Objective To propose a method for abdominal multi-organ segmentation assisted by multi-phase CT synthesis.Methods Multi-phase CT synthesis for synthesizing high-quality CT images was used to increase the information details for image segmentation.A transformer block was introduced to help to capture long-range semantic information in cooperation with perceptual loss to minimize the differences between the real image and synthesized image.Results The model was trained using multi-phase CT dataset of 526 total cases from Nanfang Hospital.The mean maximum absolute error(MAE)of the synthesized non-contrast CT,venous phase contrast-enhanced CT(CECT),and delay phase CECT images from arterial phase CECT was 19.192±3.381,20.140±2.676 and 22.538±2.874,respectively,which were better than those of images synthesized using other methods.Validation of the multi-phase CT synthesis-assisted abdominal multi-organ segmentation method showed an average dice coefficient of 0.847 for the internal validation set and 0.823 for the external validation set.Conclusion The propose method is capable of synthesizing high-quality multi-phase CT images to effectively reduce the errors in registration between different phase CT images and improve the performance for segmentation of 13 abdominal organs.

The rapid development of digital intelligence technologies is providing a powerful boost to the high-quality development of the healthcare system.Considering the current state of our healthcare services and guided by General Secretary Xi Jinping's insights on new quality productive forces and the directives from Third Plenary Session of Communist Party of China's 20th Central Committee,the high-quality development of the healthcare service system should focus on digital intelligence technologies such as cloud computing,big data,privacy computing,blockchain,Internet of Things(IoT),mobile computing,and AI.The key measures should include the optimization of production factors,services,and governance.Emphasis should be placed on enhancing the efficient and intensive development of the development model,ensuring the high-quality and continuous integration of the supply model,and transitioning to scientific and modern management methods.Herein,we analyzed the"factor optimization—service optimization—governance optimization"development mechanism driven by digital intelligence and proposed corresponding implementation pathways,intending to provide references for establishing a high-quality and efficient healthcare service system with Chinese characteristics.

Objective To propose a method for abdominal multi-organ segmentation assisted by multi-phase CT synthesis.Methods Multi-phase CT synthesis for synthesizing high-quality CT images was used to increase the information details for image segmentation.A transformer block was introduced to help to capture long-range semantic information in cooperation with perceptual loss to minimize the differences between the real image and synthesized image.Results The model was trained using multi-phase CT dataset of 526 total cases from Nanfang Hospital.The mean maximum absolute error(MAE)of the synthesized non-contrast CT,venous phase contrast-enhanced CT(CECT),and delay phase CECT images from arterial phase CECT was 19.192±3.381,20.140±2.676 and 22.538±2.874,respectively,which were better than those of images synthesized using other methods.Validation of the multi-phase CT synthesis-assisted abdominal multi-organ segmentation method showed an average dice coefficient of 0.847 for the internal validation set and 0.823 for the external validation set.Conclusion The propose method is capable of synthesizing high-quality multi-phase CT images to effectively reduce the errors in registration between different phase CT images and improve the performance for segmentation of 13 abdominal organs.

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) can lead to lower back pain and may be even accompanied by scoliosis, neurological dysfunction and other complications, which will affect the daily activities and life quality of patients. Vertebral augmentation is an effective treatment method for OVCF, but it cannot correct unbalance of bone metabolism or improve the osteoporotic status, causing complications like lower back pain, limited spinal activities and vertebral refracture. The post-operative systematic and standardized rehabilitation treatments can improve curative effect and therapeutic efficacy of anti-osteoporosis, reduce risk of vertebral refracture, increase patient compliance and improve quality of life. Since there still lack relevant clinical treatment guidelines for postoperative rehabilitation treatments following vertebral augmentation for OVCF, the current treatments are varied with uneven therapeutic effect. In order to standardize the postoperative rehabilitation treatment, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized relevant experts to refer to relevant literature and develop the "Guideline for postoperative rehabilitation treatment following vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2022 version)" based on the clinical guidelines published by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) as well as on the principles of scientificity, practicality and advancement. The guideline provided evidence-based recommendations on 10 important issues related to postoperative rehabilitation treatments of OVCF.

Based on polyketide syntheses gene (PKS) and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases gene (NRPS), one strain with high anti-pathogenic activity was screened from 77 strains isolated from Arctic marine sediments and identified. By optimizing the composition of culture medium and fermentation conditions, the production of this strain's active metabolites was improved and the main metabolites were identified by HRMS, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. The antibacterial spectrum of the main metabolites and the effect of the metabolites on cucumber Fusarium wilt were also determined. The results showed that the strain was Bacillus velezensis and it showed growth promoting effect on plants. When the strain was cultured in 5 g/L maltose, 10 g/L tryptone, 10 g/L sodium chloride, at 30 ℃, 150 r/min for 60 h, the diameter of the inhibition zone increased from (16.23±0.42) to (24.42±0.57) mm. The metabolites of this strain mainly contain macrolide compound macrolactin A, which has antagonistic effect on a variety of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Cucumber seedling experiments showed that the metabolites of this strain had a protective effect on cucumber Fusarium wilt, and showed a good potential for development and application as a biocontrol agent.
Polyketides/pharmacology* ; Fungi ; Bacteria ; Fusarium/genetics* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Peptide Synthases/genetics*

