Chest low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is a widely utilized modality for lung cancer screening and follow-up in high-risk populations, owing to its low radiation dose. However, the diagnostic accuracy of LDCT is significantly constrained by inherent limitations, including elevated image noise and reduced contrast resolution. The potential for deep learning technologies to address these challenges through data-driven LDCT image denoising approaches has been demonstrated. In this review, the advantages and limitations of deep learning models were introduced, including supervised, unsupervised, and self-supervised learning. The potential and challenges of these models in clinical applications were analyzed, thereby providing a reference for subsequent research and clinical practice.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Objective To retrospectively assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the Huiyin point combined with Qingdu wash solution in the treatment of high-risk HPV infection.Methods A total of 264 patients who were initially diagnosed with high-risk HPV infection at the University City Gynecology Department of Guang-dong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2022 and June 2024 were enrolled in the study.These patients were divided into two groups based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.The ob-servation group included 134 patients who received acupuncture at the Huiyin acupoint combined with Qingdu wash solution,while the control group consisted of 130 patients who did not receive any intervention.The treatment pe-riod lasted for three months,during which the short-term clinical efficacy and safety profile were evaluated.Results The HR-HPV clearance rates in the observation group at 3 months and 6 months were 61.9%and 65.7%,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in the control group(16.9%and 21.5%),and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.001).Following a three-month treatment regimen,the rate of HR-HPV positive-to-negative conversion in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group,with a statistically significant intergroup difference(P<0.001).The improvement in tra-ditional Chinese medicine(TCM)-related symptoms was also significantly better in the observation group compared to the control group(P<0.05).During the follow-up period,no cases of recurrence were observed in the observa-tion group,whereas the recurrence rate in the control group was 1.5%.Furthermore,no adverse reactions were re-ported in the observation group throughout the treatment period.Conclusion Acupuncture at the Huiyin point,when combined with Qingdu wash solution,can enhance the therapeutic outcomes of high-risk HPV infection and demonstrates a favorable safety profile.

Objective To retrospectively assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the Huiyin point combined with Qingdu wash solution in the treatment of high-risk HPV infection.Methods A total of 264 patients who were initially diagnosed with high-risk HPV infection at the University City Gynecology Department of Guang-dong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2022 and June 2024 were enrolled in the study.These patients were divided into two groups based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.The ob-servation group included 134 patients who received acupuncture at the Huiyin acupoint combined with Qingdu wash solution,while the control group consisted of 130 patients who did not receive any intervention.The treatment pe-riod lasted for three months,during which the short-term clinical efficacy and safety profile were evaluated.Results The HR-HPV clearance rates in the observation group at 3 months and 6 months were 61.9%and 65.7%,respectively,which were significantly higher than those in the control group(16.9%and 21.5%),and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.001).Following a three-month treatment regimen,the rate of HR-HPV positive-to-negative conversion in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group,with a statistically significant intergroup difference(P<0.001).The improvement in tra-ditional Chinese medicine(TCM)-related symptoms was also significantly better in the observation group compared to the control group(P<0.05).During the follow-up period,no cases of recurrence were observed in the observa-tion group,whereas the recurrence rate in the control group was 1.5%.Furthermore,no adverse reactions were re-ported in the observation group throughout the treatment period.Conclusion Acupuncture at the Huiyin point,when combined with Qingdu wash solution,can enhance the therapeutic outcomes of high-risk HPV infection and demonstrates a favorable safety profile.

