Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating early detection, timely diagnosis, and prompt treatment to improve patient outcomes. Endoscopic examination plays a pivotal role in this regard. However, despite the availability of various endoscopic techniques, certain limitations can result in missed or misdiagnosed ESCCs. Currently, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted endoscopic diagnosis has made significant strides in addressing these limitations and improving the diagnosis of ESCC and precancerous lesions. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state of AI applications for endoscopic diagnosis of ESCC and precancerous lesions in aspects including lesion characterization, margin delineation, invasion depth estimation, and microvascular subtype classification. Furthermore, we offer insights into the future direction of this field, highlighting potential advancements that can lead to more accurate diagnoses and ultimately better prognoses for patients.
Humans ; Artificial Intelligence ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/diagnosis* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Precancerous Conditions/diagnosis*

Objective:To explore the application effect of checklist teaching in clinical nursing internship teaching in nephrology.Methods:A total of 49 full-time undergraduate nursing students who interned between July and December 2023 were selected as the observation group, while 49 full-time undergraduate nursing students who interned between July and December 2022 were selected as the control group. During the internship teaching process, the observation group received a checklist teaching, while the control group received traditional teaching. The effectiveness of the checklist teaching method was evaluated by comparing the internship performance, sense of belonging, and satisfaction of both students and teachers between two groups of nursing students. SPSS 26.0 was used for chi-square test and t test. Results:After teaching, the theoretical scores [(97.45±1.63) vs. (93.26±2.38)] and operational skills scores [(96.15±1.90) vs. (93.25±2.46)] were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group ( P<0.05). After teaching, the observation group had significantly higher scores for the sense of belonging and satisfaction scores in all dimensions during the internship compared to the control group ( P<0.05). After teaching, the teaching staff showed significantly higher satisfaction scores in all dimensions in the observation group than in the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Applying checklist teaching to clinical teaching of nephrology nursing can significantly improve the internship assessment scores of students, promote the teaching performance of teaching staff, and enhance the satisfaction of both teachers and students.

Objective To investigate the effects of Carthamus tinctorius L.extract(CTLE)on the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation in mice with ethanol-induced alcoholic liver disease and its mechanism of action.Methods SPF-grade C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups:control group,model group,low-CTLE group(50 mg·kg-1),and high-CTLE group(100 mg·kg-1).The control group was given Lieber-Decarli liquid diet,and the other groups were given Lieber-Decarli alcohol diet to construct a chronic alcoholic liver injury model in mice.Serum and liver tissues of mice were collected and serum biochemical indexes of mice were detected.HE and oil red O staining were applied to observe pathological changes in mouse liver tissues.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of Keap1/Nrf2 and STAT3/NF-κB pathway-related factors.Results Compared with the model group,the ALT,AST,LDL-C,and MDA levels were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while the levels of HDL-C,SOD,and GSH were increased dramatically in the administered group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),which indicated that CTLE has specific protective and antioxidant effects on alcoholic liver injury in mice.HE staining and oil red O staining showed that the hepatic lesions and lipid deposition of mice were ameliorated.It enhances the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the body by activating the mRNA and protein expression levels of antioxidant factors related to the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting the mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory factors related to STAT3/NF-κB pathway(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion It was shown that CTLE could exert anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects through regulating Keap1/Nrf2 and STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathways to attenuate alcoholic liver injury in mice.This study may provide a new idea for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease and the subsequent study of molecular mechanisms.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level and the location and severity of bleeding in patients with cerebral microbleeds(CMBs).Methods:A total of 60 CMBs patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Xinxiang Medical University from January 2019 to August 2020 were selected as subjects as the CMBs group, and 60 healthy controls without nervous system diseases in outpatient physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. The clinical data and biochemical indicators of the two groups were collected. Serum MMP-9 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). According to susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), CMBs patients were divided into grade 1 group ( n=24), grade 2 group ( n=19) and grade 3 group ( n=17), and according to the micro analytical rating scale (MARS), the CMBs patients were divided into the lobar group ( n=19), the deep or infratentorial group ( n=17) and the mixed group ( n=24).The relationship between serum MMP-9 level and the location and severity of CMBs was analyzed. SPSS 19.0 software was used for data statistical analysis.One-way ANOVA, t-test and rank sum test were used for comparison. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors. Pearson correlation analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were used for correlation analysis. Results:The level of MMP-9 in CMBs group was significantly higher than that in control group (208.13(142.25, 285.88) μg/L, 149.50(93.40, 186.51)μg/L), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Serum MMP-9 level was a risk factor of CMBs ( β=1.322, OR=3.750, 95% CI=2.038-7.997, P=0.002). The difference of level of MMP-9 in different severity of CMBs was statistically significant (147.55(109.25, 266.47)μg/L, 242.12(147.55, 288.80)μg/L, 270.42(203.43, 364.27)μg/L, P=0.017). Serum MMP-9 level was positively correlated with the number of CMBs ( r=0.371, P=0.003). The difference of MMP-9 level of CMBs in different locations were statistically significant (249.77(158.43, 338.46)μg/L, 188.83(138.52, 243.15)μg/L, 210.65(144.25, 255.78)μg/L, P=0.013). The increased serum MMP-9 level was a risk factor for CMBs( β=0.401, OR=1.122, 95% CI=1.004-1.204, P=0.036). Conclusion:The increased level of serum MMP-9 may be a risk factor of CMBs, especially for CMBs in cerebral lobesand, and the level of MMP-9 is positively correlated with the severity of CMBs.

