Noninvasive Diagnostic Technique for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Features of Tongue Images / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate a new noninvasive diagnostic model for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on features of tongue images.@*METHODS@#Healthy controls and volunteers confirmed to have NAFLD by liver ultrasound were recruited from China-Japan Friendship Hospital between September 2018 and May 2019, then the anthropometric indexes and sampled tongue images were measured. The tongue images were labeled by features, based on a brief protocol, without knowing any other clinical data, after a series of corrections and data cleaning. The algorithm was trained on images using labels and several anthropometric indexes for inputs, utilizing machine learning technology. Finally, a logistic regression algorithm and a decision tree model were constructed as 2 diagnostic models for NAFLD.@*RESULTS@#A total of 720 subjects were enrolled in this study, including 432 patients with NAFLD and 288 healthy volunteers. Of them, 482 were randomly allocated into the training set and 238 into the validation set. The diagnostic model based on logistic regression exhibited excellent performance: in validation set, it achieved an accuracy of 86.98%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 80.61%; with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.98]. The decision tree model achieved an accuracy of 81.09%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 66.33%; with an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI 0.66-0.92) in validation set.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The features of tongue images were associated with NAFLD. Both the 2 diagnostic models, which would be convenient, noninvasive, lightweight, rapid, and inexpensive technical references for early screening, can accurately distinguish NAFLD and are worth further study.

Frenectomia lingual com laser de diodo de alta potência: relato de caso / Lingual frenectomy with high-power diode laser: a case report / Frenectomía lingual con láser de diodo de alta potencia: informe de un caso

Introdução: A laserterapia de alta potência tem estabelecido proporções satisfatórias na odontologia e se tornando a primeira opção de conduta cirúrgica para procedimentos, trazendo qualidade de vida aos pacientes e praticidade aos Cirurgiões. Objetivo: Relatar caso clínico de frenectomia lingual com uso do laser de diodo de alta potência ressaltando os benefícios da conduta. Relato de caso: Paciente sexo feminino, leucoderma, sem alterações sistêmicas, chega à Clínica Escola de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, com queixa principal de alterações na sua fonologia. No exame intraoral observou-se dificuldade de movimentação lingual e em formato de coração devido a inserção fibrosa do freio, sendo observado a Anquiloglossia. Após explicações da alteração, do tratamento, e assinatura do Termo de Consentimento, foi iniciado a cirurgia: antissepsia, anestesia com vasoconstrictor, e em modo contínuo utilizou-se o laser de diodo de alta potência (TW Surgical- MMO®) configurado em 2W de potência, fibra 600µm, no comprimento de onda infravermelho, de modo que as fibras fossem separadas uniformemente e promovesse mobilidade imediata da língua, por fim realizou-se uma sutura em ponto simples com fio reabsorvível. Para o pós-operatório foi prescrito Dipirona em caso de dor, e estabelecido o acompanhamento. No retorno de 7 dias observou-se cicatrização normal e não ingestão do medicamento, em 30 dias foi visto a completa cicatrização e mobilidade sem desconforto, além de relato da paciente de melhoria na condição de relacionamentos sociais, autoestima e deglutição. Conclusão: O resultado apresentado neste artigo ratifica a benefício da escolha do laser em comparação ao convencional, demonstrando que não há sangramento no trans e pós cirúrgico, além de favorecer o processo de reparação tecidual, da redução do tempo cirúrgico, aumento do conforto, e diminuição de uso de medicamento, desta forma associando o laser cirúrgico a melhoria da qualidade de vida.

