Artificial intelligence for disease diagnostics still has a long way to go

Artificial intelligence(AI)can sometimes resolve difficulties that other advanced technologies and humans cannot.In medical diagnostics,AI has the advantage of processing figure recognition,especially for images with similar characteristics that are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.However,the mechanisms of this advanced technique should be well-addressed to elucidate clinical issues.In this letter,regarding an original study presented by Takayama et al,we suggest that the authors should effectively illustrate the mechanism and detailed procedure that artificial intelligence techniques processing the acquired images,including the recognition of non-obvious difference between the normal parts and pathological ones,which were impossible to be distinguished by naked eyes,such as the basic constitutional elements of pixels and grayscale,special molecules or even some metal ions which involved into the diseases occurrence.

Advances in Research of Identification of Cnidii Fructus and Its Adulterants

In this paper,the traditional identification and modern identification technology of Cnidii Fructus and its adulterant were reviewed,and their advantages,disadvantages and practicability were summarized,to provide a reference for the rapid and accurate identification and quality evaluation of Cnidii Fructus.

Inhibitory effects of genistein and resveratrol on guinea pig gallbladder contractility in vitro

AIM: To observe and compare the effects of phytoestrogen genistein, resveratrol and 17β-estradiol on the tonic contraction and the phasic contraction of isolated gallbladder muscle strips and to study the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Isolated strips of gallbladder muscle from guinea pigs were suspended in organ baths containing Kreb’s solution, and the contractilities of strips were measured before and after incubation with genistein, resveratrol and 17β-estradiol respectively. RESULTS: Similar to 17β-estradiol, genistein and resveratrol could dose-dependently inhibit the phasic contractile activities, they decreased the mean contractile amplitude and the contractile frequencies of gallbladder muscle strips, and also produced a marked reduction in resting tone. The blocker of estrogen receptor ICI 182780 failed to alter the inhibitory effects induced by genistein and resveratrol, but potassium bisperoxo (1, 10 phenanthroline) oxovanadate bpV (phen), a potent protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, markedly attenuated the inhibitory effects induced by genistein and resveratrol. In calcium-free Kreb’ssolution containing 0.01 mmol/L egtazic acid (EGTA), genistein and resveratrol inhibited the first phasic contraction induced by acetylcholine (ACh), but did not affect the second contraction induced by CaCl_2. In addition, genistein, resveratrol and 17β-estradiol also could reduce the contractile responses of ACh and KCl, and shift their cumulative concentration-response curves rightward. CONCLUSION: Phytoestrogen genistein and resveratrol can directly inhibit the contractile activity of isolated gallbladder muscle both at rest and in response to stimulation. The mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects probably due mainly to inhibition of tyrosine kinase, Ca^(2+) influx through potential-dependent calcium channels (PDCs) and Ca^(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), but were not related to the estrogen receptors.

Resveratrol and genistein inhibition of rat isolated gastrointestinal contractions and related mechanisms

AIM:To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of resveratrol and genistein on contractile responses of rat gastrointestinal smooth muscle.METHODS:Isolated strips of gastrointestinal smooth muscle from Spraque-Dawley rats were suspended in organ baths containing Kreb's solution,and the contractility of smooth muscles was measured before and after incubation with resveratrol and genistein,and the related mechanisms were studied by co-incubation with various inhibitors.RESULTS:Resveratrol and genistein dose-dependently decreased the resting tension,and also reduced the mean contractile amplitude of gastrointestinal smooth muscle.Estrogen receptor blockades(ICI 182780 and tamoxifen) failed to alter the inhibitory effects induced by resveratrol and genistein.However,their effects were attenuated by inhibitions of α-adrenergic receptor(phentolamine),nitric oxide synthase(levorotatoryNG-nitroarginine),ATP-sensitive potassium channels(glibenclamide),and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(SQ22536).In high K+/Ca2+-free Kreb's solution containing 0.01 mmol/L egtazic acid,resveratrol and genistein reduced the contractile responses of CaCl2,and shifted its cumulative concentration-response curves rightward.CONCLUSION:Resveratrol and genistein relax gastrointestinal smooth muscle via α-adrenergic receptors,nitric oxide and cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathways,ATP-sensitive potassium channels,and inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels.

