Objective To investigate the prevalence status and influencing factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in adult patients with hypopituitarism (HP) during hospitalization. Methods The data of adult HP patients who received treatment in the hospital were collected from March 2021 to March 2024. The prevalence status of MS in adult HP patients was counted, and logistic regression analysis was adopted to analyze the influencing factors of MS in adult HP patients. Results Among the 308 adult HP patients in this study, 121 cases developed MS and 187 cases did not develop MS, and they were included in the MS group (n=148) and the non-MS group (n=232). The incidence of MS in adult HP patients was 38.95% (148/380). Compared with the non-MS group, the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the MS group were higher, the waist circumference was larger, and the growth hormone was lower (P<0.05). After logistic regression analysis, it was found that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=1.069, 95%CI: 1.010-1.132, P=0.021), total serum cholesterol (OR=1.065, 95%CI: 1.014-1.119, P=0.012), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR=1.055, 95%CI: 1.005-1.108, P=0.031), waist circumference (OR=1.063, 95%CI: 1.006-1.123, P=0.030) and growth hormone (OR=1.077, 95%CI: 1.019-1.138, P=0.009) could independently affect the occurrence of MS in adult HP patients (P<0.05). Conclusion Adult HP patients during hospitalization are often complicated with MS. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, waist circumference, and growth hormone are factors affecting the occurrence of MS in adult HP patients.

With the emergence of deep learning techniques based on convolutional neural networks, artificial intelligence (AI) has driven transformative developments in the field of medical image analysis. Recently, large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have also started to achieve distinction in this domain. Increasing research shows the undeniable role of AI in reshaping various aspects of medical image analysis, including processes such as image enhancement, segmentation, detection in image preprocessing, and postprocessing related to medical diagnosis and prognosis in clinical settings. However, despite the significant progress in AI research, studies investigating the recent advances in AI technology in the aforementioned aspects, the changes in research hotspot trajectories, and the performance of studies in addressing key clinical challenges in this field are limited. This article provides an overview of recent advances in AI for medical image analysis and discusses the methodological profiles, advantages, disadvantages, and future trends of AI technologies.
Artificial Intelligence ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Deep Learning ; Diagnostic Imaging/methods*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the active ingredients in Hedyotis diffusa-Scutellaria barbata D. Don and the main biological processes and signaling pathways mediating their inhibitory effect on primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The core intersecting genes of HCC and the two drugs were screened from TCMSP, Uniport, Genecards, and String databases using Cytoscape software, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of the intersecting genes were conducted. Molecular docking between the active ingredients of the drugs and the core genes was carried out using Pubcham, RCSB and Autoduckto to identify the active ingredients with the highest binding energy, whose inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells was verifies using CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting. RESULTS: TP53 and ESR1 were identified as the core genes of HCC and the two drugs. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the two genes were mainly involved in regulation of apoptotic signaling pathway, cell population proliferation, methane raft, and protein kinase activity, and participated in the signaling pathways of apoptosis, proteoglycans in cancer, PI3K Akt signaling pathway, and hepatitis B. Molecular docking studies showed that the active ingredients of the drugs could be docked with TP53 and ESR1 genes under natural conditions, and ursolic acid had the highest binding energy to ESR1 (-4.98 kcal/mol). The results of CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting all demonstrated significant inhibitory effect of ursolic acid on HepG2 cells. CONCLUSIONS The inhibitory effect of Hedyotis diffusa-scutellariae barbatae on HCC is mediated by multiple active ingredients in the two drugs.
