Community-acquired pneumonia （CAP） refers to an infectious inflammation of the lung parenchyma （including the alveolar wall，that is，the broad pulmonary interstitium） acquired outside the hospital. Its common pathogens include streptococcus pneumoniae，respiratory viruses， mycoplasma pneumoniae， and so on. The related factors for the occurrence and development of CAP include patient characteristics （immune function，mucus production and clearance function，coagulation function，physical condition， and comorbidity） and pathogen characteristics （susceptibility，virulence，and antibiotic resistance）. The pathogenesis of CAP lies in immune deficiency，pathogen invasion，inflammatory response disorder，mucus production and clearance disorder， coagulation disorder， and so on. The pathogenesis of CAP in traditional Chinese medicine can be described as "vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis". Vital Qi deficiency （lack of immunity） is the potential pathogenesis of the disease and easy to be invaded by external pathogens （respiratory pathogens）. Toxic stasis （inflammatory disorder，mucus production and clearance disorder，and coagulation dysfunction） is the key pathogenic factor. Vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis are intermingled in a state of deficiency and excess，which suggests that the treatment of CAP lies in strengthening vital Qi and eliminating pathogenic factors. This involves strengthening vital Qi in the whole process to consolidate body resistance and nourish promordial Qi. It also involves clearing heat，eliminating phlegm，removing dampness，and dispelling stasis to dispel pathogenic toxins based on the syndrome differentiation. Its action mechanism is to regulate immune and inflammatory responses，resist pathogens，and improve mucus production and clearance， as well as coagulation disorders. Starting from the key pathogenesis of CAP，"vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis"， this paper discussed the pathogenesis of CAP and summarized the action mechanism of vital Qi strengthening for detoxification in its treatment. It is intended to complement the theoretical system by identifying "vital Qi deficiency and toxic stasis" as the key pathogenesis underlying CAP and the scientific connotation of treating CAP with vital Qi strengthening for detoxification，thereby providing insights for its clinical application.

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 mechanism by which Guijianyu ameliorates podocyte injury in a mouse model of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) induced by advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). METHODS: Sixty db/db mouse models of DKD were randomized equally into 5 groups for treatment with saline, Guijianyu extract at 3 doses or irbesartan for 12 weeks, and the changes in renal pathology and structure were observed using transmission electron microscopy, and the expressions of related genes and key proteins were detected using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. In cultured MPC-5 cells incubated with 50 mg/L AGEs-BSA for 24 h, the effect of different concentrations of Guijianyu extract on cell viability was examined with CCK-8 assay; Western blotting was performed to detect the protein expressions of RAGE, VEGFA, TNF-α, NF-κB(p65), IL-6 and caspase-3, and the mRNA expressions of RAGE, NF-κB (p65), VEGFA and IL-6 were detected with RT-qPCR. RESULTS: In mouse models of DKD, treatment with high-dose Guijianyu extract significantly reduced renal expressions of RAGE, VEGFA, NF-κB(p65), and IL-6 proteins and the mRNA expressions of RAGE, NF-κB, and IL-6. In MPC-5 cells, exposure to AGEs significantly reduced cell viability and increased the protein expressions of RAGE, NF‑κB (p65), VEGFA, TNF-α, IL-6 and caspase-3 (P<0.05) and mRNA expressions of RAGE, NF-κB (p65), VEGFA, and IL-6. Treatment with Guijianyu extract obviously improved cell viability and reduced the expressions of RAGE, NF-κB(p65), VEGFA, TNF-α, IL-6, and caspase-3. Furthermore, Guijianyu extract effectively reversed RAGE agonist-induced elevation of protein expressions of RAGE, VEGFA, TNF-α, IL-6, and caspase-3 and mRNA expressions of RAGE, NF-κB (p65), IL-6, and VEGFA in MPC-5 cells. CONCLUSIONS Guijianyu extract ameliorates AGEs-induced mouse renal podocyte injury in DKD by inhibiting the activation of AGEs-RAGE signaling pathway and reducing the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factors.
Animals ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Podocytes/pathology* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/drug therapy* ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of delayed replantation of degloving skin preserved at 4℃ in treatment of limb degloving injuries. METHODS: Between October 2020 and October 2023, 12 patients with limb degloving injuries were admitted. All patients had severe associated injuries or poor wound conditions that prevented primary replantation. There were 7 males and 5 females; age ranged from 29 to 46 years, with an average of 39.2 years. The causes of injury included machine entanglement in 6 cases, traffic accidents in 5 cases, and sharp instrument cuts in 1 case. Time from injury to hospital admission was 0.5-3.0 hours, with an average of 1.3 hours. Injury sites included upper limbs in 7 cases and lower limbs in 5 cases. The range of degloving skin was from 5 cm×4 cm to 15 cm×8 cm, and all degloving skins were intact. The degloving skin was preserved at 4℃. After the patient's vital signs became stable and the wound conditions improved, it was trimmed into medium-thickness skin grafts for replantation. The degloving skin was preserved for 3 to 7 days. At 4 weeks after replantation, the viability of the degloving skin grafts was assessed, including color, elasticity, and sensation of pain. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was used to assess the scars of the skin grafts during follow-up. RESULTS: At 4 weeks after replantation, 8 cases of skin grafts completely survived and the color was similar with normal skin, with a survival rate of 66.67%. The elasticity of skin grafts (R0 value) ranged from 0.09 to 0.85, with an average of 0.55; moderate pain was reported in 4 cases, mild pain in 3 cases, and no pain in 5 cases. All patients were followed up 12 months. Over time, the VSS scores of all 12 patients gradually decreased, with a range of 4-11 at 12 months (mean, 6.8). CONCLUSION For limb degloving injuries that cannot be replanted immediately and do not have the conditions for deep low-temperature freezing preservation, the method of preserving the degloving skin at 4℃ for delayed replantation can be chosen.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Replantation/methods* ; Female ; Degloving Injuries/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Extremities/injuries* ; Time Factors ; Skin/injuries* ; Tissue Preservation/methods*

