ObjectiveTo explore the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the standardized training of thoracic surgery residents, specifically in enhancing clinical skills and anatomical understanding through AI-assisted lung nodule identification and lung segment anatomy teaching. MethodsThoracic surgery residents undergoing standardized training at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 2023 to September 2024 were selected. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group using a random number table. The experimental group used AI-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction technology for lung nodule identification, while the control group used conventional chest CT images. After basic teaching and self-practice, the ability to identify lung nodules on the same patient CT images was evaluated, and feedback was collected through questionnaires. ResultsA total of 72 residents participated in the study, including 30 males (41.7%) and 42 females (58.3%), with an average age of (24.0±3.0) years. The experimental group showed significantly better overall diagnostic accuracy for lung nodules (91.90% vs. 73.30%) and lung segment identification (100% vs. 83.70%) compared to the control group (91.90% vs. 73.30% and 100% vs. 83.70%, respectively), and the reading time was significantly shorter [(118.5±10.5) s vs. (332.1±20.2) s, P<0.01]. Questionnaire results indicated that approximately 94% of the residents had a positive attitude toward AI technology, believing it significantly improved diagnostic accuracy. ConclusionAI-assisted teaching significantly improved thoracic surgery residents' ability to read images and clinical thinking, providing a new direction for the reform of standardized training.
ObjectiveElectrospinning technique was used to manufacture polycaprolactone (PCL)/collagen typeⅠ nanofibers orientated patches and to study their physical and chemical characterization, discussing their feasibility as synthetic patches for rotator cuff repairing.MethodsPCL patches were prepared by electrospinning with 10% PCL electrospinning solution (control group) and PCL/collagen typeⅠorientated nanofibers patches were prepared by electrospinning with PCL electrospinning solution with 25% collagen type Ⅰ(experimental group). The morphology and microstructure of the two patches were observed by gross and scanning electron microscopy, and the diameter and porosity of the fibers were measured; the mechanical properties of the patches were tested by uniaxial tensile test; the composition of the patches was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; and the contact angle of the patch surface was measured. Two kinds of patch extracts were co-cultured with the third generation of rabbit tendon stem cells. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the toxicity and cell proliferation of the materials. Normal cultured cells were used as blank control group. Rabbit tendon stem cells were co-cultured with the two patches and stained with dead/living cells after 3 days of in vitro culture, and laser confocal scanning microscopy was used to observe the cell adhesion and activity on the patch.ResultsGross and scanning electron microscopy showed that the two patch fibers were arranged in orientation. The diameter of patch fibers in the experimental group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (t=26.907, P=0.000), while the porosity in the experimental group was significantly larger than that in the control group (t=2.506, P=0.032). The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the patch in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t=3.705, P=0.029; t=4.064, P=0.034). Infrared spectrum analysis showed that PCL and collagen type Ⅰ were successfully mixed in the experimental group. The surface contact angle of the patch in the experimental group was (73.88±4.97)°, which was hydrophilic, while that in the control group was (128.46±5.10) °, which was hydrophobic. There was a significant difference in the surface contact angle between the two groups (t=21.705, P=0.002). CCK-8 test showed that with the prolongation of culture time, the cell absorbance (A) value increased gradually in each group, and there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group at each time point (P>0.05). Laser confocal scanning microscopy showed that rabbit tendon stem cells could adhere and grow on the surface of both patches after 3 days of culture. The number of cells adhered to the surface of the patches in the experimental group was more than that in the control group, and the activity was better.ConclusionPCL/ collagen type Ⅰ nanofibers orientated patch prepared by electrospinning technology has excellent physical and chemical properties, cell adhesion, and no cytotoxicity. It can be used as an ideal scaffold material in tendon tissue engineering for rotator cuff repair in the future.