Humans ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Network Pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Hedyotis/chemistry* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Estrogen Receptor alpha/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

ObjectivesTo observe the clinical effectiveness， safety， and potential mechanism of Yisui Shengxue Pills （益髓生血丸） as adjuvant treatment for myelosuppression after chemotherapy for malignant tumours with qi and yin deficiency syndrome. MethodsEighty patients of myelosuppression after chemotherapy for malignant tumours with qi and yin deficiency syndrome were randomly divided into trial group and control group， with 40 cases in each group. Both groups received conventional western medicine treatment， while the control group added placebo taken orally， and the trial group received Yisui Shengxue Pills orally， and both groups were treated for 21 consecutive days. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor （G-CSF）， granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor （GM-CSF）， soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 （sICAM-1）， Jagged 1 （Jagl）， Notch homolog 2 （Notch2）， cell fate determinant membrane associated protein 1 （Numb1）， neutrophils， platelet count， white blood cell count， hemoglobin， cluster of differentiation 4⁺ （CD4⁺）， and cluster of differentiation 8⁺ （CD8⁺） were detected before and after treatment； myelosuppression grade and TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were evaluated before and after treatment， and clinical effectiveness and adverse events of the two groups were compared. ResultsThe difference in myelosuppression grading between the two groups after treatment was statistically significant （P＜0.05）. Compared with this group before treatment， plasma G-CSF， GM-CSF， sICAM-1， Numb1 expression， platelet count， neutrophil count， leukocyte count， haemoglobin， CD4⁺ level decreased， Jagl， Notch2 expression and CD8⁺ level increased， and fatigue， spontaneous sweating， palpitation， night sweating， insomnia， scanty complexion， mouth erosion， vexing heat in chest， palms and soles scores all reduced （P＜0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， plasma G-CSF， GM-CSF， sICAM-1， Numb1 expression， platelet count， neutrophil count， leukocyte count， haemoglobin， CD4+ levels increased， Jagl， Notch2 expression and CD8⁺ levels decreased， and fatigue， spontaneous sweating， palpitations， night sweating， insomnia， pale face， mouth erosion， and vexing heat in chest， palms and soles scores decreased in trial group （P＜0.05）. The total effective rate of the trial group was 95.00%， which was significantly higher than that of the control group， which was 80.00% （P＜0.05）. Comparison of the incidence of liver function damage and renal function damage between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference （P＞0.05）， and the incidence of gastrointestinal damage in the trial group was lower than that in the control group （P = 0.02）. ConclusionYisui Shengxue Pills as adjuvant treatment for myelosuppression after chemotherapy for malignant tumours with qi and yin deficiency syndrome can improve the myelosuppression and clinical symptoms， improve the clinical effectiveness， and has a good synergistic and toxicity-reducing effect， and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the Notch signalling pathway and the reduction of immune function impairment.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin combined with indobufen in the treatment of elderly patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) complicated with large atheromatous ischemic stroke (LAA-IS) during convalescence.Methods:The clinical data of 102 elderly patients with DKD complicated with LAA-IS during convalescence from September 2018 to April 2022 in Baoding Second Central Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 51 patients were treated with atorvastatin combined with indobufen (observation group), 51 patients were treated with atorvastatin combined with aspirin (control group), and both groups were treated continuously for 6 months. The prethrombotic state indexes, neurological function and quality of daily life, carotid artery ultrasound indexes, renal fibrosis indexes before treatment and after treatment were compared between two group. The prethrombotic state indexes included arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) induction platelet aggregation rate, fibrinogen (FIB), protein C; the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to evaluate the neurological function, and the modified Barthel index (MBI) was used to evaluate the quality of daily life; carotid artery ultrasound indexes included carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and maximum plaque area; the renal fibrosis indexes included transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β 1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), hyaluronic acid and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). The adverse reactions were recorded. Results:There were no statistical differences in the all indexes before treatment between two groups ( P>0.05). In two groups, compared before treatment, the AA induction platelet aggregation rate, ADP induction platelet aggregation rate, FIB, NIHSS score, IMT and maximum plaque area after treatment were significantly lower, the protein C and MBI score were significantly higher, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01); but there were no statistical differences after treatment between two groups ( P>0.05). The TGF-β 1, MMP-9, hyaluronic acid and PDGF-BB after treatment in two groups were significantly lower than before treatment, and the indexes in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group: (39.46 ± 6.89) μg/L vs. (45.04 ± 8.20) μg/L, (278.46 ± 49.39) μg/L vs. (327.30 ± 57.28) μg/L, (102.37 ± 20.62) μg/L vs. (116.84 ± 24.97) μg/L vs. (25.26 ± 4.45) μg/L vs. (28.13 ± 5.08) μg/L, with statistically significant differences( P<0.01). The incidence of adverse reactions in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group: 7.84% (4/51) vs. 23.53% (12/51), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with atorvastatin combined with aspirin, atorvastatin combined with indobufen in elderly patients with DKD complicated with LAA-IS during convalescence has the same effect in improving the related indicators of prethrombotic state, reducing neurological function deficit, improving the ability of daily living, and reversing carotid atherosclerosis. However, atorvastatin combined with indobufen can further protect renal function with higher safety.