Objective This study established a qualitative and quantitative detection method for 9 new synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette oil using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.Methods E-cigarette oil was extracted with methanol,concentrated by nitrogen blowing under a water bath at 60℃,and separated using an Acquity UPLC? HSS T3(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.8 μm)column.Gradient elution was performed with ammonium acetate buffer solution(20 mmol/L)containing 0.1%formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase.Detection was carried out in the positive ion mode of the HESI ion source using DDA(FullScan+dd-MS2)mode.Quantification was performed using the external standard method based on precise precursor ion peak areas,while qualitative analysis relied on retention times and characteristic fragment ions.Results The results showed that the standard curves of all 9 synthetic cannabinoids in blank e-cigarette oil matrix exhibited good linearity with R2 values>0.999.The limits of detection ranged from 0.0001 to 0.01 μg/g,and the limits of quantification ranged from 0.0003 to 0.03 μg/g.Recovery rates at low,medium,and high spiking levels in blank e-cigarette oil matrix ranged from 75.7%to 115%,with relative deviations<8.5%.Conclusion This method features a short instrument detection time of only 10 min,relatively simple operation,low detection limits,high accuracy,and good precision,making it applicable for rapid screening and quantitative analysis of synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette oil.

Objective:To explore the trajectories of breastfeeding social support and postpartum depression from childbirth through 6 months postpartum in postpartum women.Methods:A longitudinal survey method was adopted. Using convenience sampling method, postpartum women who were hospitalized and delivered in the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from June to July 2023 were selected. The Hughes Breastfeeding Support Scale (HBSS) and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to collect data at three times including departure (T1), 42 days postpartum (T2), and 6 months postpartum (T3). Repeated analysis of variance was used to explore the trajectories of breastfeeding social support and postpartum depression at different times, and LSD test was used for pairwise comparison. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the HBSS and EPDS.Results:Finally, 435 postpartum women completed the survey. There were 171 cases aged 20-29 years old, 237 cases aged 30-39 years old, and 27 cases aged ≥ 40 years old.The rate of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months after delivery was 41.1%(179/435). The total score of HBSS in parturients was at a high level at T1, with a score of (84.08 ± 14.14) points, but at T2 and T3, it was at a moderate level with scores of (77.45 ± 15.29), (78.42 ± 15.97) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant at different time points ( F=36.59, P<0.01). The total score of EPDS in parturients at T1, T2, and T3, were (8.53 ± 4.81), (8.29 ± 5.52), (7.71 ± 5.02) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant at different time points ( F=6.44, P<0.01). The scores of HBSS were negatively correlated with the scores of EPDS at three times ( r=-0.345, -0.458, -0.578, all P<0.01). Conclusions:The level of breastfeeding social support and postpartum depression showed a dynamic change trend, and these two variables were negatively related. Nursing staff should strengthen the construction of social support network for breastfeeding, and implement personalized intervention measures according to the psychological characteristics of postpartum women in different stages to improve the current situation of breastfeeding.

Objective:To systematically analyze the incidence and influencing factors of frailty in elderly patients with hematologic malignancies.Methods:Research on frailty in elderly patients with hematologic malignancies was retrieved from Chinese and English databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, PubMed, and Web of Science. The search period was from database establishment to August 23, 2024. Two researchers screened the included studies, conducted quality assessment, and extracted data. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 18 and RevMan 5.4.Results:A total of seven studies were included, encompassing 19 076 elderly hematologic malignancy patients, with a frailty incidence of 59% [95% CI (0.48, 0.69) ]. Meta-analysis revealed that age [ MD=4.31, 95% CI (3.67, 4.96) ], gender [ OR=0.88, 95% CI (0.83, 0.93) ], alcohol consumption [ OR=1.67, 95% CI (1.15, 2.44) ], self-care ability [ MD=-1.79, 95% CI (-3.17, -0.41) ], anemia [ OR=6.67, 95% CI (2.94, 15.14) ], infection [ OR=1.81, 95% CI (1.16, 2.84) ], and neuropathy [ OR=2.52, 95% CI (1.38, 4.61) ] were the influencing factors of frailty in elderly patients with hematologic malignancies. Conclusions:The incidence of frailty is high in elderly patients with hematologic malignancies. Elderly patients with hematologic malignancies who are older, female, consume alcohol, have low self-care ability, anemia, infections, and neuropathy are prone to frailty. Healthcare providers can conduct early screening and intervention for high-risk populations of frailty based on risk factors to improve the quality of life for elderly hematologic malignancy patients.

