This comprehensive review systematically explores the multifaceted applications, inherent challenges, and promising future directions of artificial intelligence (AI) within the medical domain. It meticulously examines AI's specific contributions to basic medical research, disease prevention, intelligent diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, nursing, and health management. Furthermore, the review delves into AI's innovative practices and pivotal roles in clinical trials, hospital administration, medical education, as well as the realms of medical ethics and policy formulation. Notably, the review identifies several key challenges confronting AI in healthcare, encompassing issues such as inadequate algorithm transparency, data privacy concerns, absent regulatory standards, and incomplete risk assessment frameworks. Looking ahead, the future trajectory of AI in healthcare encompasses enhancing algorithm interpretability, propelling generative AI applications, establishing robust data-sharing mechanisms, refining regulatory policies and standards, nurturing interdisciplinary talent, fostering collaboration among industry, academia, and medical institutions, and advancing inclusive, personalized precision medicine. Emphasizing the synergy between AI and emerging technologies like 5G, big data, and cloud computing, this review anticipates a new era of intelligent collaboration and inclusive sharing in healthcare. Through a multidimensional analysis, it presents a holistic overview of AI's medical applications and development prospects, catering to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the healthcare sector. Ultimately, this review aims to catalyze the deep integration and innovative deployment of AI technology in healthcare, thereby driving the sustainable advancement of smart healthcare.

In observational research,a primary objective is to accurately and reliably assess the causal impact of exposure on outcomes.Identifying and properly adjusting for confounding factors is a key prerequisite and central challenge to achieving this goal.Ineffective management of confounders,whether by neglecting significant ones,(leading to residual confounding),or by over-adjusting for irrelevant factors,(introducing collider bias),can distort effect estimates and lead to erroneous scientific conclusions and clinical decisions.Therefore,it is essential to develop and implement systematic,transparent,and reproducible methods for identifying and selecting confounding factors to enhance the validity and reliability of causal inferences in observational studies.This paper provides a systematic review of directed acyclic graphs(DAGs),a robust visual causal modeling tool,and offers a detailed examination of three prominent criteria for selecting confounding factors based on DAGs:the Pre-exposure criterion,the Common cause criterion,and the Modified disjunctive cause criterion.The aim is to equip researchers with a structured and theoretically grounded framework for identifying and selecting confounding factors,thereby improving the process of estimating causal effects in observational studies.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of cold-endoscopic mucosal resection (C-EMR) and hot-endoscopic mucosal resection (H-EMR) for the treatment of colorectal polyps sized 10-20mm.Methods:Patients who underwent colonoscopy at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center of the Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from January 2022 to January 2023 were selected as the research subjects. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria with at least one 10-20 mm, Paris type Ⅰs, type Ⅱa polyp were selected. They were divided into C-EMR group (no high-frequency current treatment) and H-EMR group (high-frequency electrical polyp removal) based on the random number table method. The main outcome measures were the complete resection rate of polyps, the incidence of postoperative complications (bleeding, perforation and infection), and the recurrence rate of polyps in the two groups. Secondary outcomes were the procedure time and cost-effectiveness.Results:A total of 209 eligible polyps were found in 209 patients, 105 in the C-EMR group (105 patients) and 104 in the H-EMR group (104 patients). There was no significant difference in the complete removal rate of polyps [91.4% (96/105) VS 95.2% (99/104), χ2=1.184, P=0.276], the recurrence rate of polyps [2.9% (3/105) VS 1.9% (2/104), χ2=0.195, P=0.683] or the incidence of complications [5.7% (6/105) VS 1.9% (2/104), χ2=2.040, P=0.280] between the C-EMR group and the H-EMR group. Compared with H-EMR group, the operation time of C-EMR group was shorter (5.26±2.41 min VS 9.34±5.63 min, t=-8.478, P<0.001), and the number of titanium clips used was fewer (2.55±0.94 VS 3.94±1.14, t=-9.623, P<0.001), and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant. The cost of polypectomy was lower in the C-EMR group than that in the H-EMR group (2 720±452 yuan VS 3 031±293 yuan), but the difference was not stastistically significant（ t=-5.896， P=0.651）. Conclusion:C-EMR demonstrates non-inferior efficacy and safety in treating 10-20 mm colorectal polyps compared with H-EMR. Widespread adoption of C-EMR may lead to reduced healthcare costs and expenditures.

