BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a critical role in severe cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) pathogenesis, but the benefits of anti-inflammatory therapies remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between steroid therapy combined with anticoagulation and the prognosis of acute/subacute severe CVT patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study enrolled patients with acute/subacute severe CVT at Xuanwu Hospital (July 2020-January 2024). Patients were allocated into steroid and non-steroid groups based on the treatment they received. Functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale [mRS]) were evaluated at admission, discharge, and 6 months after discharge. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-6, and intracranial pressure were measured at admission and discharge in the steroid group. Fundoscopic Frisén grades were assessed at admission and 6 months after discharge. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluat associations between steroid use and favorable outcomes (mRS ≤2) at the 6-month follow-up. Paired tests assessed changes in hs-CRP and other variables before and after treatment, and Spearman's correlations were used to analyze relationships between these changes and functional improvements. RESULTS: A total of 107 and 58 patients in the steroid and non-steroid groups, respectively, were included in the analysis. Compared with the non-steroid group, the steroid group had a higher likelihood of achieving an mRS score of 0-2 (93.5% vs . 82.5%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.98, P  = 0.037) at the 6-month follow-up. After adjusting for confounding factors, the result remained consistent. Pulsed steroid therapy did not increase mortality during hospitalization or follow-up, nor did it lead to severe steroid-related complications (all P  >0.05). Patients in the steroid group showed a significant reduction in serum hs-CRP, IL-6, CSF IL-6, and intracranial pressure at discharge compared to at admission, as well as a significant reduction in the fundoscopic Frisén grade at the 6-month follow-up compare to at admission (all P  <0.001). A reduction in serum inflammatory marker levels during hospitalization positively correlated with improvements in functional outcomes ( P  <0.05). CONCLUSION: Short-term steroid use may be an effective and safe adjuvant therapy for acute/subacute severe CVT when used alongside standard anticoagulant treatments, which are likely due to suppression of the inflammatory response. However, these findings require further validation in randomized controlled trials. TRAIL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05990894.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use* ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Intracranial Thrombosis/drug therapy* ; Prospective Studies ; Steroids/therapeutic use* ; Venous Thrombosis/drug therapy*

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*

Microglial functions are linked to Ca²⁺ signaling, with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium stores playing a crucial role. Microglial abnormality is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but how ER Ca²⁺ receptors regulate microglial functions under physiological and AD conditions remains unclear. We found reduced ryanodine receptor 2 (Ryr2) expression in microglia from an AD mouse model. Modulation of RyR2 using S107, a RyR-Calstabin stabilizer, blunted spontaneous Ca²⁺ transients in controls and normalized Ca²⁺ transients in AD mice. S107 enhanced ATP-induced migration and phagocytosis while reducing ramification in control microglia; however, these effects were absent in AD microglia. Our findings indicate that RyR2 stabilization promotes an activation state shift in control microglia, a mechanism impaired in AD. These results highlight the role of ER Ca²⁺ receptors in both homeostatic and AD microglia, providing insights into microglial Ca²⁺ malfunctions in AD.
Animals ; Microglia/pathology* ; Alzheimer Disease/pathology* ; Phagocytosis/drug effects* ; Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Calcium Signaling/physiology* ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism*

