Enfoque estratégico para la acreditación de la especialidad de Higiene y Epidemiología en Villa Clara / Strategic approach for the accreditation of the Hygiene and Epidemiology specialty in Villa Clara

La epidemiología es una ciencia básica de la Salud Pública porque sus fundamentos científicos permiten la toma de decisiones en los problemas de salud. Para controlar la calidad de la formación de los profesionales y perfeccionarla, se aplica el sistema de acreditación de escenarios docentes, proceso de gran importancia que garantiza la calidad del pregrado y el posgrado. En la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara se realizó dicho proceso en la especialidad de Higiene y Epidemiología, fue utilizada la autoevaluación estratégica del escenario laboral como actividad previa. El interés de los autores es exponer el método seguido para cumplir con los requerimientos establecidos. Con la aplicación de esta matriz estratégica para lograr el estado deseado en el proceso docente de la especialidad de Higiene y Epidemiología en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara se logró una evaluación de excelente.

Epidemiology is a basic science of Public Health because its scientific foundations make possible decision-making regarding health problems. To control the training quality for professionals and improve it, the accreditation system for teaching scenarios is applied, a very important process that guarantees the quality of undergraduate and postgraduate training. At the University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara, in the specialty of Hygiene and Epidemiology, this process was carried out; the strategic self-assessment of the work scenario as a prior activity, was used. To expose the method followed to comply with the established requirements, is the aim of the authors. By using this strategic matrix to achieve the desired state in the teaching process of the specialty of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the University of Medical Sciences of Villa Clara, an excellent evaluation was achieved.

Iron deficiency and child psychomotor development in a rural region of Chota, Peru, 2022 / Deficiencia de hierro y desarrollo psicomotor infantil en una zona rural de Chota, Perú 2022 / Deficiência de ferro e desenvolvimento psicomotor infantil em uma área rural de Chota, Peru 2022

Introduction: Iron deficiency and psychomotor developmental delay are two public health problems that cause high childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide, which can be related to social, economic, cultural and health factors that affect the environment where children and their family live. Objective: To determine the relationship between iron deficiency anemia and psychomotor development in children aged 2 to 4 years treated at the Cuyumalca Clinic, Chota. Materials and methods: Relational, cross-sectional study conducted on 48 children, who underwent hemoglobin testing through a portable hemoglobinometer and were subjected to the Psychomotor Development Test. Results: 31.2% of the children displayed some type of anemia, with the most common being moderate anemia (17.7%). On average, 10.9% showed some type of psychomotor developmental delay, including coordination (6.3%), language (8.4%), motor skills (16.7%), and overall development (12.5%). 4.2% of the children who had minor to moderate anemia showed developmental delay risks in the three assessed areas as well as in their overall development. Conclusion: There is no statistically significant relationship between iron deficiency anemia and several domains of psychomotor development, including coordination, language, motor skills as well as overall development.

Introducción: La deficiencia de hierro y las alteraciones en el desarrollo psicomotor son dos problemas de salud pública que causan una alta morbimortalidad infantil alrededor del mundo. Los estudios apuntan a que esto se relaciona con los factores sociales, económicos, culturales y sanitarios en los que el niño y su familia vive. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre anemia ferropénica y desarrollo psicomotor en niños de 2 a 4 años atendidos en el Puesto de Salud de Cuyumalca, Chota. Materiales y métodos: Estudio relacional, transversal, desarrollado con 48 niños a quienes se les realizó un dosaje de hemoglobina con hemoglobinómetro portátil y se les aplicó el Test de Desarrollo Psicomotor. Resultados: El 31,2% de niños presentaron algún tipo de anemia, siendo la anemia moderada la más frecuente (16,7%); en promedio 10,9% evidenciaron alguna alteración en el desarrollo psicomotor en coordinación (6,3%), lenguaje (8,4%), motricidad (16,7%) y desarrollo global (12,5%). El 4,2% de niños con riesgo para el desarrollo presentaron anemia leve o moderada en las tres áreas evaluadas, al igual que en el desarrollo global. Conclusión: No existe relación estadística significativa entre anemia ferropénica y desarrollo psicomotor para las áreas de coordinación, lenguaje y motricidad; además del desarrollo global.

