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*

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a common disease often accompanied by pain, seriously affecting physical and mental health of patients. Abnormal innervation at the osteochondral junction has been considered as a predominant origin of arthralgia, while the specific mechanism mediating pain remains unclear. To investigate the underlying mechanism of TMJ-OA pain, an abnormal joint loading model was used to induce TMJ-OA pain. We found that during the development of TMJ-OA, the increased innervation of sympathetic nerve of subchondral bone precedes that of sensory nerves. Furthermore, these two types of nerves are spatially closely associated. Additionally, it was discovered that activation of sympathetic neural signals promotes osteoarthritic pain in mice, whereas blocking these signals effectively alleviates pain. In vitro experiments also confirmed that norepinephrine released by sympathetic neurons promotes the activation and axonal growth of sensory neurons. Moreover, we also discovered that through releasing norepinephrine, regional sympathetic nerves of subchondral bone were found to regulate growth and activation of local sensory nerves synergistically with other pain regulators. This study identified the role of regional sympathetic nerves in mediating pain in TMJ-OA. It sheds light on a new mechanism of abnormal innervation at the osteochondral junction and the regional crosstalk between peripheral nerves, providing a potential target for treating TMJ-OA pain.
Animals ; Osteoarthritis/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Sympathetic Nervous System/physiopathology* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/physiopathology* ; Arthralgia ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; Disease Models, Animal ; Norepinephrine ; Male ; Temporomandibular Joint/physiopathology* ; Pain Measurement

Objective:This study investigates the utility of ultrasound in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis (EF).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and ultrasound data of 109 EF patients seen at the center between January 1, 2006, and March 31, 2024. The diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound for EF was evaluated by comparing forearm fascia ultrasound findings among EF patients, systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, and healthy controls (HC).Results:Among the 109 EF patients (male-to-female ratio 2.2︰1), the median age of onset was 36 (29, 48) years, with a median disease duration of 7 (3, 12) months. The study also included 20 SSc patients [median age 49 (35, 61) years] and 20 HC individuals [median age 48 (29, 54) years]. Ultrasound assessments of forearm fascia in EF patients revealed a median fascial thickness of 1.9 (1.4, 2.4) mm. The median fascial thickness was 0.8 (0.7, 0.9) mm in SSc patients and 0.7 (0.5, 0.9) mm in HC individuals. Fascial thickness in EF patients was greater than in SSc ( Z=-11.16, P<0.001) and HC groups ( Z=-11.87, P<0.001). There was a correlation between fascia thickness and C-reactive protein ( r=0.148, P=0.004), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( r=0.143, P=0.005), and immunoglobulin G ( r=0.120, P=0.020) in EF patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 84.0% and specificity of 95.9% for EF diagnosis, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.921 and a cut-off value of 1.005 mm. Conclusion:Ultrasound detection of forearm fascial thickening (>1 mm) aids in diagnosing eosinophilic fasciitis, indicating that ultrasound is a supplementary diagnostic tool for EF.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of simplified geriatric assessment (sGA) in elderly Chinese patients diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) .Methods:It retrospectively analyzed the relationships of sGA with the clinical characteristics, outcome, and prognosis of 219 patients aged ≥60 years who were newly diagnosed with DLBCL at six hospitals in Jiangsu province between January 2018 and December 2022.Results:The median age of 219 patients was 68 years (60-87 years). According to the sGA system criteria, 101 (46.1%), 103 (47.0%), and 15 (6.8%) elderly patients with DLBCL were categorized as fit, unfit, and frail, respectively. The most common adverse reactions after chemotherapy were hematologic, and the incidence of grade >2 hematologic adverse reactions was similar among the three groups (47.5% vs 41.7% vs 46.7%, respectively; χ2=0.712, P=0.700). Compared with the fit and unfit groups, the frail group showed tendencies toward for higher proportions of grade >2 gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and infectious adverse reactions ( P>0.05 for all). The fit, unfit, and frail groups had respective remission rates of 74.3%, 46.6%, and 20.0% ( χ2=25.249, P<0.001) ; disease progression rates of 5.9%, 11.7%, and 26.7% ( χ2=6.763, P<0.05) ; 2-year overall survival rates of 92.1% (95% CI 86.6% to 97.9%), 77.6% (95% CI 69.5% to 86.6%), and 70.1% (95% CI 49.4% to 99.6%) ( P<0.05) ; and 2-year progression-free survival rates of 76.8% (95% CI 67.0% to 84.8%), 69.7% (95% CI 61.8% to 82.0%), and 65.7% (95% CI 53.3% to 100%) ( P=0.399) . Conclusion:sGA can effectively predict treatment adverse effects and efficacy, disease progression, and long-term survival in elderly DLBCL.