Objective To understand the genotyping of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infected hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients in Yunnan Province, and to analyze the differences in viral load, biochemical indicators, and blood routine indicators among different genotypes, in order to provide a laboratory basis for the diagnosis and clinical treatment of HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Methods From November 2022 to June 2023, the serum samples and basic information of patients diagnosed with HIV/HCV co-infection were collected in the antiviral outpatient clinic of Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Infectious Diseases. The HCV viral load was detected by one-step qRT-PCR amplification, the positive samples were sequenced, and genotyping was determined based on NS5 gene sequence. The differences in biochemical and blood routine indexes between HIV patients co-infected with different HCV genotypes and low/high viral loads were analyzed. Results A total of 126 HIV/HCV co-infected patients were collected, including 20 HCV genotype 1 (15.9%), 91 HCV genotype 3 (72.2%), and 15 HCV genotype 6 (11.9%). The maximum and minimum viral load of the three HCV genotypes were as follows: HCV type 1 (1.0×108, 4.8×104 IU/mL), HCV type 3 (2.2×108, 2.9×102 IU/mL), and HCV type 6 (8.1×107, 6.8×104 IU/mL). The results showed that there was no significant difference between HIV co-infection with different genotypes of HCV and three HIV treatment schemes, including nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors+integrase strand transfer inhibitors (NRTIs+INSTIs), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors+non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs+NNRTIs) and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors+protease inhibitor (NRTIs+PLs), and the viral load of patients (P>0.05). The analysis of biochemical indexes such as total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CREA), and blood routine indexes such as white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), platelet (PLT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) among different HCV genotypes and low/high viral loads showed that there was no significant difference in biochemical indexes and blood routine indexes between low/high viral loads of HIV co-infected HCV patients (P>0.05); however, the biochemical indicators TBIL, IBIL and MCHC were significantly different statistically between patients with genotype 3 HCV infection and those with genotype 1 HCV infection (P<0.05), while other biochemical and blood routine indexes were not statistically different among different HCV genotypes (P>0.05). Conclusions There are six subtypes of HCV co-infection in HIV patients in Kunming, Yunnan Province, including three genes of genotype 1, 3, and 6. Among them, genotype 3 HCV is the main prevalent genetic virus among HIV co-infected populations. The TBIL, IBIL and MCHC values of HIV patients co-infected with HCV type 3 are different from those infected with HCV type 1.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and mortality of dementia and assess the impact of geriatric syndromes (GS) on the risk for dementia and death in elderly population in Beijing.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the elderly population aged ≥65 years and selected by a multi-stage sampling in Beijing during 2013-2015. Cognitive function was screened using the Chinese Revised Version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Then, neurological examination and psychiatric assessment were performed for those with the MMSE score lower than the cut-off value. The information about GS prevalence was also collected. The study also collected death records for all individuals from baseline until December 31, 2019. Based on the age and gender distribution from Beijing data of the 2010 Six th National Population Census, the dementia prevalence in the study population was directly standardized. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of different forms of dementia with GS, and Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio ( HR) and 95% CI of death. Results:During 2013-2015, a total of 2 935 individuals completed dementia assessments, of which 167 were diagnosed with dementia. The standardized prevalence of dementia was 5.9% (95% CI: 5.0%-17.4%). The individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) accounted for 58.7% and 28.1% of total individuals with dementia, respectively. Aging, lower education level, urinary incontinence, and fall were risk factors for AD, while disability of activity of daily life dependence, hypertension, and stroke were found to be risk factors for VaD. After a median follow-up of 5.44 person-years, 399 deaths were recorded. The 5-year mortality risk was 2.87 (95% CI: 1.92-4.17) times and 4.93 (95% CI: 3.23-7.53) times higher for the elderly individuals with AD and VaD, respectively, compared to non-demented individuals. After adjusting for demographic, GS, and cardiovascular risk factors, the mortality risk in the elderly individuals with AD showed no significant difference compared with non-demented individuals ( HR=1.32, 95% CI: 0.89-1.97), while the mortality risk in those with VaD was 2.46 (95% CI: 1.49-4.05) times higher than that in non-demented individuals. Conclusions:The prevalence of dementia in Beijing increased significantly in the context of population aging, especially the prevalence of AD. The presence of GS increased the risks for AD and VaD, as well as the risk for death. Close attention needs to be paid to GS management in dementia prevention in elderly population.

Objective:To compare the trueness of incisal guidance of implant-supported single crowns designed by patient-specific motion(PSM)with that designed by average-value virtual articulator(AVA).Methods:The study had recruited 12 participants with complete dentition and stable incisal guidance.An intraoral scanner was used to scan digital casts and record two types of patient-specific mo-tion(data only including protrusive movement,and data including protrusive movement and lateral pro-trusive movement).The lingual surfaces of the maxillary incisors which guided the protrusive movement was selected and elevated to create a reference cast.A maxillary central incisor of original casts was vir-tually extracted and implanted to generate a working cast.The Dental system software program was used to design implant-supported single crowns with the anatomical coping design method.The incisal guidance was designed by different methods.The incisal guidance in control group was designed by the average-value virtual articulator.The incisal guidance in experiment groups was designed by the patient-specific motion only including protrusive movement(PSM1)and with the patient-specific motion including protru-sive movement and lateral protrusive movement(PSM2).The incisal guidance of prosthesis designed by these 3 methods were compared with the original incisal guidance in Geomagic Control 2015(3DSystem,America).The measurements included:Average of positive values,ratio of positive area and maximum value reflecting supra-occlusion;average of negative values,ratio of negative area and minimum value re-flecting over-correction;and root mean square reflecting overall deviation.Results:Statistical data were collected using the median(interquartile range)method.The average of positive values,ratio of positive area and average of negative values of the PSM2 group were smaller than those of the control group[8.0(18.8)μm vs.37.5(47.5)μm;0vs.7.2％(38.1％);-109.0(63.8)μm vs.-66.5(64.5)μm],and the ratio of negative area of PSM2 group was larger than those of the control group[52.9％(47.8％)vs.17.3％(45.3％)],with significant differences(P all＜0.05).The ratio of positive area[0.1％(7.0％)]and average of negative values[-97.0(61.5)μm]of PSM1 group,were smaller than those of the control group,and the ratio of negative area[40.7％(39.2％)]of the PSM1 group was larger than that of the control group,with significant differences(P＜0.05).The average of positive values[20.0(42.0)μm]and ratio of positive area of PSM1 group was larger than that of the PSM2 group with significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion:To establish the incisor guidance of implant-supported single crowns,compared with the average-value virtual articulator and the patient-specific motion only including protrusive movement,the patient-specific motion including protrusive movement and lateral protrusive movement is more conducive to reducing the protrusive interference of prosthesis and improving the occlusal fit.