Objective:To evaluate the value of the ratio of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to pulmonary artery systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP) in evaluating right ventricular function of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).Methods:A total of 74 patients with HCM and HFpEF and 22 healthy individuals who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to January 2023 were included in this study. The HCM patients with HFpEF were divided into three groups based on the tertiles of the TAPSE/PASP (low group: <0.280 0 mm/mmHg; middle group: 0.280 0-0.476 2 mm/mmHg; high group: >0.476 2 mm/mmHg). Conventional echocardiographic parameters were collected, and two-dimensional speckle tracking technology was used to obtain right ventricular strain parameters. The differences in parameters among the groups were compared, and the correlations between TAPSE/PASP and clinical parameters and right ventricular function parameters were analyzed.Results:The results of difference analysis showed that there were significant differences in 6-minute walking test, New York Heart Association grade (NYHA grade), incidence of atrial fibrillation, left atrial area (LAA), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), TAPSE, PASP, right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWST) and cardiac magnetic resonance right ventricular ejection fraction (CMR-RVEF) among the three groups. The results of correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis showed that the TAPSE/PASP was positively correlated with 6-minute walking distance, RVFAC, tricuspid annulus peak systolic velocity (RV s′), and CMR-RVEF ( r=0.449, 0.284, 0.358, 0.577; all P<0.05). It was negatively correlated with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), NYHA grade, LAA, mitral early diastolic peak velocity / mitral annulus early diastolic peak velocity (LV E/e′), LVGLS, RVGLS, RVFWST and tricuspid early diastolic peak velocity / tricuspid annulus early diastolic peak velocity (RV E/e′) (r/ rs=-0.336, -0.349, -0.468, -0.452, -0.444, -0.339, -0.405, -0.320; all P<0.05). The LAA and CMR-RVEF correlated independently with TAPSE/PASP(all P<0.05). Conclusions:The TAPSE/PASP can provide an early, simple, rapid, and convenient evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with HCM and HFpEF, so as to guide clinical treatment and monitoring disease progression.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of erianin （ERI） on the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） and its mechanism. METHODS PCOS rat model was constructed by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone， and the successfully constructed rats were randomly divided into PCOS group， ERI low-dose， medium- dose and high-dose groups （10， 20， 40 mg/kg） and ERI high dose + verteporfin group （40 mg/kg ERI + 10 mg/kg verteporfin）， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 normal rats were selected as the normal group. Rats in each administration group were given corresponding dose of ERI and/or intraperitoneal injection of vitiporfin， and rats in the PCOS group and normal group were orally administered an equal volume of 1% dimethyl sulfoxide， once a day， for 6 consecutive weeks. After administration， the body weight， fasting blood glucose （FPG）， serum levels of estradiol （E2）， testosterone （T）， follicle stimulating hormone （FSH） and luteinizing hormone （LH） were detected in each group； morphological changes in ovarian tissue were observed， and the apoptosis of ovarian tissue cells was analyzed. Apoptosis-associated proteins [B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， Caspase-3] and Hippo-YAP signaling pathway associated proteins [large tumor suppressor kinase 1 （LATS1）， phosphorylated LATS1 （p-LATS1） and Yes associated protein （YAP）， phosphorylated YAP （p-YAP）， transcriptional co-activator with PDZ binding motif （TAZ）] were detected in ovarian tissue. RESULTS Compared with PCOS group， the ovarian polycystic characteristics of the ERI low-dose， medium-dose，and high-dose groups were reduced， the number of atretic follicles was reduced， and the granulosa cell layer was thickened； the body mass， FPG， T， LH， LH/FSH， the number of cystic follicles， cell apoptosis index， protein expressions of Bax， Caspase-3， p-LATS1 and p-YAP were greatly decreased （P＜0.05）； the number of corpus luteum， protein expressions of E2， Bcl-2， LATS1， YAP and TAZ were greatly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with ERI high-dose group， the above indexes in ERI high-dose + vitiporfin group were inhibited （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ERI can promote the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and improve the level of sex hormones in PCOS rats， and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of erianin （ERI） on the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） and its mechanism. METHODS PCOS rat model was constructed by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone， and the successfully constructed rats were randomly divided into PCOS group， ERI low-dose， medium- dose and high-dose groups （10， 20， 