Objective To evaluate the performance of the artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled snail identification system for recognition of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni and Tricula in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province. Methods Fifty O. hupensis robertsoni and 50 Tricula samples were collected from Yongbei Township, Yongsheng County, Lijiang City, a schistosomiasis-endemic area in Yunnan Province in May 2024. A total of 100 snail sample images were captured with smartphones, including front-view images of 25 O. hupensis robertsoni and 25 Tricula samples (upward shell opening) and back-view images of 25 O. hupensis robertsoni and 25 Tricula samples (downward shell opening). Snail samples were identified as O. hupensis robertsoni or Tricula by schistosomiasis control experts with a deputy senior professional title and above according to image quality and morphological characteristics. A standard dataset for snail image classification was created, and served as a gold standard for recognition of snail samples. A total of 100 snail sample images were recognized with the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system based on a WeChat mini program in smartphones. Schistosomiasis control professionals were randomly sampled from stations of schistosomisis prevention and control and centers for disease control and prevention in 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts, cities) of Yunnan Province, for artificial identification of 100 snail sample images. All professionals are assigned to two groups according the median years of snail survey experiences, and the effect of years of snail survey experiences on O. hupensis robertsoni sample image recognition was evaluated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, Youden’s index and the area under the curve (AUC) of the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification were calculated for recognition of snail sample images. The snail sample image recognition results of AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification were compared with the gold standard, and the internal consistency of artificial identification results was evaluated with the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha. Results A total of 54 schistosomiasis control professionals were sampled for artificial identification of snail sample image recognition, with a response rate of 100% (54/54), and the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Youden’s index, and AUC of artificial identification were 90%, 86%, 94%, 0.80 and 0.90 for recognition of snail sample images, respectively. The overall Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of artificial identification was 0.768 for recognition of snail sample images, and the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was 0.916 for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images and 0.925 for recognition of Tricula snail sample images. The overall accuracy of artificial identification was 90% for recognition of snail sample images, and there was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni (86%) and Tricula snail sample images (94%) (χ² = 1.778, P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images with upward (88%) and downward shell openings (92%) (χ² = 0.444, P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images between schistosomiasis control professionals with snail survey experiences of 6 years and less (75%) and more than 6 years (90%) (χ² = 7.792, P < 0.05). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system were 88%, 100%, 76% and 0.88 for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images, and there was no significant difference in the accuracy of recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images between the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification (χ² = 0.204, P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images with upward (90%) and downward shell openings (86%) (χ² = 0.379, P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images between schistosomiasis control professionals with snail survey experiences of 6 years and less and more than 6 years (χ² = 5.604, P_adjusted < 0.025). Conclusions The accuracy of recognition of snail sample images is comparable between the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification by schistosomiasis control professionals, and the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system is feasible for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni and Tricula in Yunnan Province.

