Background::Computer-aided detection (CAD) software has been introduced to automatically interpret digital chest X-rays. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CAD software (JF CXR-1 v3.0, which was developed by a domestic Hi-tech enterprise) in tuberculosis (TB) case finding in China.Methods::In 2019, we conducted an internal evaluation of the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 by reading standard images annotated by a panel of experts. In 2020, using the reading results of chest X-rays by a panel of experts as the reference standard, we conducted an on-site prospective study to evaluate the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in TB case finding in 13 township health centers in Zhongmu County, Henan Province.Results::Internal assessment results based on 277 standard images showed that JF CXR-1 v3.0 had a sensitivity of 85.94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.42%, 94.45%) and a specificity of 74.65% (95% CI: 68.81%, 80.49%) to distinguish active TB from other imaging conditions. In the on-site evaluation phase, images from 3705 outpatients who underwent chest X-ray detection were read by JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in parallel. The imaging diagnosis of local radiologists for active TB had a sensitivity of 32.89% (95% CI: 22.33%, 43.46%) and a specificity of 99.28% (95% CI: 99.01%, 99.56%), while JF CXR-1 v3.0 showed a significantly higher sensitivity of 92.11% (95% CI: 86.04%, 98.17%) ( p < 0.05) and maintained high specificity at 94.54% (95% CI: 93.81%, 95.28%). Conclusions::CAD software could play a positive role in improving the TB case finding capability of township health centers.

Background::Computer-aided detection (CAD) software has been introduced to automatically interpret digital chest X-rays. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CAD software (JF CXR-1 v3.0, which was developed by a domestic Hi-tech enterprise) in tuberculosis (TB) case finding in China.Methods::In 2019, we conducted an internal evaluation of the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 by reading standard images annotated by a panel of experts. In 2020, using the reading results of chest X-rays by a panel of experts as the reference standard, we conducted an on-site prospective study to evaluate the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in TB case finding in 13 township health centers in Zhongmu County, Henan Province.Results::Internal assessment results based on 277 standard images showed that JF CXR-1 v3.0 had a sensitivity of 85.94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.42%, 94.45%) and a specificity of 74.65% (95% CI: 68.81%, 80.49%) to distinguish active TB from other imaging conditions. In the on-site evaluation phase, images from 3705 outpatients who underwent chest X-ray detection were read by JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in parallel. The imaging diagnosis of local radiologists for active TB had a sensitivity of 32.89% (95% CI: 22.33%, 43.46%) and a specificity of 99.28% (95% CI: 99.01%, 99.56%), while JF CXR-1 v3.0 showed a significantly higher sensitivity of 92.11% (95% CI: 86.04%, 98.17%) ( p < 0.05) and maintained high specificity at 94.54% (95% CI: 93.81%, 95.28%). Conclusions::CAD software could play a positive role in improving the TB case finding capability of township health centers.

