Tzu Chi Medical Journal最新文献

{"title":"Application of fibrin sealant in drain-free transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach.","authors":"Wei-Chieh Lin, Ciou-Nan Ye, Chung-Ching Lin, Pornpeera Jitpratoom, Hung-Pin Wu, Yi-Fan Chou","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_41_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_41_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a minimally invasive technique. This study aimed to compare the safety of TOETVA with fibrin sealant (Tisseel) and TOETVA with drainage.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Patients who underwent TOETVA between January 2018 and December 2021 were divided into drainage (<i>n</i> = 20) and Tisseel (<i>n</i> = 30) groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The primary outcome was the incidence of complications. The secondary outcomes were operative time and postoperative pain. There were no significant differences in patient demographics, tumor size, intraoperative blood loss, and hospitalization days between the two groups. No patient required conversion to open thyroidectomy. The incidence of complications and postoperative pain was similar in the two groups. The operative time for TOETVA with Tisseel was significantly shorter than for TOETVA with drainage (<i>P</i> = 0.038).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TOETVA with Tisseel is a safe alternative to TOETVA with drainage, having a short operative time.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"37 1","pages":"86-90"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11753525/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143029703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Safety and efficacy of stent-assisted coiling ruptured intracranial aneurysms: A single-center experience.","authors":"Deng-Xiang Zhang, Chao-Bao Luo, Chien-Hui Lee","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_92_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_92_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Endovascular coiling is a minimally invasive method to manage intracranial aneurysms. However, patients who undergo stent-assisted coiling (SAC) for acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms need dual antiplatelet treatment. We reported our experience and outcomes of SAC for ruptured intracranial aneurysm.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We retrospectively collected data on procedure-related complications, rates of aneurysm rebleeding and recurrence, and clinical outcomes of patients with ruptured aneurysms managed by SAC over 2 years.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 17 patients included in this study, there were 14 (82.4%) women and 3 (17.6%) men, with a mean age of 58.59 years (standard deviation = 13.57; range: 40-82 years). There were no periprocedural hemorrhagic complications and no aneurysm rebleeding before discharge. However, two patients developed acute brain infarction because of symptomatic vasospasm. Linear regression revealed significant associations of posterior circulation involvement with the Glasgow Outcome Score and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge and 6 months after. Besides, Hunt and Hess grade ≥3 has a significant association with mRS at discharge, 6 months, and 1 year after.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>SAC for ruptured aneurysm was technically feasible and did not carry an additional risk of postoperative aneurysm rebleeding secondary to antiplatelet treatment. Moreover, it had relatively low rates of aneurysm regrowth and coil compaction. Therefore, it can be a safe and effective endovascular treatment for acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysm.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"37 2","pages":"189-197"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12048123/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143990936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nocturia, nocturnal polyuria, and nocturnal enuresis in adults: What we know and what we do not know.","authors":"Tien-Lin Chang, Hann-Chorng Kuo","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_53_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_53_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nocturia is defined as the nocturnal frequency of one or more voiding episodes per night. It increases with aging and has an impact on sleep quality and the risks of falling and mortality. Nocturia disorder involves nighttime frequency, nocturnal polyuria, and nocturnal enuresis. In older adults with nocturia disorder, multiple factors could contribute to nocturia severity and characteristics, including poor sleep quality, lower urinary tract dysfunction, and excessive fluid output. Several nonurological medical diseases have been found to result in nocturia, such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Urological and medical assessments should be performed to diagnose nocturia disorder. A frequency volume chart to evaluate the nocturnal polyuria index, functional bladder capacity, and urodynamic study can reveal the presence of nocturnal polyuria and lower urinary tract dysfunction. Treatment should be based on multiple nocturia etiologies, and a combination of multiple therapies for individual pathophysiology will achieve a better treatment outcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"36 4","pages":"370-376"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11483088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142477328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Do urinary tract infections affect the rate of periprosthetic joint infections in patients who underwent arthroplasty surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Antoninus Hengky, Malvin Tandry, Kevin Gracia Pratama, Pauliana Pauliana, Christopher Kusumajaya, Astrawinata Guatama","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_309_23","DOIUrl":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_309_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a significant issue in orthopedic surgery. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) have been identified as potential causes of PJI; however, evidence is inconclusive. Understanding these relationships is critical for improving therapy and patient outcomes. A systematic review was performed by conducting searches from PubMed, EBSCO, ProQuest, and manual searching with adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 2020 guideline. Studies that reported UTI/ASB and PJI were included. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model using RevMan 5.4 software. A total of 14 studies were included with UTIs and ASB showed an overall association with increased risk of PJI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-2.99, <i>P</i> = 0.01). However, subgroup analysis for UTIs and ASB was not significant. Further analysis of UTIs in total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgery showed a significant association (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.57-1.96) with PJI. Preoperative UTIs timing between 0 and 2 weeks before surgery showed an increased risk of PJI (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.35-1.55). Antibiotic treatment in ASB did not significantly impact PJI rates. Urine and PJI sample cultures in four studies showed no correlation of microorganisms between the two sites. According to recent evidence, a statistically significant association was found between UTIs and PJI in patients who underwent THA surgery. However, ASB did not yield significant results in relation to PJI. These results should be supported by larger and well-designed studies to make proper clinical suggestion in future. For further research, it is recommended to adopt standardized criteria for outcome measurement and to involve larger sample sizes to enhance the reliability and generalizability of findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"36 3","pages":"275-283"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11236074/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141591674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12-C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 signaling axis in cancer and the development of chemotherapeutic molecules.","authors":"Jui-Hung Yen, Chun-Chun Chang, Hao-Jen Hsu, Chin-Hao Yang, Hemalatha Mani, Je-Wen Liou","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_52_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_52_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chemokines are small, secreted cytokines crucial in the regulation of a variety of cell functions. The binding of chemokine C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) (stromal cell-derived factor 1) to a G-protein-coupled receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) triggers downstream signaling pathways with effects on cell survival, proliferation, chemotaxis, migration, and gene expression. Intensive and extensive investigations have provided evidence suggesting that the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis plays a pivotal role in tumor development, survival, angiogenesis, metastasis, as well as in creating tumor microenvironment, thus implying that this axis is a potential target for the development of cancer therapies. The structures of CXCL12 and CXCR4 have been resolved with experimental methods such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, or cryo-EM. Therefore, it is possible to apply structure-based computational approaches to discover, design, and modify therapeutic molecules for cancer treatments. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the roles played by the CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling axis in cellular functions linking to cancer progression and metastasis. This review also provides an introduction to protein structures of CXCL12 and CXCR4 and the application of computer simulation and analysis in understanding CXCR4 activation and antagonist binding. Furthermore, examples of strategies and current progress in CXCL12-CXCR4 axis-targeted development of therapeutic anticancer inhibitors are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"36 3","pages":"231-239"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11236080/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141591673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Extracellular vesicles: Function, resilience, biomarker, bioengineering, and clinical implications.","authors":"Der-Shan Sun, Hsin-Hou Chang","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_28_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_28_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key players in intercellular communication, disease pathology, and therapeutic innovation. Initially overlooked as cellular debris, EVs are now recognized as vital mediators of cell-to-cell communication, ferrying a cargo of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, providing cellular resilience in response to stresses. This review provides a comprehensive overview of EVs, focusing on their role as biomarkers in disease diagnosis, their functional significance in physiological and pathological processes, and the potential of bioengineering for therapeutic applications. EVs offer a promising avenue for noninvasive disease diagnosis and monitoring, reflecting the physiological state of originating cells. Their diagnostic potential spans a spectrum of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and infectious diseases. Moreover, their presence in bodily fluids such as blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid enhances their diagnostic utility, presenting advantages over traditional methods. Beyond diagnostics, EVs mediate crucial roles in intercellular communication, facilitating the transfer of bioactive molecules between cells. This communication modulates various physiological processes such as tissue regeneration, immune modulation, and neuronal communication. Dysregulation of EV-mediated communication is implicated in diseases such as cancer, immune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting their therapeutic potential. Bioengineering techniques offer avenues for manipulating EVs for therapeutic applications, from isolation and purification to engineering cargo and targeted delivery systems. These approaches hold promise for developing novel therapeutics tailored to specific diseases, revolutionizing personalized medicine. However, challenges such as standardization, scalability, and regulatory approval need addressing for successful clinical translation. Overall, EVs represent a dynamic frontier in biomedical research with vast potential for diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"36 3","pages":"251-259"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11236075/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141591675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk factors for reoperation after discectomy of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc disease.","authors":"Cheng-Huan Peng, Ing-Ho Chen, Tzai-Chiu Yu, Jen-Hung Wang, Wen-Tien Wu, Kuang-Ting Yeh","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_206_23","DOIUrl":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_206_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Discectomy is the most common surgery for lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) disease. However, 5%-24% of patients undergo a second surgery due to recurrent disc herniation.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study was aimed to identify the risk factors for reoperation after discectomy of lumbar HIVD and recommend treatment for patients with a high risk of reoperation. We recruited patients diagnosed as having single-level lumbar HIVD who underwent open discectomy from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2012 in our hospital. We used a survival curve to inspect the survival time and reoperation rate after surgery. We discussed the correlation of reoperation rate with discectomy level, body mass index, heavy lifting after surgery, sex, and age. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between the experience of a surgeon and the reoperation rate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 619 patients were enrolled in our study. Most patients were 40-60 years old (48.8%), and most of them had herniation at L4/5 level (48.9%). The 8-year survival rate was 92%. Weight lifting after surgery may increase the reoperation rate by 115 and 18 times for those >60 years and <40 years, respectively. In addition, less experience of the surgeon and female sex had a high reoperation rate.