Impact of the interval period after prostate systematic biopsy on MRI interpretation for prostate cancer / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the impact of the interval period between biopsy and MR examination on tumor detection and extraprostatic extension (EPE) assessment for prostate cancer (PCa) using multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI).Methods:The study was cross-sectional and retrospectively included 130 patients with PCa who underwent RP and preoperative systematic biopsies followed by mpMRI between January 2021 and December 2022 in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to interval following biopsy (group A,<3 weeks, 31 cases; group B, 3-6 weeks, 67 cases; group C,>6 weeks, 32 cases). The percentages of hemorrhage volume in the total prostate were drawn on T 1WI and calculated. The junior, senior and expert radiologists independently localized the index lesions and calculated the accuracy for tumor detection, in addition to assessing the probabilities of EPE according to EPE grade. The correlation between the hemorrhage extent and interval was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The accuracy for tumor detection was compared using χ2 test among groups. The diagnostic performance of the radiologists for EPE prediction was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the differences between the corresponding area under the curve (AUC) were compared using the DeLong test. Results:The percentage of hemorrhage was correlated with the interval between biopsy and MR examination ( r=-0.325, P<0.001). The detection accuracy of junior radiologist was 83.9% (26/31), 76.1% (51/67), and 78.1% (25/32) in group A, B and C, respectively; no differences were observed in the detection accuracy among three groups ( χ2=0.76, P=0.685). The detection accuracy of senior radiologist was 83.9% (26/31), 80.6% (54/67), and 71.9% (23/32) in 3 groups with no differences ( χ2=1.53, P=0.464). The detection accuracy of expert radiologist was 80.6% (25/31), 77.6% (52/67), and 93.8% (30/32) with no differences ( χ2=3.95, P=0.139). The AUC (95% CI) for predicting EPE were 0.830 (0.652-0.940), 0.704 (0.580-0.809), 0.800 (0.621-0.920) in the group A, B and C for junior radiologist; 0.876 (0.708-0.966), 0.768 (0.659-0.863), 0.896 (0.736-0.975) for senior radiologist; and 0.866 (0.695-0.961), 0.813 (0.699-0.895), 0.852 (0.682-0.952) for expert radiologist, respectively. No differences were observed among the subgroups in each radiologist ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The interval period does not significantly affect the detection accuracy and EPE assessment of PCa using mpMRI. There is probably no necessity for prolonged intervals following systematic biopsy to preserve the clarity of MRI interpretation for PCa.

Value of quantitative parameters of enhanced MRI in predicting collateral circulation in patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the value of quantitative parameters of enhanced MRI in predicting the establishment of inferior vena cava collateral circulation in patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus.Methods:Sixty-seven patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus who underwent radical resection and inferior vena cava venography in First Medical Center, PLA General Hospital from May 2006 to January 2021 were included retrospectively. According to the results of inferior vena cava venography, the patients were divided into two groups: the well-established collateral circulation group ( n=41) and the poor-established collateral circulation group ( n=26). Quantitative parameters were measured on preoperative enhanced MRI images, including tumor size, the maximum diameter of bilateral lumbar veins, the length of tumor thrombus, and the long and short diameters of tumor thrombus. Student′s t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison between the two groups. The independent risk factors related to the establishment of collateral circulation were obtained by binary logistic regression analysis and the model was established. The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to evaluate MRI quantitative parameters and the logistic model, and the area under the curve (AUC) was compared by the DeLong test. Results:Between the well-established collateral circulation group and the poor-established collateral circulation group, the maximum diameter of the right lumbar vein, the maximum diameter of the left lumbar vein, the length of the tumor thrombus, the long diameter of the tumor thrombus, and the short diameter of the tumor thrombus were different significantly ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the tumor size between the two groups ( t=0.30, P=0.766). The AUC of the maximum diameters of the right lumbar veins and left lumbar veins, length of tumor thrombus, long and short diameters of tumor thrombus in predicting the collateral circulation were 0.917 (95%CI 0.824-0.971), 0.869 (95%CI 0.764-0.939), 0.756 (95%CI 0.636-0.853), 0.886 (95%CI 0.785-0.951), and 0.906 (95%CI 0.809-0.963). The AUC of the maximum diameter of the right lumbar vein and the short diameter of the tumor thrombus were larger than those of the length of the tumor thrombus, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=2.25, 2.04, P=0.025, 0.041), but the AUC between other parameters had no significant difference ( P>0.05). The maximum diameter of the right lumbar vein (OR 24.210, 95%CI 2.845-205.998), the maximum diameter of the left lumbar vein (OR 20.973, 95%CI 2.359-186.490), and the length of the tumor thrombus (OR 23.006, 95%CI 2.952-179.309) were independent risk factors for predicting the establishment of inferior vena cava collateral circulation. The AUC of logistic model was 0.969 (95%CI 0.931-1.000). Conclusion:Quantitative parameters of tumor thrombus and lumbar vein based on enhanced MRI have a good ability in predicting the establishment of inferior vena cava collateral circulation in patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. The maximum diameter of bilateral lumbar veins and the length of the tumor thrombus were independent risk factors for inferior vena cava collateral circulation.

Interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance assessment of clear cell likelihood score using T 2WI with fat suppression technique / 中华放射学杂志

Objectives:To investigate the effect of fat suppression (FS) T 2WI on the interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of clear cell likelihood score version 2.0 (ccLS v2.0) for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods:In this retrospective study, the MR images of 111 patients with pathologically confirmed small renal masses (SRM) from January to December 2021 were analyzed in the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital. Of the 111 SRM, 82 cases were ccRCC and 29 cases were non-ccRCC. Two radiologists independently assessed ccLS scores based on T 2WI signal intensity (hypointense, isointense, hyperintense) and other MRI features (ccLS-T 2WI). After a one-month interval, the ccLS scores were independently evaluated utilizing the frequency-selective saturation FS-T 2WI and other MRI features (ccLS-FS-T 2WI). Fisher′s exact test was used to compare the difference in SRM signal intensity on T 2WI and FS-T 2WI. The weighted Kappa test was performed to assess the interobserver agreement of the two radiologists, and differences in the weighted Kappa coefficients were compared using the Gwet consistency coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to evaluate the diagnostic performance of ccLS-T 2WI and ccLS-FS-T 2WI in diagnosing ccRCC, and the area under the curve (AUC) was compared utilizing the DeLong test. Results:The signal intensity of 111 SRM on T 2WI and FS-T 2WI had statistically significant difference (χ 2=126.33, P<0.001), consistent in 88 cases (79.3%) and varied in 23 cases (20.7%). The weighted Kappa coefficient of ccLS-T 2WI was 0.57 (95%CI 0.45-0.69) between the two radiologists, and the weighted Kappa coefficient of ccLS-FS-T 2WI was 0.55 (95%CI 0.42-0.67), and the difference was not statistically significant ( t=-0.65, P=0.520). The AUC of ccLS-T 2WI for ccRCC diagnosis was 0.92 (95%CI 0.86-0.97), while the AUC of ccLS-FS-T 2WI for ccRCC diagnosis was 0.91 (95%CI 0.85-0.96), and the difference was not statistically significant ( Z=1.50, P=0.133). Conclusions:The interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of ccLS v2.0 based on T 2WI and FS-T 2WI sequences for ccRCC are comparable, and FS-T 2WI is applicable for the clinical application of ccLS v2.0.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor family of the kidney: clinical and MRI features / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical and MRI features of the mixed epithelial and stromal tumor family (MESTF) of the kidney.Methods:From January 2009 to September 2021, 42 patients with pathologically-proven MESTF from the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital were collected in this retrospective study. Clinical information, MRI features, and pathological results were documented. According to the Bosniak classification (BC) version 2019, all MESTFs were divided into cystic MESTFs (36 cases) and solid-cystic MESTFs (6 cases). The R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (RNS), lesion size, laterality, location, margin, shape, growth pattern, presence of protruding into renal sinus, hemorrhage, and enhancement pattern were evaluated and documented. Based on BC versions 2005 and 2019, all the cystic MESTFs were assessed and divided into low (Ⅰ, Ⅱ, ⅡF) and high (Ⅲ, Ⅳ) grades. The independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test were performed to compare age, RNS, and lesion size between cystic MESTFs and solid-cystic MESTFs. Pearson χ 2 test, continuity-adjusted χ 2 test or Fisher exact probability test were utilized to evaluated the differences of clinical and MRI features and the distribution of low or high grades in two versions of BC. Results:Forty-two MESTFs were unilateral and solitary masses, 25 males and 17 females, with a mean age of (41±13) years old. Compared to solid-cystic MESTFs, cystic MESTFs were prone to demonstrate endophytic growth pattern (χ 2=17.77, P<0.001), and no significant differences in other clinical and MRI features were observed between cystic and solid-cystic MESTFs (all P>0.05). There were 7 low-grade and 29 high-grade tumors in the BC version 2005, respectively. Meanwhile, 24 low-grade and 12 high-grade tumors in the BC version 2019, respectively. The distribution of low or high-grade tumors in the two versions of BC had a statistically significant difference (χ 2=16.37, P<0.001). Conclusion:MESTFs demonstrated middle-age onset and no gender predilection. Cystic MESTFs are more likely to exhibit endophytic growth pattern with low-grade classification in BC system version 2019.

