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Abstract Objectives To develop an innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based PUMCH (Peking Union Medical College Hospital) classification system aimed at standardising the diagnosis of congenital cervical malformations (CCMs) by identifying their distinctive MRI features. Methods Seventy-nine consecutive patients with CCM underwent pre-treatment pelvic MRI; three experienced gynaecological radiologists retrospectively analysed these images. Qualitative assessments included Rock et al’s classification; PUMCH classification; haematometra; cervical signal features; ovarian endometriosis; haematosalpinx; and uterine, vaginal, urinary, and musculoskeletal malformations. Quantitative assessments involved the uterine volume, sagittal cervical length, and maximum ovarian cross-sectional area. The surgical treatment types were also recorded. Statistical methods were used to incorporate differences in clinical features and surgical methods into our classification. Results Morphologically, CCMs were categorised into three types: type I (53%) was characterised by the presence of a cervix with visible cervical canals; type II (23%) featured an existing cervix with concealed cervical canals; and type III (24%) indicated cervical aplasia, which involves a blind end in the lower part of the uterine corpus. Haematometra was significantly more prevalent in patients with type I CCM than in those with type II (p

Abstract Objectives We aimed to present the state of the art of CT- and MRI-based radiomics in the context of ovarian cancer (OC), with a focus on the methodological quality of these studies and the clinical utility of these proposed radiomics models. Methods Original articles investigating radiomics in OC published in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library between January 1, 2002, and January 6, 2023, were extracted. The methodological quality was evaluated using the radiomics quality score (RQS) and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2). Pairwise correlation analyses were performed to compare the methodological quality, baseline information, and performance metrics. Additional meta-analyses of studies exploring differential diagnoses and prognostic prediction in patients with OC were performed separately. Results Fifty-seven studies encompassing 11,693 patients were included. The mean RQS was 30.7% (range − 4 to 22); less than 25% of studies had a high risk of bias and applicability concerns in each domain of QUADAS-2. A high RQS was significantly associated with a low QUADAS-2 risk and recent publication year. Significantly higher performance metrics were observed in studies examining differential diagnosis; 16 such studies as well as 13 exploring prognostic prediction were included in a separate meta-analysis, which revealed diagnostic odds ratios of 25.76 (95% confidence interval (CI) 13.50–49.13) and 12.55 (95% CI 8.38–18.77), respectively. Conclusion Current evidence suggests that the methodological quality of OC-related radiomics studies is unsatisfactory. Radiomics analysis based on CT and MRI showed promising results in terms of differential diagnosis and prognostic prediction. Critical relevance statement Radiomics analysis has potential clinical utility; however, shortcomings persist in existing studies in terms of reproducibility. We suggest that future radiomics studies should be more standardized to better bridge the gap between concepts and clinical applications. Graphical abstract

Key points T2DL resulted in a 62.7% reduction in acquisition time compared to T2S T2DL can provide higher SNR and CNR, and without geometric distortion T2DL is feasible for reducing the motion-induced blurring and improving image quality

Flow softening and microstructural evolution of a novel near β titanium alloy Ti–3Al–5Mo–4Cr–2Zr–1Fe (Ti-35421) with tensile strength beyond 1200 MPa have been investigated at temperatures of 710∼800 °C in the α+β region with strain rates of 0.001∼1 s−1 during hot deformation. The established Arrhenius constitutive model embedded softening mechanism and deformations can predict the flow stress and match the experimental data well. Two mechanisms of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) including the continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) of subgrains rotating and the discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) of grain boundaries bulging govern the hot deformation and microstructural evolution. Both CDRX and DDRX occur at high true strains and the number of DRX grains increases with increasing true strain. An obvious flow softening phenomenon presents during thermal compression at the low temperature and low strain rates in the α+β region, which might be attributed to the bending and fragmentation of α phases, inverse change of the texture intensity between α and β phases, and the formation of the new grains from DRX.