BACKGROUND:Degenerative scoliosis is defined as a condition that occurs in adulthood with a coronal cobb angle of the spine>10° accompanied by sagittal deformity and rotational subluxation,which often produces symptoms of spinal cord and nerve compression,such as lumbar pain,lower limb pain,numbness,weakness,and neurogenic claudication.The finite element method is a mechanical analysis technique for computer modelling,which can be used for spinal mechanics research by building digital models that can realistically restore the human spine model and design modifications. OBJECTIVE:To review the application of finite element method in the etiology and treatment of degenerative scoliosis. METHODS:The literature databases CNKI,PubMed,and Web of Science were searched for articles on the application of finite element method in degenerative scoliosis published before October 2023.Search terms were"finite element analysis,biomechanics,stress analysis,degenerative scoliosis,adult spinal deformity"in Chinese and English.Fifty-four papers were finally included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The biomechanical findings from the degenerative scoliosis model constructed using the finite element method were identical to those from the in vivo experimental studies,which proves that the finite element method has a high practical value in degenerative scoliosis.(2)The study of the etiology and treatment of degenerative scoliosis by the finite element method is conducive to the prevention of the occurrence of the scoliosis,slowing down the progress of the scoliosis,the development of a more appropriate treatment plan,the reduction of complications,and the promotion of the patients'surgical operation.(3)The finite element method has gradually evolved from a single bony structure to the inclusion of soft tissues such as muscle ligaments,and the small sample content is increasingly unable to meet the research needs.(4)The finite element method has much room for exploration in degenerative scoliosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) on liver synthesis and development of liver cirrhosis.Methods:This is a prospective case series study.The clinical data of liver cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who received LSD at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Northern Jiangsu People′s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from September 2014 to January 2016 were included. This study analyzed the diameter of the portal vein, the velocity of portal blood flow, the routine blood parameters, the liver function, the synthetic proteins of liver (antithrombin Ⅲ (AT-Ⅲ), protein S, protein C), and the serum content of liver fibrotic markers(collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin, hyaluronidase). Repeated measures ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups, and least significance difference was used for post-hoc multiple comparison.Results:A total of 106 patients were included in the study, including 70 males and 36 females, aged (51.8±9.8) years(range: 28 to 75 years).Compared with the preoperative results, the diameter of portal vein and the velocity of portal vein decreased after surgery ( F=14.03, 12.15, respectively, both P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative results, the total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, Child-Pugh score and classification were improved ( F=17.96, 56.01, 66.63, 35.83, 33.49, and 27.50, respectively, all P<0.01), and the AT-Ⅲ, protein S, protein C,collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin and hyaluronidase levels were also improved ( F=47.87, 36.26, 18.02, 2.79, 14.58, 44.35, and 14.38, respectively, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, the diameter of portal vein was reduced from the first week to the 24 th month after surgery ( t=5.45 to 9.39, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, the velocity of portal vein blood from the first week after surgery to the 24 th month after surgery was decreased ( t=4.02 to 8.43, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, routine blood parameters (white blood count, hemoglobin, platelet count), liver function (total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, Child-Pugh score), liver synthetic protein (AT-Ⅲ, protein S, protein C) and liver fibrotic markers (collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin, hyaluronidase) were improved to varying degrees at the 24th month after surgery ( t=-20.46 to 11.93, all P<0.01). Conclusion:Preliminary findings show that LSD can reduce portal vein pressure, restore blood cell number, and improve liver synthesis function and the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.

Objective:To analyze the current status of red blood cell transfusion in very preterm infants (VPI) (gestational age at birth <32 weeks) from Chinese Neonatal Network (CHNN) in 2022.Methods:This cross-sectional study was based on the CHNN VPI cohort. It included 6 985 VPI admitted to CHNN 89 participating centers within 24 hours after birth in 2022. VPI with major congenital anomalies or those transferred to non-CHNN centers for treatment or discharged against medical advice were excluded. VPI were categorized based on whether they received red blood cell transfusions, their gestational age at birth, the type of respiratory support received during transfusion, and whether the pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels exceeded the thresholds. General characteristics, red blood cell transfusion rates, number of transfusions, timing of the first transfusion, and pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels were compared among different groups. The incidence of adverse outcomes between the group of VPI who received transfusions above the threshold and those who received transfusions below the threshold were compared. Comparison