This article introduces Professor LIU Xing's clinical experience in treatment of peripheral facial paralysis at the recovery and sequelae stages with the combination of acupotomy, cupping and herbal medication. Based on the analysis of etiology and pathogenesis of peripheral facial paralysis, Professor LIU believes that "invasion of pathogenic wind to collaterals and obstruction of qi and blood" is crucial. Therefore, the treatment focuses on "dispelling wind and harmonizing blood". The compound therapeutic mode is proposed, with acupotomy, cupping and herbal decoction involved, in which, "three-step sequential method of acupotomy" is predominated. Firstly, in the prone position, five "feng" (wind) points are stimulated in patient, Fengfu (GV16), Fengchi (GB20), Yifeng (TE17), Bingfeng (SI12) and Fengmen (BL12). Secondly, in the lateral position, three-facial points are stimulated (FaceⅠneedle: Yangbai [GB14]-Yuyao [EX-HN4]; Face Ⅱ needle: Sibai [ST2]-Quanliao [SI18]; Face Ⅲ needle: Jiache [ST6]-Dicang [ST4]) to restore the deviated facial muscles. Finally, in the supine, two Dantian points are stimulated on the forehead and chest, respectively (upper Dantian: Yintang [GV24⁺], middle Dantian: Danzhong [CV17]), to regulate qi and blood. As the adjunctive therapies, cupping is used to remove stasis, and herbal decoction is to harmonize the body interior. In view of holistic regulation, the treatment is administered in accordance with the affected meridians, so as to expel wind, remove obstruction in collaterals and regulate qi and blood.
Humans ; Facial Paralysis/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Cupping Therapy ; Aged ; Young Adult

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies, with an increasing incidence rate worldwide. Accurate segmentation of lesion areas in computed tomography (CT) images is a critical step in assisting clinical diagnosis. In this study, we propose a novel deep learning-based segmentation model, termed spatial choice and weight union network (SCWU-Net), which incorporates two newly designed modules: the spatial selection module (SSM) and the combination weight module (CWM). The SSM enhances the model's ability to capture contextual information through deep convolutional blocks, while the CWM, based on joint attention mechanisms, is employed within the skip connections to further boost segmentation performance. By integrating the strengths of both modules into a U-shaped multi-scale architecture, the model achieves precise segmentation of EC lesion regions. Experimental results on a public dataset demonstrate that SCWU-Net achieves a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 82.98%, an intersection over union (IoU) of 78.63%, a precision of 92.36%, and a recall of 84.10%. Its overall performance is significantly outperforming other state-of-the-art models. This study enhances the accuracy of lesion segmentation in EC CT images and holds potential clinical value for the auxiliary diagnosis of endometrial cancer.
Humans ; Endometrial Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Deep Learning ; Algorithms ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Neural Networks, Computer

OBJECTIVES: To explore the active components that mediate the therapeutic effect of Centella asiatica on psoriasis and their therapeutic mechanisms. METHODS: TCMSP, TCMIP, PharmMapper, Swiss Target Prediction, GeneCards, OMIM and TTD databases were searched for the compounds in Centella asiatica and their targets and the disease targets of psoriasis. A drug-active component-target network and the protein-protein interaction network were constructed, and DAVID database was used for pathway enrichment analysis. In a RAW264.7 macrophage model of LPS-induced inflammation, the anti-inflammatory effect of 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 μmol/L quercetin, asiaticoside, and asiatic acid, which were identified as the main active components in Centella asiatica, were tested by measuring cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6 using Griess method and ELISA and by detecting mRNA expressions of IL-23, IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-6 and protein expressions of p-STAT3 (Tyr705) and p-STAT3 (Ser727) with RT-qPCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: A total of 139 targets of Centella asiatica and 4604 targets of psoriasis were obtained, and among them CASP3, EGFR, PTGS2, and ESR1 were identified as the core targets. KEGG analysis suggested that quercetin, asiaticoside, and asiatic acid in Centella asiatica were involved in cancer and IL-17 and MAPK signaling pathways. In the RAW264.7 macrophage model of inflammation, treatment with quercetin significantly reduced cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6, and lowered mRNA expressions of IL-23, IL-17A, TNF‑α and IL-6 and protein expressions of p-STAT3 (Tyr705) and p-STAT3 (Ser727). CONCLUSIONS Quercetin, asiaticoside and asiatic acid are the main active components in Centella asiatica to mediate the therapeutic effect against psoriasis, and quercetin in particular is capable of suppressing cellular production of NO, TNF‑α and IL-6 and regulating the IL-23/IL-17A inflammatory axis by mediating STAT3 phosphorylation to inhibit inflammatory response.
Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Psoriasis/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Mice ; Animals ; Centella/chemistry* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Phosphorylation ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Interleukin-23/metabolism* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Macrophages/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction ; Plant Extracts