Objective:To find clues potentially valuable for fighting against infection with human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), the differentially expressed genes in HEp-2 cells infected with HRSV were analyzed.Methods:Gene expression profiles of HEp-2 cells infected with HRSV were collected from the public gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes following HRSV infection at each time point of 4, 8, 12, and 15 hours were found using R language. The differentially expressed genes were analyzed by gene ontology (GO), KEGG pathway and protein-protein interaction network (PPI). Genes with relatively high protein interaction in PPI were randomly selected for quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) verification at the transcription level from HEp-2 cells after HRSV infection at 4 hours.Results:A total of 101 differentially expressed genes were determined, including 92 upregulated genes and 9 downregulated genes. Function enrichment analysis revealed that HRSV infection could cause significant changes in multiple signaling pathways such as immune response in HEp-2 cells. The results of qRT-PCR were consistent with the trend of transcriptome data.Conclusions:The differentially expressed genes and the change of signaling pathways in HRSV-infected HEp-2 cells is of great significance to the studies on pathogenic mechanism and prevention of HRSV infection.

Objective:To investigate and compare the effectiveness and safety of infrared bipolar radiofrequency (IR-RF) and nonablative fractional laser (NAFL) including 1 540 nm Er: glass and 1 927 nm thulium-doped laser, so as to choose a better pathway for clinical treatments on periorbital wrinkles.Methods:A prospective randomized self-controlled study was conducted in the Department of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital. A total of 27 patients divided into 3 groups by random number table underwent split-face treatments between December 2019 and January 2021. Two of the three treatments were selected randomly for patients in each group: Group A, left side IR-RF vs. right side 1 540 nm NAFL; Group B, left side IR-RF vs. right side 1 927 nm NAFL; Group C, left side 1 540 nm NAFL vs. right side 1 927 nm NAFL. In total 3 sessions were given at 2 months interval. Therapeutic outcomes were evaluated by subjective (GAIS and Fitzpatrick wrinkle score) and objective (VISIA-CR) assessments. Side effects and pain visual evaluation (VAS) were also recorded. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to evaluate the differences among the three therapeutic method , and relationships with VAS and patients’ age.Results:In total 30 patients (10 in each group) were recruited and finally 27 cases completed all treatments and follow-ups: Group A, 9 patients (male 3, female 6); Group B, 8 patients (male 3, female 5); Group C, 10 patients (male 4, female 6). The age distributions: Group A, 33-65 years, mean 36.9 years; Group B, 28-67 years, mean 38.6 years; Group C, 25-58 years, mean 37.8 years. GAIS comparisons: no statistical differences were found in each group between baseline and post-treatment ( P>0.05). Fitzpatrick wrinkle score: the overall analysis showed significant improvements were not found in IR-RF treated-side but were observed in 1 540 nm and 1 927 nm NAFL treated sides ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the 1 927 nm NAFL treated side showed more decreased scores than 1 540 nm NAFL treated side ( P<0.05). The VISIA analysis of feature counts of skin texture showed similar result. Besides, the patients over 50 years old showed significantly improvements compared with the ones under this age threshold in IR-RF treated sides ( P<0.05). The pain VAS in IR-RF treated side was significant lower than NAFL-treated side (2.2 vs. 5.8, P<0.05). Only one patient reported post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in 1540 nm NAFL treated side, which disappeared progressively in 4 months after last treatment. Conclusion:Nonablative fractional laser is effective and safe in improving periorbital wrinkles. Infrared bipolar radiofrequency might be more suitable for elderly patients especially with low pain level.

