Objective:To investigate the effect of 308-nm light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy at escalating doses after autologous melanocyte transplantation on the repigmentation in patients with refractory stable vitiligo.Methods:A prospective, randomized, self-controlled trial was conducted. Twelve patients with refractory stable vitiligo (a total of 17 skin lesions) were collected from the Department of Dermatology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from November 2023 to September 2024. Autologous cultured melanocyte transplantation was performed. One week after the inner layer of petrolatum gauze had fallen off, each white patch was bisected by the midline and randomly divided into a test group and a control group; both groups received 308-nm LED light irradiation at an initial dose of 50 mJ/cm 2; then, the test group received a slow (5%) dose escalation, while the control group received a quick (10%) dose escalation. The repigmentation outcomes, clinical efficacy and safety were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after the start of phototherapy. Results:A total of 12 patients with refractory stable vitiligo were collected, including 3 males and 9 females, aged 5 to 59 (29.4 ± 19.6) years. At 1 month after phototherapy, there was no significant difference in the vitiligo repigmentation area score between the test group and the control group ( P = 0.666) ; at 3 months after phototherapy, the vitiligo repigmentation area score was significantly higher in the test group (54.45 [5.17, 85.50] points) than in the control group (39.75 [4.52, 65.05] points, Z = -2.51, P = 0.012) ; at 6 months after phototherapy, no significant difference in the vitiligo repigmentation area score was observed between the two groups ( P = 0.11). In the test group, the marked response rate increased from 41.18% (7/17) at 1 month to 58.82% (10/17) and 58.82% (10/17) at 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively; in the control group, it increased from 29.41% (5/17) at 1 month to 35.29% (6/17) and 47.06% (8/17) at 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively. At 1 month after treatment, the response rate was 58.82% (10/17) in the test group, and 64.71% (11/17) in the control group, which both increased to 70.59% (12/17) at 3 and 6 months after treatment. There were no significant differences in the marked response rates or response rates between the two groups at different time points after treatment (all P > 0.05). The maximum dose of 308-nm LED light was 106.0 (87.0, 152.5) mJ/cm 2 in the test group, and 219.0 (200.5, 268.5) mJ/cm 2 in the control group; the total accumulated dose of 308-nm LED light was 2 101.0 (1 865.0, 2 270.5) mJ/cm 2 in the test group, and 3 411.0 (2 683.5, 4 016.5) mJ/cm 2 in the control group. Blisters occurred in 3 lesions (17.6%) in the control group, while no adverse reactions were observed in the test group. Seven patients (58.3%) preferred the low-dose escalation irradiation protocol in the test group. Conclusion:Autologous melanocyte transplantation combined with 308-nm LED phototherapy initiated at a minimum dose and followed by a 5% dose-escalation irradiation protocol exhibited comparable efficacy but superior safety profiles compared with a conventional 10% dose-escalation irradiation protocol in the treatment of refractory stable vitiligo.

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*

Objective:To investigate the effect of 308-nm light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy at escalating doses after autologous melanocyte transplantation on the repigmentation in patients with refractory stable vitiligo.Methods:A prospective, randomized, self-controlled trial was conducted. Twelve patients with refractory stable vitiligo (a total of 17 skin lesions) were collected from the Department of Dermatology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from November 2023 to September 2024. Autologous cultured melanocyte transplantation was performed. One week after the inner layer of petrolatum gauze had fallen off, each white patch was bisected by the midline and randomly divided into a test group and a control group; both groups received 308-nm LED light irradiation at an initial dose of 50 mJ/cm 2; then, the test group received a slow (5%) dose escalation, while the control group received a quick (10%) dose escalation. The repigmentation outcomes, clinical efficacy and safety were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after the start of phototherapy. Results:A total of 12 patients with refractory stable vitiligo were collected, including 3 males and 9 females, aged 5 to 59 (29.4 ± 19.6) years. At 1 month after phototherapy, there was no significant difference in the vitiligo repigmentation area score between the test group and the control group ( P = 0.666) ; at 3 months after phototherapy, the vitiligo repigmentation area score was significantly higher in the test group (54.45 [5.17, 85.50] points) than in the control group (39.75 [4.52, 65.05] points, Z = -2.51, P = 0.012) ; at 6 months after phototherapy, no significant difference in the vitiligo repigmentation area score was observed between the two groups ( P = 0.11). In the test group, the marked response rate increased from 41.18% (7/17) at 1 month to 58.82% (10/17) and 58.82% (10/17) at 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively; in the control group, it increased from 29.41% (5/17) at 1 month to 35.29% (6/17) and 47.06% (8/17) at 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively. At 1 month after treatment, the response rate was 58.82% (10/17) in the test group, and 64.71% (11/17) in the control group, which both increased to 70.59% (12/17) at 3 and 6 months after treatment. There were no significant differences in the marked response rates or response rates between the two groups at different time points after treatment (all P > 0.05). The maximum dose of 308-nm LED light was 106.0 (87.0, 152.5) mJ/cm 2 in the test group, and 219.0 (200.5, 268.5) mJ/cm 2 in the control group; the total accumulated dose of 308-nm LED light was 2 101.0 (1 865.0, 2 270.5) mJ/cm 2 in the test group, and 3 411.0 (2 683.5, 4 016.5) mJ/cm 2 in the control group. Blisters occurred in 3 lesions (17.6%) in the control group, while no adverse reactions were observed in the test group. Seven patients (58.3%) preferred the low-dose escalation irradiation protocol in the test group. Conclusion:Autologous melanocyte transplantation combined with 308-nm LED phototherapy initiated at a minimum dose and followed by a 5% dose-escalation irradiation protocol exhibited comparable efficacy but superior safety profiles compared with a conventional 10% dose-escalation irradiation protocol in the treatment of refractory stable vitiligo.

Objective To investigate the effect of the rs3765467 polymorphism of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor(GLP-1R)gene on the efficacy of Liraglutide(Lir)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).Methods A total of 281 patients with T2DM from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected,including 125 patients with simple T2DM(T2DM group)and 156 patients with T2DM combined with MAFLD(T2DM+MAFLD group).120 healthy individuals during the same period were selected as the control(NC)group.The related indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism were detected.The polymorphism of GLP-1R gene rs3765467 was detected.Results BMI,FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR and TG in each group increased in turn(P<0.05),while the distribution frequency of genotype GG and allele G decreased in turn(P<0.05).TC and LDL-C in T2DM and T2DM+MAFLD groups were higher than those in NC group(P<0.05).TC and TG levels in genotype GA/AA patients were significantly higher than those in genotype GG patients(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the levels of BMI,FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,TC,TG and LDL-C in T2DM patients with MAFLD were significantly decreased after Lir treatment(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in BMI and related indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism in GG and GA/AA patients before and after Lir treatment(P>0.05).Conclusions The distribution frequency of GG and G allele at rs3765467 of GLP-1R gene is reduced in T2DM patients with MAFLD.The carrying of allele A was associated with increased TC and TG levels,but did not affect the efficacy of Lir in reducing weight and improving glycolipid metabolism.

Objective To investigate the effect of the rs3765467 polymorphism of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor(GLP-1R)gene on the efficacy of Liraglutide(Lir)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).Methods A total of 281 patients with T2DM from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected,including 125 patients with simple T2DM(T2DM group)and 156 patients with T2DM combined with MAFLD(T2DM+MAFLD group).120 healthy individuals during the same period were selected as the control(NC)group.The related indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism were detected.The polymorphism of GLP-1R gene rs3765467 was detected.Results BMI,FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR and TG in each group increased in turn(P<0.05),while the distribution frequency of genotype GG and allele G decreased in turn(P<0.05).TC and LDL-C in T2DM and T2DM+MAFLD groups were higher than those in NC group(P<0.05).TC and TG levels in genotype GA/AA patients were significantly higher than those in genotype GG patients(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the levels of BMI,FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,TC,TG and LDL-C in T2DM patients with MAFLD were significantly decreased after Lir treatment(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in BMI and related indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism in GG and GA/AA patients before and after Lir treatment(P>0.05).Conclusions The distribution frequency of GG and G allele at rs3765467 of GLP-1R gene is reduced in T2DM patients with MAFLD.The carrying of allele A was associated with increased TC and TG levels,but did not affect the efficacy of Lir in reducing weight and improving glycolipid metabolism.

Objective:This study aims to explore the current situation of scientific and technological achi evements transformation in district and county-level medical institutions, by analyzing 102 successfully transformed patents from a distric level III comprehensive hospital.Methods:Based on the hospital′s scientific and technological transformation registration data, this study comprehensively utilized patent databases and enterprise inquiry platforms, employing EXCEL and SPSS AU software for analysis.Results:Utility model patents predominate, primarily transformed through patent (application) right transfers, the average contract amount was 42 690 yuan and a relatively long transformation cycle. Female inventors and those under 50 years old account for a high proportion, with nurses being the most common first inventors of patents. Collaborating enterprises were mainly local hospitals, startups, as well as science and technology promotion and application service enterprises.Conclusions:District and county-level medical institutions face many challenges in transforming technological achievements. However, by deeply exploring clinical needs, developing differentiated training and support strategies, and focusing on key partner enterprises, it is possible to promote high-quality and sustainable technological achievement transformation.

Objective:This study aims to explore the current situation of scientific and technological achi evements transformation in district and county-level medical institutions, by analyzing 102 successfully transformed patents from a distric level III comprehensive hospital.Methods:Based on the hospital′s scientific and technological transformation registration data, this study comprehensively utilized patent databases and enterprise inquiry platforms, employing EXCEL and SPSS AU software for analysis.Results:Utility model patents predominate, primarily transformed through patent (application) right transfers, the average contract amount was 42 690 yuan and a relatively long transformation cycle. Female inventors and those under 50 years old account for a high proportion, with nurses being the most common first inventors of patents. Collaborating enterprises were mainly local hospitals, startups, as well as science and technology promotion and application service enterprises.Conclusions:District and county-level medical institutions face many challenges in transforming technological achievements. However, by deeply exploring clinical needs, developing differentiated training and support strategies, and focusing on key partner enterprises, it is possible to promote high-quality and sustainable technological achievement transformation.

