Objective To observe the correlations of artificial intelligence(AI)measured parameters on anteroposterior and lateral spinal X-ray films with the severity of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS).Methods Totally 1 786 AIS patients were retrospectively enrolled.Parameters including Cobb angle(CA),coronal balance distance(CBD),T1 slope(T1S),pelvic tilt(PT),sacral slope(SS),apical vertebral translation(AVT),thoracic trunk shift(TTS),thoracic kyphosis(TK)and sagittal vertical axis(SVA)on anteroposterior and lateral spinal X-ray films were measured using uAI DR scoliosis analysis system.The severity of AIS was evaluated according to CA,and the correlations between other parameters and the severity of AIS were explored.The above parameters were compared under different severity levels and coronal/sagittal equilibrium states.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to screen the independent impact factors on the severity of AIS.Results Significant differences of the above parameters were found among different severity levels except for SVA(all P＜0.001).With the aggravation of AIS,CA,CBD,AVT and TTS increased successively(all P＜0.001).T1S of severe AIS was higher than that of mild and moderate AIS(both P＜0.001),PT and SS of moderate and severe AIS were all bigger,while their TK were smaller than those of mild AIS(all P＜0.001).Significant differences of CA,T1S,PT,SS,AVT,TTS and TK were found between coronal balanced and imbalanced AIS(all P＜0.05),while of TK were found between sagittal balanced and unbalanced AIS(P=0.026).CBD,T1S,PT,SS,AVT and TTS were all positively correlated(r,=0.136-0.606,all P＜0.001),while TK was negatively correlated(r,=—0.404,P＜0.001)with the severity of AIS.T1S,AVT and TTS were all independent impact factors of the severity of AIS(all P＜0.001).Conclusion Among AI measured parameters on anteroposterior and lateral spinal X-ray films,CBD,T1S,PT,SS,AVT and TTS were positively correlated,while TK was negatively correlated with the severity of AIS.

Objective To observe the correlations of artificial intelligence(AI)measured parameters on anteroposterior and lateral spinal X-ray films with the severity of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS).Methods Totally 1 786 AIS patients were retrospectively enrolled.Parameters including Cobb angle(CA),coronal balance distance(CBD),T1 slope(T1S),pelvic tilt(PT),sacral slope(SS),apical vertebral translation(AVT),thoracic trunk shift(TTS),thoracic kyphosis(TK)and sagittal vertical axis(SVA)on anteroposterior and lateral spinal X-ray films were measured using uAI DR scoliosis analysis system.The severity of AIS was evaluated according to CA,and the correlations between other parameters and the severity of AIS were explored.The above parameters were compared under different severity levels and coronal/sagittal equilibrium states.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to screen the independent impact factors on the severity of AIS.Results Significant differences of the above parameters were found among different severity levels except for SVA(all P＜0.001).With the aggravation of AIS,CA,CBD,AVT and TTS increased successively(all P＜0.001).T1S of severe AIS was higher than that of mild and moderate AIS(both P＜0.001),PT and SS of moderate and severe AIS were all bigger,while their TK were smaller than those of mild AIS(all P＜0.001).Significant differences of CA,T1S,PT,SS,AVT,TTS and TK were found between coronal balanced and imbalanced AIS(all P＜0.05),while of TK were found between sagittal balanced and unbalanced AIS(P=0.026).CBD,T1S,PT,SS,AVT and TTS were all positively correlated(r,=0.136-0.606,all P＜0.001),while TK was negatively correlated(r,=—0.404,P＜0.001)with the severity of AIS.T1S,AVT and TTS were all independent impact factors of the severity of AIS(all P＜0.001).Conclusion Among AI measured parameters on anteroposterior and lateral spinal X-ray films,CBD,T1S,PT,SS,AVT and TTS were positively correlated,while TK was negatively correlated with the severity of AIS.

To address the challenges faced by current brain midline segmentation techniques, such as insufficient accuracy and poor segmentation continuity, this paper proposes a deep learning network model based on a two-stage framework. On the first stage of the model, prior knowledge of the feature consistency of adjacent brain midline slices under normal and pathological conditions is utilized. Associated midline slices are selected through slice similarity analysis, and a novel feature weighting strategy is adopted to collaboratively fuse the overall change characteristics and spatial information of these associated slices, thereby enhancing the feature representation of the brain midline in the intracranial region. On the second stage, the optimal path search strategy for the brain midline is employed based on the network output probability map, which effectively addresses the problem of discontinuous midline segmentation. The method proposed in this paper achieved satisfactory results on the CQ500 dataset provided by the Center for Advanced Research in Imaging, Neurosciences and Genomics, New Delhi, India. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Hausdorff distance (HD), average symmetric surface distance (ASSD), and normalized surface Dice (NSD) were 67.38 ± 10.49, 24.22 ± 24.84, 1.33 ± 1.83, and 0.82 ± 0.09, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can fully utilize the prior knowledge of medical images to effectively achieve accurate segmentation of the brain midline, providing valuable assistance for subsequent identification of the brain midline by clinicians.
Humans ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Deep Learning ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Algorithms ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Neural Networks, Computer