Introduction: High-power laser therapy has established satisfactory proportions in dentistry and has become the first choice for surgical procedures, bringing quality of life to patients and convenience to surgeons. Objective: To report a clinical case of lingual frenectomy using high-power diode laser, highlighting the benefits of this approach. Case report: A female patient, leucoderma, without systemic alterations, arrived at the Dental School Clinic of the Federal University of Campina Grande with the main complaint of alterations in her phonology. In the intraoral examination, difficulty in lingual movement and a heart-shaped tongue due to fibrous insertion of the frenum were observed, indicating Ankyloglossia. After explanations of the condition, treatment, and signing of the Informed Consent Form, the surgery was initiated: antisepsis, anesthesia with vasoconstrictor, and continuous mode using a high-power diode laser configured at 2W of power, 600µm fiber, at an infrared wavelength, with the aim of uniformly separating the fibers and promoting immediate tongue mobility. Finally, a simple suture was performed using absorbable thread. For the postoperative period, Dipyrone was prescribed for pain relief, and follow-up was established. At the 7-day follow-up, normal healing was observed, and the patient did not require the medication. At 30 days, complete healing and discomfort-free mobility were observed, along with the patient's testimony of improvement in social relationships, self-esteem, and swallowing. Conclusion: The results presented in this article confirm the benefits of choosing laser therapy over conventional methods, demonstrating the absence of bleeding during and after surgery, promoting tissue repair, reducing surgical time, increasing comfort, and decreasing the use of medication. Therefore, the use of surgical laser is associated with an improvement in quality of life.

Introducción: La terapia láser de alta potencia se ha establecido en proporciones satisfactorias en odontología y se ha convertido en la primera elección para procedimientos quirúrgicos, aportando calidad de vida a los pacientes y practicidad a los cirujanos. Objetivo: Relatar un caso clínico de frenectomía lingual con láser de diodo de alta potencia, destacando los beneficios de este procedimiento. Relato del caso: Paciente del sexo femenino, leucoderma, sin alteraciones sistémicas, llegó a la Clínica de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Federal de Campina Grande con la queja principal de alteraciones en su fonología. El examen intraoral reveló dificultad en el movimiento lingual y lengua en forma de corazón debido a la inserción fibrosa del freno, observándose anquiloglosia. Tras explicar la alteración, el tratamiento y firmar el consentimiento, se inició la cirugía: antisepsia, anestesia con vasoconstrictor y uso continuado de un láser de diodo de alta potencia (TW Surgical- MMO®) configurado a 2W de potencia, fibra de 600µm, a longitud de onda infrarroja, para que las fibras se separaran uniformemente y favorecieran la movilidad inmediata de la lengua, y finalmente una sutura de punto único con hilo reabsorbible. En el postoperatorio, se prescribió dipirona en caso de dolor y se estableció un seguimiento. En el seguimiento a los 7 días, se observó una cicatrización normal y no se tomó medicación. A los 30 días, se observó una cicatrización completa y movilidad sin molestias, así como el informe del paciente de una mejora de las relaciones sociales, la autoestima y la deglución. Conclusión: Los resultados presentados en este artículo confirman el beneficio de la elección del láser frente a la cirugía convencional, demostrando que no hay sangrado durante ni después de la cirugía, además de favorecer el proceso de reparación tisular, reducir el tiempo quirúrgico, aumentar el confort y reducir el uso de medicación, asociando así el láser quirúrgico a una mejor calidad de vida.

Epidemiological analysis of tongue lesions in a tertiary health facility in Tanzania

Background: The tongue is susceptible to a multitude of conditions that can be of developmental, neoplastic, or inflammatory nature, whose occurrence varies globally by age, sex, and ethnicity. The objective of the present study was to determine the incidence of tongue lesions among cases managed in a tertiary hospital in Tanzania. Methods: This study analyzed histological results of patients with tongue lesions diagnosed between 2016 and 2021. Data on the age and sex of the patients and histological diagnosis were collected. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27. Results: A total of 190 samples of tongue lesions were studied and 18 different histological diagnoses were observed. Generally, a majority (84.2%) of the biopsied tongue lesions were malignant. The most common (74.7%) lesions diagnosed were squamous cell carcinoma followed by hemangioma (5.3%). A significant association was noted between the nature of the lesions and the age group and sex of the patients. Conclusion: This analysis depicts that tongue lesions are frequently encountered in patients managed in tertiary health facilities in Tanzania. A majority of these lesions are malignant tumors. The sex and age of the patients are determining factors for the occurrence of tongue lesions

