ObjectiveTo observe the analgesic efficacy and safety of Qihuang acupuncture theory combined with opioid analgesics in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain due to lung cancer. MethodsPatients with moderate to severe cancer pain from lung cancer were randomly divided into Qihuang acupuncture group and control group， with 33 cases in each group. The control group was treated with long-acting opioid analgesics at maintenance doses and supplementary analgesic medications as needed. In case of breakthrough pain， short-acting opioids were used for rescue. The Qihuang acupuncture group received Qihuang acupuncture treatment in addition to the treatment used in the control group， administered once every other day， with 3 sessions constituting one treatment course. The treatment duration for both groups was 5 days. The primary outcome was the change in pain intensity， measured using the numerical rating scale （NRS） before and after treatment， and the NRS change rate was calculated. Secondary endpoints included the daily NRS change rate， the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group （ECOG） Performance Status （PS） score， the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire （EORTC QLQ-C30） score， and the 24-hour equivalent hydrocodone sustained-release tablet dose. Laboratory tests， including routine blood， urine， stool， liver function， and kidney function， were performed before and after treatment. Adverse events were recorded throughout the trial. ResultsAll patients completed the trial， and both groups showed a decrease in average NRS scores and PS scores after treatment， with the Qihuang acupuncture group showing lower average NRS scores and PS scores than the control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. After treatment， the NRS change rate in the Qihuang acupuncture group was （0.42±0.17）， significantly higher than that in the control group （0.14±0.27， P＜0.01）. The daily NRS change rate during treatment was also higher in the Qihuang acupuncture group compared to the control group （P＜0.01）. The Qihuang acupuncture group showed an increase in overall health status and functional scores in the EORTC QLQ-C30， and a decrease in symptom scores for fatigue， nausea and vomiting， pain， dyspnea， insomnia， appetite loss， constipation， and financial difficulties. In contrast， overall health status and constipation scores in the control group increased， while scores of fatigue， nausea and vomiting， pain， and appetite loss decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. After treatment， the 24-hour equivalent hydrocodone sustained-release tablet dose did not show significant difference in the Qihuang acupuncture group （P＞0.05）， while the control group showed a significant increase in the 24-hour dose （P＜0.01）. No significant abnormalities were observed in laboratory tests before and after treatment in either group. During the study， the incidence of nausea and vomiting as well as constipation in the Qihuang acupuncture group was both 3.03% （1/33）， while the incidence in the control group was 27.27% （9/33） and 36.36% （12/33）， respectively， with the Qihuang acupuncture group showing significantly lower incidence （P＜0.01）. No serious adverse reactions were observed in either group. ConclusionQihuang acupuncture therapy combined with opioid analgesics is more effective than using opioids alone in relieving pain in patients with moderate to severe cancer pain due to lung cancer. It can improve the patients' physical condition and quality of life， reduce the dose of opioid analgesics， and has good safety.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology enhances the function of acupuncture clinical decision support system (CDSS) by promoting the accuracy of its diagnosis, assisting the formulation of personalized therapeutic regimen, and realizing the scientific and precise evaluation of its therapeutic effect. This paper deeply analyzes the unique advantages of AI-based acupuncture CDSS, including the intelligence and high efficiency. Besides, it points out the challenges of data security, the lack of model interpretation and the complexity of interdisciplinary cooperation in the development of acupuncture CDSS. With the continuous development and improvement of AI technology, acupuncture CDSS is expected to play a more important role in the fields of personalized medicine, telemedicine and disease prevention, and to further advance the efficiency and effect of acupuncture treatment, drive the modernization of acupuncture, and enhance its position and influence in the global healthcare system.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Artificial Intelligence ; Decision Support Systems, Clinical