Objective:To investigate the role of an inflammatory microenvironment induced by Porphyromonasgingivalis ( P. gingivalis) in the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in mice. Methods:A total of 180 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e. control group, P. gingivalis group, 4NQO group, 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, 4NQO + P. gingivalis + celecoxib group, and 4NQO + P. gingivalis + antibiotic cocktail (ABC, including metronidazole, neomycin, ampicillin, and vancomycin) group, with 30 mice in each group, using the random number table. All mice were normalized by treatment with ABC in drinking water for 2 weeks. In the following 2 weeks, the mice in the control group and the P. gingivalis group were given drinking water, while the other 4 groups were treated with 30 μg/ml 4NQO in the drinking water. In weeks 11-12, the mice in the P. gingivalis group, the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the 4NQO + P. gingivalis + celecoxib group, and the 4NQO + P. gingivalis + ABC group were subjected to ligation of the second molar in oral cavity followed by oral P. gingivalis infection thrice weekly for 24 weeks in weeks 11-34. In weeks 13-34, the mice in 4NQO + P. gingivalis+celecoxib group and 4NQO + P. gingivalis + ABC group were administered with celecoxib and ABC for 22 weeks, respectively. At the end of 34 weeks, gross and microscopic alterations were examined followed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry to examine the expression profiles of inflammatory- and tumor-molecules in esophagi of mice. Results:At 34 weeks, 4NQO treatment alone did not affect the foci of papillary hyperproliferation, diseased area, and the thickness of the esophageal wall, but significantly enhanced the foci of hyperproliferation (median 1.00, P＜0.05) and mild/moderate dysplasia (median 2.00, P＜0.01). In addition, the expression levels of IL-6 [8.35(3.45,8.99)], IL-1β [6.90(2.01,9.72)], TNF-α [12.04(3.31,14.08)], c-myc [2.21(1.80,3.04)], pSTAT3, Ki-67, and pH2AX were higher than those in the control group. The pathological changes of the esophageal mucosa were significantly more overt in the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group in terms of the foci of papillary hyperproliferation (median 2.00), diseased area (median 2.51 mm 2), the thickness of the esophageal wall (median 172.52 μm), the foci of hyperproliferation (median 1.00, P＜0.05), and mild/moderate dysplasia (median 1.00, P＜0.01). In mice of the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the expression levels of IL-6 [12.27(5.35,22.08)], IL-1β [13.89(10.04,15.96)], TNF-α [19.56(6.07,20.36)], IFN-γ [11.37(8.23,20.07)], c-myc [2.62(1.51,4.25)], cyclin D1 [4.52(2.68,7.83)], nuclear pSTAT3, COX-2, Ki-67, and pH2AX were significantly increased compared with the mice in the control group. In mice of the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the diseased area, invasive malignant foci as well as pSTAT3 and pH2AX expression were significantly blunted by celecoxib. Treatment with ABC markedly reduced the papillary hyperproliferative foci, invasive malignant foci, and pSTAT3 expression but not pH2AX. Conclusions:P. gingivalis promotes the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in mice by inducing an inflammatory microenvironment primed with 4NQO induced DNA damage. Clearance of P. gingivalis with ABC or anti-inflammatory intervention holds promise for prevention of esophageal squamous cell malignant pathogenesis via blockage of IL-6/STAT3 signaling and amelioration of inflammation.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism underlying Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg)-induced autophagy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Methods After Pg infected KYSE70 cells and KYSE140 cells pretreated with siAtg7 or Chloroquin(CQ),Western blot was used to measure protein levels of Atg7,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,and p62;Immunofluorescent confocal imaging analysis was used to detect autophagosome and autolysosome;CCK-8 assay was used to test cell viability;Transwell assay was used for ESCC cell migration and invasion potentials.Likewise,miR-21-5p inhibitor,RASA1 overexpression plasmid,or U0126 were used to block miR-21-5p/RASA1/ERK signaling pathway prior to Pg infection,followed by the aforementioned methods.In addition,immunohistochemistry was used to examine Pg abundance and LC3 protein levels,and RT-PCR was used to evaluate miR-21-5p expression in ESCC and adjacent tissue samples,followed by correlation analyses be-tween Pg and LC3,and Pg and miR-21-5p.Results Pg infected KYSE70 cells and KYSE140 cells showed upreg-ulation Atg7 protein and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ protein but