Search

Background The detection of rib fractures (RFs) on computed tomography (CT) images is time-consuming and susceptible to missed diagnosis. An automated artificial intelligence (AI) detection system may be helpful to improve the diagnostic efficiency for junior radiologists. Purpose To compare the diagnostic performance of junior radiologists with and without AI software for RF detection on chest CT images. Materials and methods Six junior radiologists from three institutions interpreted 393 CT images of patients with acute chest trauma, with and without AI software. The CT images were randomly split into two sets at each institution, with each set assigned to a different radiologist First, the detection of all fractures (AFs), including displaced fractures (DFs), non-displaced fractures and buckle fractures, was analyzed. Next, the DFs were selected for analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of the radiologist-only and radiologist-AI groups at the patient level were set as primary endpoints, and secondary endpoints were at the rib and lesion level. Results Regarding AFs, the sensitivity difference between the radiologist-AI group and the radiologist-only group were significant at different levels (patient-level: 26.20%; rib-level: 22.18%; lesion-level: 23.74%; P 0.05). Conclusion AI software improved the sensitivity of RF detection on CT images for junior radiologists and reduced the reading time by approximately 1 min per patient without decreasing the specificity.

To develop a radiomics model for predicting hematoma expansion in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and to compare its predictive performance with a conventional radiological feature-based model.We retrospectively analyzed 251 consecutive patients with acute ICH. Two radiologists independently assessed baseline noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) images. For each radiologist, a radiological model was constructed from radiological variables; a radiomics score model was constructed from high-dimensional quantitative features extracted from NCCT images; and a combined model was constructed using both radiological variables and radiomics score. Development of models was constructed in a primary cohort (n = 177). We then validated the results in an independent validation cohort (n = 74). The primary outcome was hematoma expansion. We compared the three models for predicting hematoma expansion. Predictive performance was assessed with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.In the primary cohort, combined model and radiomics model showed greater AUCs than radiological model for both readers (all p .05). In the validation cohort, combined model and radiomics model showed greater AUCs, sensitivities, and accuracies than radiological model for reader 2 (all p .05). Combined model showed greater AUC than radiomics model for reader 1 only in the primary cohort (p = .03). Performance of three models was comparable between reader 1 and reader 2 in both cohorts (all p .05).NCCT-based radiomics model showed high predictive performance and outperformed radiological model in the prediction of early hematoma expansion in ICH patients.• Radiomics model showed better performance for prediction of hematoma expansion in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage than radiological feature-based model. • Hematomas which expanded in follow-up NCCT tended to be larger in baseline volume, more irregular in shape, more heterogeneous in composition, and coarser in texture. • A radiomics model provides a convenient and objective tool for prediction of hematoma expansion that helps to define subsets of patients who would benefit from anti-expansion therapy.

To explore whether MRI and radiomic features can differentiate uterine sarcoma from atypical leiomyoma. And to compare diagnostic performance of radiomic model with radiologists.78 patients (29 sarcomas, 49 leiomyomas) imaged with pelvic MRI prior to surgery were included in this retrospective study. Certain clinical and MRI features were evaluated for one lesion per patient. Radiological diagnosis was made based on MRI features. A radiomic model using automated texture analysis based on ADC maps was built to predict pathological results. The association between MRI features and pathological results was determined by multivariable logistic regression after controlling for other variables in univariate analyses with P 0.05. The diagnostic efficacy of radiologists and radiomic model were compared by area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.In univariate analyses, patient's age, menopausal state, intratumor hemorrhage, tumor margin and uterine endometrial cavity were associated with pathological results, P 0.05. Patient's age, tumor margin and uterine endometrial cavity remained significant in a multivariable model, P 0.05. Diagnosis efficacy of radiologists based on MRI reached an AUC of 0.752, sensitivity of 58.6%, specificity of 91.8%, and accuracy of 79.5%. The optimal radiomic model reached an AUC of 0.830, sensitivity of 76.0%, average specificity of 73.2%, and accuracy of 73.9%.Ill-defined tumor margin and interrupted uterine endometrial cavity of older women were predictors of uterine sarcoma. Radiomic analysis was feasible. Optimal radiomic model showed comparable diagnostic efficacy with experienced radiologists.