The role of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging in distinguishing diabetic nephropathy from non-diabetic renal disease in diabetic patients / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To investigate the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the differential diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and non-diabetic renal disease (NDRD) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:A diagnostic test. In this prospective study, patients with T2DM who underwent both IVIM-DWI and renal biopsy at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital between October 2017 and September 2021 were consecutively enrolled. IVIM-DWI parameters including perfusion fraction (f), pure diffusion coefficient (D), and pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*) were measured in the renal cortex, medulla, and parenchyma. Patients were divided into the DN group and NDRD group based on the renal biopsy results. IVIM-DWI parameters, clinical information, and diabetes-related biochemical indicators between the two groups were compared using Student′s t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. The correlation of IVIM-DWI parameters with diabetic nephropathy histological scores were analyzed using Spearman′s correlation analyzes. The diagnostic efficiency of IVIM-DWI parameters for distinguishing between DN and NDRD were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results:A total of 27 DN patients and 23 NDRD patients were included in this study. The DN group comprised 19 male and 8 female patients, with an average age of 52±9 years. The NDRD group comprised 16 male and 7 female patients, with an average age of 49±10 years. The DN group had a higher D* value in the renal cortex and a lower f value in the renal medulla than the NDRD group (9.84×10 -3 mm 2/s vs. 7.35×10 -3 mm 2/s, Z=-3.65; 41.01% vs. 46.74%, Z=-2.29; all P<0.05). The renal medulla D* value was negatively correlated with DN grades, interstitial lesion score, and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) score ( r=-0.571, -0.409, -0.409; all P<0.05) while the renal cortex f value was positively correlated with vascular sclerosis score ( r=0.413, P=0.032). The renal cortex D* value had the highest area under the curve (AUC) for discriminating between the DN and NDRD groups (AUC=0.802, sensitivity 91.3%, specificity 55.6%). Conclusion:IVIM-derived renal cortex D* value can be used non-invasively to differentiate DN from NDRD in patients with T2DM that can potentially facilitate individualized treatment planning for diabetic patients.