Objective:To investigate the association between blood pressure variability (BPV) and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and provide reference for clinical management in CAPD patients.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included patients who received CAPD at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital between May 1, 2010, and July 31, 2023. Baseline and clinical data of the patients were collected. Coefficient of variation of systolic blood pressure (CVSBP) was used to assess BPV. The patients were divided into CVSBP T1, CVSBP T2 and CVSBP T3 groups based on CVSBP tertiles, and the differences among the three groups were compared. Diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were used to further assess BPV and sensitivity analysis was conducted. The primary endpoint was the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression analysis were used to analyze the association between CVSBP and the primary endpoint.Results:A total of 358 CAPD patients were included, with age of (43.6±13.3) years, and 197 males (55.0%). The proportion of males, proportion of smoking, baseline blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and serum albumin in CVSBP T2 (9.08%≤CVSBP<12.55%, n=120) group and CVSBP T3 (CVSBP≥12.55%, n=119) group were lower than those in CVSBP T1 group (CVSBP<9.08%, n=119), and baseline systolic blood pressure, residual kidney Kt/V and total Kt/V were higher than those in CVSBP T1 group, with statistically significant difference among the three groups (all P<0.05). During follow-up of 37(23, 76) months, 49 patients (13.7%) experienced the composite endpoint events, including 12 patients (3.4%) of all-cause deaths and 42 patients (11.7%) of cardiovascular events. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the incidence of composite endpoint events in CVSBP T3 group was higher than that in CVSBP T1 group and CVSBP T2 group, but the difference was not statistically significant (Log-rank χ2=3.795, P=0.150). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, baseline systolic blood pressure, residual renal function, and serum albumin, as a continuous variable, CVSBP was not associated with the risk of composite outcome in CAPD patients ( HR=1.058, 95% CI 0.985?1.135, P=0.122); as a categorical variable, with CVSBP T1 group as reference, CVSBP T2 group and CVSBP T3 group were not associated with the risk of composite outcome ( HR=1.222, 95% CI 0.471?3.167, P=0.681; HR=1.827, 95% CI 0.737?4.530, P=0.193). The sensitivity analysis showed that increased variability of diastolic blood pressure ( HR=1.162, 95% CI 1.063?1.270, P=0.021) and increased variability of mean arterial pressure ( HR=1.114, 95% CI 1.030?1.204, P=0.007) were correlated with higher risk of composite outcome in CPAD patients. Conclusions:Systolic blood pressure variability during follow-up is not associated with risk of composite outcome of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in CAPD patients. Increased variability of diastolic blood pressure and increased variability of mean arterial pressure are associated with a higher risk of composite outcome in CPAD patients. Interventions to reduce BPV may be helpful to improve the long-term prognosis of CAPD patients.

Objective:To investigate the association between blood pressure variability (BPV) and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and provide reference for clinical management in CAPD patients.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included patients who received CAPD at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital between May 1, 2010, and July 31, 2023. Baseline and clinical data of the patients were collected. Coefficient of variation of systolic blood pressure (CVSBP) was used to assess BPV. The patients were divided into CVSBP T1, CVSBP T2 and CVSBP T3 groups based on CVSBP tertiles, and the differences among the three groups were compared. Diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were used to further assess BPV and sensitivity analysis was conducted. The primary endpoint was the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression analysis were used to analyze the association between CVSBP and the primary endpoint.Results:A total of 358 CAPD patients were included, with age of (43.6±13.3) years, and 197 males (55.0%). The proportion of males, proportion of smoking, baseline blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and serum albumin in CVSBP T2 (9.08%≤CVSBP<12.55%, n=120) group and CVSBP T3 (CVSBP≥12.55%, n=119) group were lower than those in CVSBP T1 group (CVSBP<9.08%, n=119), and baseline systolic blood pressure, residual kidney Kt/V and total Kt/V were higher than those in CVSBP T1 group, with statistically significant difference among the three groups (all P<0.05). During follow-up of 37(23, 76) months, 49 patients (13.7%) experienced the composite endpoint events, including 12 patients (3.4%) of all-cause deaths and 42 patients (11.7%) of cardiovascular events. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the incidence of composite endpoint events in CVSBP T3 group was higher than that in CVSBP T1 group and CVSBP T2 group, but the difference was not statistically significant (Log-rank χ2=3.795, P=0.150). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, baseline systolic blood pressure, residual renal function, and serum albumin, as a continuous variable, CVSBP was not associated with the risk of composite outcome in CAPD patients ( HR=1.058, 95% CI 0.985?1.135, P=0.122); as a categorical variable, with CVSBP T1 group as reference, CVSBP T2 group and CVSBP T3 group were not associated with the risk of composite outcome ( HR=1.222, 95% CI 0.471?3.167, P=0.681; HR=1.827, 95% CI 0.737?4.530, P=0.193). The sensitivity analysis showed that increased variability of diastolic blood pressure ( HR=1.162, 95% CI 1.063?1.270, P=0.021) and increased variability of mean arterial pressure ( HR=1.114, 95% CI 1.030?1.204, P=0.007) were correlated with higher risk of composite outcome in CPAD patients. Conclusions:Systolic blood pressure variability during follow-up is not associated with risk of composite outcome of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in CAPD patients. Increased variability of diastolic blood pressure and increased variability of mean arterial pressure are associated with a higher risk of composite outcome in CPAD patients. Interventions to reduce BPV may be helpful to improve the long-term prognosis of CAPD patients.

