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We aim to examine and reestablish the correlational and linear regression relationships, as well as the predictive value, between the significant facial and tongue features and the metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: From March to May 2024, we studied 269 patients with T2DM in the endocrinology department of Shanghai Pudong Hospital. The patients' facial and tongue characteristics were sampling by a tongue imaging device equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) (XiMaLife, Sinology, China) of automated and advanced machine learning algorithms. Then, the imaging features were examined in relation to the blood examination. Results: Multiple facial and tongue features, as well as dimensional facial and tongue color parameters, were significantly correlated with glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (r < 0.3, p < 0.05), glycated albumin (GA) (− 0.20 < 0.30, p < 0.05), C-peptide (− 0.20.20, p < 0.05), plasma insulin (r < 0.30, p < 0.05), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (r < 0.3, p < 0.05), significant hepatic and renal function indicators (− 0.30 < r < 0.20, p< 0.05), cardiac injury markers (− 0.30 < r < 0.30, p < 0.05), tumor markers (− 0.5 < r < 0.5, p < 0.05), thyroid function (− 0.15 < r < 0.55, p < 0.05), and blood cell count, including white blood cells (r < 0.2, p < 0.05), and hemoglobin (Hb) (− 0.30 < r < 0.3, 0.0001. The correlational results demonstrated that the tongue's characteristics and signs may be linked with the dynamic of the metabolic status of T2DM. In order to examine the causal relationships, we performed linear regression analyses, which revealed that various facial and tongue imaging parameters partially determined the metabolic indicators. The predictive value of imaging features was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) to assess metabolic status in T2DM. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that metabolic status, renal and hepatic, cardiac, and thyroid function, the proportion of blood cells, and Hb in T2DM were intimately associated with facial and tongue features. The precise analysis of facial and tongue features through AI and advanced machine learning could be used to predict T2DM's conditions and progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the serum levels of NACHT, Leucine-rich repeat (LRR), and Pyrin (PYD) domains-containing Protein 3 (NLRP3) and cathelicidin LL-37, and investigate their prognostic significance in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)., Methods: The sample of this prospective study was composed of 76 consecutive patients with CAP. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were collected. Serum levels of NLRP3 and LL-37 were determined by ELISA. Spearman's analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between NLRP3 and LL-37. Association of NLRP3 and LL-37 with 30-day survival and mortality rates was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier curve and logistic regression analysis., Results: Serum NLRP3 significantly increased whereas serum LL-37 significantly decreased in patients with severe CAP. Significant correlation was observed between serum NLRP3 and LL-37 in CAP patients. Patients with higher levels of NLRP3 and lower levels of LL-37 showed lower 30-day survival rate and higher mortality compared with those with lower NLRP3 and higher LL-37 levels., Conclusion: Severe CAP patients tend to present higher serum NLRP3 and lower serum LL-37, which might serve as potential biomarkers for CAP prognosis.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy differences between different needling methods for dry eye syndrome., Methods: Sixty patients of dry eye syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases (60 eyes) in each group. Shangjingming (Extra), Xiajingming (Extra), Tongziliao (GB 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Fengchi (GB 20), Hegu (LI 4), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Taixi (KI 3) and Taichong (LR 3) were selected in the two groups. The control group was treated with conventional acupuncture, while the observation group was treated with guiding- qi acupuncture. Electroacupuncture (EA) was used at bilateral Tongziliao (GB1) and Cuanzhu (BL 2), 30 min per treatment. The treatment was given three times per week. Totally 1-month treatment (12 treatments) was given. The eye symptom score, breakup time of tear film (BUT), Schirmer Ⅰ test (SⅠT) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups., Results: Compared before treatment, the eye symptom score, BUT, SⅠT and VAS score were improved after treatment in the two groups (all P <0.001); the improvements of eye symptom score and SⅠT in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (both P <0.05). The differences of BUT and VSA score between the two groups were not significant (both P >0.05). The total effective rate was 86.7% (52/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 73.3% (44/60) in the control group ( P <0.05). ., Conclusion: The conventional EA and guiding- qi acupuncture combined with EA are both effective for dry eye syndrome, and the efficacy of guiding- qi acupuncture combined with EA is superior to that of conventional EA.