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,differential diagnosis and prognosis of atypical fibroxanthoma(AFX).Methods Pathological features of 15 cases of AFX and 3 cases of pleomorphic dermal sarcoma(PDS)misdiagnosed as AFX were retrospectively analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical EnVision staining technology.Clinical information was collected and analyzed,and the relevant literatures were re-viewed.Results The age of the 15 patients with AFX ranged from 18 to 78 years,with an average age of 57 years.4 cases occurred in the head and neck,and 11 cases occurred in the trunk and limbs.3 patients with PDS misdiagnosed as AFX were aged from 56 to 60 years,with an average age of 58 years.The tumors were located in the trunk and limbs.Microscopically,15 cases of AFX and 3 cases of PDS misdiagnosed as AFX were composed of proliferative pleo-morphic and atypical spindle cells interspersed with a varying number of multinucleated cells.15 cases of AFX tumors were superficial and located in the dermis.In 3 cases of PDS misdiagnosed as AFX,1 case was located in subcutane-ous adipose tissue,1 case had superficial subcutaneous extension,and the third case had positive basal margin.Immu-nohistochemically,the immunophenotypes of the two groups were consistent.CD10 was expressed in all cases,CD68 was positive in most cases,SMA was expressed in a few cases,desmin was focal expressed in a very few cases,and S-100,SOX10,CD34,HMB-45,Melan A,STAT6 and CK(AE1/AE3)were not expressed in all cases.Ki67 prolifera-tion index ranged from 2％to 30％.15 patients with AFX were followed up from 12 to 108 months.One patient had tumor recurrence 1 year and 3 years after operation due to positive basal margin.Most of the other patients underwent extended resection after diagnosis and were in good condition without tumor recurrence and metastasis.3 cases of PDS misdiagnosed as AFX were followed up for 31 to 78 months.One patient had lung metastasis after 2 years,one patient recurred 4 times after operation,and the other patient died after 4 times of recurrence.Conclusion AFX is a rare dis-ease with similar pathological characteristics and immunophenotype to PDS.AFX can be diagnosed only when the tumor is small and completely confined to the dermis.When the maximum diameter of the tumor is more than 3 cm,or the presence of any form of subcutaneous extension requires a high level of vigilance for PDS.Careful differentiation and correct classification of AFX and PDS are very important for the treatment and prognosis of the disease.