Ligadura de la arteria lingual: estrategia para hemorragias por lesión de la arteria en la base de la lengua: informe de dos casos / Lingual Artery Ligation: Strategy for Bleeding from Artery Injury at the Base of the Tongue: Report of Two Cases

La hemorragia producida por lesión de la arteria lingual en la base de la lengua por cirugías o por tumores es infrecuente. La mayor frecuencia en la indicación de abordajes transorales para tratar diferentes patologías que afectan la orofaringe requiere que el equipo quirúrgico tenga experiencia en el manejo de esta complicación. La ligadura de la arteria lingual en el cuello es una técnica quirúrgica muy eficaz para solucionar la hemorragia, pero es importante conocer las posibles variantes anatómicas que puede tener la arteria en su trayecto cervical. Debido a su baja incidencia se propone como objetivo describir dos casos clínicos de pacientes que tuvieron hemorragias graves por lesión de la arteria lingual en la base de la lengua, producidas por daño quirúrgico y por erosión por tumor. [AU]

The bleeding caused by injury to the lingual artery at the base of the tongue due to surgery or tumors is infrequent. The increased frequency in the indication of transoral approaches to treat different pathologies affecting the oropharynx requires the surgical team to have experience in managing this complication. Ligation of the lingual artery in the neck is a very effective surgical technique to solve the bleeding; however, it is essential to be aware of the possible anatomical variants the artery may have in its cervical trajectory. Due to its low incidence, we propose to describe two clinical cases of patients who had severe bleeding due to a lesion of the lingual artery at the base of the tongue, produced by surgical damage and erosion due to a tumor. [AU]

Development of the Goose Tongue Filiform Papillae: Could it be Tooth-Like Sense Organs? / Desarrollo de las Papilas Filiformes de la Lengua de Ganso: ¿Podrían ser Órganos Sensoriales Parecidos a los Dientes?

SUMMARY: The geese's tongue filiform papillae are particularly long, and exhibit the same morphology of a tooth, evoking the lingual teeth of several fishes. In adult animals, they contain numerous mechanical Herbst's corpuscles but no taste buds. In the embryo, they appear since stage 38 and acquire their definitive shape between stages 38 and 42. They express several proteins associated with mammalian tooth development (BMP4, β-catenin, SHH, PITX2, PAX9), also known to be linked to parrot's pseudoteeth and goose's denticulations development. Neurofilaments are early present in the papillae primordia, and appear particularly numerous in adult papillae. Our results suggest that these papillae constitute a mechanical organ with a « tooth shape » derived from ancestral odontodes, whose development is controlled by numerous genes involved in classical odontogenesis.

Las papilas filiformes de la lengua de los gansos son particularmente largas y exhiben la morfología de un diente, evocando los dientes linguales presentes en varios peces. En los animales adultos, contienen numerosos corpúsculos de Herbst mecánicos, aunque una ausencia de papilas gustativas. En el embrión, aparecen a partir del estadio 38 y adquieren su forma definitiva entre los estadios 38 y 42. Expresan varias proteínas asociadas al desarrollo dentario de los mamíferos (BMP4, β-catenina, SHH, PITX2, PAX9), también conocidas por estar asociadas al desarrollo de pseudodientes en el loro y denticulaciones en el ganso. Los neurofilamentos están presentes tempranamente en los primordios de las papilas y aparecen particularmente numerosos en las papilas adultas. Nuestros resultados sugieren que estas papilas constituyen un órgano mecánico con «forma de diente» derivado de odontoides ancestrales, cuyo desarrollo está controlado por numerosos genes implicados en la odontogénesis clásica.