among different groups was conducted using χ2 tests, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and so on. Trends by gestational age at birth were evaluated by Cochran-Armitage tests and Jonckheere-Terpstra tests for trend. Results:Among the 6 985 VPI, 3 865 cases(55.3%) were male, with a gestational age at birth of 30.0 (28.6, 31.0) weeks and a birth weight of (1 302±321) g. Overall, 3 617 cases (51.8%) received red blood cell transfusion, while 3 368 cases (48.2%) did not. The red blood cell transfusion rate was 51.8% (3 617/6 985), with rates of 77.7% (893/1 150) for those born before 28 weeks gestational age and 46.7% (2 724/5 835) for those born between 28 and 31 weeks gestational age. A total of 9 616 times red blood cell transfusions were administered to 3 617 VPI, with 632 times missing pre-transfusion hemoglobin data, and 8 984 times included in the analysis. Of the red blood cell transfusions, 25.6% (2 459/9 616) were administered when invasive respiratory support was required, 51.3% (4 934/9 616) were receiving non-invasive respiratory support, while 23.1% (2 223/9, 616) were given when no respiratory support was needed. Compared to the non-transfusion group, the red blood cell transfusion group had a higher rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension in mothers, lower rates of born via cesarean section and mother′s antenatal steroid administration, smaller gestational age, lower birth weight, a higher proportion of small-for-gestational-age, multiple births, and proportions of Apgar score at the 5 th minute after birth ≤3 (all P<0.05). They were also less likely to be female, born in hospital or undergo delayed cord clamping (all P<0.01). Additionally, higher transport risk index of physiologic stability score at admission were observed in the red blood cell transfusion group ( P<0.001). The number of red blood cell transfusion was 2 (1, 3) times, with the first transfusion occurring at an age of 18 (8, 29) days, and a pre-transfusion hemoglobin level of 97 (86, 109) g/L. For VPI ≤7 days of age, the pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels for invasive respiratory support, non-invasive respiratory support, or no respiratory support, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between groups ( H=5.59, P=0.061). For VPI aged 8 to 21 days and≥22 days, the levels with statistically differences between groups (both P<0.01). Red blood cell transfusions above recommended thresholds were observed in all respiratory support categories at different stages of life, with the highest prevalence in infants aged 8 to 21 days and≥22 days who did not require respiratory support, at 90.1% (264/273) and 91.1%(1 578/1 732), respectively. The rate of necrotizing enterocolitis was higher in the above-threshold group ( χ2=10.59, P=0.001), and the duration of hospital stay was longer in the above-threshold group ( Z=4.67, P<0.001) compared to the below-threshold group. Conclusions:In 2022, the red blood cell transfusion rate was relatively high among VPI from CHNN. Pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels frequently exceeded recommended transfusion thresholds.

Objective:To investigate the effect of laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) on liver synthesis and development of liver cirrhosis.Methods:This is a prospective case series study.The clinical data of liver cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who received LSD at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Northern Jiangsu People′s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from September 2014 to January 2016 were included. This study analyzed the diameter of the portal vein, the velocity of portal blood flow, the routine blood parameters, the liver function, the synthetic proteins of liver (antithrombin Ⅲ (AT-Ⅲ), protein S, protein C), and the serum content of liver fibrotic markers(collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin, hyaluronidase). Repeated measures ANOVA was used for comparison between multiple groups, and least significance difference was used for post-hoc multiple comparison.Results:A total of 106 patients were included in the study, including 70 males and 36 females, aged (51.8±9.8) years(range: 28 to 75 years).Compared with the preoperative results, the diameter of portal vein and the velocity of portal vein decreased after surgery ( F=14.03, 12.15, respectively, both P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative results, the total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, Child-Pugh score and classification were improved ( F=17.96, 56.01, 66.63, 35.83, 33.49, and 27.50, respectively, all P<0.01), and the AT-Ⅲ, protein S, protein C,collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin and hyaluronidase levels were also improved ( F=47.87, 36.26, 18.02, 2.79, 14.58, 44.35, and 14.38, respectively, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, the diameter of portal vein was reduced from the first week to the 24 th month after surgery ( t=5.45 to 9.39, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, the velocity of portal vein blood from the first week after surgery to the 24 th month after surgery was decreased ( t=4.02 to 8.43, all P<0.01). Compared with the preoperative period, routine blood parameters (white blood count, hemoglobin, platelet count), liver function (total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, Child-Pugh score), liver synthetic protein (AT-Ⅲ, protein S, protein C) and liver fibrotic markers (collagen type Ⅳ, procollagen type Ⅲ, laminin, hyaluronidase) were improved to varying degrees at the 24th month after surgery ( t=-20.46 to 11.93, all P<0.01). Conclusion:Preliminary findings show that LSD can reduce portal vein pressure, restore blood cell number, and improve liver synthesis function and the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis.