Objective To analyze the correlation between serum oxidative stress indicators and cog-nitive dysfunction in patients with sleep disorders accompanied by anxiety and depression.Methods A total of 196 patients with sleep disorders accompanied by anxiety and depression in the hospital from A-pril 2021 to April 2023 were selected as research objects,and serum malondialdehyde(MDA),total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD),interleukin-6(IL-6)and γ-glutamyltransferase(γ-GGT)levels were measured in all the patients.Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)was used to evaluate pa-tients'cognitive function,and based on MoCA score,they were divided into cognitive dysfunction group(n=80)and non-cognitive dysfunction group(n=116).Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations of serum MDA,T-SOD,IL-6 and γ-GGT levels with Pittsburgh Sleep Quali-ty Index(PSQI)score.Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations of ser-um MDA,T-SOD,IL-6 and γ-GGT levels with cognitive dysfunction in patients with sleep disorders accompanied by anxiety and depression.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the values of serum MDA,T-SOD,IL-6 and γ-GGT in assessing cognitive dysfunction in patients with sleep disorders accompanied by anxiety and depression.Results Serum MDA,IL-6 and γ-GGT levels as well as PSQI score were significantly higher in the cognitive dysfunction group than those in the non-cognitive dysfunction group,while the T-SOD level was significantly lower in the cognitive dysfunction group(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis results showed that serum MDA,IL-6 and γ-GGT levels were positively correlated with PSQI score(r=0.128,r=0.317,r=0.261,P=0.037,P＜0.001,P＜0.001,respectively),while serum T-SOD level was nega-tively correlated with PSQI score(r=-0.145,P=0.021).Spearman rank correlation analysis re-sults showed that serum MDA,IL-6 and γ-GGT levels were positively correlated with the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction(r=0.322,0.554,0.441,P＜0.001),while serum T-SOD level was negatively correlated with the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction(r=-0.330,P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis results showed that the areas under the curve(AUCs)for the individual and com-bined assessment of serum MDA,T-SOD,IL-6 and γ-GGT in patients with sleep disorders accompa-nied by anxiety and depression for cognitive dysfunction were 0.689,0.694,0.825,0.759 and 0.955 respectively,with cut-off values of 9.6 mmol/L,71.6 U/L,5.2 μg/L and 48.8 U/L,sen-sitivities of 50.00％,77.50％,71.25％,73.75％and 91.25％respectively,and specificities of 84.48％,62.93％,81.90％,70.69％and 88.79％respectively.Conclusion Cognitive dys-function in patients with sleep disorders accompanied by anxiety and depression is closely related to serum MDA,T-SOD,IL-6 and γ-GGT,and early measurement of these indicators can provide a ref-erence for the clinical assessment of cognitive dysfunction.

Objective:To explore the therapeutic mechanism of moxibustion in Crohn disease(CD)-associated intestinal fibrosis by observing its effects on the angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)/angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)/angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor(AT1R)axis in CD mouse models.Methods:Six randomly selected male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to a normal group,while the remaining mice were administered 0.1 mL of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid via enema to establish a CD intestinal fibrosis model.After successful modeling,the mice were randomly divided into a model group,a moxibustion group,and a Western medication group,with 6 rats in each group.The normal group and the model group only received grabbing without intervention.In the moxibustion group,mild moxibustion was applied to Qihai(CV6)and bilateral Tianshu(ST25)once a day for 10 min each time over 7 consecutive days.The Western medication group was administered mesalazine suspension via oral gavage once a day for 7 consecutive days.At the end of the intervention,the general condition,disease activity index(DAI)score,and gross colon score of mice in each group were evaluated.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe and score the histological changes in the colon tissue in each group.Masson staining was used to observe colonic fibrosis and the ratio of collagen-positive areas was analyzed;the expression of Ang Ⅱ in the colon tissue was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of ACE and AT1R in the colon tissue,respectively;Western blotting was used to detect the expression of transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)in the colon tissue.Results:Compared to the normal group,the DAI score,gross colon score,colonic histological score,collagen-positive area ratio,ACE protein and mRNA,Ang Ⅱ protein,AT1R protein and mRNA,TGF-β1 protein,and CTGF protein in the colon tissue in the model group increased significantly(P<0.01).In contrast,the above indicators in both the moxibustion group and the Western medication group reduced significantly compared to the model group(P<0.01 or P<0.05).There was no statistical difference in these indicators between the moxibustion group and the Western medication group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Moxibustion can alleviate intestinal fibrosis in CD mice,and its therapeutic mechanism may be associated with the regulation of colonic ACE/AngⅡ/AT1R axis.

