BACKGROUND: The effect of the interval between previous Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and rescue treatment on therapeutic outcomes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between eradication rates and treatment interval durations in H. pylori infections. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2023 at six tertiary hospitals in Shandong, China. We recruited patients who were positive for H. pylori infection and required rescue treatment. Demographic information, previous times of eradication therapy, last eradication therapy date, and history of antibiotic use data were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on the rescue treatment interval length: Group A, ≥4 weeks and ≤3 months; Group B, >3 and ≤6 months; Group C, >6 and ≤12 months; and Group D, >12 months. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori . Drug compliance and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed. Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare eradication rates between groups. RESULTS: A total of 670 patients were enrolled in this study. The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 88.3% (158/179) in Group A, 89.6% (120/134) in Group B, 89.1% (123/138) in Group C, and 87.7% (192/219) in Group D. The per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 92.9% (156/168) in Group A, 94.5% (120/127) in Group B, 94.5% (121/128) in Group C, and 93.6% (190/203) in Group D. There was no statistically significant difference in the eradication rates between groups in either the ITT ( P = 0.949) or PP analysis ( P = 0.921). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of AEs ( P = 0.934) or drug compliance ( P = 0.849) between groups. CONCLUSION: The interval duration of rescue treatment had no significant effect on H. pylori eradication rates or the incidence of AEs. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05173493.
Humans ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

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 effect of staged rehabilitation nursing in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Methods:From January 2021 to December 2022, convenience sampling was used to select 73 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in the Department of Hand Surgery at Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University as participants. According to the random number table method, patients were divided into a control group ( n=36) and an observation group ( n=37). Control group received routine rehabilitation nursing, while observation group received staged rehabilitation nursing. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Rating Scale score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Rating Scale score, Constant-Murley Shoulder Scale score, and complications during rehabilitation were compared between two groups of patients before and six months after intervention. Results:Six months after surgery, both groups showed an increase in UCLA scores and ASES scores compared to before the intervention ( P<0.05), and the scores of observation group were higher than those of control group, with statistical differences ( P<0.05). Six months after surgery, the Constant-Murley Shoulder Scale scores for daily life and shoulder range of motion in observation group were higher than those in control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). During the rehabilitation period, the incidence of complications in observation group was lower than that in control group with a statistical difference ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Staged rehabilitation nursing in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair shows significant effects and can effectively promote patient recovery.

Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective:To establish an HPLC-DAD-ELSD method for the simultaneous determination of eight main active components in Buyang Huanwu Decoction, including hydroxysafflor yellow A, paeoniflorin, calycosin glycoside, ferulic acid, ononin, calycosin, fermononetin and astragaloside.Methods:Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min; the column temperature was 30 ℃; the detection wavelengths were 230 nm (paeoniflorin), 254 nm (calycosin glycoside, ononin, calycosin, fermononetin), 322 nm (ferulic acid) and 403 nm (hydroxysafflor yellow A); the drift tube temperature of the evaporative light scattering detector was 60 ℃; the carrier gas flow rate was 1.6 L/min.Results:Under these conditions, the separation of hydroxysafflor yellow A, paeoniflorin, calycosin glycoside, ferulic acid, ononin, calycosin, fermononetin and astragaloside was good, and the linear relationship was in line with the requirements ( r=0.994 0-0.999 9). The average recovery was 97.8% - 101.4% ( RSD was 1.28% - 3.70%). Conclusion:The method is simple, stable and reproducible, and can be used for the quality control of Buyang Huanwu Decoction.

Combing with the professional characteristics of imaging technology, Radiological Department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University established the STAR training model for imaging technologists to cultivate the scientific research quality of young technicians, which includes sub-professional group training, tutor responsibility system, arrangement of research time, and reading-film session of technologists. Practice shows that this training model has made a series of achievements so far, such as that the number of publishing articles, funds application, authorized patents and oral presentation at international congress has been significantly increased. In addition, there is a high recognition of the STAR training model among young imaging technologists. Therefore, the STAR model can stimulate the scientific research passion of young technologists, and improve their scientific research capability.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of anterior clinoid process grinding in the treatment of ophthalmic / superior clinoid process aneurysms and sellar tumors.Methods:The clinical data of 16 patients who underwent anterior clinoid process grinding in Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2015 to July 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 1 patient with recurrent craniopharyngioma, 1 patient with recurrent pituitary adenoma, 13 patients with aneurysms, and 1 patient with suprasellar granulosa cell tumor combined with ophthalmic aneurysm of right internal carotid artery. The Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was used to evaluate the situation at discharge and in the medium-and-long term.Results:Sixteen patients underwent anterior clinoidprocess grinding. At discharge and the latest follow-up, the mRS scores of the patients were 0-2. A total of 15 aneurysms were treated, and there were no symptoms of visual loss or visual field defect after operation. No cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in all patients.Conclusions:The grinding of anterior clinoid process can effectively and fully stretch the optic nerve and internal carotid artery, and can observe the tumor neck at the lower end of pituitary stalk and the ocular segment/superior clinoid process of internal carotid artery under direct vision. It is one of the important auxiliary methods for the treatment of sellar lesions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19 ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quarantine ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; United States ; Young Adult