MRI-based Bosniak version 2019 for Ⅱ, ⅡF and Ⅲ cystic renal masses: improved interobserver agreement by subtraction imaging / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of MR subtraction images in improving the interobserver agreement for Bosniak Ⅱ, ⅡF, and Ⅲ cystic renal masses (CRMs) with Bosniak classification version 2019.Methods:From January 2009 to August 2020, 323 patients (335 CRMs) with surgical pathology results and complete preoperative MRI examination (T 2WI, T 1WI precontrast images and enhanced MRI in corticomedullary, nephrographic, and excretory phases) were retrospectively collected in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital. The CRMs of Bosniak Ⅱ, ⅡF, and Ⅲ were selected and classified by 2 experienced genitourinary radiologists according to the Bosniak classification version 2019. The "Subtraction" function in the American GE ADW 4.4 workstation was used to perform subtraction images reconstruction on the enhanced images in the corticomedullary, nephrographic, and excretory phases. Blinded to pathologic information, the other 2 radiologists independently classified the enrolled CRM cases with and without subtraction MR images, respectively, with an interval of 1 month. Ultimately, by using weighted Kappa value, interobserver agreement was evaluated, and the differences in weighted Kappa value were compared using the Gwet coefficient. Results:A total of 187 patients with 187 CRMs were enrolled in the study. The results of the classification of Bosniak Ⅱ, ⅡF, and Ⅲ CRMs categorized by 2 radiologists without and with subtraction images showed that 119 and 141 cases were consistent, and 68 and 46 were inconsistent, respectively. The weighted Kappa value for interobserver agreement among two radiologists without and with subtraction MR images was 0.60 (95%CI 0.53-0.68) and 0.73 (95%CI 0.66-0.80), respectively. The interobserver agreement was higher with subtraction images than that without subtraction images ( t=-2.56, P=0.011). Conclusion:According to the MRI criteria of Bosniak classification version 2019, the interobserver agreement for Bosniak Ⅱ, ⅡF, and Ⅲ CRMs could be improved using subtraction MR images, which may facilitate the popularization and application of Bosniak classification version 2019.

Test-retest reliability analysis of MRI criteria in the 2019 Bosniak classification of cystic renal masses / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the test-retest reliability of MRI criteria in the 2019 Bosniak classification of cystic renal masses (CRMs) and to analyze the impact of lesions′ property, size and readers′ experience on the test-retest reliability.Methods:From January 2009 to June 2019, 207 patients with 207 CRMs were included in this retrospective study. All of them underwent renal MRI and surgical-pathologic examination. According to Bosniak classification, version 2019, all CRMs were independently classified twice by eight radiologists with different levels of experience. All radiologists were blinded to the pathology of the lesions. By using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), test-retest reliability was evaluated for all CRMs and for subgroups with different pathological properties (benign and malignant) and different sizes (≤40 mm and>40 mm). The test-retest reliability of 4 senior readers (≥10 years of experience) and 4 junior readers (<10 years of experience) were evaluated respectively. The comparison of ICC was performed using Z test. Results:The 207 CRMs included 111 benign lesions (83 benign cysts, 28 benign tumors) and 96 malignant tumors. There were 87 lesions with maximum diameter ≤40 mm and 120 with maximum diameter>40 mm. The test-retest reliability (ICC) of each reader for all lesions was 0.776-0.888, the overall ICC was 0.848 (95%CI 0.821-0.872). The ICCs of senior and junior readers were 0.853 (95%CI 0.824-0.880) and 0.843 (95%CI 0.811-0.871) respectively, without significant difference between the two groups ( Z=0.85, P=0.374). The ICC of all readers was 0.827 for benign lesions and 0.654 for malignant lesions, showing significant difference ( Z=2.80, P=0.005). The ICC was 0.770 for lesions ≤40 mm and 0.876 for lesions>40 mm, which was significantly different ( Z=-2.36, P=0.018). For CRM subgroups with different pathological properties and different sizes, there was no significant difference in test-retest reliability between senior and junior readers (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The test-retest reliability of MRI criteria in the 2019 Bosniak classification of CRMs is excellent and unaffected by readers′ experience. The reliabilities are not consistent among CRMs of different pathological properties and different sizes, but all reached the level of good and above.

Multi-level analysis on factors affecting the adherence to early antithrombotic therapy among people with acute ischemic stroke / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective@#To explore the patient and hospital related determinants of adherence to early antithrombotic therapy among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).@*Methods@#AIS patients aged 50 years old or above who were eligible for early antithrombotic therapy, were included from the China National Stroke Registry Ⅱ (CNSR Ⅱ) project. Characteristics related to patients and hospitals were collected. Univariate analysis method was conducted to explore the correlation between hospital or patient-related determinants and early antithrombotic therapy. A 2-level logistic regression model was set up to identify patient and hospital-related variables that were associated with the adherence to early antithrombotic therapy, with patient as level 1 and hospital as level 2.@*Results@#A total of 16 910 patients were included in the study, with 14 332 (84.75%) of them having received early antithrombotic therapy. Results from the univariate analysis showed that the patient determinants to early antithrombotic therapy would include age, type of health insurance, average income and history of dyslipidemia. Hospital determinants would include factors as: level and region of the hospital, academic status, with/without stroke unit, quality control on single disease and the percentage of neurological beds in total beds (P<0.05). Data on multilevel model showed that the patient-related determinants on early antithrombotic therapy would include age, gender, average income, history of hypertension, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission while hospital related determinants would include percentage of neurological beds in total beds, and region of the hospital (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#The quality of a hospital was associated with the adherence to early antithrombotic therapy. AIS patients at advanced age or with high NIHSS score at admission should be paid more attention.