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Postoperative working modification may be very important for preventing patients from recurrent HIVD. For elderly people with HIVD, a more conservative therapy could be selected. If patients with lumbar spine hypermobility or severe degeneration require wide laminectomy, primary fusion should be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"36 3","pages":"298-303"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11236073/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141591676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The level of discomfort during the use of different circuits of the mechanical ventilator.","authors":"Meng-Yi Liu, Pei-Shan Hsu, Chiu-Feng Wu, Yao-Kuang Wu, Mei-Chen Yang, Wen-Lin Su, I-Shiang Tzeng, Chou-Chin Lan","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_236_23","DOIUrl":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_236_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Endotracheal tube (ETT) intubation is a life-saving procedure in patients with respiratory failure. However, the presence of an ETT can cause significant discomfort. A tracheostomy tube is used to administer a mechanical ventilator, resulting in a more stable airway and fewer serious injuries. Noninvasive ventilators (NIPPVs) administer ventilation through masks and must be tightly fixed to the face. ETT, tracheostomy, and NIPPV are the most common methods of ventilator maintenance. However, these interventions often cause discomfort to patients. This study aimed to compare discomfort associated with ETT, tracheostomy, and NIPPV.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Forty-nine conscious patients with postextubation NIPPV and eight conscious patients who underwent postextubation tracheotomy were evaluated for discomfort. A questionnaire survey on discomfort was performed before and after NIPPV or tracheostomy. These patients reported their level of discomfort on a visual analog scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The levels of sore throat, nasal pain, body pain, activity limitation, respiratory discomfort, oral discomfort, difficulty coughing sputum, worry about respiratory tube disconnection, back pain, anxiety, worry about long-term admission, sleep disturbance, and general discomfort during ETT intubation were higher than during tracheostomy or NIPPV (all <i>P</i> < 0.05). The mean level of discomfort was approximately 5-6 points (moderate) in patients with ETT and 2-3 points (mild) in patients with NIPPV or tracheostomy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The level of discomfort was higher in patients who underwent ETT intubation than in those who underwent NIPPV or tracheostomy. However, the level of discomfort was similar between the patients with NIPPV and those who underwent tracheostomy.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"36 3","pages":"311-318"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11236071/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141591677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Utilization of apitherapy in allergic asthma: A systematic review of clinical and preclinical studies.","authors":"Nicolas Daniel Widjanarko, Jonathan Christianto Subagya, Josephine Immanuel Maksi, Felicia Grizelda Suryatenggara, Sharon Claudia Ethelyn Sihole","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_233_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_233_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This systematic review aimed to summarize the benefit of apitherapy in human and animal models of asthma.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The procedures in this review were performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 protocol, where MEDLINE, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost databases were used to obtain eligible studies dating to 2023. Furthermore, the risk of bias was assessed using Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 (RoB-2) for randomized-control trials and Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation's RoB for animal studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 12 studies were included in the review based on the predetermined eligibility criteria, consisting of 4 human and 8 animal model reports. Among the four human studies, two had a low risk, while the other two had some concerns of bias. In the case of eight animal model of asthma, a total of three domains had a high risk of bias. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties of apitherapy were demonstrated by its capacity to inhibit NF-κB, nuclear factor of activated T cells, and IgE antibodies, leading to decreased production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, and IL-8, and an increase in IL-10 levels. These beneficial effects were reported to be associated with improvements in clinical manifestations and lung function parameters in human subjects. The use of apitherapy was also related to the restoration of airway structure, and reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration, epithelial thickness, and mucus secretion in lung tissue of animal model of asthma.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on the results, apitherapy was effective in improving asthma symptoms and reducing inflammation in human and animal models of asthma.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"36 4","pages":"440-451"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2024-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11483089/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142477331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Apriori algorithm-based association rule analysis to identify acupoint combinations for treating uremic pruritus.","authors":"Ping-Hsun Lu, Chien-Cheng Lai, Ling-Ya Chiu, I-Hsin Lin, Chih-Chin Iou, Po-Hsuan Lu","doi":"10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_217_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_217_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Uremic pruritus (UP) is a prevalent and troublesome condition affecting individuals with end-stage renal failure, which results in intense pruritus, depression, as well as poor quality of sleep, significantly impacting their quality of life. According to previous studies, acupuncture and acupoint stimulation have been shown to provide additional benefits in treating UP in dialysis patients. In addition, using acupoints combination may yield superior effectiveness compared to utilizing a singular acupoint. To investigate the potential correlations between acupoint combinations, an association-rule analysis was employed.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Apriori algorithms stand out as highly potent techniques for identifying associations in databases; this study utilized an association rule mining to examine the association rules of key acupoint groupings that could be employed for treating UP.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis utilized information derived from the meta-analysis encompassing 40 randomized controlled trials that used acupuncture to treat UP. In total, 64 acupoints were analyzed, and 71 association rules were found. The following acupoint combinations: Auricular shenmen (TF4), Quchi (LI11), and Geshu (BL17); Auricular heart (Extra14), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Auricular lung (CO14); and Auricular heart (Extra14), Xuehai (SP10), and Auricular lung (CO14) showed the strongest associations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acupoints involving Auricular shenmen (TF4), Quchi (LI11), Geshu (BL17), Auricular heart (Extra14), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Auricular lung (CO14), and Xuehai (SP10) can be regarded as the core combination of acupuncture points for managing UP.</p>","PeriodicalId":45873,"journal":{"name":"Tzu Chi Medical Journal","volume":"36 2","pages":"195-202"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11025587/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140866096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}