Immunoexpression of HSP27 does not seem to influence the prognosis of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract New methods of early detection and risk assessment have been studied aiming to predict the prognosis of patients and directing a specialized treatment of the oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). In this context, several molecular biomarkers have been investigated for this purpose, and, among them, the heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) can be named. The study aimed to analyze whether heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) exerts any influence on OTSCC, correlating its immunoexpression with clinicopathological parameters, and patient survival. The sample comprised 55 OTSCC cases and 20 normal oral mucosa specimens. The malignancy grading systems proposed by the WHO in 2005, Brandwein-Gensler et al., and Almangush et al. were applied in a histomorphological study. HSP27 expressions were evaluated through the Immunoreactivity Score System (IRS). Significant values were considered at p <0.05 for all statistical tests. Higher IRS results were observed for normal oral mucosa specimens when compared to OTSCC cases (p <0.001). No significant associations between HSP27 immunostaining, the analyzed clinicopathological parameters and patient survival were observed. The results of the present study indicate lower HSP27 expression in OTSCC cases compared to normal oral mucosa specimens. Thus, HSP27 expression does not seem to influence patient prognosis.

Resumo Novos métodos de detecção precoce e avaliação de risco estão sendo estudados com o intuito de predizer o prognóstico dos pacientes e direcionar um tratamento diferenciado. Neste contexto, vários biomarcadores moleculares têm sido investigados com esta finalidade, dentre eles a heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). Esta pesquisa objetivou analisar se a HSP27 exerce alguma influência nos carcinomas de células escamosas de língua oral (CCELO), correlacionando a sua imunoexpressão com parâmetros clinicopatológicos e com a sobrevida dos pacientes. A amostra foi constituída por 55 casos de CCELO e 20 espécimes de mucosa oral normal. Os sistemas de gradação de malignidade propostos pela OMS em 2005, Brandwein-Gensler et al. e Almangush et al. foram aplicados em um estudo histomorfológico. A expressão da HSP27 foi avaliada através do Sistema de Escore de Imunorreatividade (IRS). Para todos os testes estatísticos foram considerados valores significativos com p<0,05. Foi observado um maior IRS para a mucosa oral normal quando comparado aos casos de CCELO (p<0,001). Não foram encontradas associações significativas entre a imunomarcação da HSP27 com os parâmetros clinicopatológicos analisados e com a sobrevida dos pacientes. Os resultados do presente estudo indicam uma menor expressão da HSP27 nos casos de CCELO quando comparados aos espécimes de mucosa oral normal. Assim, a expressão da HSP27 parece não influenciar o prognóstico dos pacientes.

Melkersson Rosenthal Syndrome: A Case Report

Introduction: Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome (MRS) is a rare neuro-mucocutaneous condition. It mainly includes three triads as orofacial swelling, facial palsy and fissured tongue. All of the classical triad may not be seen at the same time, as symptoms may appear in different interval of time and has a recurrence. MRS is diagnosed based on oligosymptomatic when two or more clinical features are present or monosymptomatic cases when there evidence of a non-necrotising, granulomatous cheilitis in patients with isolated facial or lip edema can be noted in biopsy. Case Presentation: In this case report a 18 year old male patient all the three classic clinical characteristic features as granulomatous cheilitis, unilateral facial muscle palsy and a fissured tongue are seen. The clinical features of this rare condition along with treatment procedure are presented. Conclusion: Oral corticosteroids are the mainstay in the treatment of MRS. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide used in oro-facial edema. In recurrent cases of MRS need second-line immunosuppressants like methotrexate and thalidomide. In refractory recurrent facial nerve palsies Surgical decompression of the facial nerve may be considered.

