Background: The necessity of localization of pulmonary nodules lies in ensuring the ability to locate the nodule quickly and accurately during surgery, thereby improving the success rate of the operation. The accuracy and risk of preoperative localization of pulmonary nodules need further exploration. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the factors of accuracy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided localization of pulmonary nodules using a flexible wire hook positioner. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional analysis, 281 patients with a single pulmonary nodule underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) following localization with a soft hook-wire guided by CT scan from January 2021 to July 2022 at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. The patients underwent VATS to remove pulmonary nodules within 24 hours after localization. The demographic, pulmonary nodule, and technical factors were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the identified factors that influence pulmonary nodule localization accuracy and complications. Results: Localization was successfully performed in 280 patients, with only 1 patient being excluded due to a displaced positioner and the hook wire failing to enter the lung parenchyma as a result of pneumothorax. Out of the total cases, 191 (68.2%) were accurately positioned in group G0, whereas 89 cases (31.7%) were inaccurately positioned in group G1. Hemorrhage and self-limited hemoptysis were observed in 64 patients (22.8%), whereas pneumothorax was observed in 84 patients (29.9%). There were no serious complications such as air embolism or death. The accuracy of localization was found to be influenced by both the depth of pulmonary nodules [odds ratio (OR) =22.610, 95% confidence interval (CI): 10.351–49.391, P=0.001] and the depth of the needle used (OR =0.322, 95% CI: 0.136–0.765, P=0.010). Additionally, postoperative hemorrhage was found to be affected by several important factors, including the diameter (P=0.036) and depth of the nodule (P=0.011), as well as the thickness of the chest wall (P=0.043) and the depth of the needle used (P=0.005). Conclusions: The CT-guided flexible wire hook positioner has been found to be a safe and effective device for locating pulmonary nodules. The depth of pulmonary nodules and needle penetration are key factors affecting the accuracy of lung nodule localization under CT guidance and are important factors affecting postoperative bleeding.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a type of chronic and complex diseases that seriously affect the quality of human life. Their pathogenesis involves aspects such as genetics, environment, and metabolism. In recent years, the close relationship between gut microbiota and host health has gradually attracted attention, especially with the promotion of the concept of “gut-brain axis,” and the role of gut microbiota in nervous system diseases has become a research focus. At the same time, the rapid development of AI technology has provided powerful tools for modeling and data analysis of complex biological systems. This paper reviews the molecular mechanism and therapeutic approaches of gut microbiota in NDs and discusses the application potential of AI in this field, aiming to provide new ideas for the molecular mechanism research and precise treatment of NDs.

Objective: Chemotherapy-related brain impairments and changes can occur in patients with lung cancer after platinum chemotherapy and have a substantial impact on survivors’ quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the brain neuropathological alterations and response mechanisms to provide a theoretical basis for rehabilitation strategies. This study aimed to investigate the related brain morphological changes and clarified their correlation with clinical and pathological indicators in patients with lung cancer after platinum chemotherapy.Methods: Overall, 28 patients with chemotherapy, 56 patients without chemotherapy, and 41 healthy controls were categorized in three groups, matched for age, sex, and years of education, and included in the cross-sectional comparison of brain volume and cortical thickness. 14 matched patients before and after chemotherapy were subjected to paired comparison for longitudinal observation of brain morphological changes. Three-dimensional T₁-weighted images were acquired from all participants, and quantitative parameters were calculated using the formula of the change from baseline. Correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between abnormal morphological indices and clinical information of patients.Results: Brain regions with volume differences among the three groups were mainly distributed in frontal lobe and limbic cortex. Additionally, significant differences in cerebrospinal fluid were observed in most ventricles, and the main brain regions with cortical thickness differences were the gyrus rectus and medial frontal cortex of the frontal lobe, transverse temporal gyrus of the temporal lobe, insular cortex, anterior insula, and posterior insula of the insular cortex. According to the paired comparison, decreased brain volumes in the patients after chemotherapy appeared in some regions of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes; limbic cortex; insular cortex; and lobules VI-X and decreased cortical thickness in the patients after chemotherapy was found in the frontal, temporal, limbic, and insular cortexes. In the correlation analysis, only the differentiation degree of the tumor and duration after chemotherapy were significantly correlated with imaging indices in the abnormal brain regions.Conclusions: Our findings illustrate the platinum-related brain reactivity morphological alterations which provide more insights into the neuropathological mechanisms of patients with lung cancer after platinum chemotherapy and empirical support for the details of brain injury related to cancer and chemotherapy.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) changes in Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis (CWP) patients with alcoholism using Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation (ALFF) and Functional Connectivity (FC) analyses.Materials and methods: A total of 60 patients with stage I CWP and 30 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. The CWP patients were further divided into drinking and non-drinking groups. Resting-state fMRI scans were performed for all three groups, and correlations between abnormal ALFF signals, FC changes, and clinical baseline data were analyzed.Results: Compared to the control group, both the CWP drinking and non-drinking groups exhibited increased ALFF signals in the left orbitofrontal cortex, left frontal pole, right intracalcarine cortex, and right precuneus cortex, as well as decreased ALFF signals in the bilateral temporal pole and left occipital fusiform gyrus. Functional connectivity analysis revealed increased connectivity from the right orbitofrontal cortex to the right pars triangularis of the inferior frontal gyrus and from the right precuneus cortex to the right lingual gyrus in both CWP groups. Conversely, decreased connectivity was observed in the left and right frontal poles. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between ALFF values in the left temporal pole and PaO2 levels in the CWP drinking group (r = 0.369, p = 0.038). In the CWP non-drinking group, functional connectivity between the right precuneus cortex and the right lingual gyrus showed a negative correlation with FVC (r = −0.442, p = 0.027).Conclusion: CWP patients with alcoholism exhibit abnormal brain regions and functional connectivity associated with spontaneous neural activity changes. Significant correlations between specific brain regions and clinical indicators were identified. These findings provide a foundation for understanding neuroimaging changes in CWP patients with alcoholism through fMRI.

Cognitive impairment is an important component of non motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), and if not addressed in a timely manner, it can easily progress to dementia. However, no effective method currently exists to completely prevent or reverse cognitive impairment associated with PD. We therefore aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of near-infrared region II light (NIR-II) region illumination on cognitive impairment in PD through behavioral experiments (water maze and rotary rod) and multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry techniques. The 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced group was compared with the MPTP- untreated rat group, showing a significant reduction in escape latency and significant increase in the fall latency in the MPTP-treated group. The horizontal analysis results indicated that NIR-II phototherapy improved the learning and cognitive abilities as well as coordination and balance abilities of rats. Post-treatment, the MPTP rats showed significantly shortened, escape latency, prolonged target quadrant residence time, and prolonged fall latency compared with pre-treatment. The longitudinal analysis results reaffirmed that NIR-II phototherapy improved the learning and cognitive abilities as well as coordination and balance abilities of rats. The multiple fluorescence immunohistochemistry analysis trend plot showed that the activated microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus were highest in MPTP-induced PD untreated group, moderate in MPTP-induced PD treatment group, and lowest in the control group. Our data indicates that NIR-II illumination improves learning and cognitive impairment as well as coordination and balance abilities in PD rats by downregulating the activation of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus.