Digital Chinese Medicine最新文献

Objective

A classification and diagnosis model for psoriasis based on deep residual network is proposed in this paper. Which using deep learning technology to classify and diagnose psoriasis can help reduce the burden of doctors, simplify the diagnosis and treatment process, and improve the quality of diagnosis.

Methods

Firstly, data enhancement, image resizings, and TFRecord coding are used to preprocess the input of the model, and then a 34-layer deep residual network (ResNet-34) is constructed to extract the characteristics of psoriasis. Finally, we used the Adam algorithm as the optimizer to train ResNet-34, used cross-entropy as the loss function of ResNet-34 in this study to measure the accuracy of the model, and obtained an optimized ResNet-34 model for psoriasis diagnosis.

Results

The experimental results based on k-fold cross validation show that the proposed model is superior to other diagnostic methods in terms of recall rate, F1-score and ROC curve.

Conclusion

The ResNet-34 model can achieve accurate diagnosis of psoriasis, and provide technical support for data analysis and intelligent diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis.

Objective

The study aimed to synthesize and characterize pyrimidine-linked benzimidazole hybrids, define their antimicrobial and antifungal activities in vitro, and determine their ability to inhibit the main protease and spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

The ability of the synthesized compounds to inhibit the main protease and spike glycoprotein inhibitory of SARS-CoV-2 was investigated by assessing their mode of binding to the allosteric site of the enzyme using molecular docking. The structures of pyrimidine-linked benzimidazole derivatives synthesized with microwave assistance were confirmed by spectral analysis. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined by broth dilution.

Results

Gram-negative bateria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were more sensitive than gram-positive bateria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) to the derivatives. Candida albicans was sensitive to the derivatives at a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 250 μg/mL. The novel derivatives had better binding affinity (kcal/mol) than nelfinavir, lopinavir, ivermectin, remdesivir, and favipiravir, which are under investigation as treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Compounds 2c, 2e, and 2g formed four hydrogen bonds with the active cavity of the main protease. Many derivatives had good binding affinity for the RBD of the of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein with the formation of up to four hydrogen bonds.

Conclusion

We synthesized novel pyrimidine-linked benzi-midazole derivatives that were potent antimicrobial agents with ability to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Understanding the pharmacophore features of the main protease and spike glycoprotein offers much scope for the development of more potent agents. We plan to optimize the properties of the derivatives using models in vivo and in vitro so that they will serve as more effective therapeutic options against bacterial and SARS-CoV-2 infections.

The Quality 4.0 concept is derived from the industrial fourth revolution, i.e., Industry 4.0. Quality 4.0 is the future of quality, where new digital and disruptive technologies are used to maintain quality in organizations. It is also suitable for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to maintain quality. This quality revolution aims to improve industrial and service sectors’ quality by incorporating emerging technologies to connect physical systems with the natural world. The proposed digital philosophy can update and enhance the entire TCM treatment methodology to become more effective and attractive in the current competitive structure of the pharmaceutical and clinical industries. Thus, in healthcare, this revolution empowers quality treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a major requirement in healthcare to maintain the quality of medical tools, equipment, and treatment processes during a pandemic. Digital technologies can widely be used to provide innovative products and services with excellent quality for TCM. In this paper, we discuss the significant role of Quality 4.0 and how it can be used to maintain healthcare quality and fulfill challenges during the pandemic. Additionally, we discuss 10 significant applications of Quality 4.0 in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. These technologies will provide unique benefits to maintain the quality of TCM throughout the treatment process. With Quality 4.0, quality can be maintained using innovative and advanced digital technologies.

Objective

To explore the preventive effects and possible me-chanisms of action of notoginsenoside (NGS) and tanshinone IIA (TSN) in inflammation-related colorectal cancer (IRCC) in mice.

Methods

Eighty-eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 11 groups (n = 8 each group). Azomethane oxide + dextran sulfate (AOM + DSS) model control (model), NGS low-dose (l-NGS), NGS medium-dose (m-NGS), NGS high-dose (h-NGS), TSN low-dose (l-TSN), TSN medium-dose (m-TSN), TSN high-dose (h-TSN), (NGS + TSN) low-dose [l-(NGS + TSN)], (NGS + TSN) medium-dose [m-(NGS + TSN)], (NGS+TSN) high-dose [h-(NGS + TSN)], and blank groups were established. The first 10 groups were intraperitoneally injected with AOM to induce inflammatory colon cancer, whereas the blank group was intraperitoneally injected with 0.9% NaCl solution. The first 10 groups drank a 2.5% sodium DSS aqueous solution continuously from day 5 for three cycles (one cycle: five days, every three weeks), and the blank group was allowed free access to water. Drug groups were administered NGS (low, medium, or high dose), TSN (low, medium, or high dose), or NGS + TSN (low, medium, or high dose), and the model and blank groups were administered saline by lavage until the end of the experiment. The general activity, body weight, and survival rate of and incidence of adenocarcinoma in mice were detected and the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) was detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results

(1) The survival rate of mice with IRCC in the h-NGS, m-TSN, h-TSN, m-(NGS + TSN), and h-(NGS + TSN) groups was significantly increased than that in other groups (P < 0.05). (2) The incidence of tumors in the h-(NGS + TSN), m-TSN, and l-NGS groups was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05). (3) The expression level of COX-2 in tumor tissues of mice in the m-(NGS + TSN) and h-(NGS + TSN) groups was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Tumor formation was inhibited by m-TSN and h-(NGS + TSN) treatments in mice with IRCC, and h-(NGS + TSN) treatment inhibited the COX-2 pathway.

Objective

To investigate the effect and mechanism of linarin (LA) in an experimental dry eye model

Methods

LA or vehicle was applied in two dry eye models: an in vitro hyperosmotic stress model and an in vivo desiccating stress (DS) murine model. The viability of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) was measured using a cell counting kit (CCK-8). Tear secretion was assessed using the phenol red cotton test. The tear break-up time (TBUT) was recorded using 0.1% liquid fluorescein sodium. Corneal epithelial permeability was evaluated through Oregon green dextran (OGD) staining. Conjunctival goblet cells were counted using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transfer dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to quantify apoptotic cells in both models. The expression of Ki-67 was measured in HCECs in the cell model while that of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and -9 was measured in the murine model through immunofluorescence staining. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to assess the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-9 in the corneal epithelium and NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the conjunctiva. The protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the conjunctiva were assessed via Western blot

Results

In the in vitro model, treatment of HCECs with LA showed no toxicity, increased proliferation, and reduced apoptosis. In the murine model, compared to the control, LA significantly increased tear production and TBUT, improved OGD staining, and increased the number of goblet cells. Topical treatment of LA to mice provided decreased expression of MMP-3, MMP-9, TNF-α, and apoptotic corneal epithelium. Topical administration of LA also suppressed the NLRP3 inflammasome in the dry eye disease (DED) murine model by decreasing the expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the conjunctiva.

Conclusion

Our findings support the safety and efficacy of LA in the treatment of DED. LA alleviated corneal epithelial damage and suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated immunity in the conjunctiva in a murine model of DED.

Objective

To study the relationship between syndrome elements and anterior communicating artery (ACoA) opening in patients with symptomatic severe carotid artery stenosis/occlusion.

Methods

Thirty-six patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis/occlusion were collected, including 26 patients with cerebral infarction and 10 patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA). Syndrome elements at five time points were collected. Computer tomography angiography (CTA) combined with magenic resonance angiograp (MRA) was used to evaluate the primary collateral circulation, and the prognosis and syndrome elements were statistically analyzed according to whether the ACoA was open or not.

Results

The ACoA was open more in the primary collateral circulation among patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis/occlusion. There was a statistically significant difference in national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) score improvement and good prognosis [the modified rankin scale (mRS) ≤ 2] between the ACoA open group and the ACoA non-open group on the 90th day (P < 0.05). The proportion of patients with internal wind syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, Qi deficiency syndrome, and Yin deficiency syndrome in the ACoA non-open group was higher than that in the open group.

Conclusion

In the patients with severe carotid artery stenosis/ occlusion, the group with presence of anterior communicating artery had better prognosis. The syndrome elements are more complex in the group without the presence of anterior communicating artery. The proportion of Qi deficiency syndrome was positively correlated with the non-opening of anterior communicating artery. The imaging evaluation of collateral circulation can provide guidance for syndrome differentiation and treatment.

Objective

To establish gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fingerprint method for the petroleum ether fraction of Shenqi Jiangtang Granules (SQJTG) and evaluate the product quality.

Methods

The GC-MS fingerprint of petroleum ether fraction of SQJTG was established by GC-MS, and the chemical components corresponding to the fingerprint peaks were structurally identified on NIST2014. The batch consistency of SQJTG products was evaluated based on the chemical composition of petroleum ether parts by using fingerprint similarity evaluation and Principal components analysis (PCA) technology. At the same time, Hotelling's T2 and DMODX statistics are used to set the control range for the quality of different batches of products.

Results

Twenty-two components were identified from the petroleum ether part of SQJTG, accounting for 60.94% of the total components separated. The similarity of fingerprints of petroleum ether parts of 24 batches of SQJTG was greater than 0.95. The PCA of 24 batches of samples were all under the control limits of Hotellin’s T2 and DMODX statistics, indicating that the petroleum ether parts of different batches of SQJTG were consistent.

Conclusion

The developed GC-MS fingerprint method can be used to evaluate the quality of SQJTG.

<title/> Artificial intelligence (AI) aims to mimic human cognitive functions and execute intellectual activities like that performed by humans dealing with an uncertain environment. The rapid development of AI technology provides powerful tools to analyze massive amounts of data, facilitating physicians to make better clinical decisions or even replace human judgment in healthcare. Advanced AI technology also creates novel opportunities for exploring the scientific basis of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and developing the standardization and digitization of TCM pulse diagnostic methodology. In the present study, we review and discuss the potential application of AI technology in TCM pulse diagnosis. The major contents include the following aspects: (1) a brief introduction of the general concepts and knowledge of TCM pulse diagnosis or palpation, (2) landmark developments in AI technology and the applications of common AI deep learning algorithms in medical practice, (3) the current progress of AI technology in TCM pulse diagnosis, (4) challenges and perspectives of AI technology in TCM pulse diagnosis. In conclusion, the pairing of TCM with modern AI technology will bring novel insights into understanding the scientific principles underlying TCM pulse diagnosis and creating opportunities for the development of AI deep learning technology for the standardization and digitalization of TCM pulse diagnosis.

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been used to prevent and treat various diseases for thousands of years. Promoting efficacy and reducing toxicity by the compatibility theory of TCMs has attracted increasing attention, especially for the toxicity of herbs. Studies have pointed out the interactions between the active compounds of herbs and transporters in the detoxification process of toxic compounds. Here, we summarize data on five toxic herbs commonly used in TCMs and their related efflux transporters to reduce toxicity to offer a scientific rationale for the compatibility principle of TCMs and provide guidance for the rational clinical use of TCMs.

The meibomian gland is a unique sebaceous gland located in the eyelid. Its main function is to secrete lipids and form the lipid layer of the tear film to delay the evaporation of waterborne tears, increase the surface tension of the tear film, and to lubricate the contact area of the eyelid and eyeball. Abnormal secretion of the meibomian gland is known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which has become the most important cause of evaporative dry eye disease (DED). The clinical pathophysio-logical process and underlying molecular mechanisms of MGD are not clear. As serious side effects may occur with the long-term use of hormonotherapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the treatment of MGD, meibomian gland physiotherapy is considered the most effective and safest therapy for MGD. This review summarizes the physical therapy modalities of western medicine (WM) and traditiond Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of MGD to provide optimal treatments for these patients and to further lay a foundation for mechanistic studies of MGD.