Objectives:Quantitative flow ratio(QFR)is a coronary angiography-derived functional test without the need of guidewire use.Fractional flow reserve(FFR)is used as the reference standard to verify the diagnostic value of QFR in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome(NSTE-ACS)with coronary critical lesion(40%-70%stenosis)and functional stenosis. Methods:This retrospective analysis included patients with NSTE-ACS who were admitted to Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital from June 1,2018 to February 1,2023 and underwent coronary FFR examination.QFR values of target vessels were analyzed offline by AngioPlus(Shanghai Pulsation Medical Imaging Technology Co.,LTD.),the second-generation QFR detector,and anatomical parameters of the diseased vessels were recorded as follows:minimal luminal diameter(MLD),percent diameter stenosis(DS%),minimal luminal area(MLA),percent area stenosis(AS%).Functional coronary artery stenosis is defined as FFR≤0.80. Results:Using FFR as the gold standard,the AUC values of contrast-flow QFR(cQFR)and fixed-flow QFR(fQFR)for identifying functional coronary artery stenosis in NSTE-ACS patients were 0.829(95%CI:0.773-0.885,P<0.001)and 0.821(95%CI:0.766-0.875,P<0.001),respectively.The diagnostic accuracy,sensitivity and specificity of cQFR and fQFR were 81.30%,56.00%,98.63%and 76.83%,59.00%,99.04%,respectively.DeLong test showed that diagnostic performance of cQFR was significantly better than fQFR in diagnosing functional stenosis of coronary critical lesions in patients with NSTE-ACS. Conclusions:With FFR as the gold standard,QFR(especially cQFR)has certain diagnostic value in patients with NSTE-ACS with functional stenosis of coronary critical lesions.

Background::Although some well-established oncogenes are involved in cancer initiation and progression such as prostate cancer (PCa), the long tail of cancer genes remains to be defined. Goosecoid ( GSC) has been implicated in cancer development. However, the comprehensive biological role of GSC in pan-cancer, specifically in PCa, remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of GSC in PCa development. Methods::We performed a systematic bioinformatics exploration of GSC using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype-Tissue Expression, Gene Expression Omnibus, German Cancer Research Center, and our in-house cohorts. First, we evaluated the expression of GSC and its association with patient prognosis, and identified GSC-relevant genetic alterations in cancers. Further, we focused on the clinical characterization and prognostic analysis of GSC in PCa. To understand the transcriptional regulation of GSC by E2F transcription factor 1 ( E2F1), we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Functional experiments were conducted to validate the effect of GSC on the tumor cellular phenotype and sensitivity to trametinib. Results::GSC expression was elevated in various tumors and significantly correlated with patient prognosis. The alterations of GSC contribute to the progression of various tumors especially in PCa. Patients with PCa and high GSC expression exhibited worse progression-free survival and biochemical recurrence outcomes. Further, GSC upregulation in patients with PCa was mostly accompanied with higher Gleason score, advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Mechanistically, the transcription factor, E2F1, stimulates GSC by binding to its promoter region. Detailed experiments further demonstrated that GSC acted as an oncogene and influenced the response of PCa cells to trametinib treatment. Conclusions::GSC was highly overexpressed and strongly correlated with patient prognosis in PCa. We found that GSC, regulated by E2F1, acted as an oncogene and impeded the therapeutic efficacy of trametinib in PCa.

Objective To evaluate the application value of the three-point localization method in improving the quality and efficiency of four-chamber view acquisition in cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)imaging.Methods A total of 215 patients who underwent four-chamber view in CMR imaging from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively enrolled and divided into two groups.The control group(n=109)received traditional localization method while the study group(n=106)received three-point localization method.The image quality of mitral valve,tricuspid valve and cruciform structure in four-chamber view images were assessed by two radiologists using a Likert 4-piont scale.The time-consumption from scout imaging to the finish of four-chamber view imaging was recorded.Constituent data and numeral data were compared by Chi-square test and two-sample t test,respectively.Kappa test was used to analyze the inter-observer consistency.Results There were no significant inter-group differences in gender,age,disease profile,or the radiographers'experience.The mean quality scores of the mitral valve,tricuspid valve and cruciform structure in the control group and the study group were 3.44±0.64 and 3.63±0.49(P=0.023),3.43±0.67 and 3.53±0.60(P=0.202),3.71±0.49 and 3.83±0.35(P=0.047),respectively.The image quality score was higher in the study group than in the control group,with the differences in mitral valve and cruciform structure reaching statistical significance.The time-consumption for obtaining four-chamber view for the control group and the study group was 11.67±3.49 minutes and 7.212±1.83 minutes,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.001).Conclusion Compared with the traditional localization method,the three-point localization method provides better image quality in four-chamber view imaging with shortened imaging time.