Introdução: A deficiência de ferro e as alterações no desenvolvimento psicomotor são dois problemas de saúde pública que causam elevada morbidade e mortalidade infantil em todo o mundo. Estudos sugerem que isso está relacionado aos fatores sociais, econômicos, culturais e de saúde em que vivem a criança e sua família. Objetivo: Determinar a relação entre anemia ferropriva e desenvolvimento psicomotor em crianças de 2 a 4 anos atendidas no Posto de Saúde Cuyumalca, Chota. Materiais e métodos: Estudo relacional, transversal, desenvolvido com 48 crianças que realizaram dosagem de hemoglobina com hemoglobinômetro portátil e foi aplicado o Teste de Desenvolvimento Psicomotor. Resultados: 31,2% das crianças apresentaram algum tipo de anemia, sendo a anemia moderada a mais frequente (16,7%); em média, 10,9% apresentaram alguma alteração no desenvolvimento psicomotor na coordenação (6,3%), linguagem (8,4%), motricidade (16,7%) e desenvolvimento global (12,5%). 4,2% das crianças em risco de desenvolvimento apresentaram anemia leve ou moderada nas três áreas avaliadas, bem como no desenvolvimento global. Conclusão: Não há relação estatística significativa entre anemia ferropriva e desenvolvimento psicomotor para as áreas de coordenação, linguagem e motricidade; bem como o desenvolvimento global.

La inmunidad más allá de las ciencias médicas y biológicas / Immunity beyond the medical and biological sciences

El contexto socio-cultural actual, con su vertiginoso indi¬vidualismo y cada vez más alejado de lo colectivo, nos exige ejercitar la bioética y reflexionar sobre la lógica inmunitaria y la teoría del sistema inmunitario. La división siempre fue igual: blanco/negro, el bien/el mal, anticuerpo/antígeno, normal/patológico, occidente/oriente, civilización/barbarie, gen/proteína, y la lista es inagotable. Desde la lógica inmunitaria estas asociaciones se sintetizan en el par dicotómico vertical lo propio/lo no propio, donde el cuerpo humano biologizado (o biomedicalizado) representaría lo propio, que debe protegerse de lo considerado no propio, como podría ser un microorganismo o un cáncer. ¿De qué hablamos cuando hablamos de inmunidad? Depende. En la sinopsis del libro de divulgación científica Qué es el sistema inmune, escrito por Gabriel Rabinovich y Jorge Geffner, se anuncia (2014): "Sin que nos demos cuenta, nuestro organismo es un territorio en el que día y noche se desarrollan batallas épicas. Se producen en la intimidad de nuestros tejidos, y con armas más versátiles y efectivas que ninguna de las diseñadas por la industria bélica. Las protagoniza el sistema inmune, que distingue lo propio de lo extraño, nos protege de microorganis¬mos patógenos y descarta errores en la cadena de producción de las células (1)". En otro sentido, en la solapa del libro Immunitas. Protec¬ción y negación de la vida de Roberto Espósito se lee (2009): "La inmunidad preserva la comunidad al tiempo que la debilita". La fisiología del sistema inmunológico obedece a una lógica contradictoria: "la vida busca afirmase en aquello que la niega" (2). Es decir, para sobrevivir, conservar, proliferar y potenciar lo propio, se necesita de lo extraño. ¿Quién se puede negar a proteger lo que es de uno (tu cuerpo, tu casa, tu renta, tu país)? "Lo no propio" representa la esencia de la categoría "enfermedad" y se establece como ejemplar predilecto del discurso inmunitario, habiendo evo¬lucionado en sentido común. El sentido común, la obviedad vacía, materializa las re¬presentaciones del vulgo y produce un ethos mediado por el discurso biomédico con el objetivo de cosificar y colocar a las personas bajo la órbita comercial, donde "lo no propio" y la "enfermedad" funcionan como dispositivo espectacular de valor agregado. En este sentido, Donna Haraway sostiene: "Dirijo mi atención principalmente hacia ese polimorfo y poderosos objeto de fe, conocimiento y práctica llamado sistema inmunitario. Mi tesis es que el Sistema Inmunitario es un elaborado ícono para sistemas clave de "diferenciación" simbólica y material en el capitalismo tardío. Preeminente¬mente un objeto del siglo veinte, el Sistema Inmunitario es un mapa dibujado para guiar el reconocimiento y el desconoci¬miento del sí mismo y del otro en la dialéctica de la política occidental (Haraway en Esposito, 2009)." Este rasgo esencial del Sistema Inmune (lo no propio) se encuadra en el hábito de designar a las instituciones y a los eventos culturales como conceptos médico-biológicos y calificarlos en términos de moralidad, siempre en pares dicotómicos verticales, donde lo "mejor/peor" o "superior/inferior" es el sustrato favorito para fabricar conceptos aso¬ciados a ellos, en este caso "lo propio/lo no propio" (3, 4). La naturaleza del mecanismo inmunitario es una teoría, devenida verdad, cuya atracción para el estudiantado y su facilidad para estudiarla y comprenderla proviene de la dicotomía axiológica "lo propio y lo no propio" y desde la metáfora bélica. El problema surge cuando ­televisión de por medio­ se produce el pasaje de verdades (conceptos) médicas a la comunidad, porque la sociedad y el espectáculo encuentran en el fascinante discurso médico su argumentación teórica (5). Ahora bien, imaginemos la siguiente definición: El Sistema Inmunitario se encarga de reconocer e incluir lo no propio, para interactuar con lo propio y fortalecerse. El contenido y el mecanismo fisiológico es el mismo; sólo cambió el discurso y, por ende, el significado. Lamentablemente, para que "la cosa funcione" el discurso inmunitario debe ser el de siempre: el de una batalla, y si es épica mejor.