40 mg/kg） and ERI high dose + verteporfin group （40 mg/kg ERI + 10 mg/kg verteporfin）， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 normal rats were selected as the normal group. Rats in each administration group were given corresponding dose of ERI and/or intraperitoneal injection of vitiporfin， and rats in the PCOS group and normal group were orally administered an equal volume of 1% dimethyl sulfoxide， once a day， for 6 consecutive weeks. After administration， the body weight， fasting blood glucose （FPG）， serum levels of estradiol （E2）， testosterone （T）， follicle stimulating hormone （FSH） and luteinizing hormone （LH） were detected in each group； morphological changes in ovarian tissue were observed， and the apoptosis of ovarian tissue cells was analyzed. Apoptosis-associated proteins [B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， Caspase-3] and Hippo-YAP signaling pathway associated proteins [large tumor suppressor kinase 1 （LATS1）， phosphorylated LATS1 （p-LATS1） and Yes associated protein （YAP）， phosphorylated YAP （p-YAP）， transcriptional co-activator with PDZ binding motif （TAZ）] were detected in ovarian tissue. RESULTS Compared with PCOS group， the ovarian polycystic characteristics of the ERI low-dose， medium-dose，and high-dose groups were reduced， the number of atretic follicles was reduced， and the granulosa cell layer was thickened； the body mass， FPG， T， LH， LH/FSH， the number of cystic follicles， cell apoptosis index， protein expressions of Bax， Caspase-3， p-LATS1 and p-YAP were greatly decreased （P＜0.05）； the number of corpus luteum， protein expressions of E2， Bcl-2， LATS1， YAP and TAZ were greatly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with ERI high-dose group， the above indexes in ERI high-dose + vitiporfin group were inhibited （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ERI can promote the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and improve the level of sex hormones in PCOS rats， and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of heart rate variability(HRV)in obese patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS).Methods We retrospectively analyzed 78 patients with severe OSAHS diagnosed by polysomnography(PSG)in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from April 2018 to May 2022.According to body mass index(BMI),the patients were divided into obese with severe OSAHS group(43 cases)and non-obese with severe OSAHS group(35 cases).All patients received 24-hour Holter monitoring while on polysomnography monitoring.The differences in HRV indexes between the groups and the correlation between HRV and clinical indicators were analyzed.Results In terms of basic data and PSG indexes,the analysis results showed that compared with those in the non-obese OSAHS group,weight,BMI,neck circumference,waist circumference,and AHI in obese with severe OSAHS group were significantly higher,while the standard deviation of the 24-hour normal R-R interval(SDNN),the standard deviation of the 5-minute mean(SDANN),the triangle index(TI),the heart rate deceleration force(DC),the standard deviation of the normal R-R interval(awake SDNN),and high frequency during sleep in the obese with severe OSAHS group were significantly lower(P＜0.05).The correlation results showed that among obese with severe OSAHS patients,root mean square of the difference of adjacent R-R interval(rMSSD)was negatively correlated with the course of hypertension;TI and DC were negatively correlated with AHI.After adjusting for neck circumference and waist circumference,the linear regression analysis showed that SDNN,SDANN,and rMSSD were correlated with systolic blood pressure(P＜0.05).Conclusion There is significant decrease in HRV index in obese patients with severe OSAHS,suggesting that deterioration of cardiac autonomic nervous regulation function may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted partial right nephrectomy using a combined retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approach in the treatment of horseshoe kidney with renal tumor.Methods Clinical and follow-up data of a patient with horseshoe kidney with renal tumor were retrospectively analyzed.Before operation,the diagnosis was confirmed with renal CT scanning and enhancement with angiography to show the blood supply.After that,the patient underwent robot-assisted partial right nephrectomy for horseshoe kidney by robot-assisted partial right nephrectomy using a combined retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approach.After operation,the patient was followed up.Results The operation went smooth with an operation time of 270 min.The intraoperative warm ischemia time was 30 min,intraoperative bleeding was approximately 300 mL,and no intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred.After 2 months of follow-up,the patient recovered well,and no chest and abdominal lymph node enlargement and lung metastasis were observed.Conclusion Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy of horseshoe kidney using a combined retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approach is a safe and feasible minimally invasive treatment option.