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

Objective To analyze the feasibility and advantage of indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence imaging technique in the thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy.Methods Patients with small pulmonary nodules who underwent thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy in our department from January 2023 to June 2024 were selected and divided into the ICG fluorescence group(35 cases determining intersegmental plane through ICG fluorescence imaging method)and the modified inflation-deflation group(42 cases determining intersegmental plane through modified inflation-deflation method)according to different methods of determining intersegmental plane.The surgery-related indicators including time of intersegmental plane occurrence,operation time,number of lymph node dissection,postoperative duration of chest tube and postoperative hospital stay as well as the occurrence of complications in the two groups were counted.Patients over 60 years old in two groups were selected and the differences in surgery-related indicators were analyzed.Results The time of intersegmental plane occurrence and operation time in the ICG fluorescence group were shorter than those in the modified inflation-deflation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of lymph node dissection,postoperative duration of chest tube or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05).The time of intersegmental plane occurrence,operation time and postoperative hospital stay of patients over 60 years old in the ICG fluorescence group were shorter than those in the modified inflation-deflation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion ICG fluorescence imaging method can display the intersegmental plane clearly and quickly,which can shorten the time of intersegmental plane occurrence and hospital stay in elderly patients with pulmonary nodules.

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Objective To analyze the feasibility and advantage of indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence imaging technique in the thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy.Methods Patients with small pulmonary nodules who underwent thoracoscopic anatomical segmentectomy in our department from January 2023 to June 2024 were selected and divided into the ICG fluorescence group(35 cases determining intersegmental plane through ICG fluorescence imaging method)and the modified inflation-deflation group(42 cases determining intersegmental plane through modified inflation-deflation method)according to different methods of determining intersegmental plane.The surgery-related indicators including time of intersegmental plane occurrence,operation time,number of lymph node dissection,postoperative duration of chest tube and postoperative hospital stay as well as the occurrence of complications in the two groups were counted.Patients over 60 years old in two groups were selected and the differences in surgery-related indicators were analyzed.Results The time of intersegmental plane occurrence and operation time in the ICG fluorescence group were shorter than those in the modified inflation-deflation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of lymph node dissection,postoperative duration of chest tube or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05).The time of intersegmental plane occurrence,operation time and postoperative hospital stay of patients over 60 years old in the ICG fluorescence group were shorter than those in the modified inflation-deflation group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion ICG fluorescence imaging method can display the intersegmental plane clearly and quickly,which can shorten the time of intersegmental plane occurrence and hospital stay in elderly patients with pulmonary nodules.

OBJECTIVE: Asthma imposes a significant global health burden. This study examines changes in the asthma-related disease burden from 1990 to 2021 and projects future burdens for 2050 under different scenarios. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, we analyzed asthma incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021. We projected the disease burden for 2050 based on current trends and hypothetical scenarios in which all risk factors are controlled. Temporal trends in age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALY rates were explored using Annual Percent Change. RESULTS: In 2021, the age-standardized rates for asthma incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs in China were 364.17 per 100,000 (95% uncertainty interval [ UI]: 283.22-494.10), 1,956.49 per 100,000 (95% UI: 1,566.68-2,491.87), 1.47 per 100,000 (95% UI: 1.15-1.79), and 103.76 per 100,000 (95% UI: 72.50-145.46), respectively. A higher disease burden was observed among Chinese men and individuals aged 70 years or older. Compared to the current trend, a combined scenario involving improvements in environmental factors, behavioral and metabolic health, child nutrition, and vaccination resulted in a greater reduction in the disease burden caused by asthma. CONCLUSION Addressing modifiable risk factors is essential for further reducing the asthma-related disease burden.
Humans ; Asthma/mortality* ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Child ; Adolescent ; Global Burden of Disease/trends* ; Child, Preschool ; Young Adult ; Infant ; Cost of Illness ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Prevalence ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Aged, 80 and over ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the burden of lower respiratory infections in Chinese elderly people aged 70 and above. METHODS: This study utilized Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 1990-2050 prediction data to analyze changes in mortality rates and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates for lower respiratory infections in the elderly population (aged 70 and above) in China from 1990 to 2050. It also discusses future trends in the burden of lower respiratory infections (LRI) in China under different scenarios. RESULTS: According to GBD predictions, the burden of lower respiratory infections in the elderly aged 70 years and above in China is lower than the global average. The burden has been decreasing from 1990 to 2020, but is projected to increase from 2020 to 2050. Scenario-based predictions suggest that, under scenarios involving improvements in nutrition and vaccination, the burden of lower respiratory infections in the elderly in China is expected to be the lowest in 2050. CONCLUSION This study indicates that the burden of lower respiratory infections in elderly people aged 70 years and above in China remains a significant public health issue and may worsen. The government should consider strengthening the preventive measures and management strategies for respiratory infections in the elderly population.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Aged ; Respiratory Tract Infections/mortality* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Male ; Female ; Forecasting ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Global Burden of Disease ; Cost of Illness

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.