Objective:To evaluate facial asymmetry among Chinese young population via three-dimensional photogrammetry.Methods:Young subjects were recruited in Beijing from May to December in 2017. Three-dimensional facial images were obtained by VECTRA H1 camera. The images were exported to Geomagic Wrap 2017. Soft tissue landmarks were identified, and a coordinate system was built on every image. The face was divided into upper, middle, and lower part by the horizontal plane passing the exocanthion and the horizontal plane passing the cheilion. On the coronal plane, the distances between the midsagittal plane and the homogeneous landmarks located on the right and left hemifaces as well as bilateral palpebral fissure height were computed. In terms of facial depth, facial depth parameters located on the right and the left hemifaces were computed. There was a total of 13 parameters. Parameters on one hemiface were compared with those on the other hemiface using paired t-test. Mean absolute difference (MAD) and asymmetric rate (AR) were computed. Finally, we compared the result on men to the result on women via t-test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:There was a total of 122 young subjects, 60 men (25.1±3.8 years old) and 62 women (27.3±4.3 years old). (1) On coronal plane, among males, the difference between bilateral tragion and midsagittal plane and the difference between bilateral cheilion and midsagittal plane were statistically significant( P<0.05); among females, the difference between bilateral exocanthion and midsagittal plane, the difference between bilateral palpebrale superius and midsagittal plane, and the difference between bilateral tragion and midsagittal plane were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Among bilateral landmarks (except for palpebral fissure height), the MAD of the distance between bilateral exocanthion and midsagittal plane was the smallest, (1.00±0.88) mm (AR=2.1%) and (1.08±0.79) mm (AR=2.4%) among men and women, respectively ( t=0.541, P=0.589). The MAD of the distance between lateral tragion and midsagittal plane was the largest, (3.45±2.54) mm (AR=4.6%) and (2.89±2.86) mm (AR=4.1%) among men and women, respectively ( t=-1.149, P=0.253). (2) In terms of facial depth, among both males and females, the difference between all bilateral facial depth parameters was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The MAD of the distance between the pogonion and bilateral tragion was the largest, (2.62±1.69) mm (AR=1.8%) and (2.45±1.69) mm (AR=1.8%) among men and women, respectively ( t=-0.491, P=0.625); the MAD of the distance between the glabella and bilateral tragion was the smallest, (1.77±1.25) mm (AR=1.4%) and (1.91±1.54) mm (AR=1.6%) among men and women, respectively ( t=0.587, P=0.558). Conclusions:Facial asymmetry is universal among Chinese young population. The MAD does not exceed 3.5 mm. Upper one-third face has higher symmetry while lower one-third face has lower symmetry.

Objective:To evaluate facial asymmetry among Chinese young population via three-dimensional photogrammetry.Methods:Young subjects were recruited in Beijing from May to December in 2017. Three-dimensional facial images were obtained by VECTRA H1 camera. The images were exported to Geomagic Wrap 2017. Soft tissue landmarks were identified, and a coordinate system was built on every image. The face was divided into upper, middle, and lower part by the horizontal plane passing the exocanthion and the horizontal plane passing the cheilion. On the coronal plane, the distances between the midsagittal plane and the homogeneous landmarks located on the right and left hemifaces as well as bilateral palpebral fissure height were computed. In terms of facial depth, facial depth parameters located on the right and the left hemifaces were computed. There was a total of 13 parameters. Parameters on one hemiface were compared with those on the other hemiface using paired t-test. Mean absolute difference (MAD) and asymmetric rate (AR) were computed. Finally, we compared the result on men to the result on women via t-test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:There was a total of 122 young subjects, 60 men (25.1±3.8 years old) and 62 women (27.3±4.3 years old). (1) On coronal plane, among males, the difference between bilateral tragion and midsagittal plane and the difference between bilateral cheilion and midsagittal plane were statistically significant( P<0.05); among females, the difference between bilateral exocanthion and midsagittal plane, the difference between bilateral palpebrale superius and midsagittal plane, and the difference between bilateral tragion and midsagittal plane were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Among bilateral landmarks (except for palpebral fissure height), the MAD of the distance between bilateral exocanthion and midsagittal plane was the smallest, (1.00±0.88) mm (AR=2.1%) and (1.08±0.79) mm (AR=2.4%) among men and women, respectively ( t=0.541, P=0.589). The MAD of the distance between lateral tragion and midsagittal plane was the largest, (3.45±2.54) mm (AR=4.6%) and (2.89±2.86) mm (AR=4.1%) among men and women, respectively ( t=-1.149, P=0.253). (2) In terms of facial depth, among both males and females, the difference between all bilateral facial depth parameters was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The MAD of the distance between the pogonion and bilateral tragion was the largest, (2.62±1.69) mm (AR=1.8%) and (2.45±1.69) mm (AR=1.8%) among men and women, respectively ( t=-0.491, P=0.625); the MAD of the distance between the glabella and bilateral tragion was the smallest, (1.77±1.25) mm (AR=1.4%) and (1.91±1.54) mm (AR=1.6%) among men and women, respectively ( t=0.587, P=0.558). Conclusions:Facial asymmetry is universal among Chinese young population. The MAD does not exceed 3.5 mm. Upper one-third face has higher symmetry while lower one-third face has lower symmetry.