Objective To prospectively design and followed by evaluation on the effect of the combination of recorded lectures with online question and answer(Q & A) in graduate course of medical imaging, so as to provide more experience for future online medical imaging courses. Methods A total of 19 students recruited in the 2020 spring semester course were included. An online questionnaire was used to collect the results of self-assessment on knowledge and skill learning before and after each lecture, participation rate of Q & A activity. Results The knowledge and skills mastery level after learning every 16 lectures was significantly higher than that before the lecture. The average score of students in the Objective test was 44.2±7.0 and the average score of students' participation in the Q & A session was 3.79±0.92. There is no significant correlation between test scores and the participation in Q & A. The average score of students' evaluation of the necessity about the Q & A activity is 4.47±0.90. The average score of students' subjective feelings of traditional classrooms is higher than that of remote virtual classrooms, but the difference is not statistically. Conclusions Recorded lectures plus online Q & A in graduate course of medical imaging has significantly improved students' learning outcomes on knowledge and skill. Online Q & A following the course can increase students' participation and enhance their learning motivation.

Objective To review the current status and development of radiologists in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) working in a inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the general situation of the MDT in IBD in China, particularly about the composition of radiologists, the presentation form of MDT consulting images and the participating pattern of radiologists. Results A total of 28 domestic MDT centers of IBD participated in the survey, all of then were tertiary hospitals and 23(82.1%) were located in the eastern part of the country. Among them, 27 MDT expert groups had radiologists. In the MDT center with radiologist participation, there were 21(77.8%) were senior doctors with more than 10 years of working experience, and 26 radiologists specialized in gastrointestinal and abdominal imaging (13 for each, 48.1%). 22(81.5%) radiologists reviewed all the cases in advance, and 26(96.3%) radiologists participated deeply in MDT discussions to provide professional radiological diagnosis and recommendations. Conclusions In the healthcare mode of the new era, radiologists are playing an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, treatment and management of IBD patients.

Abstract Background The depth of cervical stromal invasion is one of the important prognostic factors affecting decision-making for early stage cervical cancer (CC). This study aimed to develop and validate a T2-weighted imaging (T2WI)-based radiomics model and explore independent risk factors (factors with statistical significance in both univariate and multivariate analyses) of middle or deep stromal invasion in early stage CC. Methods Between March 2017 and March 2021, a total of 234 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics IB1-IIA1 CC patients were enrolled and randomly divided into a training cohort (n = 188) and a validation cohort (n = 46). The radiomics features of each patient were extracted from preoperative sagittal T2WI, and key features were selected. After independent risk factors were identified, a combined model and nomogram incorporating radiomics signature and independent risk factors were developed. Diagnostic accuracy of radiologists was also evaluated. Results The maximal tumor diameter (MTD) on magnetic resonance imaging was identified as an independent risk factor. In the validation cohort, the radiomics model, MTD, and combined model showed areas under the curve of 0.879, 0.844, and 0.886. The radiomics model and combined model showed the same sensitivity and specificity of 87.9% and 84.6%, which were better than radiologists (sensitivity, senior = 75.7%, junior = 63.6%; specificity, senior = 69.2%, junior = 53.8%) and MTD (sensitivity = 69.7%, specificity = 76.9%). Conclusion MRI-based radiomics analysis outperformed radiologists for the preoperative diagnosis of middle or deep stromal invasion in early stage CC, and the probability can be individually evaluated by a nomogram.

Abstract Objectives The least amount of contrast medium (CM) should be used under the premise of adequate diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing ultra-low-dose (224 mgI/kg) CM for pancreatic artery depiction using the combination of advanced virtual monoenergetic imaging (VMI+) and high-concentration (400 mgI/mL) CM. Materials and methods 41 patients who underwent both normal dose CM (ND-CM, 320 mgI/kg) and low dose CM (LD-CM, 224 mgI/kg) thoracoabdominal enhanced CT for tumor follow-up were prospectively included. The VMI+ at the energy level of 40-kev for LD-CM images was reconstructed. CT attenuation, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of the abdominal artery, celiac artery, and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and qualitative scores of pancreatic arteries depiction were recorded and compared among the three groups (ND-CM, LD-CM, and VMI+ LD-CM images). ANOVA and Friedman tests were used for statistical analysis. Results All quantitative and qualitative parameters on LD-CM images were lower than that on ND-CM images (all p 0.05). VMI+ LD-CM images had the highest mean CT and CNR values of all arteries (all p

Some citrus orchards in China often experience nitrogen (N) deficiency. For the first time, targeted metabolomics was used to examine N-deficient effects on hormones in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. Xuegan) leaves and roots. The purpose was to validate the hypothesis that hormones play a role in N deficiency tolerance by regulating root/shoot dry weight ratio (R/S), root system architecture (RSA), and leaf and root senescence. N deficiency-induced decreases in gibberellins and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels and increases in cis(+)-12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA) levels, ethylene production, and salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis might contribute to reduced growth and accelerated senescence in leaves. The increased ethylene formation in N-deficient leaves might be caused by increased 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid and OPDA and decreased abscisic acid (ABA). N deficiency increased R/S, altered RSA, and delayed root senescence by lowering cytokinins, jasmonic acid, OPDA, and ABA levels and ethylene and SA biosynthesis, increasing 5-deoxystrigol levels, and maintaining IAA and gibberellin homeostasis. The unchanged IAA concentration in N-deficient roots involved increased leaf-to-root IAA transport. The different responses of leaf and root hormones to N deficiency might be involved in the regulation of R/S, RSA, and leaf and root senescence, thus improving N use efficiency, N remobilization efficiency, and the ability to acquire N, and hence conferring N deficiency tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the effect of the feedback of competency-based training and its evaluation in the Clinical Postdoctoral Program of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Methods Taking 2018 clinical postdoctoral feedback and evaluation as the object of study, collecting feedback results with the 5-point Likert Scale and reviewing the descriptive comments, to discuss the application of feedback evaluation. Results 13 clinical departments were rated above 4 on average in “individualization” “degree of recognition” “preparation”. “Feedback skill” was rated 3.6. The skills of feedback needed an improvement. Conclusions The feedback evaluation system will contribute to the improvement of feedback and competency-based training quality, and further modification is needed.

Medical physics is an interdisciplinary subject that combines physics with medical practice, resulting from a broad need for physics knowledge in the clinical practice of radiology and radiation oncology. At present, the developed countries represented by the United States have formed a systematic medical physics training system in the process of radiology resident training. The standardized training of radiology resident in China is still in its infancy. This paper introduces the system of physics training in the American radiology resident training program and explored its enlightenment to the standardized training of radiological resident in China.

Objective To evaluate the application of network training platform in standardized training of residents in radiology department in Beijing. Methods The radiology residents who took the Beijing phase I skill examination in 2018 were given lectures about one year before the examination. The data of the online training platform visits, number of visitors, watch time and audience were analyzed and organized. The results of the questionnaire survey on the use of the training platform were also analyzed. The questions include whether the candidates liked the online training method and whether the online training platform can supplement the case types of daily work. Results For video courses and PPT courses, the number of course visits was significantly higher than the number of visitors(P＜0.001). There was no significant difference between the duration of the course and the average actual viewing time. Visitors from departments other than radiology could be found in almost all courses. Generally, students like the online training platform and think that the training platform improves their learning efficiency and are helpful for their examination. In 2018, the scores and passing rate of the phase I examination for the standardized training of residents in the Beijing radiology department were 86% and 87.8% respectively, which were higher than that of 2017(84.5%,85.3%). Conclusions The network training platform is highly recognized in the standardized training of residents in radiology department and is helpful for residents to pass the phase I examination, which can be promoted in the future standardized training of radiology residents.