BACKGROUND Radiomics approaches based on multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) have shown high accuracy in prostate cancer (PCa) management. However, there is a need to apply radiomics to the preoperative prediction of extracapsular extension (ECE). PURPOSE To develop and validate a radiomics signature to preoperatively predict the probability of ECE for patients with PCa, compared with the radiologists' interpretations. STUDY TYPE Retrospective. POPULATION In total, 210 patients with pathology-confirmed ECE status (101 positive, 109 negative) were enrolled. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE T2 -weighted imaging (T2 WI), diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging were performed on two 3.0T MR scanners. ASSESSMENT A radiomics signature was constructed to predict the probability of ECE prior to radical prostatectomy (RP). In all, 17 stable radiomics features of 1619 extracted features based on T2 WI were selected. The same images were also evaluated by three radiologists. The predictive performance of the radiomics signature was validated and compared with radiologists' interpretations. STATISTICAL TESTS A radiomics signature was developed by a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression algorithm. Samples enrolled were randomly divided into two groups (143 for training and 67 for validation). Discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness were validated by analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and the decision curve, respectively. The predictive performance was then compared with visual assessments of three radiologists. RESULTS The radiomics signature yielded an AUC of 0.902 and 0.883 in the training and validation cohort, respectively, and outperformed the visual assessment (AUC: 0.600-0.697) in the validation cohort. Pairwise comparisons demonstrated that the radiomics signature was more sensitive than the radiologists (75.00% vs. 46.88%-50.00%, all P < 0.05), but obtained comparable specificities (91.43% vs. (88.57%-94.29%); P ranged from 0.64-1.00). DATA CONCLUSION A radiomics signature was developed and validated that outperformed the radiologists' visual assessments in predicting ECE status. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1914-1925.

To investigate the impact of applying three different volume of interests (VOIs) in ADC map-based radiomic analysis and compare their diagnostic performance in the differentiation of uterine sarcoma and atypical leiomyoma. Seventy-eight patients (29 uterine sarcomas, 49 uterine leiomyomas) imaged with pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to surgery were included in this retrospective study. Manually, segmentations of VOIs covered three different regions on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps: (1) tumor, (2) tumor and small piece of surrounded tissue, and (3) whole uterus. Texture and non-texture features were extracted from each VOI. The 0.623 + bootstrap method and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to select the features. Twenty logistic regression models (orders of 1–20) based on different combination of image features were built for each way of image segmentation. For the first VOI region, model 18 with 18 features yielded the highest AUC of 0.830, sensitivity of 76.0 %, specificity of 73.2 %, and accuracy of 73.9 %. For the second VOI region, model 17 with 17 features yielded the highest AUC of 0.853, sensitivity of 75.5 %, specificity of 75.5 %, and accuracy of 76.8 %. For the third VOI region, model 20 with 20 features yielded the highest AUC of 0.876, sensitivity of 76.3 %, specificity of 84.5 %, and accuracy of 82.4 %. Radiomic model based on features extracted from VOI that covered the whole uterus had the best diagnostic performance. Adopting VOI contained more image information that was useful in improving diagnostic performance of radiomic model.

Background Asthma is a complex inflammatory disorder that plagues a large number of people. Schisandrin B is an active ingredient of the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Schisandra with various proven physiological activities such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In this study, we explored the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and provided the mechanistic insights into the activity of schisandrin B in a mouse model of ovalbumin- (OVA-) induced allergic asthma. Methods Male BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA to induce asthma and treated with various doses (15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 60 mg/kg) of SCH to alleviate the features of allergic asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammatory response, OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E level, and pathological injury. Results Schisandrin B significantly attenuated the airway hyperresponsiveness induced by OVA. Moreover, schisandrin B administration suppressed inflammatory responses, reduced the level of IgE, and attenuated pathological injury. Mechanistically, schisandrin B treatment promoted the activation of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), but suppressed the stimulation of the NF-κB pathway caused by OVA. Conclusion Taken together, our study suggests that schisandrin B attenuates the features of asthmatic lungs by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Background Although previous studies have found that maternal fish intake is associated with fetal growth, the role of freshwater fish intake remains unknown. Objective Our aim was to examine the relationships of freshwater fish and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) intake with the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) in Chinese pregnant women. Design This was a prospective analysis of data from the Tongji Birth cohort in Wuhan, China, from 2018 to 2021. Participants/settings This study included 1,701 pregnant women who had completed a food frequency questionnaire dietary assessment during mid-pregnancy. Main outcome measures Intake of fish was assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Total intake of n-3 PUFAs was the sum of data collected from both dietary and supplemental sources of n-3 PUFAs. Birth information was extracted from medical records. Statistical analyses Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to estimate odds ratios and 95% CIs. Results The median (interquartile range) intake of freshwater fish and total n-3 PUFAs was 12.1 (4.3 to 26.4) g/d and 68.2 (24.5 to 370.0) mg/d, respectively. Moderate intake of freshwater fish was associated with reduced risk of SGA. Compared with the lowest quintile (0–3.2 g/d), the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio for women in the fourth quintile of freshwater fish intake (17.9 to 30.0 g/d) was 0.50 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.96). We found a nonlinear association between freshwater fish intake and SGA risk (Pnonlinearity = .027). However, maternal n-3 PUFAs intake was not significantly associated with SGA risk, either from total intake or from dietary sources alone. Conclusions Moderate freshwater fish intake during pregnancy is associated with lower risk of SGA in a Chinese population. This finding provides supportive evidence for freshwater fish intake during pregnancy, particularly for the inland areas of developing countries.