downregulation of RASA1 protein and p62 protein,enhanced cell proliferation,migration,and invasion as well as immunofluorescent spots of red,green,and yellow in mRFP-GFP-LC3-labeled ESCC cells.Pretreatment with CQ or siAtg7 abolished the above alterations induced by Pg.Con-sistently,pretreatment with miR-21-5p inhibitor,U0126,or RASA1 overexpression plasmid also blocked Pg-stimu-lated autophagy.In ESCC samples,Pg abundance was correlated with upregulation of miR-21-5p and LC3.Con-clusion Pg promotes autophagy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via miR-21-5p/RASA1/ERK signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the current status of barriers to participation in phaseⅡcoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients and the factors influencing them, and to provide new ideas for reducing barriers to participation in rehabilitation and improving the participation rate in cardiac rehabilitation.Methods:For this study, a cross-sectional survey research method was utilized. The study included 334 patients who underwent CABG and were admitted to the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University between June 2022 and May 2023. These patients were selected using the convenience sampling method. A General Information Questionnaire, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS-C/M), and a Questionnaire on the Knowledge of Information Related to Cardiac Rehabilitation were used to conduct the survey. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors on barriers to participation in phase Ⅱ cardiac rehabilitation in post-CABG patients.Results:Out of 334 patients, 248 were males and 86 were females with age (54.74 ± 7.61) years old. The total average score of CRBS-C/M in patients after CABG surgery was 3.20 ± 0.43, with the highest external logistic factors score of 3.42 ± 0.58. The knowledge status score of information related to cardiac rehabilitation was 42.11 ± 7.94. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the following factors independently influenced post-CABG patients′ barriers to participating in phaseⅡcardiac rehabilitation: marital status, whether or not they had completed phase I cardiac rehabilitation,number of other comorbidities, knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation information. All of these differences were statistically significant ( t values were -4.87-3.35, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The barriers to participation in phase Ⅱ cardiac rehabilitation in post-CABG patients are at an intermediate to high level, and healthcare professionals should emphasize the assessment of barrier factors in these patients, and target the development and implementation of phase Ⅱ cardiac rehabilitation in terms of the influencing factors.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy， safety and cost-effectiveness of vericiguat in the treatment of heart failure （HF） by rapid health technology evaluation method， and provide reference for the selection and decision-making of clinical treatment plans. METHODS Chinese and foreign databases such as CNKI， PubMed and related health technology evaluation websites were searched by computer. Relevant researchers independently screened literature， extracted data， and comprehensively analyzed the results of the included literature based on literature quality evaluation. RESULTS A total of 17 pieces of literature were included， involving 12 systematic reviews/meta-analyses and 5 pharmacoeconomic studies. The effectiveness analysis showed： for HF patients， compared with placebo， vericiguat （10 mg/d） significantly improved the EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire （EQ-5D） index and decreased the rate of hospitalization due to HF （P＜0.05）. For heart failure with reduced ejection fraction （HFrEF） patients， vericiguat reduced the incidence of hospitalization due to HF compared with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor （SGLT2i）（P＜0.05）； compared with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor， vericiguat significantly reduced the occurrence risk of composite endpoints of cardiovascular death or hospitalization due to HF（P＜0.05）. For HFrEF patients with chronic kidney disease， vericiguat had a tendency to reduce the occurrence risk of composite endpoints of cardiovascular death or hospitalization due to HF compared with neurohormone inhibitors. Safety analysis showed： vericiguat did not increase drug-related adverse reactions compared to placebo （P＞0.05）. Economic analysis showed： domestic studies indicated that vericiguat had a higher incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. CONCLUSIONS Vericiguat has good safety and efficacy in the treatment of HF but does not possess an economic advantage in the Chinese population.

