Deep learning assists detection of esophageal cancer and precursor lesions in a prospective, randomized controlled study.

Endoscopy is the primary modality for detecting asymptomatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and precancerous lesions. Improving detection rate remains challenging. We developed a system based on deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for detecting esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions [high-risk esophageal lesions (HrELs)] and validated its efficacy in improving HrEL detection rate in clinical practice (trial registration ChiCTR2100044126 at www.chictr.org.cn). Between April 2021 and March 2022, 3117 patients ≥50 years old were consecutively recruited from Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang Province, and randomly assigned 1:1 to an experimental group (CNN-assisted endoscopy) or a control group (unassisted endoscopy) based on block randomization. The primary endpoint was the HrEL detection rate. In the intention-to-treat population, the HrEL detection rate [28 of 1556 (1.8%)] was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group [14 of 1561 (0.9%), P = 0.029], and the experimental group detection rate was twice that of the control group. Similar findings were observed between the experimental and control groups [28 of 1524 (1.9%) versus 13 of 1534 (0.9%), respectively; P = 0.021]. The system's sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detecting HrELs were 89.7, 98.5, and 98.2%, respectively. No adverse events occurred. The proposed system thus improved HrEL detection rate during endoscopy and was safe. Deep learning assistance may enhance early diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer and may become a useful tool for esophageal cancer screening.

Development and validation of a UPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of doxofylline and its metabolites in human plasma.

A sensitive and specific ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of doxofylline and its two metabolites in human plasma. After protein precipitation with methanol, the chromatographic separation was carried out on an ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column, with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.30 mL·min-1. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI) source, with target quantitative ion pairs of m/z 267.0→181.1 for doxofylline, 239.0→181.1 for theophylline-7-acetic acid and 225.1→181.1 for etofylline. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 2-3000 ng·mL-1 (r > 0.99). The LLOQ was evaluated to be 2 ng·mL-1. The method described herein allowed simultaneous determination of the three analytes for the first time and was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of doxofylline and its metabolites after intravenous administration in healthy volunteers.

[Effects of land use pattern on soil microbial biomass carbon in Xishuangbanna].

In January 2006 - September 2007, a controlled litter-removal and root-cutting experiment was conducted to study the effects of different land use patterns (secondary forest or rubber plantation) on soil microbial biomass carbon in Xishuangbanna, China. After the secondary forest converted into rubber plantation, soil nutrient contents and plant carbon input decreased obviously, and soil microbial biomass carbon had a significant decrease. These two forest types had a higher soil microbial biomass carbon in rainy season than in dry season. In secondary forest, soil microbial biomass carbon was significantly positively correlated with soil temperature; while in rubber plantation, the microbial biomass carbon was positively correlated with soil moisture. In secondary forest, soil microbial biomass carbon was controlled by the nutrient inputs from plant roots, but less affected by litter amount. Also in secondary forest, soil microbial biomass carbon was significantly positively correlated with fine-root biomass and its C and N inputs. In rubber plantation, both the fine-root biomass and its C and N inputs and the litter amount had lesser effects on soil microbial biomass carbon. These results suggested that planting rubber induced the decreases of soil nutrient contents and pH value, and, added with serious artificial disturbances, reduced the soil microbial biomass carbon and changed its controlling factors, which in turn would affect other soil ecological processes.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of PAC-1 in rat plasma.

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the determination of PAC-1 in rat plasma. After extraction with ethyl acetate, the chromatographic separation was carried out on an ACQUITY UPLC™ BEH C(18) column, with acetonitrile and water (39:61 (v/v) both containing 0.1% formic acid) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.20 mL/min. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI) source. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 10-1500 ng/mL (r>0.99). The LOQ was evaluated to be 0.3 ng/mL. The method described herein is sensitive, selective and faster than other existing method, and was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study and gender difference investigation of PAC-1 after oral administration in rats.

Development of a high performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of PAC-1 in rat plasma.

A sensitive and specific high performance liquid chromatography method with UV detection was developed and validated for the determination of PAC-1 in rat plasma. After extraction with ethyl acetate, the chromatographic separation was carried out on a Diamonsil C(18) column (150mmx4.6mm i.d., 5microm particle size, Zhonghuida) protected by a ODS guard column (10mmx4.6mm i.d., 5microm particle size), using acetonitrile-methanol-phosphate buffer (pH 3.0, 30mM) (31:3:66, v/v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0mL/min, and wavelength of the UV detector was set at 281nm. No interference from any endogenous substances was observed during the elution of PAC-1 and internal standard (IS, indapamide). The calibration curve was linear over the range of 0.05-20microg/mL (r>0.99). The lower limit of quantification was evaluated to be 50ng/mL. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of PAC-1 after intravenous and oral administration in rats, respectively.