ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory， Qijia Rougan prescription， combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted， and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis （CHB-HF） who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group （Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir） and a control group （entecavir）. The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， fibrosis-4 index （FIB-4）， portal vein diameter， hepatitis B serology， biochemical indicators， hepatic fibrosis markers in serum ［hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen Ⅲ peptide （PⅢP）， and type Ⅳ collagen （Ⅳ-C）］， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis， with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment， the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 （P<0.01）， as well as notable improvements in LN， Ⅳ-C， and various TCM syndrome scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM， FIB-4， and various TCM syndrome score indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）， indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment， the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 （P<0.05）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 （P<0.05）. No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone， the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3， which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in chemical components of Gardeniae Fructus（GF） before and after being charred， providing data support for research on the material basis of GF Carbonisata（GFC）. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS） was used to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the chemical components in GF and GFC under positive and negative ion modes with Compound Discoverer 3.3 software and online database. Then， principal component analysis and partial least squares-discriminant analysis in SIMCA14.1 software were used to analyze the MS data of each sample. Based on the principle of variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1， differential secondary and primary metabolites before and after carbonization were screened. In addition， MetaboAnalyst website was used for pathway enrichment of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）， so as to provide a reference for clarifying the processing mechanism. ResultsA total of 185 components were identified， including 96 secondary metabolites and 89 primary metabolites. These components were classified into nine categories， primarily including iridoid glycosides， flavonoids， and terpenoids， their fragmentation pathways were also analyzed. Simultaneously， multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the secondary and primary metabolites， identifying 70 and 59 differential metabolites， respectively. The secondary metabolites were enriched in two metabolic pathways， including C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism and flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis， while the primary differential metabolites were enriched in seven pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. ConclusionThe chemical components of GF change significantly after carbonization， with a significant decrease in the contents of iridoid glycosides and terpenoids such as hydroxyisogeniposide， crocin Ⅱ， crocetin， and jasminoside B. while the contents of 4-hydroxycoumarin， geniposidic acid， gentiopicroside， and gardenoside methyl ester increase significantly. This change is presumed to be associated with the enhanced cooling and hemostatic effects of the processed products. The identified key components provide a basis for elucidating the material basis underlying the efficacy changes before and after carbonization.

Objective To explore the pro-inflammation resolution and protective effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive liposomes modified with a cardiac-targeted peptide and loaded with resolvin D1 (RvD1, C-LP-RvD1) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Methods The C-LP-RvD1 nanoliposomes were constructed, characterized physically and chemically, and evaluated for in vitro release. Non-targeting peptide-modified drug-loaded liposomes (LP-RvD1) were served as controls. Apoptotic adult mouse cardiomyocytes (AMCMs) were used to verify in vitro targeted binding capacity of C-LP-RvD1. In MI/R mice models, the in vivo distribution and cardiac enrichment of C-LP-RvD1 were assessed. Levels of specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) and inflammatory factors in cardiac tissue homogenates and cell culture supernatants were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cardiac function and fibrosis remodeling were evaluated via echocardiography and Masson staining four weeks after treatment. Biosafety was evaluated in healthy mice injected by C-LP-RvD1. Results The C-LP-RvD1 exhibited good nanoscale uniformity and stability, with ROS-triggered accelerated release characteristics. In vitro experiments showed that C-LP-RvD1 had higher binding capacity to apoptotic AMCMs than LP-RvD1, with significantly higher SPM levels (P＜0.01) and lower inflammatory factor levels (P＜0.05). In vivo experiments indicated enhanced cardiac enrichment of C-LP-RvD1 in MI/R injured hearts, with higher local myocardial SPM levels and lower inflammatory factor levels compared to LP-RvD1 (P＜0.05). Four weeks after treatment, compared with LP-RvD1, the C-LP-RvD1 mice group showed improved cardiac function indicators and reduced ventricular fibrosis remodeling ratio (P＜0.05). Safety evaluation revealed no significant systemic inflammation, immunogenicity, or coagulation abnormalities in healthy mice, with liver and kidney function and major organ histology showing no notable damage. Conclusions C-LP-RvD1 improves effective delivery of RvD1 to MI/R injured hearts through injury-targeted enrichment and ROS-responsive release, promoting inflammation resolution and suppressing excessive inflammation, thereby improving cardiac function and reducing adverse remodeling, with favorable biosafety.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of dietary intervention on blood pressure and renal function in patients with hypertensive nephropathy, so as to provide dietary and nutritional guidances for this population. Methods: Hypertensive nephropathy patients who were treated at Zhucheng People's Hospital from March 2023 to February 2024 were selected as the study subjects and randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group. The control group received routine antihypertensive treatment and health lifestyle guidance. On the basis of the treatment and guidance received by the control group, the intervention group implemented dietary intervention in accordance with the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nutritional Therapy of Chronic Kidney Disease in China (2021 edition) for a period of 3 months. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured before and after the intervention, and serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), cystatin and β2-microglobulin were detected. Differences of indicators before and after intervention between the two groups were compared using generalized estimation equation. Results: A total of 83 patients with hypertensive nephropathy were followed up, including 43 cases in the intervention group and 40 cases in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, body mass index, duration of hypertension, family history of hypertension, hypertension grade, physical activity index, or smoking status between the two groups (all P>0.05). The differences in SBP, DBP, Scr, BUN, and UA between the two groups, as well as the differences before and after the intervention, were statistically significant, and there was an interaction between the groups and the intervention time (all P<0.05). After intervention, the levels of SBP, DBP, Scr, BUN, and UA in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The differences in cystatin and β2-microglobulin between the two groups and before and after the intervention were not statistically significant, and there was no interaction between the groups and the intervention time (all P>0.05). Conclusion Dietary intervention has a certain effect on reducing blood pressure and improving renal function indicators in patients with hypertensive nephropathy.

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 explore the role and related mechanism of neutrophil membrane-coated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (Neu-NP) in cardiac repair after acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury in mice. Methods The male C57 mouse model of acute MI/R injury was established and randomly divided into three groups: PBS control group (injection of 200 μL PBS), NP treatment group (injection of 0.5 mg/mL NP 200 μL), and Neu-NP treatment group (injection of 0.5 mg/mL Neu-NP 200 μL). Neutrophil membranes were extracted and fused with PLGA nanoparticles to construct biomimetic Neu-NP. The in vivo homing ability of Neu-NP was assessed using ex vivo imaging technology in the MI/R injury model, and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the myocardium were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay one day and three days after administration. Echocardiography was used to determine cardiac function indicators of MI/R injured mice 28 days post-administration. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe angiogenesis repair and inflammatory cell infiltration in mouse heart tissue. Results Neu-NP, engineered by integrating neutrophil membranes with nanoparticles, inherited surface receptors (TNF-αR and IL-6R) and functioned as decoys for inflammatory targeting. Compared with the PBS control group and NP treatment group, the secretion levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the damaged myocardium of the Neu-NP treatment group were significantly decreased one and three days after administration (P＜0.05); 28 days after administration, the cardiac ejection fraction in the Neu-NP treatment group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (P＜0.05). Immunofluorescence staining indicated a significant increase in the proportion of angiogenesis in the myocardial infarction area and a significant reduction in inflammation cell infiltration (P＜0.05). Conclusions Neu-NP plays an important role in cardiac tissue repair after MI/R injury by alleviating inflammatory factors in the damaged area and promoting angiogenesis.

End-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring is an important means of evaluating human lung function and is widely used in fields such as clinical emergency treatment and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This paper develops a microstream end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring system. It adopts an integrated gas circuit design to further reduce the size of the equipment. The system uses the method of calculating the root mean square (RMS) of differential pressure signals to regulate the gas circuit flow, enabling the system to stably operate at a flow state of 30 mL/min. In addition, by simultaneously detecting multiple environmental parameters such as temperature and pressure, the system realizes system state monitoring and gas parameter compensation. The test results show that various indicators of the system meet the requirements of relevant standards, laying a good foundation for subsequent engineering applications.
Carbon Dioxide/analysis* ; Equipment Design ; Monitoring, Physiologic/methods* ; Humans

GARP is a key molecule on regulatory T cells (Treg cells) that stabilizes and activates the immune regulation of potential active latent transforming growth factor-β (LTGF-β). Recent studies have revealed that GARP contributes to tumor immune evasion by promoting tumor immunosuppression and inhibiting effector T cell function, and GARP is closely associated with various immune-related diseases. Therapeutic strategies targeting the GARP-TGF-β axis, including monoclonal antibodies and genetic engineering techniques, show a promising potential in enhancing antitumor immune responses and regulating excessive inflammation. This review summarizes GARP's role and explores its application in tumor immunotherapy and inflammatory diseases management, providing a reference for future therapies for GARP.

Objective:To conduct a comparative analysis of the oxygen depletion and oxygen effect of FLASH irradiation and conventional irradiation by direct measurement of oxygen content.Methods:The oxygen content in different tissues and organs of mice was measured using a phosphorescent probe. A subcutaneous xenograft tumor model in mice was established, to receive electron-beam irradiation at different doses and dose rates. The oxygen depletion of tumor and normal tissue was analyzed, and tumor control was evaluated. The oxygen depletion of conventional irradiation and FLASH irradiation was further analyzed using an in vitro model. The survival fraction (SF) of normal cells after conventional irradiation and FLASH irradiation was calculated using colony formation assay under different partial pressures of oxygen, and the data were fitted to the oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) curve. Results:The mean oxygen content of subcutaneous xenograft tumor in mice was 1.28%, suggesting hypoxia. The mean oxygen content of normal tissue ranged from 3.51% to 6.53%, suggesting physioxia. In animal experiments, oxygen depletion was not observed during conventional irradiation. High-dose-rate (20 Gy/s) and ultra-high-dose-rate (FLASH, 40 Gy/s) irradiation produced oxygen depletion. During FLASH irradiation, with the increase of oxygen content, the oxygen depletion was 0.1-0.2 mm Hg/Gy for tumor tissue and 0.19-0.21 mm Hg/Gy for skin tissue, which tended to stabilize. FLASH irradiation maintained equivalent tumor control compared to conventional irradiation. The tumoricidal effect was significantly enhanced with the increase of oxygen content in the tissue ( t=3.46, P<0.01). In in vitro experiments, the mean oxygen depletion rate was about 0.16 mm Hg/Gy for conventional irradiation and 0.16-0.18 mm Hg/Gy for FLASH irradiation, which did not change significantly with the increase of oxygen content. FLASH irradiation was associated with an oxygen effect. When the partial pressure of oxygen decreased from physioxia to hypoxia, the OER value significantly reduced. Conclusions:Normal tissues and organs are in physioxia, which exhibits a lower oxygen content than that in the air. FLASH irradiation can consume a proportion of oxygen, producing an oxygen effect. When oxygen content decreases, the oxygen depletion rate slows down after FLASH irradiation.

Objective:To explore the preliminary clinical application efficacy of the side branch protection (SBP) technique in single stent-assisted coiling (SSAC) for the treatment of intracranial acute-angulated absolute wide neck bifurcation aneurysms (aWNBA).Methods:The clinical data of 23 patients with aWNBA treated at the Department of Interventional Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to June 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into two groups based on the stent type used: 11 in the side branch protection (SBP) group and 12 in the double stent-assisted coiling (DSAC) group. The characteristics of aWNBA including the size, the first and second angles between side branches and main artery, and the diameter of aneurysm, were analyzed preoperatively. Stent thromboembolism was recorded during the operation, and Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to evaluate the treatment efficacy postoperatively. During the follow-up period the RROC and mRS were reevaluated and the stent stenosis was recorded. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups′ data of skewed distribution, χ2 test and Fisher′s exact test were used to compare the two groups′ categorical data. Results:The 23 patients with aWNBA included 11 with aneurysms at the bifurcation of the middle cerebral artery, 6 at the top of the basilar artery, and 6 at the bifurcation of the anterior communicating artery. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of aWNBA basic characteristics before operation (all P>0.05). The SBP group had a lower incidence of intraoperative stent thromboembolism and a lower mRS postoperatively compared to DSAC group (all P<0.05); meanwhile, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups on RROC after the operation ( P=0.949). During the follow-up period, the SBP group had lower rates of stent stenosis and mRS compared to the DSAC group (all P<0.05) and there was no statistically significant difference between two groups in RROC ( P=0.527). Conclusions:In cases of dense coiling on aWNBA, the SBP technique in SSAC is able to reduce incidence of the stent thromboembolism, stent stenosis as well as neurological injury; therefore, it is a safe and feasible therapeutic strategy for the aWNBA.