Bioética e integración de la inteligencia artificial en la medicina: reflexiones desde el cine sobre la condición humana y la responsabilidad hacia las generaciones futuras / Bioethics and Integration of AI in Medicine: reflections from Cinema about the Human Condition and Responsibility towards Future Generations

La discusión sobre la ética en torno a la inteligencia artificial y la medicina ha ganado cada vez más relevancia en el ámbito académico y público. Independientemente de los diversos enfoques, hay un hecho innegable: la práctica médica y todos los agentes involucrados, tanto profesionales como usuarios, se verán condicionados por la inteligencia artificial. En este análisis ético narrativo, basado en el cine, se aborda la condición humana y la responsabilidad hacia las generaciones futuras como elementos cruciales dentro de la discusión bioética y fundamentales para lograr una incorporación reflexiva y coherente de la inteligencia artificial en la medicina. Como conclusión, se propone que la autenticidad, la responsabilidad y el diálogo son pilares esenciales en el proceso de integración de esta tecnología

The discussion on the ethics surrounding artificial intelligence and medicine has gained increasing relevance in the academic and public sphere. Regardless of the various approaches, there is an undeniable fact: medical practice and all the agents involved, both professionals and users, will be conditioned by artificial intelligence. In this narrative ethical analysis, based on cinema, the human condition and responsibility towards future generations are addressed as crucial elements within the bioethical discussion and fundamental to achieve a thoughtful and coherent incorporation of artificial intelligence in medicine. In conclusion, it is proposed that authenticity, responsibility and dialogue are essential pillars in the process of integration of this technology

Realidade Aumentada e Realidade Virtual como inovação no curso médico / Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality as innovation in the medical course / Realidad Aumentada y Realidad Virtual como innovación en el curso médico

Apesar do ensino da medicina ser um dos mais tradicionais, o conceito de educação médica tem se desenvolvido nos últimos séculos em paralelo à evolução da medicina. Uma reflexão sobre este processo é extremamente benéfica e esclarecedora, justamente nesta fase caracterizada pelo aumento de escolas médicas e de um profundo questionamento do paradigma curricular vigente na maior parte destas instituições

La formación y especialización médica en medicina transfusional / Medical training and specialization in transfusion medicine