By analyzing the current application of multi-modal data in the diagnosis of gastric "inflammation-cancer" transformation， this study explored the feasibility and strategies for constructing a disease-syndrome integrated diagnosis and treatment system. Based on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） phenomics， we proposed utilizing multi-modal data from literature research， cross-sectional studies， and cohort follow-ups， combined with artificial intelligence technology， to establish a multi-dimensional diagnostic and treatment index system. This approach aims to uncover the complex pathogenesis and transformation patterns of gastric "inflammation-cancer" progression. Additionally， by dynamically collecting TCM four-diagnostic information and modern medical diagnostic information through a long-term follow-up system， we developed three major modules including information extraction， multi-modal phenotypic modeling， and information output， to make it enable real-world clinical data-driven long-term follow-up and treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis. This system can provide technical support for clinical diagnosis， treatment evaluation， and research， while also offering insights and methods for intelligent TCM diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of cinnamic aldehyde(CA)on Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer(Bak)in vascular endothelial cells of diabetic ulcer wound tissues,as well as on cell apoptosis.Methods ① Forty-eight healthy SPF-grade male SD rats(5 weeks old,weighing 180～220 g)were randomly assigned to a control group(12 rats)and a diabetes group(36 rats).The diabetic model was established with an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg STZ-citrate sodium solution and high-fat diet feeding.The diabetes group was further randomly divided into Model group,CA group,and the rb-bFGF group,with 12 animals in each group.Wounds in the Con and Model groups were disinfected and topically treated with normal saline,CA group received topical application of 4 μmol/L CA in PEG 400 gel,and those of the rb-bFGF group were treated with bevacizumab gel.The wound healing rate of each group was calculated at 3,7 and 14 d after intervention.At 14 d after intervention,pathological changes in the wounds were observed with HE staining,and the expression levels of Bax and Bak were detected by Western blotting.② Human umbilical vein endothelial cell line EA.hy926 was treated with 175 mmol/L glucose for 48 h to establish a cell model of high glucose injury.The experimental cells were divided into control group,model group and CA treatment group.Cell scratch test and tube formation test were performed respectively to determine the migration ability and angiogenesis of the cells.The expression levels of Bax and Bak was detected with immunofluorescence assay,and cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining.Results ①The diabetic rats in the Model group exhibited significantly higher blood glucose level(P<0.05),declined wound healing rate at 7 and 14 d after intervention(P<0.05),and enhanced expression levels of Bax and Bak(P<0.05)when compared with the control group.Pathological observation revealed that,at 14 d after intervention,accompanied with inflammatory reactions,dense infiltration of inflammatory cells,fewer new blood vessels,and continuous fluid exudation in the wound were observed in the Model group,but the control group presented complete epithelialization in full-thickness skin.Compared with the conditions in the Model group,both CA and rb-bFGF treatment improved the epithelialization process,with mature granulation tissues,showing good healing condition,promoted wound healing rate(P<0.05),and decreased the expression levels of Bax and Bak(P<0.05).② The results of cell experiments showed that the cells of the model group showed significantly reduced migration ability and tube formation ability(P<0.05),reduced protein levels of Bax and Bak(P<0.05),and lower apoptotic rate(P<0.05)when compared with the cells in the model group.Conclusion CA can inhibit the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bak,promote the migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells,and inhibit the cell apoptosis under high glucose condition,which may be an important reason for its promoting wound healing in diabetic ulcer rats.