Unique Cytomegalovirus Tongue Ulcer in an Older Adult Patient with Prolonged Systemic Steroid Treatment

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the Herpesviridae family that infects humans. It infects approximately 90% of adults. It is an opportunistic pathogen, common among immunosuppressed patients and can affect multiple organs. To date, there has been only one reported case of a CMV-related tongue ulcer that occurred during steroid treatment. Case Presentation: We report a case of CMV tongue ulcer in an elder, immunodeficient patient under prolonged steroid treatment. Management and Prognosis: A 67-year-old man under chronic steroidal treatment due to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) and poorly treated diabetes mellitus (DM) was hospitalized in Soroka university medical center. He suffered from an ulcerative wound about 10 mm in its greater diameter with raised margins on the left lateral tongue. Daktarin Oral Gel treatment showed no improvement. On histopathological examination, a diagnosis of CMV-related tongue ulcer was given. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the most detailed case report of CMV tongue ulcer due to prolonged steroid treatment. An early diagnosis of CMV infection in patients with oral lesions is crucial because CMV infection can increase immunosuppression, and is associated with opportunistic infections.

Hemangioma lobular capilar inusual en un paciente pediátrico. Reporte de caso y revisión de literatura / Unusual capillary lobular hemangioma in a pediatric patient. Case report and literature review

Lobular capillary hemangioma or pyogenic granuloma is a benign non-neoplastic lesion that is mainly presented as a tissue growth in response to irritation or trauma. It is located on the skin or on the mucous membrane, with the oral mucosa being the most frequent, with the gingiva standing out, but also appearing in other places such as the lips, buccal mucosa, palate and tongue, the latter being a very unusual location. This is a report of the case of a pediatric patient who underwent a surgical procedure of frenotomy, and who subsequently presented a lesion due to trauma possibly as a consequence of local anes-thesia, which forced an excisional biopsy, the histopathological diagnosis being capillary lobular hemangioma or pyogenic granuloma. Likewise, a literature review of this type of pathology is presented, with emphasis on its location in the tongue.

Bilateral tongue fibrous hyperplasia: A case report and literature review / Hiperplasia fibrosa bilateral de língua: relato de um caso e revisão daliteratura

Focal fibrous hyperplasia (FFH) is a pathology characterized by tissue enlargement as a result of increasing the number of inflammatory cells which receive chronic mechanical stimuli of low intensity that may affect gums, lip, palate, jugal mucosa and tongue.The aim of this article is to report a case of FFH on the lateral border on both sides of the tongue associated with the use of the Hyrax appliance in a hebiatric patient, whose chief complaint was chewing discomfort. This case was diagnosed clinically and by histopathology analysis and treated by surgical excision as well as the removal of Hyrax appliances. Follow-up care provided the recovery of the patient's quality of life.

La hiperplasia fibrosa focal (HFF) es una patología caracterizada por el aumento de tamaño de los tejidos como consecuencia del aumento del número de células inflamatorias que reciben estímulos mecánicos crónicos de baja intensidad que pueden afectar a encías, labio, paladar, mucosa yugal y lengua. El objetivo de este artículo es reportar un caso de FFH en el borde lateral a ambos lados de la lengua asociado al uso del aparato Hyrax en un paciente hebiátrico, cuyo principal motivo de consulta era la molestia masticatoria. Este caso fue diagnosticado clínicamente y por análisis histopatológico y tratado mediante escisión quirúrgica así como la retirada de los aparatos de Hyrax. La atención de seguimiento permitió la recuperación de la calidad de vida del paciente

Effect of hyperthermia on biological behavior of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue by regulating ferroptosis pathway / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To investigate the regulation and possible mechanism of hyperthermia (HT) on the ferroptosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue cell line CAL-27.Methods:Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of Fer-1, an inhibitor of ferroptosis, was detected by CCK-8 assay and used for subsequent experiments. CAL-27 cells were divided into the HT, control, Fer-1 and HT+ Fer-1 groups according to experimental design. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and iron ion concentration were determined by corresponding detection kits. The p53 and TfR1 mRNA levels were detected by real-time reverse transcription PCR. Cell migration was detected by cell scratch test and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Results:HT significantly up-regulated the ROS levels ( P<0.01) and iron ion concentration ( P<0.001), and significantly increased the expression levels of p53 and TfR1 mRNA (both P<0.01). The cell migration ability was decreased ( P<0.001), whereas cell apoptosis rate was increased by HT ( P<0.01). In the HT+Fer-1 group, the ROS levels ( P<0.001), iron ion concentration ( P<0.001), expression levels of p53 and TfR1 mRNA (both P<0.01) were significantly down-regulated, the cell migration ability was recovered ( P<0.01), and cell apoptosis rate was decreased ( P<0.01) compared with those in the HT group, respectively. Conclusions:HT may induce the ferroptosis of CAL-27 cell line, inhibit cell migration ability and promote cell apoptosis by activating the p53/TfR1 pathway.