Diagnostic value of radiomics based on biparametric prostate MRI imaging in Gleason classification of prostate cancer / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the value of radiomics in stratifying the Gleason score (GS) of prostate cancer based on vast image features from biparametric MRI. Methods Three hundred and sixteen patients were enrolled in this study from October, 2015 to December, 2018 and their results of surgical pathology were obtained. The lesions were manually depicted by 3D?Slicer. Then, 106?dimensional features extracted by radiomics were used to conduct Spearman non?parametric correlation test with the high and low risk stratification of GS. The constructed Neural Network was trained with the features after dimension reduction by principal component analysis as the input. Then, the testing set was fed in to get the predictive capability of the model. In the end, 10?fold cross?validation and shuffle of 100 times were used to test the accuracy of the prediction and the generalization ability of the model. Results Seventy seven?dimensional features with significant correlation were found at the level of P valued=0.05 (two?tailed). After dimensional features were reduced, 21 dimensional new feature spaces with 99% original feature information were obtained. The results on the testing data after the 10?fold validation and shuffle were AUC=0.712 with T2WI, AUC=0.689 with DWI(b=1 000 s/mm2), AUC=0.689 with DWI (b=2 000 s/mm2) and AUC=0.691 with DWI (b=3 000 s/mm2). Conclusion The neural network after extracting features from biparametric MRI images can accurately and automatically distinguish the high risk and low risk groups of Gleason grade of prostatic cancer.

Combined MRI and diffuse-weighted imaging in evaluation of T-staging of gallbladder carcinoma and predicting histological grading / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To study convention MRI compared with conventional MRI combined with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the evaluation of T-staging of gallbladder carcinoma, and to determine the relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient ( ADC) value and histological grading. Methods Fifty-one patients with gallbladder carcinoma confirmed by surgery and pathology were enrolled into this study. The T-staging was performed according to conventional MRI or with conventional MRI combined with DWI and the results were compared with pathological studies. Results The ADC value of tumor was measured to deter-mine the correlation with T staging, pTNM staging and pathological tumor differentiation. For conventional MRI, the T-staging rate was 84. 3％, which was consistent with the pathological T scoring ( Kappa value 0. 7580). After DWI, the T staging coincidence rate was 92. 2％ and the Kappa value was 0. 8813. A compar-ison between conventional MRI versus conventional MRI combined with DWI T-staging compliance rates was performed using the Chi-square test (χ2 =1. 5111, P>0. 05). The ADC values correlated with the T-staging, pTNM staging, and pathological tumor differentiation ( r= -0. 672, -0. 749, 0. 707, respectively, all P<0. 05). Conclusions Conventional MRI helped in the diagnoses of T-staging in gallbladder cancer. MRI combined with DWI helped to improve the coincidence rate of T-staging. The ADC values correlated with the T-staging, pTNM staging, and pathological tumor differentiation. Conventional MRI combined with DWI better evaluated the T-staging of gallbladder cancer, and could better guide the choice of treatment methods.