Research Progress on Aging Mechanisms

Aging refers to a gradual process of functional and organic recession with the age increased after the organism maturing. Many researchers have tried to elucidate aging mechanism which includes the free radical theory: free radicals can become lipofuscin and cause the mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and the damage of the nuclear DNA. From the view of heredity, aging is the results of the activation and inhibition of a series of genes as well as the products of their interaction. From the changes of immune function theory, it points out that aging is attributed to the decline of immune responses and the increase of autoimmune reactions.

How is artificial intelligence applied in solid tumor imaging?

How is artificial intelligence(AI)applied in solid tumor imaging?What is the essential value of AI for tumor precision diagnosis and can it wholly replace the human beings?Some opinions in this letter should be considered.

Pingwei capsules improve gastrointestinal motility in rats with functional dyspepsia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of Ping-wei capsules(PWC) in improving gastrointestinal m otility in rats with functional dyspepsia(FD).METHODS: We established an FD model by stimu-lating semi-starvation rats via tail damping, provo-cation, and forced exercise fatigue. The FD model group was further divided into five groups accord-ing to the treatment received: normal saline, dom-peridone, low-dose PWC, mid-dose PWC, or highdose PWC. The effect of PWC on FD was evaluated by measuring gastrointestinal motility. Changes in leptin and cholecystokinin(CCK) were detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, re-verse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: PWC significantly increased gastrointesti-nal m otility in FD rats. Furthermore, PWC signifi-cantly increased CCK m RNA and protein concentra-tions in the duodenum and antrum, decreased leptin protein concentrations in the duodenum, an-trum, and hypothalamus, and decreased CCK pro-tein concentration in the hypothalamus.CONCLUSION: PWC improves gastrointestinal mo-tor function in FD rats by decreasing the leptin con-centration in serum and the brain-gut axis, and by increasing the CCK concentration in gastrointesti-nal tissue. Our findings help to elucidate the mech-anism of FD and provide further insight into the pharmacokinetics of PWC.

Impact of Liver Functions by Repurposed Drugs for COVID-19 Treatment

Liver injury is an important complication that may arise in patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019(COV-ID-19)and is accompanied by a transient increase of transaminases and/or other liver enzymes.Liver function test(LFT)abnormalities generally disappear when the COV-ID-19 resolves or hepatotoxic drugs are discontinued.The LFT abnormalities are associated with drug-induced liver in-jury(DILI),due to the overuse of antimalarials,antivirals,and antimicrobials.Studies have reported varying levels of these liver injuries in COVID-19 patients;however,most in-volve elevated serum aminotransferases.Hepatic dysfunc-tion is significantly high in patients with severe illness and has poor outcome.Normally,the liver is involved in the me-tabolism of many drugs,including nucleoside analogs and protease inhibitors,which are currently repurposed to treat COVID-19.In addition to the manifestation of COVID-19,drugs implemented in its treatment may aggravate liver in-juries.Thus,DILI should be considered especially in those COVID-19 patients with underlying liver disease.It was unclear whether the elevated liver enzymes have originat-ed from the underlying disease or DILI in this population.Furthermore,it is difficult to establish a direct relationship between a specific drug and liver injury.Another possible effect of liver damage may due to inflammatory cytokine storm in severe COVID-19.Liver injury can change metabo-lism,excretion,dosing,and expected concentrations of the drugs,which may make it difficult to achieve a therapeutic dose of the drug or increase the risk of adverse effects.These repurposed drugs have shown limited efficacy against the virus and the disease itself;however,they still pose risk of adverse effects.Careful and close monitoring of LFTs in COVID-19 patients can provide early diagnosis of liver in-jury,and the risk of DILI could be reduced.Also,drug inter-actions in liver-transplanted patients should always be kept in mind for certain immunosuppressive therapies and their known signs of DILI.Altogether,abnormal LFTs should not be regarded as a contraindication to use COVID-19 experi-mental therapies if needed under emergent status.