Objective:To evaluate the survival benefit of surgical treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This study is conducted based on the hepatobiliary tumor registry database. From May 2009 to December 2022,a total of 704 patients who were initially diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and underwent liver resection were consecutively enrolled at the Hepatobiliary Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Among them,there were 380 males and 324 females,aged ( M(IQR)) 61(15) years(range:27 to 88 years). Twenty-six (3.7%) patients received neoadjuvant therapy before surgery. The overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS) rates were estimated by life table method, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival difference among tumor-node-metastasis(TNM) staging or three periods. The OS and DFS differences among lymph node groups or adjuvant treatment groups were quantified as HR with 95% CI estimated using Cox proportional-hazards model with adjustment for prognostic factors. Results:Among the 704 patients,349 cases(49.6%) underwent major hepatectomy (≥3 segments),331(47.0%) had lymph node resection during surgery,and 524 cases(74.4%) achieved R0 resection. The morbidity of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or higher complications was 16.5%(116/704),with a mortality rate of 3.0%(21/704) within 30 days post-surgery. The median OS time was 27.1 months, and the OS rates at 1-,3-,5- and 10-year were 69.1%, 42.4%,34.1% and 24.5%,respectively. The median DFS time was 10.5 months,and the corresponding DFS rates were 46.0%,25.4%,21.9% and 16.9%,respectively. According to the 8 th edition of AJCC staging system, the 5-year survival rates for ⅠA,ⅠB,Ⅱ,ⅢA,ⅢB and Ⅳ were 68.4%, 43.2%, 30.3%,32.2%,14.0% and 0,respectively. The corresponding DFS rates were 55.8%, 28.1%,13.8%,21.2%,3.3% and 0,respectively. There were no statistically significant differences of OS or DFS between stage ⅠB and Ⅱ, stage ⅠB and ⅢA, or between stage Ⅱ and ⅢA(Log-rank test:all P>0.05),while there were significant differences of OS and DFS among other stages(Log-rank test:all P<0.05). Using Cox model with adjustment for prognostic factors, there were no statistically significant differences of OS and DFS between non-lymphadenectomy group or the biopsy-N0 group and dissection-N0 group(both P>0.05). However,the overall and disease-free survival of the biopsy-N1 group or dissection-N1 group were worse than those of dissection-N0 group(both P<0.05),with overall survival being better in dissection-N1 group than biopsy-N1 group( P=0.017). Overall survival in the period from 2019 to 2022 were significantly superior to that during the periods from 2009 to 2013 and 2014 to 2018(both P<0.01). Adjusting for prognostic factors, the disease-free and overall survival of the postoperative adjuvant therapy group were significantly better than those of the observation group in the period 2019 to 2022(both P<0.01). Conclusions:Surgery remains a milestone for achieving long-term survival for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Regional lymph node dissection is required for patients with lymph node metastasis. Adjuvant therapy can significantly reduce tumor recurrence and prolong overall survival.

AIM:To observe the role of enoyl-coenzyme A hydratase/L-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydroge-nase(Ehhadh)in renal tubulointerstitial inflammation in high-fat diet(HFD)fed mice,and to explore its molecular mecha-nism.METHODS:Twenty-four C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:standard diet(SD)group,HFD group,HFD with Ehhadh overexpression(HFD+Ehh)group and HFD with blank vector(HFD+Vec)group.Each group consisted of 6 mice.The HFD mice were fed with a diet containing 60%fat,20%protein,and 20%carbohydrates for 16 weeks.Briefly,at the end of 8 weeks,the mice in HFD+Ehh or HFD+Vec group were injected with adeno-associated virus 9(AAV9)-Ehhadh or AAV9-vector via the tail vein,and then continued another 8-week HFD feeding.At the end of the experiments,the renal function and morphological changes were observed.The protein expression levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),caspase-1 p10,interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 in the kidney were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the colocalization of Ehhadh and peroxisomal biogenesis factor 14(Pex14).ELISA was used to detect the content of IL-1β and IL-18 in the urine.Lipid droplet formation in renal tissues was detected by Nile red staining.Absolute quantitative lip-idomic analysis were used to detect the differential lipid species in renal cortices of the mice in SD,HFD and HFD+Ehh groups.RESULTS:Compared with SD group,the expression of Ehhadh protein was significantly decreased in the peroxi-some of renal tubular epithelium cells in HFD-fed mice(P<0.01).Overexpression of Ehhadh significantly improved renal function(P<0.01)and alleviated the morphological changes of renal tubular epithelial cells in HFD group.Moreover,it significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and macrophage infiltration in renal tu-bule interstitium of HFD-fed mice(P<0.01).At the same time,Ehhadh overexpression inhibited HFD-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation(P<0.01).It also attenuated lipid deposition in renal tubular epithelium cells(P<0.01)and promoted the β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acid such as cholesterol and phospholipids in peroxisomes.CONCLUSION:The Ehhadh inhibits tubulointerstitial inflammation by promoting long-chain fatty acid β-oxidation in peroxisomes and in-hibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in HFD-fed mice.