Objective:To examine the clinical effect of endovascular treatment for patients with non-acute symptomatic anterior circulation distal medium artery disease (aDMAD).Methods:This is a retrospective case series study.Retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 28 patients(29 lesions) with non-acute symptomatic aDMAD who underwent endovascular treatment at the Department of Neurosurgery,Beijing Hospital from May 2018 to March 2024. There were 15 males and 13 females,with an age of (63.4±10.2) years (range:36 to 82 years). The course of disease were more than 72 hours of all the patients. Confirmed by digital subtraction angiography,the lesion was located in distal anterior circulation and (or) medium arteries. Among them, 21 lesions (72.4%) located at middle cerebral artery and 8 lesions (27.6%) located at anterior cerebral artery.The median degree of stenosis before surgery ( M(IQR)) was 90%(23%) (range:70% to 100%).After standardized drug treatment,there was still a transient ischemic attack or cerebral infarction in the vascular related area.The therapeutic effects and complications were analyzed,and the differences in the occurrence of target vessel restenosis under different interventional treatment methods were collected. Results:A total of 28 patients with 29 lesions underwent endovascular treatment, with a treatment success rate of 96.6% (28/29). The course of disease was 60(66)days (range:9 to 210 days). Simple plain balloon angioplasty was performed in 12 cases (13 lesions), drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty in 7 cases (7 lesions), and stent placement in 9 cases (9 lesions). The median degree of stenosis after surgery was 20%(39%) (range:0 to 50%). There was no new cerebral infarctions,cerebral hemorrhages,or other complications during the perioperative period.Imaging follow-up was conducted on 23 lesions for 12(15)months(range:3 to 34 months),with 10 cases (43.5%) of restenosis,3 cases (13.0%) of symptomatic restenosis,and 4 cases (17.4%) of re-treatment. There were no new cases of cerebral hemorrhage or death during the follow-up process.The restenosis rate was 6/10 for the conventional balloon group,1/6 for the DCB group, and 3/7 for the stent group; the rate of symptomatic restenosis was 1/10 for the conventional balloon group,0/6 for the DCB group, and 2/7 for the stent group.Conclusions:Endovascular treatment for non-acute symptomatic aDMAD is relatively effective,but there is a high rate of restenosis postoperatively. DCB may reduce the occurrence of postoperative restenosis.

In recent years, the application of minimal residual disease (MRD) in solid tumors has gained widespread attention. MRD typically refers to the presence of residual cancer cells that remain undetectable by imaging after curative treatments, such as surgical resection. The presence of MRD post-surgery is significantly associated with an increased risk of tumor recurrence. In colorectal cancer, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) serves as an effective marker for assessing MRD, particularly in non-metastatic (stages I-III) colorectal cancer. As a real-time, accurate, and convenient biomarker, ctDNA can effectively predict tumor recurrence, guide postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy decisions, and provide crucial information for recurrence monitoring. The application prospects of ctDNA detection technology are vast, promising more precise and individualized treatment plans for colorectal cancer patients. This article comprehensively analyzes the progress in the application of ctDNA for detecting MRD in non-metastatic colorectal cancer patients, elaborates on its guiding role in clinical treatment decisions, and envisions the future development directions in this field.

Objective:To examine the clinical effect of endovascular treatment for patients with non-acute symptomatic anterior circulation distal medium artery disease (aDMAD).Methods:This is a retrospective case series study.Retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 28 patients(29 lesions) with non-acute symptomatic aDMAD who underwent endovascular treatment at the Department of Neurosurgery,Beijing Hospital from May 2018 to March 2024. There were 15 males and 13 females,with an age of (63.4±10.2) years (range:36 to 82 years). The course of disease were more than 72 hours of all the patients. Confirmed by digital subtraction angiography,the lesion was located in distal anterior circulation and (or) medium arteries. Among them, 21 lesions (72.4%) located at middle cerebral artery and 8 lesions (27.6%) located at anterior cerebral artery.The median degree of stenosis before surgery ( M(IQR)) was 90%(23%) (range:70% to 100%).After standardized drug treatment,there was still a transient ischemic attack or cerebral infarction in the vascular related area.The therapeutic effects and complications were analyzed,and the differences in the occurrence of target vessel restenosis under different interventional treatment methods were collected. Results:A total of 28 patients with 29 lesions underwent endovascular treatment, with a treatment success rate of 96.6% (28/29). The course of disease was 60(66)days (range:9 to 210 days). Simple plain balloon angioplasty was performed in 12 cases (13 lesions), drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty in 7 cases (7 lesions), and stent placement in 9 cases (9 lesions). The median degree of stenosis after surgery was 20%(39%) (range:0 to 50%). There was no new cerebral infarctions,cerebral hemorrhages,or other complications during the perioperative period.Imaging follow-up was conducted on 23 lesions for 12(15)months(range:3 to 34 months),with 10 cases (43.5%) of restenosis,3 cases (13.0%) of symptomatic restenosis,and 4 cases (17.4%) of re-treatment. There were no new cases of cerebral hemorrhage or death during the follow-up process.The restenosis rate was 6/10 for the conventional balloon group,1/6 for the DCB group, and 3/7 for the stent group; the rate of symptomatic restenosis was 1/10 for the conventional balloon group,0/6 for the DCB group, and 2/7 for the stent group.Conclusions:Endovascular treatment for non-acute symptomatic aDMAD is relatively effective,but there is a high rate of restenosis postoperatively. DCB may reduce the occurrence of postoperative restenosis.

Objective To explore the high-quality development path of tertiary public hospitals and provide scientific reference for deepening the reform of public hospitals.Methods Based on SPO theory,it constructed an analytical framework for the high-quality development of tertiary public hospitals,collected data of a quarterly monitoring in-dex for the performance assessment and high-quality development of tertiary public hospitals in a certain province in 2023,and analysed 73 tertiary public hospitals participating in the performance assessment as the object of analy-sis,and adopted the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explore different condition sets of high-quality de-velopment of tertiary public hospitals and reveal the path of high-quality development of public hospitals.Results High-quality development is the result of multi-factor interaction.Four configurations were identified to promote the high-quality development of tertiary public hospitals:service quality-technology-driven path,service quality-driven path,comprehensive service-driven path,and service quality-benefit-driven path.Quality safety and functional orientation were found to be the core elements in promoting high-quality development of public hospitals.Conclusion Hospitals at all levels should strengthen the guidance of party building,combine with the actual functional positioning,take quality and safety as the core,and optimize the combination conditions of technical level,personnel structure,service process,and cost control.It is essential to clarify the development strategy of hospitals,implement the dynamic concept,and realize the high-quality development of public hospitals.

Objective To explore the high-quality development path of tertiary public hospitals and provide scientific reference for deepening the reform of public hospitals.Methods Based on SPO theory,it constructed an analytical framework for the high-quality development of tertiary public hospitals,collected data of a quarterly monitoring in-dex for the performance assessment and high-quality development of tertiary public hospitals in a certain province in 2023,and analysed 73 tertiary public hospitals participating in the performance assessment as the object of analy-sis,and adopted the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to explore different condition sets of high-quality de-velopment of tertiary public hospitals and reveal the path of high-quality development of public hospitals.Results High-quality development is the result of multi-factor interaction.Four configurations were identified to promote the high-quality development of tertiary public hospitals:service quality-technology-driven path,service quality-driven path,comprehensive service-driven path,and service quality-benefit-driven path.Quality safety and functional orientation were found to be the core elements in promoting high-quality development of public hospitals.Conclusion Hospitals at all levels should strengthen the guidance of party building,combine with the actual functional positioning,take quality and safety as the core,and optimize the combination conditions of technical level,personnel structure,service process,and cost control.It is essential to clarify the development strategy of hospitals,implement the dynamic concept,and realize the high-quality development of public hospitals.