OBJECTIVE To mine adverse drug event （ADE） signals related to the pulmonary arterial hypertension （PAH） therapeutic drug macitentan， and to provide reference for safe clinical medication. METHODS Macitentan-related ADE reports were collected from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System （FAERS） database from the fourth quarter of 2013 to the third quarter of 2023. Data mining was conducted by using the reporting odds ratio （ROR） method and the comprehensive standard method established by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency （referred to as “MHRA method”） under the proportional imbalance approach. According to the systemic organ class （SOC） and preferred term （PT） stated in 26.0 edition of Medical Dictionary of Regulatory Activities， standardized coding of ADE names was performed， followed by the analysis of time to onset （TTO） and the Weibull shape parameter （WSP） test. RESULTS Overall， a total of 26 079 ADE reports were identified with macitentan as the primary suspect drug. These reports predominantly involved female patients （73.25%） and were concentrated in the age range of 18 to 65 years （42.39%）. The majority of reports originated from the US （84.42%）， with hospitalization or prolonged hospital stays （59.82%） being the most common in severe treatment outcome. A total of 269 ADE positive signals related to macitentan were identified. Among these， hypothyroidism， ADE related to renal injury such as the increase of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen， and ADE related to psychiatric disorders like apathy and despair were not included in the drug label. TTO analysis indicated that the majority of macitentan-related ADE signals occurred between 0-30 days after initial treatment （492 reports， 21.52%） and over 360 days （411 reports， 17.98%）. The results of WSP test showed that most of the top 20 reported ADE signals conformed to the characteristics of an early failure curve. CONCLUSIONS When clinically using macitentan in patients with PAH， attention should be given not only to the adverse reactions mentioned on the drug label but also to thyroid dysfunction， kidney dysfunction and mental disorder-related ADEs.

Objective To investigate the effect of rehabilitation training combined with acupuncture ( RTA) on upper limb function of stroke patients by Kinect. Methods Stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction werrandomly divided into control group (rehabilitation training) and treatment group ( RTA), with 15 cases in each group. The modified Barthel Index ( MBI), Fugl Meyer assessment ( FMA), and Wolf motor function test (WMFT) were compared between two groups before and after treatment. The changes in motor time ( MT), motor unit number (MUN), index of curvature (IC), elbow flexion angle (EFA), shoulder flexion angle (SFA),and shoulder adduction angle ( SAA) during three actions, namely, placing forearm on the table, extending elbow and drinking water, were evaluated by Kinect and then compared between two groups before and after treatment. Results After 6 weeks of intervention, the scores of MBI, FMA, WMFT and elbow extension in treatment group were higher than those in control group (P<0. 05). The scores of MBI, FMA, WMFT and three actions after treatment were higher than those before treatment (P<0. 05). For three actions, the improvement of MT, MUN, IC, EFA, SFA, and SAA in treatment group were better than those in control group ( P< 0. 05). Compared with pre-treatment, for the action of forearm placement on the table and elbow extension, both treatment group and control group showed an increase in EFA (P<0. 05), and a decrease in MT, MUN, IC, SFA and SA (P<0. 05). For the action of drinking water, both treatment group and control group showed an increase in EFA and SAA (P< 0. 05), and a decrease in MT, MUN, IC and SAA ( P< 0. 05). Conclusions RTA can improve the upper limb function of stroke patients. Kinect can accurately reflect the changes in upper limb function of stroke patients, and it is suitable for clinical work.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Qihuang needle therapy in treating knee osteoarthritis.Methods Sixty knee osteoarthritis patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group,30 cases in each group.The treatment group was given Qihuang needle therapy and the control group was given conventional acupuncture therapy.After treatment for 10 days,we evaluated the curative effect of the two groups by the scores of the simplified McGill pain scale (MPQ) and the Lysholm knee scoring criteria.Results (1) After treatment for 10 days,the symptoms of pain,swelling,stiffness,and inhibited bending and stretching of knee joints of the two groups were relieved.Pain rating index (PRI),visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and present pain intensity (PPI)of MPQ in the two groups were obviously decreased,while Lysholm knee scores were markedly increased(P ＜ 0.01 compared with those before treatment),and the effect of the treatment group was superior to that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).(2) The total effective rate of the treatment group was 86.67％,and that of the control group was 66.67％,the difference between the two groups being significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Qihuang needle therapy is effective for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,with the advantages of shorter treatment course,better therapeutic effect and being more practical.

