received acupuncture at bilateral"Zusanli"points,30 min per session,once a day,for a total of 7 days.The paw thermal radiation pain threshold was used as an indicator of the effects on pain in the mice.Changes in the protein levels of ADORA1,synaptophysin(SYP),synapsin(SYN)I,SYN II,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the CPu were assessed by Western blot,and transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the dendritic structure and synaptic ultrastructure of neurons within the CPu.RESULTS:(1)Compared with the saline group,CFA modeling significantly reduced the thermal radiation pain threshold in mice(P<0.01),as well as the protein levels of ADORA1(P<0.01).Compared with the CFA group,the thermal pain threshold in the MA group in-creased between days 1 and 7 of acupuncture(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and ADORA1 protein levels increased(P<0.01).(2)Compared with the saline group,SYN I,SYN II,and BDNF protein levels were increased in the CFA group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while relative to the CFA group,the levels of SYN I,SYN II,and BDNF were reduced in the acupuncture group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).No significant changes in SYP protein levels were observed in any of the groups.(3)Golgi staining and Sholl analysis showed that compared with the saline group,there were reductions in the total dendritic length and number of intersection points in the CFA group,while the dendritic spine density increased(P<0.05).Relative to the CFA group,the total dendritic length and the number of intersection points were increased in the MA group,while the dendritic spine density decreased(P<0.05).(4)Transmission electron microscopy revealed that compared with the Sa-line group,the synaptic clefts were narrower in the CFA group,while the density of synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic membrane was increased.Compared with the CFA group,synaptic clefts in the MA group were wider,and synaptic vesi-cle densities in the presynaptic membrane were reduced.(5)Twenty-one days after viral transfection,the thermal pain threshold in the MA and MA+NCshRNA groups increased from day 1 to day 7 of acupuncture relative to the CFA and MA+shRNA groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the expression of ADORA1 was increased in both the MA and MA+NCshRNA groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(6)Compared with the CFA and MA+shRNA groups,the protein expression of SYN II and BDNF in the MA and MA+NCshRNA groups was reduced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).No significant changes in SYN I protein were observed in any of the groups.CONCLUSION:Acupuncture on Zusanli point can alleviate chronic pain in CFA-treated mice,potentially mediated by up-regulation of ADORA1 expression in the CPu brain region,thereby improving neuroplasticity.