Objective·To investigate an optimal severe periodontitis mouse model by comparing two induction methods:simple ligature and ligature combined with injection of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide(P.g.LPS).Methods·Fifteen C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups:a healthy control group,a simple ligature-induced periodontitis group,and a ligature combined with P.g.LPS injection-induced periodontitis group.After 14 d,the following evaluations were conducted:tooth mobility and probing depth under a stereomicroscope;alveolar bone resorption[bone volume fraction,bone mineral density,the distance from the cemento-enamel junction(CEJ)to the alveolar bone crest(ABC),and the area between CEJ and ABC]analyzed via micro computed tomography(Micro-CT)and stereomicroscopic examination.The serum levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results·Compared with the simple ligature group,mice in the ligature with P.g.LPS injection group exhibited significantly increased tooth mobility[(2.20±0.45)vs(1.40±0.55)]and probing depth[(1.05±0.21)mm vs(0.58±0.39)mm],with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).The ligature with P.g.LPS injection group also demonstrated significantly reduced bone volume fraction[(16.44%±3.35%)vs(28.97%±7.90%)]and bone mineral density[(0.42±0.04)g/cm3 vs(0.55±0.08)g/cm3],as well as increased distance from CEJ to ABC[(0.88±0.03)mm vs(0.74±0.12)mm]and area between CEJ and ABC[(0.34±0.01)mm2 vs(0.30±0.02)mm2],all with statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).Additionally,serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly elevated in the ligature with P.g.LPS injection group compared to the simple ligature group(both P＜0.05).Conclusion·The method of ligature combined with continuous P.g.LPS injection is more effective for constructing a severe periodontitis mouse model,making it suitable for studying the progression and treatment of severe periodontitis.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of the gastrointestinal endoscopic super minimally invasive surgery (eSMIS) and the laparoscopic minimally invasive procedure (LS) for the treatment of gastric glomus tumors(GGT).Methods:This study retrospectively included 15 patients with GGT who underwent eSMIS at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from May 2014 to May 2024. Data on demographic characteristics, surgical indexes, efficacy evaluation indexes, postoperative medical disposition, health economics indexes and postoperative laboratory indexes were collected and analyzed, the patients were followed up for survival outcomes and the postoperative quality of life, efficacy and safety of the two groups were compared.Results:The amount of bleeding in the eSMIS group was lower than that in the LS group: 1.25 (0, 3.75) ml vs. 41.56 (10.00, 50.00) ml, and the surgical cost in the eSMIS group was lower than that in the LS group: 10 792.87 (8 424.90, 12 730.30) yuan vs. 21 773.06 (19 940.60, 24 843.10) yuan, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The surgical efficacy, postoperative laboratory indicators and medical treatment convenience between the two groups had no statistical differences ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the choice of surgical procedures for the treatment of GGT, eSMIS is superior to LS in terms of bleeding and surgical cost, and not inferior to LS in other indicators. This suggested that the treatment of GGT with eSMIS is feasible, safe and effective.

Objective:To systematically analyze the incidence and influencing factors of frailty in elderly patients with hematologic malignancies.Methods:Research on frailty in elderly patients with hematologic malignancies was retrieved from Chinese and English databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, PubMed, and Web of Science. The search period was from database establishment to August 23, 2024. Two researchers screened the included studies, conducted quality assessment, and extracted data. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 18 and RevMan 5.4.Results:A total of seven studies were included, encompassing 19 076 elderly hematologic malignancy patients, with a frailty incidence of 59% [95% CI (0.48, 0.69) ]. Meta-analysis revealed that age [ MD=4.31, 95% CI (3.67, 4.96) ], gender [ OR=0.88, 95% CI (0.83, 0.93) ], alcohol consumption [ OR=1.67, 95% CI (1.15, 2.44) ], self-care ability [ MD=-1.79, 95% CI (-3.17, -0.41) ], anemia [ OR=6.67, 95% CI (2.94, 15.14) ], infection [ OR=1.81, 95% CI (1.16, 2.84) ], and neuropathy [ OR=2.52, 95% CI (1.38, 4.61) ] were the influencing factors of frailty in elderly patients with hematologic malignancies. Conclusions:The incidence of frailty is high in elderly patients with hematologic malignancies. Elderly patients with hematologic malignancies who are older, female, consume alcohol, have low self-care ability, anemia, infections, and neuropathy are prone to frailty. Healthcare providers can conduct early screening and intervention for high-risk populations of frailty based on risk factors to improve the quality of life for elderly hematologic malignancy patients.