Introducción: Para una práctica transfusional segura se requiere una formación en medicina transfusional. Objetivo: Determinar la manera en que se integran los contenidos y las habilidades de medicina transfusional en la formación y la especialización médica en Cuba. Métodos: Se hizo un estudio educacional, analítico, de corte transversal en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey, desde marzo de 2020 hasta julio de 2021. Se realizó un análisis documental para precisar cómo se integraban los contenidos y las habilidades de medicina transfusional al currículo para la formación de médicos, a los programas de estudio del internado vertical en 26 especialidades médicas, y a 29 planes de estudio y programas de especialización en Cuba. Resultados: El currículo para la formación de médicos en Cuba no incluye medicina transfusional. La asignatura que más contribuye a la formación en esta área del saber es Sangre y Sistema inmune. Los contenidos y las habilidades de medicina transfusional solo se incluyen expresamente en nueve programas de estudio del internado vertical y en 12 planes de estudio y programas de especialización. Conclusiones: Existe una insuficiente integración de los contenidos y las habilidades de medicina transfusional en el currículo de la carrera de medicina en Cuba, situación que se manifiesta también en los programas de estudios de los internados verticales y en la mayoría de los programas de las especialidades médicas.

Introduction: Safe transfusion practice requires training in transfusion medicine. Objective: To determine the way in which transfusion medicine contents and skills are integrated into medical training and specialization in Cuba. Methods: An educational, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out at Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey, from March 2020 to July 2021. A documentary analysis was conducted to determine how transfusion medicine contents and skills were integrated into the curriculum for the training of physicians, into the study programs of the vertical internship in 26 medical specialties, as well as into 29 study plans and specialization programs in Cuba. Results: The curriculum for the training of physicians in Cuba does not include transfusion medicine. The subject that most contributes to training in this area of knowledge is Blood and Immune System. Transfusion medicine contents and skills are only expressly included in nine vertical internship study programs and in twelve study plans and specialization programs. Conclusions: There is insufficient integration of transfusion medicine contents and skills in the Cuban medical major curriculum, a situation that is also manifested in the study programs of vertical internships and in most of the medical specialties programs.

The challenges faced after a major trauma at an expedition ship at a remote area. Report of one Case / Desafíos enfrentados después de un trauma mayor en un barco de expedición en un área remota. Informe de un caso

The challenges of practicing medicine in small ships on remote sites involve limited resources, lack of specialized support, and longer interactions with a patient in an isolated environment. This report describes the successful management of a patient who suffered a major injury after fell from the stairs in an expedition ship in the Southern Ocean in the Antarctic route. The patient was managed by the onboard physician for four days until the medical evacuation was possible.

Los desafíos de practicar la medicina en barcos pequeños en sitios remotos implican recursos limitados, falta de apoyo especializado e interacciones más prolongadas con el paciente en un entorno aislado. Este manuscrito describe el manejo exitoso de un paciente quien sufrió un trauma mayor producto de una caída en un barco de expedición en el Océano Austral en la ruta Antártica. El paciente fue manejado por el médico de a bordo durante cuatro días hasta que fue posible realizar la evacuación médica.

Impacto de la Cátedra Histartmed Villa Clara en el noveno aniversario de su creación / Impact of project Histartmed Villa Clara

Con el objetivo de elevar el acervo cultural de estudiantes y profesionales nació en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana el proyecto científico-cultural Histartmed en el año 2005, hoy Centro de investigación sobre Historia, Arte y Medicina. A raíz de la participación de un grupo de profesionales y estudiantes de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Villa Clara en el VIII Coloquio Integrador, surgió la cátedra honorífica Histartmed Villa Clara, fundada el 27 de mayo de 2014 por resolución rectoral del propio año. En el noveno aniversario de su creación, los autores se proponen exponer el impacto que esta ha tenido en el ámbito docente, extensionista e investigativo de la universidad.