Objective·To investigate the effects of liraglutide on liver fibrosis in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and the underlying mechanisms.Methods·Twenty 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal chow diet group(Chow group)and a methionine-choline-deficient(MCD)diet group(MCD group),with 10 mice per group.The MCD diet was used to induce NAFLD.Each group was further divided into two subgroups,resulting in four subgroups:Chow+saline,Chow+liraglutide,MCD+saline,and MCD+liraglutide group.After daily intraperitoneal injection of liraglutide(400 μg/kg)or an equivalent volume of saline for 4 weeks,an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)was performed.Serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TAG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were measured.Liver tissues were collected post-euthanasia to assess TAG content.Histopathological changes,lipid deposition,and fibrosis were evaluated via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,Oil Red O staining,and Masson staining.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN),collagen type Ⅰ α(COL1A),matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1),transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),SMAD3,and phosphorylated SMAD3(pSMAD3).Results·The IPGTT revealed that liraglutide intervention reduced blood glucose levels at 15,30,and 60 min,with a decreased area under the curve(AUC)(both P<0.05).Biochemical analysis showed that liraglutide lowered AST and ALT levels(both P<0.001),increased TC and HDL-C levels(both P<0.05),but had no significant effect on TAG or LDL-C in MCD mice.HE staining and Oil Red O staining revealed reduced lipid droplets,ballooning degeneration,and inflammatory infiltration in hepatocytes after liraglutide treatment.Masson staining indicated decreased collagen fiber deposition in the liver.qPCR and Western blotting analysis demonstrated upregulated expression of α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3,alongside downregulated MMP9 in MCD mice.Liraglutide reversed these changes,lowering α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3 expression while increasing MMP9 expression.Conclusion·Liraglutide ameliorates liver injury,lipid deposition,and fibrosis in NAFLD mice,through modulation of the TGF-β/SMAD3 pathway and regulating fibrosis-associated protein expression.

Objective To observe the effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exo-somes(HUC-MSC-Exo)on microglial polarization in neonatal rats with white matter injury(WMI).Methods Three-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group(Sham),hypoxia-ischemia group(HI)and HUC-MSC-Exo group,with 12 rats in each group.Unilateral common carotid artery ligation combined with hy-poxia(8％oxygen and 92％nitrogen)was used to construct a WMI rat model.Exosomes were extracted by ultra-high-speed centrifugation and characterized by nanoflow cytometry,western blot experiments and transmission electron mi-croscopy.Brain stereotaxic-assisted inferior ventricular transplantation exo(2×108 particles/μL)was performed and brain tissue samples were collected 14 days after HI.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe morpho-logical changes of brain tissue.Nissl staining was used to observe Nissl body formation in brain tissue;Luxol fast blue(LFB)staining was used to observe the formation of myelin sheath in brain tissue.Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the localized expression of ionic calcium binds adaptor molecule 1(Iba1).The protein expres-sion levels of cluster of differentiation 86(CD86),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),CD206,arginase-1(Arg-1),IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)were detected by western blot.Results The results of nanoflow cytometry,western blot and transmission electron microscopy showed that the diameter of HUC-MSC-Exo particles was between 30 and 150 nm,and the oval-like shape and membrane-like structure were visible,and the exo markers CD9,CD63 and TSG101 were positive,while calnexin was negative.HE staining,Nissl staining and LFB staining showed that compared with the Sham group,the HI group had brain tissue structure destruction,which was manifested by cell morphological changes,nerve fiber ar-rangement disorder and vacuolation,Nissl body dissolution or even disappearance,and myelination was blocked.HUC-MSC-Exo significantly reversed the pathological changes in the HI group.The results of immunofluorescence staining and western blot showed that the microglial marker Iba1 was mainly expressed in the subventricular zone(SVZ),and the expression of Iba1 protein in the SVZ region increased after HI compared with the Sham group(t=15.95、20.31,P<0.01).HUC-MSC-Exo significantly reduced the expression of Iba1 protein in the HI group(t=10.35、11.01,P<0.01).The results of western blot showed that the expressions of M1 microglia markers(CD86 and iNOS)and pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α and IL-1β)were significantly increased after HI(t=10.98、7.68、15.13、13.13,both P<0.01),and the expressions of M2 microglia markers(CD206 and Arg-1)and anti-inflammatory cytokines(IL-10 and TGF-β)were also increased after HI(t=14.26、9.38、8.82、7.42,both P<0.01).HUC-MSC-Exo decreased the protein expression of CD86,iNOS,TNF-α and IL-1β(t=9.79、5.81、8.06、7.03,all P<0.01)and increased the protein expression levels of CD206,Arg-1,IL-10 and TGF-β compared to the HI group(t=12.90、8.16、8.98、9.49,both P<0.01).Conclusion HUC-MSC-Exo attenuates WMI in neonatal rats by regulating microglial polarization.