Research progress of taste masking and evaluation technology of medicine / 中国药科大学学报

@#Most drugs taste bitter and irritating, resulting in poor compliance of patients, and the bad odor affects the therapeutic effect. The successful research and development of a drug should not only conform to the five quality characteristics of effectiveness, stability, safety, uniformity and economy, but also the compliance of patients to drugs with bad odor. The development of taste masking techniques is critical for bitter drugs.This review describes the principles, advantages and drawbacks of traditional taste masking techniques, and introduces the mechanism and application of novel taste masking techniques, such as melt granulation, hot melt extrusion, 3D printing, drug complex preparation, and bitter taste inhibitors. The in vitro evaluation methods of drug taste masking effect, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, in vitro dissolution, and electronic tongue technology, are described. And introduce in vivo evaluation methods, such as animal and human taste, in the field of taste masking effect. A new strategy of BP neural network prediction model for drug taste evaluation is proposed, with a view to providing theoretical reference for the future research on drug taste masking.

Perturbations in gastrointestinal tract microbiota composition and function in individuals with yellow-greasy tongue coating / 数字中医药（英文）

@#【Objective】  To study the composition and function of tongue coating (TC) and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota in participants with yellow-greasy tongue coating (YGTC), and to explore the representative metabolite markers and pathways in this group. 【Methods】  Subjects with YGTC or thin-white tongue coating (TWTC) were recruited from December 1, 2021 to October 30, 2022, and the TC and fecal samples were collected. Samples were subjected to both whole-genome shotgun (WGS), and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The α-diversity analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and Spearman correlation analysis were performed for two groups. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) analysis was used to analyze metabolomics and enrichment of metabolic pathways. 【Results】  The results revealed 20 YGTC participates and 19 TWTC participates. At the genus level, the dominant bacterial species of TC flora and intestinal flora in the two groups were roughly the same, but the relative kurtosis difference was marked, and the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria in TC and fecal samples of YGTC subjects was higher. There were 9 down-regulated microorganisms in the TC samples, 26 down-regulated microorganisms, and 6 up-regulated microorganisms in YGTC subjects. The α-diversity analysis indicated that the Chao and abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) indices of TC bacteria in the YGTC subjects showed a decreasing trend, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The α-diversity of fecal samples and the Chao and ACE indices decreased significantly (P < 0.05). PCA showed that the microflora structure of TC and fecal samples were significantly different between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between TC and fecal microorganisms at phyla and genus levels in the same subjects (P > 0.05). The metabolomics results demonstrated that fumarate reductase, V/A ATPase, and phosphatidylethanolamine were increased, and glycerate-3p, UDP-glucose, and quinone oxidoreductase metabolites were decreased in YGTC TC samples. Inosine monophosphate (IMP), uridine monophosphate (UMP), and gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) were increased in YGTC fecal samples, while the contents of ribo-5P, histidine, biotin,and cobalamin were decreased. Metabolic pathway analysis indicated that the abundance of the TC and fecal samples of the YGTC subjects was relatively low in various metabolic pathways, including amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and energy metabolism. 【Conclusion】  Structural and functional changes in TC and GIT microbiota or metabolite markers could be potential biological bases of YGTC formation.