Objective:To investigate and compare the effectiveness and safety of infrared bipolar radiofrequency (IR-RF) and nonablative fractional laser (NAFL) including 1 540 nm Er: glass and 1 927 nm thulium-doped laser, so as to choose a better pathway for clinical treatments on periorbital wrinkles.Methods:A prospective randomized self-controlled study was conducted in the Department of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital. A total of 27 patients divided into 3 groups by random number table underwent split-face treatments between December 2019 and January 2021. Two of the three treatments were selected randomly for patients in each group: Group A, left side IR-RF vs. right side 1 540 nm NAFL; Group B, left side IR-RF vs. right side 1 927 nm NAFL; Group C, left side 1 540 nm NAFL vs. right side 1 927 nm NAFL. In total 3 sessions were given at 2 months interval. Therapeutic outcomes were evaluated by subjective (GAIS and Fitzpatrick wrinkle score) and objective (VISIA-CR) assessments. Side effects and pain visual evaluation (VAS) were also recorded. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to evaluate the differences among the three therapeutic method , and relationships with VAS and patients’ age.Results:In total 30 patients (10 in each group) were recruited and finally 27 cases completed all treatments and follow-ups: Group A, 9 patients (male 3, female 6); Group B, 8 patients (male 3, female 5); Group C, 10 patients (male 4, female 6). The age distributions: Group A, 33-65 years, mean 36.9 years; Group B, 28-67 years, mean 38.6 years; Group C, 25-58 years, mean 37.8 years. GAIS comparisons: no statistical differences were found in each group between baseline and post-treatment ( P>0.05). Fitzpatrick wrinkle score: the overall analysis showed significant improvements were not found in IR-RF treated-side but were observed in 1 540 nm and 1 927 nm NAFL treated sides ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the 1 927 nm NAFL treated side showed more decreased scores than 1 540 nm NAFL treated side ( P<0.05). The VISIA analysis of feature counts of skin texture showed similar result. Besides, the patients over 50 years old showed significantly improvements compared with the ones under this age threshold in IR-RF treated sides ( P<0.05). The pain VAS in IR-RF treated side was significant lower than NAFL-treated side (2.2 vs. 5.8, P<0.05). Only one patient reported post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in 1540 nm NAFL treated side, which disappeared progressively in 4 months after last treatment. Conclusion:Nonablative fractional laser is effective and safe in improving periorbital wrinkles. Infrared bipolar radiofrequency might be more suitable for elderly patients especially with low pain level.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) level and vascular cognitive impairment with no dementia (VCIND) in patients with cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVD).Methods:A total of 374 patients with CSVD treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2016 to January 2020 were collected and 150 healthy subjects in the same period were used as general data of the control group. All subjects were detected for serum MMP-9 level using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and received cognitive function scoring using Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA). The 374 patients with CSVD were divided into the Group A(186 cases with vascular cognitive impairment with no dementia) and the Group B(188 cases without cognitive impairment). The general data, serum MMP-9 level and cognitive function score were compared among the three groups and the correlation between MMP-9 level and cognitive function was analyzed.Results:The MMP-9 levels of Groups A and B ( (335.10±105.10)μg/L, (261.62±80.32)μg/L) were higher than those of the control group ( (168.23±48.85)μg/L), and the MMP-9 level of Group A was higher than that of Group B ( P<0.05). The MoCA scores of Groups A and B ( (18.45±5.24), (28.31±1.52) ) were lower than those of the control group (29.49±0.90), and the MoCA scores of Group A were lower than those of Group B ( P<0.05). The serum MMP-9 level, a risk factor for VCIND in patients with CSVD ( β=1.505, OR=1.323, 95% CI=1.149-1.527, P<0.05), was negatively correlated with total score of MoCA scale, visual-spatial and executive function, naming, language, abstract thinking, delayed recall, and directive force factor score ( r=-0.299, r=-0.155, r=-0.383, r=-0.358, r=-0.192, r=-0.259, r=-0.246 respectively, all P<0.05). Conclusion:The increased level of MMP-9 may be a risk factor of VCIND in CSVD patients, and it is closely related to cognitive impairment.

Objective To assess the influence of different interventional injection routes of raltitrexed on the liver function, histology and pharmacokinetics in experimental rabbits, and to discuss the feasibility, safety and advantages of local application of raltitrexed. Methods A total of 25 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups with 5 rabbits in each group: group A (using peripheral intravenous injection), group B (employing hepatic arterial infusion), group C (adopting hepatic artery embolization with Lipiodol), group D (hepatic artery embolization with gelfoam particles), and group E (direct puncture of liver and injection). Clinical equivalent dose (0. 17 mg/kg) raltitrexed injection was given to each experimental rabbit. At 5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the treatment, venous blood sample was collected for pharmacokinetic analysis. At 6 h and one week after administration of drug, liver functions were tested, and histological specimens of liver tissues were made at the same time. Results The peripheral blood drug concentrations at 5 and 60 min in group A were 0. 91 μg/mL and 0 μg/mL respectively, at 5 and 180 min in group B were 1. 73 μg/mL and 0. 37 μg/mL respectively, at 5 and 180 min in group C were 0. 82 μg/mL and 0. 08 μg/mL respectively, at 5 and 180 min in group D were 0. 94 μg/mL and 0. 08 μg/mL, and at 5 and 60 min in group E were 0. 39 μg/mL and 0. 13 μg/mL respectively. Six hours after administration of drug, the serum levels of AST, ALT in group C, group D and group E were significantly increased (P＜0. 0l), which returned to normal levels in one week after the treatment. The severity of liver tissue degeneration and necrosis detected in each group varied, in a severity - decreasing order, from group E, group C, group D, group B and group A. In group E, the surrounding normal liver tissue had no obvious necrosis. Conclusion The rabbit' s liver has no significant first pass elimination effect to raltitrexed. The equivalent dose of raltitrexed administered through the hepatic artery can cause obvious hepatocellular injury. Direct puncture and injection produce limited liver injury. Clinically, the dose of raltitrexed can be adjusted based on the degree of super selective catheterization condition and tumor size. (J Intervent Radiol, 2018, 27:247-251)