Diagnostic value of radiomics based on biparametric prostate MRI imaging in Gleason classification of prostate cancer / 中华放射学杂志

Objective@#To explore the value of radiomics in stratifying the Gleason score (GS) of prostate cancer based on vast image features from biparametric MRI.@*Methods@#Three hundred and sixteen patients were enrolled in this study from October, 2015 to December, 2018 and their results of surgical pathology were obtained. The lesions were manually depicted by 3D-Slicer. Then, 106-dimensional features extracted by radiomics were used to conduct Spearman non-parametric correlation test with the high and low risk stratification of GS. The constructed Neural Network was trained with the features after dimension reduction by principal component analysis as the input. Then, the testing set was fed in to get the predictive capability of the model. In the end, 10-fold cross-validation and shuffle of 100 times were used to test the accuracy of the prediction and the generalization ability of the model.@*Results@#Seventy seven-dimensional features with significant correlation were found at the level of P valued=0.05 (two-tailed). After dimensional features were reduced, 21 dimensional new feature spaces with 99% original feature information were obtained. The results on the testing data after the 10-fold validation and shuffle were AUC=0.712 with T2WI, AUC=0.689 with DWI (b=1 000 s/mm2), AUC=0.689 with DWI (b=2 000 s/mm2) and AUC=0.691 with DWI (b=3 000 s/mm2).@*Conclusion@#The neural network after extracting features from biparametric MRI images can accurately and automatically distinguish the high risk and low risk groups of Gleason grade of prostatic cancer.

Combined MRI and diffuse-weighted imaging in evaluation of T-staging of gallbladder carcinoma and predicting histological grading / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective@#To study convention MRI compared with conventional MRI combined with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the evaluation of T-staging of gallbladder carcinoma, and to determine the relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and histological grading.@*Methods@#Fifty-one patients with gallbladder carcinoma confirmed by surgery and pathology were enrolled into this study. The T-staging was performed according to conventional MRI or with conventional MRI combined with DWI and the results were compared with pathological studies.@*Results@#The ADC value of tumor was measured to determine the correlation with T staging, pTNM staging and pathological tumor differentiation. For conventional MRI, the T-staging rate was 84.3%, which was consistent with the pathological T scoring (Kappa value 0.7580). After DWI, the T staging coincidence rate was 92.2% and the Kappa value was 0.8813. A comparison between conventional MRI versus conventional MRI combined with DWI T-staging compliance rates was performed using the Chi-square test (χ2=1.5111, P>0.05). The ADC values correlated with the T-staging, pTNM staging, and pathological tumor differentiation (r=-0.672, -0.749, 0.707, respectively, all P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Conventional MRI helped in the diagnoses of T-staging in gallbladder cancer. MRI combined with DWI helped to improve the coincidence rate of T-staging. The ADC values correlated with the T-staging, pTNM staging, and pathological tumor differentiation. Conventional MRI combined with DWI better evaluated the T-staging of gallbladder cancer, and could better guide the choice of treatment methods.

CT texture analysis in bladder carcinoma: histologic grade characterization / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective@#To explore the value of CT texture analysis (CTTA) in differentiating the pathological grade of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB).@*Methods@#A total of 53 lesions from 43 patients with bladder cancer confirmed by postoperative pathology were retrospectively analyzed, including 27 cases of high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) and 26 cases of low-grade urothelial carcinoma (LGUC). All the patients took pelvic CT and enhanced scanning in the same CT scanner with same scanning parameters. Lesions on both plain and enhanced CT images were delineated on software by two radiologists to extract the corresponding volumes of interest (VOI) and then 92 parameters based on feature classes were generated. The average values of two radiologists were obtained. The difference parameters between HGUC group and LGUC group were screened by nonparametric test, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was drawn. The corresponding optimal thresholds were determined and diagnostic effect was assessed.@*Results@#Nine difference texture parameters between HGUC group and LGUC group were selected, including 5 parameters on unenhanced images, namely, skewness, root mean squared, cluster shade, zone percentage and large area high gray level emphasis. There were 4 parameters on enhanced images, namely, skewness, kurtosis, cluster shade and zone percentage. The largest area under curve of 0.840±0.058 (95% CI 0.726-0.955) was obtained from skewness generated by VOI of unenhanced images. The cut-off value of skewness was 0.186 5, which permitted the diagnosis of HGUC with sensitivity of 92.59%, specificity of 73.08%, positive predictive value of 78.13%, negative predictive value of 90.48% and accuracy of 83.02%.@*Conclusion@#CTTA can effectively distinguish between LGUC and HGUC. Skewness from unenhanced CT images had the optimal diagnostic performance.