AIM:To observe the role of enoyl-coenzyme A hydratase/L-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydroge-nase(Ehhadh)in renal tubulointerstitial inflammation in high-fat diet(HFD)fed mice,and to explore its molecular mecha-nism.METHODS:Twenty-four C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:standard diet(SD)group,HFD group,HFD with Ehhadh overexpression(HFD+Ehh)group and HFD with blank vector(HFD+Vec)group.Each group consisted of 6 mice.The HFD mice were fed with a diet containing 60%fat,20%protein,and 20%carbohydrates for 16 weeks.Briefly,at the end of 8 weeks,the mice in HFD+Ehh or HFD+Vec group were injected with adeno-associated virus 9(AAV9)-Ehhadh or AAV9-vector via the tail vein,and then continued another 8-week HFD feeding.At the end of the experiments,the renal function and morphological changes were observed.The protein expression levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),caspase-1 p10,interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 in the kidney were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the colocalization of Ehhadh and peroxisomal biogenesis factor 14(Pex14).ELISA was used to detect the content of IL-1β and IL-18 in the urine.Lipid droplet formation in renal tissues was detected by Nile red staining.Absolute quantitative lip-idomic analysis were used to detect the differential lipid species in renal cortices of the mice in SD,HFD and HFD+Ehh groups.RESULTS:Compared with SD group,the expression of Ehhadh protein was significantly decreased in the peroxi-some of renal tubular epithelium cells in HFD-fed mice(P<0.01).Overexpression of Ehhadh significantly improved renal function(P<0.01)and alleviated the morphological changes of renal tubular epithelial cells in HFD group.Moreover,it significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 and macrophage infiltration in renal tu-bule interstitium of HFD-fed mice(P<0.01).At the same time,Ehhadh overexpression inhibited HFD-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation(P<0.01).It also attenuated lipid deposition in renal tubular epithelium cells(P<0.01)and promoted the β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acid such as cholesterol and phospholipids in peroxisomes.CONCLUSION:The Ehhadh inhibits tubulointerstitial inflammation by promoting long-chain fatty acid β-oxidation in peroxisomes and in-hibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in HFD-fed mice.

Objective:To evaluate the survival benefit of surgical treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This study is conducted based on the hepatobiliary tumor registry database. From May 2009 to December 2022,a total of 704 patients who were initially diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and underwent liver resection were consecutively enrolled at the Hepatobiliary Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Among them,there were 380 males and 324 females,aged ( M(IQR)) 61(15) years(range:27 to 88 years). Twenty-six (3.7%) patients received neoadjuvant therapy before surgery. The overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS) rates were estimated by life table method, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival difference among tumor-node-metastasis(TNM) staging or three periods. The OS and DFS differences among lymph node groups or adjuvant treatment groups were quantified as HR with 95% CI estimated using Cox proportional-hazards model with adjustment for prognostic factors. Results:Among the 704 patients,349 cases(49.6%) underwent major hepatectomy (≥3 segments),331(47.0%) had lymph node resection during surgery,and 524 cases(74.4%) achieved R0 resection. The morbidity of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or higher complications was 16.5%(116/704),with a mortality rate of 3.0%(21/704) within 30 days post-surgery. The median OS time was 27.1 months, and the OS rates at 1-,3-,5- and 10-year were 69.1%, 42.4%,34.1% and 24.5%,respectively. The median DFS time was 10.5 months,and the corresponding DFS rates were 46.0%,25.4%,21.9% and 16.9%,respectively. According to the 8 th edition of AJCC staging system, the 5-year survival rates for ⅠA,ⅠB,Ⅱ,ⅢA,ⅢB and Ⅳ were 68.4%, 43.2%, 30.3%,32.2%,14.0% and 0,respectively. The corresponding DFS rates were 55.8%, 28.1%,13.8%,21.2%,3.3% and 0,respectively. There were no statistically significant differences of OS or DFS between stage ⅠB and Ⅱ, stage ⅠB and ⅢA, or between stage Ⅱ and ⅢA(Log-rank test:all P>0.05),while there were significant differences of OS and DFS among other stages(Log-rank test:all P<0.05). Using Cox model with adjustment for prognostic factors, there were no statistically significant differences of OS and DFS between non-lymphadenectomy group or the biopsy-N0 group and dissection-N0 group(both P>0.05). However,the overall and disease-free survival of the biopsy-N1 group or dissection-N1 group were worse than those of dissection-N0 group(both P<0.05),with overall survival being better in dissection-N1 group than biopsy-N1 group( P=0.017). Overall survival in the period from 2019 to 2022 were significantly superior to that during the periods from 2009 to 2013 and 2014 to 2018(both P<0.01). Adjusting for prognostic factors, the disease-free and overall survival of the postoperative adjuvant therapy group were significantly better than those of the observation group in the period 2019 to 2022(both P<0.01). Conclusions:Surgery remains a milestone for achieving long-term survival for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Regional lymph node dissection is required for patients with lymph node metastasis. Adjuvant therapy can significantly reduce tumor recurrence and prolong overall survival.