Objective To investigate the correlation between spread through air space (STAS) of sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer and clinical characteristics and radiological features, constructing a nomogram risk prediction model for STAS to provide a reference for the preoperative planning of sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer patients. Methods The data of patients with sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer who underwent surgical treatment in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively collected. According to the pathological diagnosis of whether the tumor was accompanied with STAS, they were divided into a STAS positive group and a STAS negative group. The clinical and radiological data of the two groups were collected for univariate logistic regression analysis, and the variables with statistical differences were included in the multivariate analysis. Finally, independent risk factors for STAS were screened out and a nomogram model was constructed. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on the Youden index, and area under the curve (AUC), calibration plots and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the model. Results A total of 112 patients were collected, which included 17 patients in the STAS positive group, consisting of 11 males and 6 females, with a mean age of (59.0±10.3) years. The STAS negative group included 95 patients, with 30 males and 65 females, and a mean age of (56.8±10.3) years. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that male, anti-GAGE7 antibody positive, mean CT value and spiculation were associated with the occurrence of STAS (P＜0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that associations between STAS and male (OR=5.974, 95%CI 1.495 to 23.872), anti-GAGE7 antibody positive (OR=11.760, 95%CI 1.619 to 85.408) and mean CT value (OR=1.008, 95%CI 1.004 to 1.013) were still significant (P＜0.05), while the association between STAS and spiculation was not significant anymore (P=0.438). Based on the above three independent predictors, a nomogram model of STAS in sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer was constructed. The AUC value of the model was 0.890, the sensitivity was 76.5%, and the specificity was 91.6%. The calibration curve was well fitted, suggesting that the model had a good prediction efficiency for STAS. The DCA plot showed that the model had a good clinically utility. Conclusion Male, anti-GAGE7 antibody positive and mean CT value are independent predictors of STAS positivity of sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer, and the nomogram model established in this study has a good predictive value and provides reference for preoperative planning of patients.

Objective: To assess the awareness and associated factors of wild mushroom poisoning among students in Guizhou Province, so as to provide a scientific foundation for wild mushroom poisoning prevention and control among students. Methods: By a multi stage stratified cluster random sampling method, 1 162 students from Guizhou Province were selected in May 2024. The questionnaire survey was administered to evaluate knowledge regarding wild mushroom poisoning. Data were analyzed employing the χ 2 test and Logistic regression model. Results: Among the nine questions assessing awareness of wild mushroom poisoning, only three had the awareness rate exceeding 70%. Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that students who "actively learn about the prevention of wild mushroom poisoning" ( OR=0.48, 95%CI =0.26-0.92) and "spread knowledge about wild mushroom poisoning to others" ( OR=0.47, 95%CI =0.33-0.69) scored higher on the wild mushroom poisoning knowledge questions ( P <0.05). Conversely, students with a habit of consuming wild mushrooms ( OR=1.52, 95%CI =1.15-2.02) scored lower ( P < 0.05 ). 42.3% of the students suggested that scientific dissemination and publicity about wild mushrooms should be intensified. Conclusions The awareness rate of wild mushroom poisoning knowledge among students in Guizhou Province requires further attention. Comprehensive knowledge should be disseminated systematically through various channels to further improve students awareness of the prevention and control of wild mushroom poisoning.