Background: Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems are being applied to the ultrasonographic diagnosis of malignant thyroid nodules, but it remains controversial whether the systems add any accuracy for radiologists. Objective: To determine the accuracy of CAD systems in diagnosing malignant thyroid nodules. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies on the diagnostic performance of CAD systems. The diagnostic performance was assessed by pooled sensitivity and specificity, and their accuracy was compared with that of radiologists. The present systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019134460). Results: Nineteen studies with 4,781 thyroid nodules were included. Both the classic machine learning-and the deep learning-based CAD system had good performance in diagnosing malignant thyroid nodules (classic machine learning: sensitivity 0.86 [95% CI 0.79-0.92], specificity 0.85 [95% CI 0.77-0.91], diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) 37.41 [95% CI 24.91-56.20]; deep learning: sensitivity 0.89 [95% CI 0.81-0.93], specificity 0.84 [95% CI 0.75-0.90], DOR 40.87 [95% CI 18.13-92.13]). The diagnostic performance of the deep learning-based CAD system was comparable to that of the radiologists (sensitivity 0.87 [95% CI 0.78-0.93] vs. 0.87 [95% CI 0.85-0.89], specificity 0.85 [95% CI 0.76-0.91] vs. 0.87 [95% CI 0.81-0.91], DOR 40.12 [95% CI 15.58-103.33] vs. DOR 44.88 [95% CI 30.71-65.57]). Conclusions: The CAD systems demonstrated good performance in diagnosing malignant thyroid nodules. However, experienced radiologists may still have an advantage over CAD systems during real-time diagnosis.

The traditional Chinese medicine has long been used in the treatment of diabetes, one major disease threatening the public health. It has been reported that artemether exerts antidiabetic effects on type 2 diabetes in db/db mice, however the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, we show that artemether regulates expression of related enzymes participating in the glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver of db/db mice, which could at least partly explain the improved glucose and lipid metabolism in artemether-treated mice. Additionally, artemether also regulates expression of glycogen synthesis related enzymes in the skeletal muscle of db/db mice, supporting its promotive role in glycogen synthesis. Mechanistically, artemether activates AMPK pathway as well as PI3K/Akt pathway in the liver and skeletal muscle of db/db mice, suggesting that these two signaling pathways are both involved in the antidiabetic effects of artemether on type 2 diabetes in db/db mice. In conclusion, our study connects the antidiabetic effects of artemether to the regulation of metabolic enzymes and signaling pathways, and also provides molecular basis for the potential application of artemether in treating type 2 diabetes.

This paper introduces professor Pei Ruixia’s experience in the treatment of diabetes with the “harmony method.” Professor Pei believes that the pathogenic factors of diabetes are mainly divided into emotional and dietary factors, and the essence of diabetes are not in harmony of the human body. Thus, its treatment is to “make it harmonious.” It is good to use the method of “clearing and harmonizing,” appropriately using Xiaochaihu decoction, paying attention to the compatibility of drugs, and taking care of spleen and stomach, as well as Qi.

To summarize professor Pei’s experience in treating globus hystericus. Methods: Learn from your teacher. Results: Professor Pei had been suffering from the disease for more than 30 years and had her unique views on the treatment of globus hystericus, which are mostly for emotional dysfunction, liver Qi is not comfortable, functioning of Qi is not adjusted, Yin and Yang imbalance. The basic principle of treatment is to grasp the core pathogenesis, take harmony as the method and balance as the duration, harmonize Qi, regulate Yin and Yang, use drugs to disperse the liver and rectify Qi, as well as auxiliary treatment with products to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, dryness and dampness, and clear heat.

In this article, we summarize the clinical experience of Professor Ruixia Pei, a famous traditional Chinese medicine practitioner in Shaanxi Province, China, in treating hyperthyroidism. The etiology and pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, and medication experience are introduced in detail. This paper summarizes the advantages of Professor Pei’s methods of syndrome differentiation and treatment of hyperthyroidism. This may help enrich the clinical treatment of hyperthyroidism, and provide some diagnosis and treatment ideas.