Correlation of the indices of susceptibility weighted imaging and perfusion imaging with the expression of microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor in astrocytic tumor / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To detect the correlation of the expression of microvessel density(MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with the semi-quantivative indices of susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) and perfusion imaging (PI)in astrocytic tumor.Methods SWI and PI were performed in 98 patients with varing grades of astrocytic tumors.According to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors and grading criteria:8 cases of pilocytic astrocytoma (grade Ⅰ,1 case of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (grade Ⅱ),23 cases of astrocytoma (grade Ⅱ),22 cases of anaplastic astrocytoma (grade Ⅲ) and 44 cases of glioblastoma (grade Ⅳ) were included.Intra-tumor susceptibility hypo intensity area (ITSHIA) acquired by SWI was observed and semi-quantitative data were calculated.Maximum relative rCBV values of solid part of the tumor (rCBVintra),surrounding area of tumor (rCBVperi) were calculated.The MVD and VEGF expression were quantified from the excised tumor tissues and were correlated with PI and SWI indices.Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to assess the difference of the MVD and VEGF in different grade astrocytic tumor.Results The MVD count (r =0.550,P ＜ 0.01) and VEGF expression(r =0.456,P ＜ 0.01) were positively correlated with pathologic grading of astrocytic tumor.Spearman correlation analysis indicated that semi-quantivative indictors of SWI (r =0.340 to 0.497,P＜0.01),as well as rCBVintra(r =0.467,P ＜0.01) and rrCBVperi(r =0.374,P ＜0.01)of PI were positively correlated with MVD.All indices of SWI (r =0.202 to 0.334,P ＜ 0.01),except for ITSHIA frequency and ITSHIA area ratio score,were correlated with VEGF expression,while the rCBVintra (r =0.301,P ＜ 0.01) and rCBVperi (r =0.311,P ＜ 0.01) of PI were positively correlated with VEGF.Conclusion The indices of PI and SWI are obviously correlated with MVD and VEGF in astrocytic tumor.PI and SWI could be effective in evaluating angiogenesis preoperatively.

Comparison on pharmacodynamic differences between Simiao Pill with crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and bran stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma / 中草药

Objective: To study the pharmacodynamic differences between Simiao Pills with crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and bran stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma on the treatment of adjuvant arthritis. Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group (normal saline), model control group (normal saline), Tripterygium wilfordii glycosides (TWG) group (9.45 mg/kg), low-and high-dose (1.080 and 4.320 g/kg) Simiao Pills (crude Atractylodis Rhizoma) group, low-and high-dose (1.080 and 4.320 g/kg) Simiao Pills (stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma with bran) group. Except the blank control group, the other groups were modeled to adjuvant arthritis with complete Freund's. Paw edema value, spleen and thoracic gland indexes, serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and nitric oxide (NO) were observed. Results: Both Simiao Pills with crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and bran stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma could inhibit paw edema, decrease spleen index, advance the thoracic gland index, and decrease IL-1β and NO. The Simiao Pills with crude Atractylodis Rhizoma showed better effects. Conclusion: Both Simiao Pills with crude Atractylodis Rhizoma and bran stir-baked Atractylodis Rhizoma show a certain therapeutic effect on adjuvant arthritis, but the crude Atractylodis Rhizoma is in favor of the efficacy of Simiao Pills.

TNF-α regulates netrin-1 expression through enhancing promoter activity / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of TNF-α on netrin-1 expression and the related mechanism. Methods The expression of netrin-1 was examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis in HEK-293 cells treated with TNF-α. The netrin-1 gene promoter was amplified by PCR and was cloned into pGL3 basic vector. Then the purified pGL3-netrin-1-promoter was transfected into HEK-293 cells, the luciferase activity of netrin-1 gene promoter was detected by luminometer, and the regulatory effect of TNF-α on netrin-1 expression was observed. Results It was confirmed that TNF-α increased expression of netrin-1. pGL3-netrin-l-promoter vector was successfully constructed as confirmed by sequencing. The pGL3-netrin-l-promoter vector was confirmed to have the promoter activity as confirmed by the luciferase system. The activity of netrin-1 promoter was increased significantly in HEK-293 cells after treated with TNF-a (P<0. 05), and the increase was in a time-and concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion TNF-α can regulate netrin-1 expression through modulating netrin-1 promoter activity.

