Objective To evaluate the performance of the artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled snail identification system for recognition of Oncomelania hupensis robertsoni and Tricula in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province. Methods Fifty O. hupensis robertsoni and 50 Tricula samples were collected from Yongbei Township, Yongsheng County, Lijiang City, a schistosomiasis-endemic area in Yunnan Province in May 2024. A total of 100 snail sample images were captured with smartphones, including front-view images of 25 O. hupensis robertsoni and 25 Tricula samples (upward shell opening) and back-view images of 25 O. hupensis robertsoni and 25 Tricula samples (downward shell opening). Snail samples were identified as O. hupensis robertsoni or Tricula by schistosomiasis control experts with a deputy senior professional title and above according to image quality and morphological characteristics. A standard dataset for snail image classification was created, and served as a gold standard for recognition of snail samples. A total of 100 snail sample images were recognized with the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system based on a WeChat mini program in smartphones. Schistosomiasis control professionals were randomly sampled from stations of schistosomisis prevention and control and centers for disease control and prevention in 18 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts, cities) of Yunnan Province, for artificial identification of 100 snail sample images. All professionals are assigned to two groups according the median years of snail survey experiences, and the effect of years of snail survey experiences on O. hupensis robertsoni sample image recognition was evaluated. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, Youden’s index and the area under the curve (AUC) of the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification were calculated for recognition of snail sample images. The snail sample image recognition results of AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification were compared with the gold standard, and the internal consistency of artificial identification results was evaluated with the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha. Results A total of 54 schistosomiasis control professionals were sampled for artificial identification of snail sample image recognition, with a response rate of 100% (54/54), and the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, Youden’s index, and AUC of artificial identification were 90%, 86%, 94%, 0.80 and 0.90 for recognition of snail sample images, respectively. The overall Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of artificial identification was 0.768 for recognition of snail sample images, and the Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was 0.916 for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images and 0.925 for recognition of Tricula snail sample images. The overall accuracy of artificial identification was 90% for recognition of snail sample images, and there was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni (86%) and Tricula snail sample images (94%) (χ² = 1.778, P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images with upward (88%) and downward shell openings (92%) (χ² = 0.444, P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images between schistosomiasis control professionals with snail survey experiences of 6 years and less (75%) and more than 6 years (90%) (χ² = 7.792, P < 0.05). The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and AUC of the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system were 88%, 100%, 76% and 0.88 for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images, and there was no significant difference in the accuracy of recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni snail sample images between the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification (χ² = 0.204, P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images with upward (90%) and downward shell openings (86%) (χ² = 0.379, P > 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the accuracy of artificial identification for recognition of snail sample images between schistosomiasis control professionals with snail survey experiences of 6 years and less and more than 6 years (χ² = 5.604, P_adjusted < 0.025). Conclusions The accuracy of recognition of snail sample images is comparable between the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system and artificial identification by schistosomiasis control professionals, and the AI-enabled intelligent snail identification system is feasible for recognition of O. hupensis robertsoni and Tricula in Yunnan Province.

Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients with peripheral lung masses (PLMs), and to assess the diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating benign and malignant PLMs. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 69 patients with PLM treated in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 2020 to December 2023. All patients underwent percutaneous biopsy, and were categorized into benign group (n＝36) and malignant group (n＝33). 25 patients were HIV-positive and 44 patients were HIV-negative. The clinical features and CEUS parameters in patients were compared across these groups. Results Patients with malignant masses were significantly older than those with benign masses (P＜0.05). In the malignant group, HIV-negative patients exhibited significantly larger tumor diameters compared to HIV-positive patients (P＜0.05); in the HIV-positive patients, no significant difference in tumor size was observed between benign and malignant masses. 19 patients underwent CEUS. 10 malignant masses, irrespective of HIV status (10 positive and 9 negative), commonly presented with indistinct margins, delayed enhancement, heterogeneous perfusion, and delayed peak enhancement on CEUS. 9 benign masses showed earlier peak enhancement compared to 10 malignant masses (P＜0.05); no significant differences were observed in the initiation and washout time of enhancement between benign and malignant masses. In HIV-positive patients, 5 benign masses frequently demonstrated discrepancies between CEUS findings and pathological results. Conclusions The clinical and CEUS characteristics were different between benign and malignant PLMs. However, CEUS shows limited accuracy in distinguishing benign and malignant PLMs, underscoring the need for pathological confirmation.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Pathological vascular remodeling is a hallmark of various vascular diseases. Previous research has established the significance of andrographolide in maintaining gastric vascular homeostasis and its pivotal role in modulating endothelial barrier dysfunction, which leads to pathological vascular remodeling. Potassium dehydroandrographolide succinate (PDA), a derivative of andrographolide, has been clinically utilized in the treatment of inflammatory diseases precipitated by viral infections. This study investigates the potential of PDA in regulating pathological vascular remodeling. The effect of PDA on vascular remodeling was assessed through the complete ligation of the carotid artery in C57BL/6 mice. Experimental approaches, including rat aortic primary smooth muscle cell culture, flow cytometry, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, Boyden chamber cell migration assay, spheroid sprouting assay, and Matrigel-based tube formation assay, were employed to evaluate the influence of PDA on the proliferation and motility of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Molecular docking simulations and co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to examine protein interactions. The results revealed that PDA exacerbates vascular injury-induced pathological remodeling, as evidenced by enhanced neointima formation. PDA treatment significantly increased the proliferation and migration of SMCs. Further mechanistic studies disclosed that PDA upregulated myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression in SMCs and interacted with T-cadherin (CDH13). This interaction augmented proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition, culminating in pathological vascular remodeling. Our findings underscore the critical role of PDA in the regulation of pathological vascular remodeling, mediated through the MyD88/CDH13 signaling pathway.
Mice ; Rats ; Animals ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Vascular Remodeling ; Cell Proliferation ; Vascular System Injuries/pathology* ; Carotid Artery Injuries/pathology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Cell Movement ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction ; Succinates/pharmacology* ; Potassium/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Diterpenes ; Cadherins

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of soybean isoflavones （SI） on the reproductive development of young mice. METHODS C57BL/6 young mice were randomly divided into control group， SI low-dose and high-dose groups （10， 100 mg/kg）， with 10 mice in each group （half male and half female）. The young mice in each group were given corresponding liquid intragastrically， once a day， for 2 consecutive weeks. After the last administration， the percentage of body weight increase was calculated； serum estradiol and testosterone levels， malondialdehyde （MDA） content， total antioxidant capacity （T-AOC）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） activities in the reproductive organs of the young mice were determined. The histopathological changes in the reproductive organs were observed. The cell apoptosis of reproductive organs was detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the percentage of body weight increase in female mice was increased significantly in the SI high-dose group， while that of male mice was decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Cystic follicles could be seen in the ovarian tissue in SI groups， a loose arrangement of spermatocytes could be seen in the testicular tissue， and partial epithelial cell shedding could be seen in epididymal tissue. The serum level of testosterone in female young mice and the serum levels of testosterone and estradiol in male young mice in SI groups， GSH-Px activity in the ovarian tissue of female young mice in the SI low-dose group， T-AOC activities in the ovarian tissue of female young mice in SI groups as well as the apoptotic rates of cells in testicular and epididymal tissue of male young mice in SI groups were increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）； the serum level of estradiol in female young mice in SI groups， SOD activity in the ovarian tissue of female young mice in the SI high-dose group， and MDA contents in the ovarian tissue of female young mice in SI groups as well as the apoptotic rates of cells in ovarian tissue of female mice in SI groups were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS SI can enhance the antioxidant stress capacity of ovarian tissue in female young mice and reduce their oxidative stress damage， but it has certain toxicity to reproductive organs in male mice.