SUMMARY With the objective of raising the cultural heritage of students and professionals, the scientific-cultural project Histartmed was born at the University of Medical Sciences of Havana in 2005, today the Research Center on History, Art and Medicine. As a result of the participation of a group of professionals and students from the Villa Clara University of Medical Sciences in the VIII Integrative Colloquium, the Histartmed Villa Clara honorary chair emerged, founded on May 27, 2014 by rectoral resolution of the same year. On the ninth anniversary of its creation, the authors propose to expose the impact that it has had in the teaching, extension and research fields of the university.

O mundo privado na UTI: análise da internação de pacientes oncológicos / The private world in the ICU: analysis of the hospitalization of oncology patientes / El mundo privado en la UCI: análisis de la hospitalización de pacientes oncológicos

O presente estudo buscou investigar a percepção que pacientes adultos de uma unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) oncológica têm acerca da experiência de internação nesse setor. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa e de compreensão. Sete pacientes de um hospital de câncer na região Sul do país foram pesquisados. Eles responderam a uma entrevista semiestruturada, a qual foi gravada e posteriormente transcrita, o que possibilitou o acesso às concepções prévias desses sujeitos acerca da UTI, aspectos psicológicos presentes durante a internação e concepções posteriores à experiência de internamento na unidade. Tais informações foram interpretadas por meio da análise de conteúdo. A partir dos resultados, foi possível verificar que a experiência de internação em contextos de terapia intensiva pode ser afetada, favorável ou desfavoravelmente, pelo conjunto de regras que o paciente traz consigo acerca do que é a UTI. Além disso, foi possível compreender também que os estímulos aversivos existentes nesse ambiente podem ser atenuados pela presença da família e por uma relação acolhedora e sensível com a equipe de saúde, favorecendo, assim, o repertório de enfrentamento do paciente frente a esse momento crítico de saúde.(AU)

This study aims to investigate the perception of adult patients in an oncology intensive care unit (ICU) regarding the experience of hospitalization in this sector. This is a research with a qualitative approach and understanding. Seven patients from a cancer hospital in the southern region of the country were surveyed. They answered a semi-structured interview, which was recorded and later transcribed, on the subjects' previous conceptions about the ICU, psychological aspects present during hospitalization, and conceptions subsequent to the hospitalization experience in the Unit. Such information was interpreted through content analysis. From the results, it was possible to verify that the experience of hospitalization in intensive care contexts can be affected, favorably or unfavorably, by the set of rules that the patient brings with them about what the ICU is. In addition, it was also possible to understand that the aversive stimulus existing in this environment can be attenuated by the presence of the family and by a welcoming and sensitive relationship with the health team, thus favoring the patient's coping repertoire when facing a critical moment of health.(AU)

Este estudio pretendió investigar la percepción que tienen los pacientes adultos sobre la experiencia de hospitalización en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) de oncología. Se trata de una investigación con enfoque cualitativo y de comprensión. Participaron siete pacientes de un hospital oncológico en la región Sur de Brasil. Se aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada, que fue grabada y, posteriormente, transcrita, lo que permitió acceder a las concepciones previas de los sujetos sobre la UCI, los aspectos psicológicos presentes durante la hospitalización y las concepciones posteriores a la experiencia de internación en la Unidad. Dicha información se interpretó mediante análisis de contenido. A partir de los resultados, fue posible constatar que la experiencia de hospitalización en cuidados intensivos puede ser afectada favorable o desfavorablemente por el conjunto de normas que el paciente trae consigo sobre qué es la UTI. Además, se constató que los estímulos adversos existentes en este ambiente pueden mitigarse mediante la presencia de la familia y la relación acogedora y sensible con el equipo de salud, lo que favorece así el repertorio de afrontamiento del paciente ante este momento crítico de salud.(AU)

The Department of Anatomy in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine: Dissecting the history

@#The history of the Department of Anatomy of the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines can be chronicled from its humble beginnings in 1907 to its continued existence through the COVID-19 pandemic. This article briefly describes its historical development, current undertakings, and future directions in relation to its mission and vision.