AIM Maternal complications caused by the cesarean delivery inhibit the capability of preserving the uterus and subsequent fertility. However, successful restoration of the incisional scar continuously still remains a challenge. This work was to evaluate the repairing effect of Human Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hWJ-MSC) on incisional scar of the uterine. METHODS Eighteen rats were randomly assigned into two groups and nine for each: one group injected with hWJ-MSC in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and the other injected with PBS for comparison. RESULTS With hWJ-MSC in PBS injected, the uterine endometrium and myometrium with full-thickness injury were restored and the functionality was greatly improved in comparison with the group only with PBS injected. CONCLUSION The hWJ-MSC can repair the injured uterine effectively by promoting the uterine endometrium and myometrium cells proliferation and according to the chi-square analysis the pregnancy is improved.

To develop a radiomics model in the preoperative differentiation of mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) and macrocystic serous cystadenoma (MaSCA) and to compare its diagnostic performance with conventional radiological model.57 Patients (MCN = 31, MaSCA = 26) with preoperative multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans were retrospectively included in this study. A radiological model was constructed from radiological features evaluated by radiologists. A radiomics model was constructed with high-dimensional quantitative features extracted from manually segmented volume of interests (VOIs). A combined model was constructed using both radiomics features and radiological features. The diagnostic performance of three models were assessed by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and the calibration curves.The radiological model yielded an AUC of 0.775, sensitivity of 74.2 %, specificity of 80.8, and accuracy of 77.2 %. The radiomics model yielded an AUC of 0.989, sensitivity of 93.6 %, specificity of 96.2 %, and accuracy of 94.7 %. The combined model yielded an AUC of 0.994, sensitivity of 96.8 %, specificity of 100 %, and accuracy of 98.2 %. Both combined model and radiomics model showed higher AUC, sensitivity, and accuracy than radiological model (all P .05). The combined model showed higher AUC than radiomics model, though no significant difference was found (P = .41). The combined model showed better calibration than radiomics model (P = .91 vs. P .001).Combined model which contained both radiomics features and radiological features outperformed radiomics model and radiological model in the preoperative differentiation of MCN and MaSCA.

Background Very little research has been done to simultaneously investigate the effects of Tai Chi (TC) on depression and heart rate variability (HRV). This study, therefore, attempted to explore the effects of TC on depression and on HRV parameters. Methods Sixty older individuals with depression score of 10 or above (the Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS) were randomly assigned into two groups: TC (n = 30) and control group (n = 30). Participants in the experimental group participated in a 24-week TC training program (three 60-min sessions per week), whereas individuals in the control group maintained their unaltered lifestyle. Depression and HRV were measured using the GDS and digital electrocardiogram at baseline and after the 24-week intervention. Results The TC had produced significant positive chances in depression and some HRV parameters (mean heart rate, RMSSD, HF, LFnorm, and HFnorm) (p &lt, 0.05), whereas these positive results were not observed in the control group. Conclusions The results of this study indicated that TC may alleviate depression of the elderly through modulating autonomous nervous system or HRV parameters. This study adds to a growing body of research showing that TC may be effective in treating depression of the elderly. Tai Chi as a mild to moderate mind-body exercise is suitable for older individuals who suffer from depression.