Long-read sequencing revealed alterations of microbial relationship between tongue coating and gastric mucosa in patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia / 数字中医药（英文）

Objective@#To explore the microbial correlation between oral tongue coating (TC) and gastric mucosa (GM) in patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM).@*Methods@#The present study recruited 1360 volunteers for upper gastrointestinal cancer screening. The microbiota in TC and GM were profiled by long-read sequencing of full-length 16S rRNA gene. The microbial diversity, community structure, and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) were analyzed by the software Visual Genomics. SparCC correlation analysis was used to construct the commensal network and the graphical display was conducted by R software.@*Results@#The population included 44 patients with precancerous GIM, and 28 matched controls with negative rapid urease test (RUT) and non-symptomatic chronic superficial gastritis (CSG). No significant difference in diversity was observed between GIM patients and controls in TC or GM microbiota (P > 0.05). Patients had a higher percentage of 41 – 60 co-occurring operational taxonomic units (OTUs) between TC and GM than controls (34.1% vs. 25.0%) (P < 0.05). The LEfSe showed that TC Prevotella melaninogenica and three gastric Helicobacter species (i.e., Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter pylori XZ274, and Helicobacter pylori 83) were enriched in patients with GIM. Furthermore, GIM patients with positive RUT had a lower percentage of co-occurring OTUs over 20 (P < 0.05), and lower abundances of gastric Veillonella, Pseudonocardia, and Mesorhizobium than those with negative RUT (P < 0.05). The commensal network between TC and GM was more complex in GIM patients than in controls. GIM patients with positive RUT demonstrated more bacterial correlations between TC and GM than those with negative RUT. Finally, the serum ratio of PG-I/II was negatively correlated with three gastric Helicobacter species (Helicobacter pylori, Helicobacter pylori XZ274, and Helicobacter pylori 83) in patients with negative RUT (P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with two TC species (Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum and Campylobacter showae) in patients with positive RUT (P < 0.05).@*Conclusion@#The development of GIM potentiated the commensal network between oral TC and GM, providing microbial evidence of the correlation between TC and the stomach.

Objective diagnosis of tongue in Kampo Medicine / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

Tongue diagnosis in Kampo medicine is considered to be a diagnostic method that can provide information about a patient's constitution and medical condition. We have identified the following problems in tongue diagnosis: the influence of external environmental factors such as light source, room temperature, and dryness, as well as subjective factors that depend on the knowledge and experience of medical doctors. To overcome these problems and to support Kampo diagnosis, we developed the Tongue Image Analyzing System (TIAS). Regarding color, objective numerical values L*a*b* were measured and standardization and objectification were promoted. We introduce some of the progress that has been made over the past 15 years since the development of TIAS.

Mathieu combined with tongue-shaped flap covering in distal hypospadias with micropenis head deformity / 现代泌尿外科杂志

【Objective】 To explore the efficacy of Mathieu combined with tongue-shaped flap covering in children with distal hypospadias and micropenis head deformity. 【Methods】 The clinical data of 72 patients with distal hypospadias complicated with micropenis treated during Jan.2018 and Jun.2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 35 patients who underwent modified Mathieu combined with tongue-shaped flap and external urethral orificium (study group), and 37 patients who underwent traditional Mathieu (control group). Urethral stricture, urethral fistula, urethral diverticulum and penile head cleft were compared between the two groups. 【Results】 Urinary fistula occurred in 2 cases (5.27%) and 9 cases (24.32%) in the study group and control group, respectively, the incidence being much lower in the study group (P=0.028). Urethral stricture occurred in 1 case (2.86%) and 1 case (2.70%) in the study group and control group, respectively; penile head dehiscence in 1 case (2.86%) and 3 cases (8.11%); urethral diverticulum in 0 case (0%) and 2 cases (5.41%). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of urethral stricture, urethral dehiscence and urethral diverticulum (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 Mathieu combined with tongue-shaped flap covering to treat children with distal hypospadias with micropenis head deformity can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, achieve high surgical satisfaction and appearance satisfaction in the first phase, reduce harm caused by surgery, and promote patients’ psychological health.