Discussion on the relationship between yuan-source points of yang meridians and diseases of fu- organs / 中国针灸

Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor 's Canon of Medicine) establishes the theory that yuan-source points are indicated in zangfu diseases. However, compared with the yuan-source points of yin meridians for the treatment of zang-organ diseases, there is less attention to the indication of yuan-source points of yang meridians for fu-organ diseases, and this statement is even questioned. Collating the early literature and associating with the researches of medical experts, it is found that Nanjing (Classic of Difficult Questions) should be the theoretic origin that yuan-source points of yang meridians are indicated in fu-organ diseases. Regarding the reasons why this theory has not received clinical attention, the three aspects are involved, i.e. the theoretic completion of "he-sea points of three-foot-yang meridians for the diseases of six fu-organs", the limitation of the theory itself, and the lack of literature materials. It is proposed that the exploration on this theory should be deepened in views of the essence of yuan-source points relevant with the characteristic of the wrist-ankle pulse palpation region, acupoint combination, modern technology, etc.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation based on electro-oculogram signal regulation for children with mental retardation: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) at Changqiang (GV 1) based on the modulation of electro-oculogram (EOG) signal for children with mental retardation, and explore the evaluation effect of the goal attainment scale (GAS) in children with mental retardation.@*METHODS@#Sixty children with mental retardation were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 30 cases in each one. The children in the control group were treated with conventional rehabilitation, 5 times a week. On the basis of the control group, TEAS at Changqiang (GV 1) under the modulation of EOG signal was adopted in the treatment group. When the similarity between the collected EOG signal and the template was within the range of EOG threshold, one electric stimulation was triggered at Changqiang (GV 1) for 20 s (continuous wave, 70-100 Hz in frequency, 0.1-0.2 ms in pulse width), lasting 30 min in each treatment, the intervention was given twice a week. One course of treatment was composed of 4 weeks, and 3 courses were required in total in the two groups. The infant-junior high school student's social living ability scale (S-M) and GAS were scored and compared before and after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of self-living ability in the treatment group and communication ability in the control group were higher than those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). The scores of collective activity and motor ability in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, GAS scores were higher than before treatment in both groups (P<0.001), and the score in the treatment group was higher than the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#TEAS under the modulation of EOG signal is conductive to improving the collective, motor and self-living abilities of the children with mental retardation and promoting children's individual goals. Compared with the standard score of S-M, the T value of GAS can better reflect the subtle progress of individual.

Visual analysis of research on traditional Chinese medicine treatment of Alzheimer's disease in recent ten years / 中国中药杂志

This study employed bibliometrics tools to review the studies of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) treatment of Alzheimer's disease(AD) in recent ten years, aiming to explore the research status, hotspots, and future trends in this field at home and abroad. The relevant literature published from January 1, 2012 to August 15, 2022 was retrieved from Web of Science and CNKI. CiteSpace 6.1R2 and VOSviewer 1.6.15 were used for the visual analysis of authors, countries, institutions, keywords, journals, etc. A total of 2 254 Chinese articles and 545 English articles were included. The annual number of articles published showed a rising trend with fluctuations. The country with the largest number of relevant articles published and the largest centrality was China. SUN Guo-jie and WANG Qi were the authors publishing the most Chinese articles and English articles, respectively. Hubei University of Chinese Medicine and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine published the most articles in Chinese and English, respectively. Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Neuroscience Letters published the articles with the highest cited frequency and the highest centrality. According to the keywords, the research on TCM treatment of AD mainly focused on the mechanism of action and treatment methods. Metabolomics, intestinal flora, oxidative stress, tau hyperphosphorylation, β-amyloid(Aβ), inflammatory cytokines, and autophagy were the focuses of the research on mechanism of action. Acupuncture, clinical effect, kidney deficiency and phlegm stasis, and dredging governor vessel to revitalize mind were the hotspots of clinical research. This research field is still in the stage of exploration and development. Exchanges and cooperation among institutions should be encouraged to carry out more high-quality basic research on TCM treatment of AD, obtain high-level evidence, and clarify the pathogenesis and prescription mechanism.