Membrane-disruptive peptides/peptidomimetics (MDPs) are antimicrobials or anticarcinogens that present a general killing mechanism through the physical disruption of cell membranes, in contrast to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, which act on precise targets such as DNA or specific enzymes. Owing to their rapid action, broad-spectrum activity, and mechanisms of action that potentially hinder the development of resistance, MDPs have been increasingly considered as future therapeutics in the drug-resistant era. Recently, growing experimental evidence has demonstrated that MDPs can also be utilized as adjuvants to enhance the therapeutic effects of other agents. In this review, we evaluate the literature around the broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and anticancer activity of MDPs, and summarize the current development and mechanisms of MDPs alone or in combination with other agents. Notably, this review highlights recent advances in the design of various MDP-based drug delivery systems that can improve the therapeutic effect of MDPs, minimize side effects, and promote the co-delivery of multiple chemotherapeutics, for more efficient antimicrobial and anticancer therapy.

The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is considered an immune privileged system as it is separated from the periphery by the blood brain barrier (BBB). Yet, immune functions have been postulated to heavily influence the functional state of the CNS, especially after injury or during neurodegeneration. There is controversy regarding whether adaptive immune responses are beneficial or detrimental to CNS injury repair. In this study, we utilized immunocompromised SCID mice and subjected them to spinal cord injury (SCI). We analyzed motor function, electrophysiology, histochemistry, and performed unbiased RNA-sequencing. SCID mice displayed improved CNS functional recovery compared to WT mice after SCI. Weighted gene-coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) of spinal cord transcriptomes revealed that SCID mice had reduced expression of immune function-related genes and heightened expression of neural transmission-related genes after SCI, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis and was consistent with better functional recovery. Transcriptomic analyses also indicated heightened expression of neurotransmission-related genes before injury in SCID mice, suggesting that a steady state of immune-deficiency potentially led to CNS hyper-connectivity. Consequently, SCID mice without injury demonstrated worse performance in Morris water maze test. Taken together, not only reduced inflammation after injury but also dampened steady-state immune function without injury heightened the neurotransmission program, resulting in better or worse behavioral outcomes respectively. This study revealed the intricate relationship between immune and nervous systems, raising the possibility for therapeutic manipulation of neural function via immune modulation.

Alpha-keto acid is a bifunctional organic compound containing both carboxyl and ketone groups, and widely applied in the industries of food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. Based on the demand of eco-friendly process, safety and sustainable development, production of α-keto acids by enzymatic conversion technology has been paid more and more attention. In this article, we review the status of α-keto acids biosynthesis from three aspects: enzymatic screening, enzymatic modification and optimization of enzymatic conversion conditions. Meanwhile, we also indicate future research directions for further improving α-keto acids production.
Keto Acids ; metabolism

Cyclic lipopeptide has extensive application prospect in the field of medicine due to its unique chemical structure and biological activity. This study aims to obtain high purity of cyclic lipopeptide monomer from Bacillus amyloliquefaciems strain Q-426, and illuminate preliminary antitumor mechanism of C-15 Bacillomycin D and C-16 Bacillomycin D. Firstly, crude cyclic lipopeptide solution was prepared by two-steps purification of acid precipitation and double-resins chromatography. In order to obtain purer product preparative HPLC was utilized to separate and purify cyclic lipopeptide. Component 1 and component 2 were detected as C-15 Bacillomycin D and C-16 Bacillomycin D by HPLC-MS and ESI-MS/MS. Secondly, the effect of C-15 Bacillomycin D, C-16 Bacillomycin D and their mixture (1:1, mol:mol) on cell proliferation was measured using human cancer cells (Hela, MG, Hep-G2 and HT-29). The cyclic peptide showed a dose dependent manner on the cell proliferation inhibition of Hela and MG cells. Finally, the results of the scratch wound healing assay and FACS analysis revealed that C-16 Bacillomycin D can effectively influence the cells migration and the cells treated with C-16 Bacillomycin D showed typical apoptotic morphology with the increase of drug concentration in the early apoptosis, late apoptosis percentage increased, and G₀G₁ arrest was induced significantly.

OBJECTIVEHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sexually dimorphic, with a significantly higher incidence in male. But it is not clear whether the women have a better prognosis than the men. The present study aimed to compare the short and long-term outcomes, postoperative recurrence and survival in female and male patients with HCC after hepatectomy.

METHODSClinicopathological data of retrospective analysis was performed on 40 female and matched 40 male HCC patients treated by hepatectomy in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between May 2006 and May 2012 were retrospectively reviewed in this study. Patients were paired in terms of age, chronic hepatitis, Child-Pugh class, tumor size, histological differentiation, presence of satellite nodules and resection margin.

RESULTSHepatectomy was successfully performed in all 80 cases. There was no significant difference in intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes between the female and male groups except the level of total bilirubin. The 1-, 3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 76.7%, 47.4% and 29.7% in the female group and 63.8%, 30.0% and 25.0% in the male group (P = 0.12). Corresponding overall survival rates were 92.2%, 81.5% and 55.4% in the female group and 97.4%, 55.2% and 39.0% in the male group (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONCertain gender differences might exist in HCC patients after hepatecomy, favoring females in the overall survival and the tolerance for liver injury.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Survival Rate