To compare high b value (2000 s/mmSixty-one patients underwent rFOV DWI and conventional DWI due to clinical suspicious of PCa were retrospectively recruited. Imaging qualities were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively by two blinded radiologists. Thirty-two subjects with detailed pathology reports were further analyzed for diagnostic efficacy using the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2. The PCa detection rate, sensitivity, specificity, and PI-RADS staging changes were compared between the DWI sequences.Qualitative evaluation regarding image quality was significantly better in rFOV DWI than in the conventional DWI (all P 0.05). ADC contrast with rFOV DWI was rated significantly higher than the conventional DWI in both peripheral zone (PZ) and transition zone (TZ) (P = 0.001 for PZ, and P = 0.003 for TZ). Regarding diagnostic efficacy, rFOV DWI yielded higher tumor detection, sensitivity and the area under the curve (AUC) than the conventional DWI (all P 0.05), except the AUC in the PZ for one reader (P = 0.262). Conventional DWI achieved slightly higher specificity for the PZ and TZ but with no significant difference except for one reader in the PZ (P = 0.009).The rFOV DWI could offer improved image quality and yielded better diagnostic performance in terms of higher tumor detection rate and relatively precise staging for PCa compared to the conventional sequence.

Rapeseed peptides were prepared by means of the combined methods of the laboratory bacteria enzyme synergy and the solid-state fermentation of rapeseed meal. The rapeseed peptides were separated and purified with the tumor cell in vitro anti-proliferative activity as an index. Moreover, a kind of rapeseed peptide component RSP-4-3-3 (rapeseed anti-tumor peptide RSP-4-3-3) with high activity was selected. Furthermore, by using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), the analysis result of its possible amino acid sequence showed that it was Trp-Thr-Pro (408.2 Da). Inverted microscope observation technology and western blot experiments were applied to explore the antitumor impact of the rapeseed peptide RSP-4-3-3 on tumor cells. The results showed that the rapeseed antitumor peptide RSP-4-3-3 could significantly change the morphological features of the HepG2 cells in vitro and cause apoptosis, thus inhibiting the proliferation of the HepG2 cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of Wharton jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSC) in a spontaneous-abortion rat model.An abortion model was established using intravenous injection of bromocriptine. WJ-MSC were isolated and cultured from Wharton jelly of the human umbilical cord. The pathologic changes of placenta decidual tissues were observed after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The embryo absorption rate was counted. The protein and mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-10, interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-17 in each group were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.After bromocriptine injection, decidual cells degenerated and the connections between them loosened. Furthermore, some of the decidual cells were necrotic and the nuclei had disappeared. However, the transplantation of a large population of WJ-MSC prevented these damages from occurring. The changes of levels of IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-17 in serum and placenta decidual tissues induced by bromocriptine were well restored by a high, but not a low, dose of WJ-MSC engraft.WJ-MSC can ameliorate early pregnancy loss. The mechanism may be related to its upregulation of IL-10 and downregulation of IFN-γ and IL-17.

Consumption of whole grains has been associated with reduced risk of developing major chronic diseases. These health benefits have been attributed in part to their unique phytochemicals. Little is known about the complete profiles of phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of different adlay varieties. The objectives of this study were to determine the phytochemicals profiles of the three adlay varieties, including both free and bound of total phenolics and total flavonoids, and to determine the total antioxidant activity of adlay. The free, bound, and total phenolic contents of adlay samples ranged from 31.23 to 45.19 mg of gallic acid equiv/100 g of sample, from 28.07 to 30.86 mg of gallic acid equiv/100 g of sample, and from 59.30 to 76.04 mg of gallic acid equiv/100 g of sample, respectively. On average, the bound phenolics contributed 45.3% of total phenolic content of the adlay varieties analyzed. The free, bound, and total flavonoid contents of adlay samples ranged from 6.21 to 18.24 mg of catechin equiv/100 g, from 18.68 to 35.27 mg of catechin equiv/100 g, and from 24.88 to 52.86 mg of catechin equiv/100 g, respectively. The average values of bound flavonoids contributed 71.1% of total flavonoids of the adlay varieties analyzed. The percentage contribution of flavonoid content to phenolic content of free, bound, and total ranged from 11.6 to 35.2%, from 50.5 to 66.8%, and from 24.6 to 50.5%. The free, bound, and total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values of adlay samples ranged from 231.9 to 316.6 mg of Trolox equiv/100 g, from 209.0 to 351.4 mg of Trolox equiv/100 g, and from 440.9 to 668.0 mg of Trolox equiv/100 g, respectively. The average ORAC values of bound phytochemicals contributed 48.1% of total antioxidant activity of the adlay varieties analyzed. The content of total polyphenol and the antioxidant capacity are obviously different among different species. Liaoning 5 adlay and Longyi 1 adlay are significantly better than Guizhou heigu adlay. The adlay extracts have obvious proliferate inhibition on human liver cancer cells, and substantially in the experimental concentration range, the adlay sample itself has no cytotoxicity. Knowing the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of adlay gives insights to its potential application to promote health.