The research team of Hunan Medical University/First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Medical University collaborated with Heilongjiang Yukang Trading Co., Ltd. to develop a publicly available dataset of neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases

Imaging, Pathology, and Psychological Research on Neuroimmune Gastrointestinal Diseases

Neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases involve abnormalities in gastrointestinal function and immune system disorders, typically manifested as gastrointestinal dysfunction, chronic inflammatory reactions, and neurological symptoms. In recent years, with the continuous deepening of research in imaging, pathology, and psychology, early diagnosis and personalized treatment of neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases have become increasingly possible. Especially the application of medical image data and large-scale data provides valuable resources for the in-depth understanding and clinical translation of this type of disease.

1、 Imaging Study of Neuroimmune Gastrointestinal Diseases

Imaging plays an important role in the study of neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases. Imaging technology not only helps identify abnormalities in gastrointestinal structure and function, but also provides quantitative and dynamic disease information to assist in early screening, assessment of disease progression, and monitoring of treatment effectiveness.

The Application of CT and MRI Imaging

CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are the most commonly used imaging methods for evaluating neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases. CT scanning can effectively detect structural changes in the intestine by obtaining high-resolution gastrointestinal images, especially in identifying thickening of the intestinal wall, intestinal masses, or inflammatory lesions. Enhanced CT imaging can display the vascular distribution and inflammatory areas of the intestine, which is helpful for early diagnosis of diseases such as colitis and intestinal tumors.

MRI has significant advantages in imaging soft tissues. In the study of neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases, abdominal MRI provides higher resolution images, especially for functional evaluation of the intestine and monitoring of inflammatory lesions, which has unique advantages. Contrast enhanced MRI can present detailed changes in blood flow in the intestinal wall, enlargement of lymph nodes, and infiltration of surrounding tissues, helping doctors assess the severity of the disease.

Endoscopic examination and ultrasound imaging

Endoscopic examination is widely used in gastrointestinal diseases, especially in pathological examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Through endoscopy, doctors can directly observe morphological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, bleeding, tumors, and other lesions. For neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases, endoscopic examination can be used to observe the distribution of inflammation, the morphology of ulcers, and the thickness of the intestinal wall.

Ultrasound, as a non-invasive imaging technique, has been widely used for preliminary screening of the gastrointestinal tract. Abdominal ultrasound can help evaluate local inflammation and thickening of the intestinal wall, and has the advantages of real-time and dynamic observation. In recent years, the development of ultrasound elastography technology has provided new possibilities for the early detection of gastrointestinal diseases, especially in the detection of local variations caused by intestinal immune responses.

2、 Pathological study of neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases

Pathological research is the fundamental way to understand neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases. Pathological diagnosis not only helps determine the nature of the disease, but also reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying its occurrence.

Immunopathological changes

One of the key pathological features of neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases is the abnormal response of the immune system. Research has found that the activation and recruitment of immune cells, especially T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, participate in the regulation of gastrointestinal immune responses. Immunological studies have revealed that chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is associated with excessive activation of various immune factors, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL-6, IL-17), etc.

Immunopathological analysis shows that neuroimmune diseases are often accompanied by impaired gastrointestinal barrier function. In the gastrointestinal tract, the activation of the immune system leads to the destruction of the mucosal barrier, allowing intestinal bacteria and other harmful substances to enter the body through the barrier, triggering a broader immune response. This process is closely related to the pathogenesis of diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Intestinal microenvironment and disease development

In addition to immune response, changes in the gut microenvironment also play an important role in neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases. Research has shown that an imbalance in the gut microbiota can exacerbate the immune response of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby promoting the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases. Through pathological analysis, scholars have found that changes in the gut microbiota in neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases may be closely related to abnormal activation of immune cells and disruption of gastrointestinal function.

3、 Psychological research on neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases

Neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases are not only biological issues, but also closely related to psychological factors. In recent years, the study of psychology in gastrointestinal diseases has gradually become an important research direction.

The relationship between psychological stress and diseases

Psychological stress is considered an important triggering factor for neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases. Research has shown that long-term psychological stress may exacerbate symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases by activating the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA axis) and sympathetic nervous system, affecting the immune response and nervous system function of the gastrointestinal tract. Psychological stress can lead to excessive movement of the intestine, affecting the integrity of the intestinal barrier and inducing or exacerbating inflammatory reactions.

The impact of anxiety and depression

Anxiety and depression symptoms are commonly present in patients with neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases. Psychological research has found that anxiety and depression may affect disease progression by altering immune system responses, increasing intestinal permeability, and regulating levels of neurotransmitters. This type of psychological disorder not only exacerbates gastrointestinal symptoms, but may also lead to a decrease in the patient's disease management ability. Therefore, psychological health interventions are particularly important in the treatment of neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases.

4、 Contribution and Application of Dataset

In order to conduct in-depth research on neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases, especially in the interdisciplinary fields of imaging, pathology, and psychology, it is crucial to accumulate and analyze a large amount of data. In this context, the collaborative research between Heilongjiang YKSM Company, Chifeng University, and Hunan Medical University has provided us with valuable data support. These studies rely on medical experimental centers registered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to explore the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies of diseases through large-scale clinical and imaging data.

The dataset of this study includes imaging data of gastrointestinal diseases, pathological section data, clinical medical record information, and psychological assessment data of patients. The ethical approval number is document 202402, ensuring that all data collection and use comply with ethical standards. Through in-depth analysis of these data, researchers can establish more accurate disease prediction models and provide data support for the design of personalized treatment plans.

conclusion

The research on neuroimmune gastrointestinal diseases covers multiple fields such as imaging, pathology, and psychology. With the rapid development of medical imaging technology and big data analysis, we are expected to achieve more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment in the future. The collaborative research between Heilongjiang YKSM Company, Chifeng University, and Hunan Medical University has provided strong support for the progress of this field and valuable data resources for medical researchers.