Objective To investigate the difference of CT features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST),neurogenic tumors,and leiomyomas in stomach.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical and CT features from 312 cases of GIST,21 cases of neurogenic tumors,and 35 cases of leiomyomas in stomach.Results GIST were most commonly found in the body of stomach and exhibited large tumor sizes and late onset.CT showed GIST predominantly showed intraluminal and mixed growth pattern with irregular or round shapes and uneven density,and cystic degeneration and calcification were frequently observed.The CT values of GIST in the arterial phase and the degree of arterial enhancement were higher,with light to moderate arterial phase enhancement and moderate to marked venous phase enhancement.Gastric leiomyomas had smaller tumor sizes and presented mainly in the cardia,gastric fundus,and lesser curvature of gastric body.CT showed the intraluminal growth pattern,primarily in round shapes with uniform density,lower incidence of cystic degeneration and calcification,both the arterial and venous phase CT values and the extent of enhancement in these phases were lower,showed no or slight enhancement during the arterial phase and light to moderate enhancement during the venous phase.Gastric neurogenic tumors were predominantly located in the gastric body and antrum.CT showed the tumors demonstrated extraluminal and mixed growth patterns,most with oval-shaped appearace,uniform density and the venous phase CT values and the degree of enhancement were higher,with light to moderate arterial enhancement and moderate to marked venous enhancement.Conclusion GIST,neurogenic tumors,and leiomyomas in stomach can be differentiated based on their distinct CT features.Accurate recognition of these features aids in the differential diagnosis of these kinds of tumors.

Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the efficacy of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects who were previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extended or switched TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on virological, serological, biological parameters, and fibrosis staging. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, t-test, or Log-Rank test according to the data. Results:593 subjects from the initial TMF group and 287 subjects from the TDF group were included at week 144, with the proportions of HBV DNA<20 IU/ml at week 144 being 86.2% and 83.3%, respectively, and 78.1% and 73.8% in patients with baseline HBV DNA levels ≥8 log10 IU/ml. Resistance to tenofovir was not detected in both groups. For HBeAg loss and seroconversion rates, both groups showed a further increase from week 96 to 144 and the 3-year cumulative rates of HBeAg loss were about 35% in each group. However, HBsAg levels were less affected during 96 to 144 weeks. For patients switched from TDF to TMF, a substantial further increase in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate was observed (11.4%), along with improved FIB-4 scores.Conclusion:After 144 weeks of TMF treatment, CHB patients achieved high rates of virological, serological, and biochemical responses, as well as improved liver fibrosis outcomes. Also, switching to TMF resulted in significant benefits in ALT normalization rates (NCT03903796).