ObjectiveTo explore the application effect of Jianpi Huoxue prescription combined with acupuncture in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） of gastric blood stasis type. MethodA total of 86 patients with CAG admitted to Wuhan First Hospital from November 2021 to March 2023 were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The control group was treated with conventional Western medicine， while the observation group was treated with Jianpi Huoxue prescription combined with acupuncture. The clinical efficacy， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score， pathological score， negative conversion rate of Helicobacter pylori （Hp）， inflammatory indicators ［neutrophils/lymphocytes （NLR） and interleukin （IL）-1β］， changes in levels of gastric protease （PG） Ⅰ， PG Ⅰ/PG Ⅱ， and gastrin-17 （G-17）， and drug safety during treatment were observed after treatment in both groups. ResultAfter treatment， the total effective rate of the observation group ［95.35% （41/43）］ was significantly better than that of the control group ［79.07% （34/43）］， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=5.108， P<0.05）. After treatment， the scores of the primary and secondary TCM syndromes in the observation group and the control group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. After treatment， the scores of primary and secondary TCM syndromes in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， the pathological scores of gastric mucosa atrophy， activity， chronic inflammation， intestinal metaplasia， and dysplasia were significantly lower in the observation group and control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， the pathological scores of gastric mucosa atrophy， activity， chronic inflammation， intestinal metaplasia， and dysplasia in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， the Hp conversion rate in the observation group was significantly increased compared with the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， the levels of inflammatory indicators NLR and IL-1β in the observation group and control group were significantly lower （P<0.05）， and the levels of inflammatory indicators NLR and IL-1β in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， the levels of PGI and PGⅠ/PGⅡ in the observation group and control group were significantly higher （P<0.05）， and the levels of PGI and PGⅠ/PGⅡ in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， the G-17 level of the observation group and the control group was different at different time points （P<0.05）， and the G-17 level of the observation group was higher at different time points than that of the control group （P<0.05）. The G-17 level of the observation group had an increasing trend compared with the control group （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in the risk of adverse reactions between the two groups. ConclusionThe combination of Jianpi Huoxue prescription and acupuncture can effectively alleviate symptoms， increase Hp negative conversion rate， inhibit inflammation， and regulate PG and G-17 levels in CAG patients， thus controlling or even reversing gastric mucosal atrophy and reducing the probability of its progression to gastric cancer.

Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor in male genitourinary system, and radical prostatectomy is one of the important methods to treat prostate cancer. Indocyanine green is a non-radioactive, water-soluble compound, which can help identify anatomical structures and visualize blood vessels through near-infrared fluorescence. The role and injection techniques of Indocyanine green in radical prostatectomy in sentinel lymph node identification, pelvic lymph node dissection and neurovascular bundle preservation are reviewed, so as to provide a reference for improving the surgical effect, reducing the difficulty of surgery, and prolonging the survival period of patients, and evaluate the potential research field of this technology in the future.

OBJECTIVE To explore the renal protective mechanism of Shenbining granules on IgA nephropathy （IgAN） rats based on mitochondrial quality control system. METHODS IgAN rat model was established by the method of “bovine serum albumin+carbon tetrachloride+lipopolysaccharide”. The model rats were randomly divided into model group， prednisone acetate group （6.25 mg/kg）， Shenbining equal-dose group （4.1 g/kg） and Shenbining high-dose group （20.5 g/kg）. The normal rats were taken as the normal control group， with 12 rats in each group. Rats were given corresponding drugs or distilled water intragastrically in each group， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， the 24 h total urinary protein （24 h- UTP） and erythrocyte count in urine were determined， and the levels of serum creatinine （Scr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， albumin （ALB） and alanine transaminase （ALT） were also detected. The histopathological changes in the kidneys and changes in IgA deposition in the mesangial area of the kidney were observed. mRNA and protein expression levels of PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1）， E3 ubiquitin ligase（Parkin）， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain-3 （LC3）， dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） and mitofusin 2 （Mfn2） were detected in the kidney tissues of rats. RESULTS Compared with model group， 24 h-UTP， urinary erythrocyte count， ALT， BUN and Scr levels， LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ mRNA ratio， mRNA and protein expressions of Drp1 were reduced significantly in prednisone acetate group， Shenbining equal-dose group and Shenbining high-dose group （P＜0.05）； ALB level， LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ protein ratio， mRNA and protein expressions of PINK1， Parkin and Mfn2 were increased significantly （P＜0.05）； the pathological morphology of kidney tissue in rats was significantly improved， and IgA deposition was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS Shenbining granule may reduce renal pathological injury in IgAN rats and protect renal function by activating the PINK1/Parkin pathway， enhancing mitochondrial autophagy， and correcting mitochondrial kinetic disorders.