Chemical reaction mechanism of decoction of traditional Chinese medicines: a review / 中国中药杂志

Complicated chemical reactions occur in the decoction of traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs) which features complex components, influencing the safety, efficacy, and quality controllability of TCMs. Therefore, it is particularly important to clarify the chemical reaction mechanism of TCMs in the decoction. This study summarized eight typical chemical reactions in the decoction of TCMs, such as substitution reaction, redox reaction, isomerization/stereoselective reaction, complexation, and supramolecular reaction. With the "toxicity attenuation and efficiency enhancement" of aconitines and other examples, this study reviewed the reactions in decoction of TCMs, which was expected to clarify the variation mechanisms of key chemical components in this process and to help guide medicine preparation and safe and rational use of medicine in clinical settings. The current main research methods for chemical reaction mechanisms of decoction of TCMs were also summed up and compared. The novel real-time analysis device of decoction system for TCMs was found to be efficient and simple without the pre-treatment of samples. This device provides a promising solution, which has great potential in quantity evaluation and control of TCMs. Moreover, it is expected to become a foundational and exemplary research tool, which can advance the research in this field.

Effect of electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2) and Benshen (GB 13) on abnormal auditory response in children with autism spectrum disorder / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect of electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2) and Benshen (GB 13) combined with routine rehabilitation training and simple routine rehabilitation training on abnormal auditory response in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).@*METHODS@#A total of 70 children with ASD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. The control group was given routine rehabilitation training. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the observation group was given electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2) and Benshen (GB 13), disperse-dense wave, frequency in 2 Hz/10 Hz, 20 min each time, and 1 day off after 6 days of treatment. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The incidence of abnormal auditory response, the scores of childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism behavior checklist (ABC) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the total incidences of abnormal auditory response in the two groups and the incidences of dull and hypersensitive auditory response in the observation group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). The total incidence of abnormal auditory response and the incidence of hypersensitive auditory response in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, CARS and ABC scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture at Tinghui (GB 2) and Benshen (GB 13) combined with routine rehabilitation training can reduce the incidence of abnormal auditory response and improve the core symptoms in children with ASD, and the clinical effect is better than the simple routine rehabilitation training.

Clinical observation on syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training for autism spectrum disorder / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy and safety between syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training and simple rehabilitation training for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).@*METHODS@#A total of 60 children with ASD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. In the control group, routine rehabilitation training was applied; in the observation group, syndrome-differentiation acupuncture (the main points were Baihui [GV 20], Dingshenzhen, Niesanzhen, etc., the supplementary acupoints were selected according to syndrome-differentiation) combined with rehabilitation training were applied, all the treatments were given once a day, 5-day continuous treatment with 2-day interval, 12 weeks were required. Before treatment and after 6, 12 weeks of treatment, the autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC), childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism behavior checklist (ABC) scores were observed, the therapeutic effect and safety were evaluated in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, except for the sensory perception score after 6 weeks of treatment in the control group, the item scores and total scores of ATEC, CARS scores and ABC scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, the social score and total score of ATEC, CARS score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); after 12 weeks of treatment, the item scores and total score of ATEC, CARS score and ABC score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 80.0% (24/30), which was higher than 56.7% (17/30) in the control group (P<0.05). There was no serious adverse reactions in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training could improve the core symptoms in children with ASD, especially sensory perception and social ability, and with good safety, which is superior to simple rehabilitation training.

Machine learning in medicine: what clinicians should know

With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), machines are increasingly being used to complete complicated tasks, yielding remarkable results. Machine learning (ML) is the most relevant subset of AI in medicine, which will soon become an integral part of our everyday practice. Therefore, physicians should acquaint themselves with ML and AI, and their role as an enabler rather than a competitor. Herein, we introduce basic concepts and terms used in AI and ML, and aim to demystify commonly used AI/ML algorithms such as learning methods including neural networks/deep learning, decision tree and application domain in computer vision and natural language processing through specific examples. We discuss how machines are already being used to augment the physician's decision-making process, and postulate the potential impact of ML on medical practice and medical research based on its current capabilities and known limitations. Moreover, we discuss the feasibility of full machine autonomy in medicine.