Objective To compare the reliability and effectiveness of anterolateral thigh flap with double vein anastomosis or one vein anastomosis for reconstruction of head and neck defects.Methods Two hundred and sixty four cases of anterolateral thigh flap transfers for head and neck reconstruction from January,2013 to September,2013 in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were reviewed.260 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups.In the experimental group,there were 138 patients 140 cases of anterolateral thigh flap with one vein one artery anastomosis.In the control group,there were 122 patients 124 cases of anterolateral thigh flap with double vein one artery anastomosis.Results Among 264 anterolateral thigh flaps,the overall success rate of free flap was 98.1％ (259/264),5 free flaps were lost.In the experimental group,there were 6 free flaps occurred venous thrombosis,two of them were lost.In the control group,there were 5 cases occurred venous thrombosis,three of them were lost.No arterial thrombosis occurred in both groups.The time of micromanipulation was 18 to 101 min,with the average of 47 min in the experimental group.In the control group,the time was 45 to 133 min,with the average of 71 min.(P =0.0003).Conclusion Anterolateral thigh flap with one vein one artery anastomosis for head and neck reconstruction did not affect the survival rate but it can absolutely reduce the operation time.

Objective To investigate the microembolic signal (MES) in patients with carotid artery stenosis by transracial Doppler (TCD) diasonograph,and explore the influence of intervention treatment in MES of patients with carotid artery stenosis.Methods One hundred and fifty-eight patients with carotid artery stenosis,admitted to our hospital from March 2009 to November 2014,were enrolled as carotid artery stenosis group;and 158 workers from our hospital without carotid artery stenosis were used as control group.TCD was used to monitor the MES at the initiative internal carotid artery in the two groups;and then,10 d after aspirin enteric coated tablets (100 mg/d) on platelet aggregation and torvastatin (20 mg/d) treatment,MES was monitored again;the MES positive rate between the two groups or in carotid artery stenosis group between before and after medication was compared.Results As compared with the control group (1.9％),the carotid artery stenosis group (36.1％) had significantly increased MES positive rate (P＜0.05).In the carotid artery stenosis group,MES positive rate before treatment (36.1％) was significantly higher than that after treatment (7.6％,P＜0.05).Conclusion MES positive rate in the cerebral blood flow in patients with carotid artery stenosis is increased;treatment by drugs can reduce the microemboli positive rate.

Objective To summarize the application of 909 anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps in the repair of oral and maxillofacial defects and to examine their benefits in maxillofacial reconstruction of these defects.Methods Patients were recruited from January 2004 to December 2012 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.All patients underwent reconstructive surgery with anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps,and patient age ranged from 19 to 81 years with a mean of 51.2 years.There were 761 flaps showing single lobe and 148 flaps showing a multi-island pedicle.The largest area among the single flaps was 28 cm× 12 cm,and the smallest was 4 cm× 2 cm.Results Among the 909 transferred flaps,882 survived and 27 showed necrosis,with a survival rate of about 97.0％.The common complications at flap donor site were poor wound healing 9.6％(87/909),localized paresthesia 61.0％(500/820),and altered quadriceps force 15.0％(123/820).No case was presented with local serious complications,and 90％ of the patients achieved good functional recovery and aesthetically acceptable results after the reconstruction by anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps.Conclusions The anterolateral thigh myocutaneous free flaps are more suitable for oral and maxillofacial defects than other flaps and should be preferred.