The rapid and non-destructive detection of constituent content of fresh tea leaves shows an important reference value for quality identification of tea.Visible near infrared(Vis-NIR)spectroscopy has been used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical components in plant samples with the advantages such as simple,rapid and non-destructive detection.In this study,residual attention convolutional neural network(RACNN)was used to predict the internal constituent content of fresh tea leaves.Firstly,the reflectance spectral data of the samples in the Vis-NIR band range and the constituent contents of gallic acid(GA),gallocatechin(GC),epigallocatechin(EGC),and epigallocatechin gallate(ECG)in fresh tea leaves were collected.Based on the preprocessing of the spectral data,the contents of the four components were predicted using a partial least squares regression(PLSR)model,and the optimal preprocessing was determined.Subsequently,the characteristic bands were extracted using the random forest(RF)algorithm.Finally,the performances of PLSR,convolutional neural network(CNN)and RACNN models were compared.The results showed that for GA,the RACNN model worked best with a validation set coefficient of determination(R2)of 0.946 and a root mean square error of the prediction set(RMSEP)of 1.173;for GC,the RACNN model works best with a validation set R2 of 0.928 and RMSEP of 6.081;for EGC,the RACNN model works best with a validation set R2 of 0.891 and a RMSEP of 15.197;for ECG,the RACNN model worked best with a validation set R2 of 0.878 and a RMSEP of 7.837.The RACNN model established by Vis-NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics could realize the accurate detection of the contents of components in fresh tea.

Using a novel(OH)n-C60@SiO2@Tm2O3@Ca5(PO4)3(OH)quaternary nano-particles/cross-linked chitosan coated open-tubular capillary column(QNPsC-OTCC)as the analytical column,a new method for highly selective determination of taurine(TAU)in functional drinks using pre-column derivatization capillary electrochromatography coupled with electrochemiluminescence(CEC-ECL)detection was established.In the experiments,it was found that adding hexamethylenetetramine as a co-catalyst in N-methylation derivative reaction could quantitatively convert TAU into a single derivative product that cuold be detected by ECL.With the help of Ru(bpy)32+reagent,the ECL peak intensity of TAU derivative was increased by more than 1000 times compared to the original TAU.In addition,a Ru-containing d-f cyano-bridged heterometallic coordination polymer modified platinum electrode was used instead of a bare platinum electrode as working electrode for ECL detection,which resulted in a further increase of the peak response of TAU derivatives about 5.7 times.Under optimized analytical conditions,by using betastatin hydrochloride(BSH)as the internal standard and simultaneously derivatized with TAU,the relative ratio of peak intensity of TAU and BSH derivatives showed a linear relationship with the initial TAU concentration in a two-segment ranges of 0.2-6.0 mmol/L and 6.0-10 mmol/L.The limit of detection of TAU was 0.09 mmol/L(S/N=3).The developed method was applied to determination of TAU contents in four commercial functional drink samples,and the relative standard deviations(RSDs)for relative intensity ratio were less than 0.9％,and the recoveries were in the range of 95.0％～102.0％,indicating good practicability of the method.

Background and aims:Environmental pollutants,particularly organochlorine insecticides like endosulfan(ENDO),are increasingly linked to liver toxicity and related diseases.Despite its widespread historical use,the mechanisms underlying ENDO-induced liver damage remain poorly understood.This study aims to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ENDO-induced hepatotoxicity.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were exposed to ENDO for two weeks.Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)was subsequently performed on mouse livers to explore ENDO-induced hepatotoxicity at the single-cell level.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)across cell types and treatments were identified and then subjected to pathway enrichment to uncover key biological processes affected by ENDO.Transcription factor(TF)regulatory network,pseudotime trajectory,and cellular communication analysis were used to explore the molecular and cellular changes after ENDO exposure.Results:ENDO not only caused direct hepatocyte injury but also activated hepatic stellate cells and lymphocytes,triggering inflammatory responses with upregulation of multiple key chemokines and cytotoxic genes.Additionally,ENDO exposure led to the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells,contributing to the inflammatory milieu.An increase in intercellular communication and changes to the hepatic microenvironment,especially the interaction between activated hepatic stellate cells and CD8+T cells were observed,further implicating these processes in ENDO-induced liver damage.Conclusions:This study provides new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying liver injury induced by organochlorine insecticides like ENDO.Key genes and pathways involved in ENDO-associated liver toxicity have been identified at a single-cell resolution.These findings suggest that altered cellular communications and inflammatory responses may play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of ENDO-induced liver injury.