This study introduces the practice of modularized teaching in “core competency” training of the Clinical Postdoctoral Program of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital; moreover, taking the example of medical humanities model course, to compare the 2016 and 2017 module courses outcome by questionnaire and interview. The result shows that set up the “medical humanities model course” and the continuous optimization have greatly improved the course satisfaction. The Clinical Postdoctoral trainees believe module course is helpful to the accomplishing the “core competency”, to identifying the goal of training and enhancing the process management. However, the improvement of course content, format and its long-term effect, needs further exploration and discussion.

Abstract Background Quantitation analysis and chromatographic fingerprint of multi-components are frequently used to evaluate quality of herbal medicines but fail to reveal activity of the components. It is necessary to develop a rational approach of chromatography coupled with activity detection for quality assessment of herbal medicines. Methods An on-line HPLC-ultraviolet detection-2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) free radical scavenging (HPLC-UV-ABTS) method was developed to obtain the chromatographic fingerprints and ABTS+• inhibition profiles (active fingerprints) of Rehmanniae Radix (Dihuang) and Rehmannia Radix Praeparata (Shu Dihuang). Eighteen compounds showing ABTS+• inhibition activity were identified by HPLC-fourier-transform mass spectrometry (HPLC-FTMS). Verbascoside was used as a positive control to evaluate the total activities of the samples and the contribution rate of each compound. The similarities of the chromatographic and active fingerprints were estimated by the vectorial angle cosine method. Results The results showed that the HPLC-UV-ABTS method could efficiently detect antioxidant activity of the herbal medicine samples. The antioxidants were different between the two herbs and several new antioxidants were identified in Shu Dihuang. A function equation was generated in terms of the negative peak area (x) and the concentrations of verbascoside (y, μg/mL), y = 2E-07 × 4 - 8E-05 × 3 + 0.0079 × 2 + 0.5755x + 1.4754, R 2 = 1. Iridoid glycosides were identified as main antioxidants and showed their higher contributions to the total activity of the samples. The total contributions of the three main active components in the Dihuang and Shu Dihuang samples to the total activity, such as echinacoside, verbascoside and an unknown compound, were 39.2–58.1% and 55.9–69.4%, respectively. The potencies of the main active components in the Shu Dihuang samples were two to ten times those in the Dihuang samples. Similarity values for S12 in the chromatographic fingerprints and S03, S12 and P03 in the active fingerprints were less than 0.9. The three batches of samples might show their different quality with the other samples. Conclusions The results suggested that the combination of “quantity-effect” research strategy and the HPLC-UV-ABTS analysis method could comprehensively evaluate the active components and quality of Dihuang and Shu Dhuang.

Objectives. To analyze and summarize the effect of SSA treatment on EAS due to p-NETs (EAS-p-NETs). Methods. Thirteen patients with EAS-p-NETs treated with SSAs at our center or described in the literature were included in this study. Clinical characteristics, laboratory data, imaging studies, histopathologic results, the effect of SSA treatment, and the prognosis of these EAS-p-NET patients were evaluated. Results. Four males and 9 females with an average age of 42.9 years were included in the study. The mean duration of follow-up was 38.8 ± 28.2 months. As one of the combined treatment measures, SSAs controlled the levels of ACTH and cortisol in 9 of the 13 patients (69.2%). Partial response was observed in 3 patients (23.1%), stable disease in 2 patients (15.4%), and progressive disease in 6 patients (46.2%). The median time to tumor progression was 24 months, and the median overall survival was 61 months. The side effects of SSA treatment included temporary mild abdominal pain, diarrhea, gallstones, and cholecystitis. Conclusions. As a supplemental therapy, SSA treatment led to clinical and biochemical improvement with a good safety profile in patients exhibiting EAS-p-NET with metastasis. However, tumor progression was inhibited by SSA treatment in only a few patients. Combined with other treatments, SSAs may improve the prognosis of patients with EAS-p-NETs.