In observational research,a primary objective is to accurately and reliably assess the causal impact of exposure on outcomes.Identifying and properly adjusting for confounding factors is a key prerequisite and central challenge to achieving this goal.Ineffective management of confounders,whether by neglecting significant ones,(leading to residual confounding),or by over-adjusting for irrelevant factors,(introducing collider bias),can distort effect estimates and lead to erroneous scientific conclusions and clinical decisions.Therefore,it is essential to develop and implement systematic,transparent,and reproducible methods for identifying and selecting confounding factors to enhance the validity and reliability of causal inferences in observational studies.This paper provides a systematic review of directed acyclic graphs(DAGs),a robust visual causal modeling tool,and offers a detailed examination of three prominent criteria for selecting confounding factors based on DAGs:the Pre-exposure criterion,the Common cause criterion,and the Modified disjunctive cause criterion.The aim is to equip researchers with a structured and theoretically grounded framework for identifying and selecting confounding factors,thereby improving the process of estimating causal effects in observational studies.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Ro 64-6198,a selective nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor(NOPR)agonist,on heroin self-administration and drug-seeking behavior in rats.METHODS Rats were trained to self-administer heroin intravenously at a dose of 0.05 mg·kg-1 under a fixed ratio 1(FR1)reinforcement schedule.Heroin motivation was assessed using a progressive ratio(PR)schedule.Firstly,a stable heroin self-administered rat model was established before the effects of Ro 64-6198 on heroin rewarding under the FR1 schedule were observed.After three days of self-administration recovery training,the effects of Ro 64-6198 on heroin reward motivation were observed under the PR3-4 schedule.Following extinction,the reinstatement of heroin seeking induced by either conditioned cues or heroin priming was evaluated in rats withdrawn from self-administration.The expressions of cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the ventral tegmental area(VTA)were analyzed using Western blotting,while the expression of the NOPR in neurons in the VTA was examined through immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS Pretreatment with 3 mg·kg-1 Ro 64-6198 significantly reduced active responses and heroin infusions during FR1 testing,as well as decreased breakpoints,indicating reduced motivation under the PR schedule.At a dose of 1 mg·kg-1,Ro 64-6198 markedly attenuated the reinstatement of heroin-seeking behavior induced by conditioned cues or heroin priming.Furthermore,the administration of SB-612111,an NOPR antagonist,blocked the inhibitory effects of Ro 64-6198 on cue-induced heroin-seeking,although SB-612111 alone had no effect on heroin-seeking behavior.Ro 64-6198 treatment also suppressed the reduction of both phos-phorylated CREB(p-CREB)and BDNF levels in the VTA and the decreased expression of NOPR and p-CREB in dopaminergic neurons of the VTA.CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that Ro 64-6198 can mitigate heroin-seeking behavior through NOPR activation and CREB/BDNF pathway in the VTA.This study is expected to offer evidence for its potential as a clinical treatment for heroin addiction and relapse.

Objective:To develop a simple and effective subretinal injection pipeline system to enhance the accuracy and precision of subretinal injection volume control.Methods:A retrospective case series study. From May to October 2023, 18 patients (18 eyes) with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) who continuously received modified subretinal injection treatment in Department of Ophthalmology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 10 males and 8 females. The mean age was (60.00±7.41) years. The primary causes included polypoid choroidal vasculopathy (14 cases), retinal macroaneurysm (2 cases), traumatic retinopathy (1 case), and Valsalva retinopathy (1 case). Hemorrhage affected 14 eyes of the fovea centralis. All affected eyes underwent standard three-channel 25G vitrectomy via the flat part of the ciliary body combined with modified subretinal injection of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. The improved injection system consisted of a 1 ml syringe, a Q-Syte TM connector, a 41G subretinal microinjection needle, a converter and a viscoelastic substance control pipeline. The drug preparation time for subretinal injection (i.e., the time consumed by the system connection step), the injection time, whether bubbles occur during the injection process, and the perioperative complications were recorded and analyzed. Results:The preparation time prior to drug injection ranged from 230 to 335 seconds, while the injection completion time varied between 43 and 75 seconds. Both times decreased progressively as operator proficiency improved. Among the treated eyes, five received a target injection dose of 0.05 ml and thirteen received 0.10 ml, with all eyes achieving the preset dose accurately. No subretinal bubbles were observed during the injection procedure. Additionally, no intraoperative complications such as retinal hemorrhage or tear secondary to mechanical trauma at the injection site were recorded. Postoperatively, one eye developed anterior chamber hemorrhage, which resolved following intraocular pressure-lowering treatment. No other postoperative complications, including hemorrhage, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, or infection, were observed in the remaining eyes.Conclusion:The retinal drug injection system developed in this study has a simple structure, safe and stable operation, can achieve precise drug injection, and effectively avoid the formation of bubbles.

Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,differential diagnosis and prognosis of atypical fibroxanthoma(AFX).Methods Pathological features of 15 cases of AFX and 3 cases of pleomorphic dermal sarcoma(PDS)misdiagnosed as AFX were retrospectively analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical EnVision staining technology.Clinical information was collected and analyzed,and the relevant literatures were re-viewed.Results The age of the 15 patients with AFX ranged from 18 to 78 years,with an average age of 57 years.4 cases occurred in the head and neck,and 11 cases occurred in the trunk and limbs.3 patients with PDS misdiagnosed as AFX were aged from 56 to 60 years,with an average age of 58 years.The tumors were located in the trunk and limbs.Microscopically,15 cases of AFX and 3 cases of PDS misdiagnosed as AFX were composed of proliferative pleo-morphic and atypical spindle cells interspersed with a varying number of multinucleated cells.15 cases of AFX tumors were superficial and located in the dermis.In 3 cases of PDS misdiagnosed as AFX,1 case was located in subcutane-ous adipose tissue,1 case had superficial subcutaneous extension,and the third case had positive basal margin.Immu-nohistochemically,the immunophenotypes of the two groups were consistent.CD10 was expressed in all cases,CD68 was positive in most cases,SMA was expressed in a few cases,desmin was focal expressed in a very few cases,and S-100,SOX10,CD34,HMB-45,Melan A,STAT6 and CK(AE1/AE3)were not expressed in all cases.Ki67 prolifera-tion index ranged from 2％to 30％.15 patients with AFX were followed up from 12 to 108 months.One patient had tumor recurrence 1 year and 3 years after operation due to positive basal margin.Most of the other patients underwent extended resection after diagnosis and were in good condition without tumor recurrence and metastasis.3 cases of PDS misdiagnosed as AFX were followed up for 31 to 78 months.One patient had lung metastasis after 2 years,one patient recurred 4 times after operation,and the other patient died after 4 times of recurrence.Conclusion AFX is a rare dis-ease with similar pathological characteristics and immunophenotype to PDS.AFX can be diagnosed only when the tumor is small and completely confined to the dermis.When the maximum diameter of the tumor is more than 3 cm,or the presence of any form of subcutaneous extension requires a high level of vigilance for PDS.Careful differentiation and correct classification of AFX and PDS are very important for the treatment and prognosis of the disease.

Objective:To explore the method for selecting characteristic prices of Chinese patent medicines based on informa-tion entropy theory.It involves analyzing the connotative differences among various price indicators and utilizing information entropy metrics to validate the scientific rigor of characteristic price selection so as to optimize the pricing model for Chinese patent medi-cines and improve the accuracy of price evaluation.Methods:A correlation analysis and information entropy calculation are con-ducted on the median price of the smallest preparation unit,average daily cost,and average course cost of TCM.It compares the information diversity and uncertainty of different pricing indicators.Results:The average daily cost exhibits the highest information diversity and uncertainty among all the pricing indicators examined.Conclusion:It is recommended that the average daily cost be used as the dependent variable for characteristic prices in TCM pricing research.This choice plays an important role in optimizing TCM pricing models and enhancing the accuracy of price evaluation.

Objective:To establish a scientific,systematic,and objective indicator system for the characteristic price variables of Traditional Chinese Patent Medicines(TCPM),providing a reference framework for the pricing mechanism of TCPM.Methods:The brainstorming method was initially used to screen related variable indicators.The Nominal Group Technique(NGT)and Delphi methods were applied to gather expert opinions,and SPSS 28.0 was employed for data statistical analysis.It led to the development of a TCPM characteristic price variable indicator system consisting of 6 dimensions,14 characteristic variables and 26 measurement indicators.Results:The authority coefficient of the experts exceeded 0.7,indicating the representativeness of the results.Expert opinions were generally concentrated.Based on the collected opinions and statistical analysis,the scope of selected TCPM characteristic price variables was preliminarily established.Conclusion:The TCPM characteristic price variable indicator system was initially developed.However,due to the complexity of the pricing mechanism and divergent expert opinions,further qualitative and quantitative research methods,along with a dynamic adjustment mechanism,are needed to verify and refine the system.