Objective:To investigate the effect of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) regulating the signal axis of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α)/CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) on the mobilization of bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to peripheral blood in diabetes skin ulcer (DSU) rats.Methods:Twenty four SPF grade male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were selected to make the model of type 2 diabetes rats by intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg 1% (plastid ratio) streptozotocin, and then round full-thickness skin with a diameter of 2 cm was cut on both sides of the waist and back to make the skin ulcer model of diabetes rats. After that, they were randomly divided into AS-IV group (50 mg/kg AS-IV), blocker group (50 mg/kg AS-IV+ 5 mg/kg AMD3100) and model group. At the same time, a blank group ( n=8) was set up, The drug was administered via intraperitoneal injection, and the model group and blank group were treated with 0.9% NaCl of equal volume. On the 10th day, peripheral blood, femoral bone marrow, and wound neovascularization tissues of rats were collected. The number of EPCs in peripheral blood of each group of rats was measured by flow cytometry, and the protein expression of SDF-1α and CXCR4 in peripheral blood, femoral bone marrow, and wound neovascularization tissues of rats was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); At the same time, the wound healing rates of each group were tested. Results:On the 10th and 21st day after modeling, the wound healing rate of each group of rats was compared. The blank group healed the fastest, while the model group healed the slowest. The AS-IV group had better healing than the model group and the blocker group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). On the 10th day after modeling, the positive rates of peripheral blood EPCs in the white group, AS-IV group, and blocker group were significantly higher than those in the model group (all P<0.05), while the positive rates of peripheral blood EPCs in the blocker group were significantly lower than those in the AS-IV group (all P<0.05). On the 10th day after modeling, the protein expression of SDF-1α and CXCR4 in the wound, serum, and bone marrow of the model group was the lowest, while the protein expression in the blank group was the highest (all P<0.05). The protein expression of SDF-1α and CXCR4 in the wound, serum, bone marrow of the AS-IV group was significantly higher than that of the blocker group and model group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Astragaloside IV can promote the mobilization and migration of endothelial progenitor cells from bone marrow to peripheral blood in diabetes ulcer rats by regulating SDF-1α/CXCR4 signal axis, and can participate in angiogenesis of diabetes ulcer wounds as seed cells to promote the healing of diabetes skin ulcers.

Objective:To analyze the effect of thoracoscopic subsegmental resection under the guidance of three dimensional(3D)computed tomography bronchography and angiography(3D-CTBA)for resection of pulmonary nodules.Methods:A total of 40 patients who underwent 3D-CTBA-guided thoracoscopic subsegmental resection in Nanjing Jiangbei Hospital of Nantong University from January 2020 to October 2021 were selected as the observation group,and other 35 patients who underwent 3D-CTBA-guided thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy were selected as the control group.The intraoperative and postoperative conditions,and the incidence of postoperative complications of the two groups were observed.Results:The differences of amount of intraoperative blood loss,average margin width,postoperative drainage,retention time of drainage tube between observation group and control group were significant(t=8.644,2.862,10.03,3.277,P<0.05),respectively.The numbers of occurring postoperative chest leakage,pulmonary infection and hemoptysis in observation group and control group were respectively"3,1,1"and"2,1,2".The incidences of complications of two groups were respectively 12.5%and 14.29%,without statistical significance between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:3D-CTBA-guided thoracoscopic subsegmental resection can shorten the operation time,and reduce intraoperative blood loss and the injury of tracheas and blood vessels,and improve the postoperative recovery of patients.

[Objective]To construct the inspection model to provide reference for clinical inspection and other related diagnosis and treatment,based on Lingshu·Twenty-Five People of Yin and Yang.[Methods]This paper examined the model and fundamental theory of the Twenty-five Kinds of Yin-Yang People,as well as"five upper"main components of their color,physique,spirit,physiological constitution and pathological constitution characteristics,etc.,and analyzed the subtypes of the ritual,physique,color,and Qi and blood characteristics.[Results]It is thought that the philosophy is founded on Twenty-five People of Yin and Yang theory,which may judge the five elements of the human body and define the traits of the five elements,and this kind of classification method is a deep concern for the complexity of the human physiological and pathological physique,thus building a thorough and complete physiological and pathological physique identification standard system.Moreover,it has all the elements corresponding to the requirements of holistic diagnosis,such as appearance,color,physique and posture,which can be systematically recognized and applied as the theoretical precursor of clinical diagnosis.[Conclusion]If the method of looking at the body is connected to this strict structure system,the clinical looking at the body can be carried out more systematically and accurately,and even the whole clinical diagnosis and treatment activities,which is of great significance to further improve and develop the clinical diagnosis and treatment system of traditional Chinese medicine.