Objective:To investigate the role of an inflammatory microenvironment induced by Porphyromonasgingivalis ( P. gingivalis) in the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in mice. Methods:A total of 180 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e. control group, P. gingivalis group, 4NQO group, 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, 4NQO + P. gingivalis + celecoxib group, and 4NQO + P. gingivalis + antibiotic cocktail (ABC, including metronidazole, neomycin, ampicillin, and vancomycin) group, with 30 mice in each group, using the random number table. All mice were normalized by treatment with ABC in drinking water for 2 weeks. In the following 2 weeks, the mice in the control group and the P. gingivalis group were given drinking water, while the other 4 groups were treated with 30 μg/ml 4NQO in the drinking water. In weeks 11-12, the mice in the P. gingivalis group, the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the 4NQO + P. gingivalis + celecoxib group, and the 4NQO + P. gingivalis + ABC group were subjected to ligation of the second molar in oral cavity followed by oral P. gingivalis infection thrice weekly for 24 weeks in weeks 11-34. In weeks 13-34, the mice in 4NQO + P. gingivalis+celecoxib group and 4NQO + P. gingivalis + ABC group were administered with celecoxib and ABC for 22 weeks, respectively. At the end of 34 weeks, gross and microscopic alterations were examined followed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry to examine the expression profiles of inflammatory- and tumor-molecules in esophagi of mice. Results:At 34 weeks, 4NQO treatment alone did not affect the foci of papillary hyperproliferation, diseased area, and the thickness of the esophageal wall, but significantly enhanced the foci of hyperproliferation (median 1.00, P＜0.05) and mild/moderate dysplasia (median 2.00, P＜0.01). In addition, the expression levels of IL-6 [8.35(3.45,8.99)], IL-1β [6.90(2.01,9.72)], TNF-α [12.04(3.31,14.08)], c-myc [2.21(1.80,3.04)], pSTAT3, Ki-67, and pH2AX were higher than those in the control group. The pathological changes of the esophageal mucosa were significantly more overt in the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group in terms of the foci of papillary hyperproliferation (median 2.00), diseased area (median 2.51 mm 2), the thickness of the esophageal wall (median 172.52 μm), the foci of hyperproliferation (median 1.00, P＜0.05), and mild/moderate dysplasia (median 1.00, P＜0.01). In mice of the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the expression levels of IL-6 [12.27(5.35,22.08)], IL-1β [13.89(10.04,15.96)], TNF-α [19.56(6.07,20.36)], IFN-γ [11.37(8.23,20.07)], c-myc [2.62(1.51,4.25)], cyclin D1 [4.52(2.68,7.83)], nuclear pSTAT3, COX-2, Ki-67, and pH2AX were significantly increased compared with the mice in the control group. In mice of the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the diseased area, invasive malignant foci as well as pSTAT3 and pH2AX expression were significantly blunted by celecoxib. Treatment with ABC markedly reduced the papillary hyperproliferative foci, invasive malignant foci, and pSTAT3 expression but not pH2AX. Conclusions:P. gingivalis promotes the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in mice by inducing an inflammatory microenvironment primed with 4NQO induced DNA damage. Clearance of P. gingivalis with ABC or anti-inflammatory intervention holds promise for prevention of esophageal squamous cell malignant pathogenesis via blockage of IL-6/STAT3 signaling and amelioration of inflammation.

In this article, we report a case of spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy with successful delivery after myomectomy. A 35-year-old pregnant female (27 weeks of gestation) presented with lower abdominal pain. The patient had a history of uterine fibroids. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma (maximum diameter: 12.6 cm). Myomectomy was performed, and her abdominal distension and pain were significantly improved within 1 day; the condition of the fetus was normal. One month after surgery, severe tenderness was detected in the lower right side of the uterus. Considering the higher risk of uterine rupture and associated complications, a cesarean section was performed. The mother and neonate were discharged 3 and 42 days after delivery, respectively, in good condition. Myomectomy for spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy may be feasible and extend gestational age to improve outcomes for the mother and neonate.

In this article, we report a case of spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy with successful delivery after myomectomy. A 35-year-old pregnant female (27 weeks of gestation) presented with lower abdominal pain. The patient had a history of uterine fibroids. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma (maximum diameter: 12.6 cm). Myomectomy was performed, and her abdominal distension and pain were significantly improved within 1 day; the condition of the fetus was normal. One month after surgery, severe tenderness was detected in the lower right side of the uterus. Considering the higher risk of uterine rupture and associated complications, a cesarean section was performed. The mother and neonate were discharged 3 and 42 days after delivery, respectively, in good condition. Myomectomy for spontaneous ruptured pyomyoma during pregnancy may be feasible and extend gestational age to improve outcomes for the mother and neonate.

Objective:To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test.Methods:This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results:After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea ( Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.