Technical status and development trends of electronic tongue / 药学学报

Electronic tongue is one kind of bionic detection technologies, which can objectively reflect the taste of drugs based on electrochemical principle. In this paper, the development histories of electronic tongue both of potential type and voltammetry type were introduced, including their detection principles and key innovation technologies. In order to comprehensively improve the understanding of electronic tongue, its technological progresses, such as the study of dedicated sensors or biosensors for specific tastes, and the development of miniaturized or hybrid devices, were also discussed in detail. And the challenges and countermeasures in the application of electronic tongue were analyzed to provide some suggestions for its further technology promotion.

Formulation optimization and analysis of taste-masking effect of licorzine granules based on sensory evaluation and electronic tongue method / 药学学报

Licorzine granules are common preparations for children zinc deficiency. Considering the long course of treatment, the taste of licorzine granules may become a main factor affecting medication adherence. To date there have been no taste evaluation research into licorzine granules yet. In this study, both sensory evaluation and electronic tongue method were utilized to optimize licorzine granules formulations, evaluate the tastes of licorzine, excipients, optimized formulation in vivo and in vitro. As the results show, bitterness and astringency are the main unpleasant tastes generating from licorzine. Xanthan gum is the main taste-masking excipient, lowering down the bitterness and astringency of licorzine by at least one grade. Good correlation exists between the results of sensory evaluation and electronic tongue method, and an integrated combination of the two helps to obtain objective and rational research conclusions. The adult sensory evaluation study was a research-based clinical trial conducted with informed consent from all subjects in accordance with the ethical requirements of Good Clinical Practice.

Application progress of electronic tongue on taste evaluation for drug products / 药学学报

The taste of oral dosage forms has become a critical factor affecting the drug compliance and adherence to the treatment, and clinical application of the drug product may seriously restricted due to its bad taste. On the basis of the statement for the basic principle and specific performance of existing instruments, the application progress of electronic tongue on drug taste evaluation is addressed in detail. In view of its objective, fatigue-free, less harmful and accurate advantages, electronic tongue has been widely and meaningfully applied in the aspects of bitterness masking, and quality assessment and assurance of drug products. In addition, the reasons limiting the popularization of electronic tongue are mentioned in the paper, and some suggestions might be useful to enlarge the further application in the future.

Identification of taste critical quality attribute and formulation optimization of Xiaoer Qingrening Granules based on electronic tongue and human senses / 药学学报

This study primarily concentrated on scientific problems of poor taste caused by unclear critical quality attributes of oral preparations manufactured by Chinese materia medica, successfully established an identification method for taste critical quality attribute and a taste improvement method combining electronic tongue with human senses, and determined the optimal taste formula, to improve patients' oral medication compliance. The study received ethical approval from the Review Committee of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The results showed that the proportion of bitterness of Xiaoer Qingrening Granule was 61.8%, and its bitterness grade was 3.70, it was determined that bitterness is the critical quality attribute that caused the poor taste of Xiaoer Qingrening Granule. Additionally, the optimal taste formula per milliliter of Xiaoer Qingrening sugar-free intermediate was determined with allowable daily intake, solubility, and sweetness as the limiting conditions, which was 40 mg hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin, 180 mg trehalose, and 1.5 mg acesulfame potassium. Compared with the Xiaoer Qingrening Granule, the sensory evaluation score of the optimal taste formula was increased by 37.5 points. In conclusion, this study achieved the taste improvement of Xiaoer Qingrening Granule and formed a set of taste improvement strategies including the identification of taste critical quality attribute, the selection of the type and dosage of corrigent, and the optimization of taste formula, which provided a thought reference for the taste improvement of other oral preparations and a new perspective for quality control of intelligent manufacturing of traditional Chinese medicines.