The occurrence of benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH)was related to disrupted sex steroid hormones,and metformin(Met)had a clinical response to sex steroid hormone-related gynaecological disease.How-ever,whether Met exerts an antiproliferative effect on BPH via sex steroid hormones remains unclear.Here,our clinical study showed that along with prostatic epithelial cell(PEC)proliferation,sex steroid hormones were dysregulated in the serum and prostate of BPH patients.As the major contributor to dysregulated sex steroid hormones,elevated dihydrotestosterone(DHT)had a significant positive rela-tionship with the clinical characteristics of BPH patients.Activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)by Met restored dysregulated sex steroid hormone homeostasis and exerted antiproliferative effects against DHT-induced proliferation by inhibiting the formation of androgen receptor(AR)-mediated Yes-associated protein(YAP1)-TEA domain transcription factor(TEAD4)heterodimers.Met's anti-proliferative effects were blocked by AMPK inhibitor or YAP1 over-expression in DHT-cultured BPH-1 cells.Our findings indicated that Met would be a promising clinical therapeutic approach for BPH by inhibiting dysregulated steroid hormone-induced PEC proliferation.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of neck seven-line method combined with periauricular acupuncture as salvage treatment for sudden hearing loss in non-acute stage. MethodsSixty-six patients with non-acute stage of sudden hearing loss with a disease duration of 15-90 days were randomly divided into 33 cases each in treatment group and control group. The treatment group was given neck seven-line method combined with acupuncture at periauricular points； the control group used sham acupuncture and sham electroacupuncture at the same points. Both groups were treated 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequencies were examined before treatment， after treatment finish and at follow-up （week 10）， and the difference between pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequencies before and after treatment was calculated； calculate the proportion of patients with ≥10 dB improvement in pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency after treatment and at follow-up； compare the patients' Tinnitus Evaluation Scale （TEQ） scores， Chinese Medicine Quality of Life Assessment Scale （CQ-11D） health utility values and the difference between before and after treatment， and record the occurrence of adverse events. ResultsThe pure tone average of impaired frequency in the treatment group were （50.57±18.07） dB and （47.70±17.42） dB at post-treatment and follow-up respectively， and （54.38±21.77） dB and （53.36±20.99） dB in the control group at post-treatment and follow-up. Compared with the pre-treatment period， the pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency in the two groups significantly decreased （P＜0.05） at post-treatment and follow-up. The difference of pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency in the treatment group after treatment and at the follow-up visit compared to that before treatment was lower than those in the control group （P＜0.05）. After treatment， 13 patients （39.39%） in the treatment group and 10 patients （30.30%） in the control group showed improvement of ≥10 dB in pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency； at the follow-up visit， 18 patients （54.55%） in the treatment group and 10 patients （30.30%） in the control group showed improvement of ≥10 dB in the pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency， and there was no statistical significance for comparison between groups at the time of post-treatment and follow-up （P＞0.05）. The TEQ score of the treatment group significantly lower than that before treatment （P＜0.05）； the TEQ score of the treatment group and the difference between before and after treatment significantly lower than that of the control group （P＜0.05）. The difference in CQ-11D health utility values and the difference between before and after treatment were not statistically significant between the two groups （P＞0.05）. Eight cases of acupuncture-related adverse events occurred among 66 patients， including subcutaneous haematomas after needling， severe pain during needling and needle fainting， which disappeared after symptomatic treatment and did not affect the following treatment. ConclusionNeck seven-line method combined with periauricular acupuncture could be used as salvage treatment for sudden hearing loss in non-acute stage to improve the pure tone average hearing threshold of impaired frequency， alleviate tinnitus， with safety.