New compound NL-608 (a nutlin analog) induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of NL-608 (a nutlin analog) on apoptosis induction in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro, and investigate the relevant molecular mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effect of NL-608 on proliferation of MCF-7 cells was determined by MTT assay. The apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was determined by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC and PI. The activity of caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 was determined with caspase activity assay kit and Western blot, and the proteins of Fas and FasL were determined by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NL-608 showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. It induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of caspase 3 and caspase 8 in MCF-7 cells was increased with the increasing concentration of NL-608, but caspase 9 had no changes. The proteins of Fas and FasL were increased in a dose-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NL-608 induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in vitro through inducing caspase 3 activity and death receptor-mediated signal pathway.</p>

Expression of cytokine IL-1α and S100β in different types of plaques in Alzheimer's disease / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the significance of cytokine IL-1α and S100β expression in formation and evolution of different types of plaques in Alzheimer's disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-four autopsy cases of Alzheimer's disease encountered during the period from 1982 to 2008 were retrieved from the archival files of Department of Pathology, Beijing Hospital. Tissue blocks were taken from hippocampus for dual immunostaining for IL-1α/Aβ and S100β/Aβ.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohistochemical studied for IL-1α/Aβ and S100β/Aβ delineated four different types of senile plaques: diffuse non-neuritic plaques, diffuse neuritic plaques, dense-core neuritic plaques and dense-core non-neuritic plaques. The numbers of IL-1α-positive microglias and S100β-positive astrocytes associated with diffuse neuritic plaques were (7.29 ± 3.04) per mm(2) and (6.49 ± 2.20) per mm(2), respectively. In contrast, the numbers of IL-1α-positive microglias and S100β-positive astrocytes associated with diffuse non-neuritic plaques, dense-core neuritic plaques and dense-core non-neuritic plaques were (3.24 ± 1.53) per mm(2) and (4.14 ± 1.77) per mm(2), (2.09 ± 1.37) per mm(2) and (2.25 ± 0.83) per mm(2), and (1.38 ± 0.90) per mm(2) and (0.58 ± 0.36) per mm(2), respectively. The numbers of IL-1α-positive microglias and S100β-positive astrocytes associated with diffuse neuritic plaques were significantly higher than those of the other three types of plaques (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The IL-1α-positive microglias and S100β-positive astrocytes may be of certain significance in transformation of diffuse non-neuritic plaques to diffuse neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease.</p>

Clinicopathologic analysis of vulnerable plaque in autopsy with acute coronary syndrome / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe pathohistological features of vulnerable plaques in coronary arteries.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Autopsy coronary samples from 67 patients died of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 60 patients of non-cardiac death from 1992 to 2006 in Beijing Hospital were examined. Morphological features of vulnerable plaques of ACS cases were evaluated in terms of thrombus, ratio of lipid core, the minimal thickness of fibrous cap and the density of inflammatory infiltration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) There are 305 plaques in ACS group and the incidence of big lipid core is 153 (50.16%), thin fibrous cap is 187(61.31%), inflammatory infiltration is 263 (86.23%), neovasculature conformation is 217 (71.15%), severe stenosis is 26 (8.52%), calcification is 238 (78.03%), superficial calcified nodule is 26 (8.52%), fissured plaque is 12 (3.93%), endothelial denudation is 3 (0.98%) and intraplaque hemorrhage is 54 (17.70%), which are significantly higher than control samples except endothelial denudation (P < 0.01). (2) The incidence of vulnerable plaques in ACS group is significantly higher than in the control group (89.51% vs. 21.98%, P < 0.01). There are 4.07 sections of vulnerable plaques with high density of inflammatory infiltration out of 4.55 sections reviewed in ACS patients, while there are 0.85 sections of vulnerable plaques with mild inflammatory infiltration out of 3.87 sections reviewed in the control cases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Formation of vulnerable plaque was an important pathological factor for the development of ACS. The major morphological characteristics of vulnerable plaque are big lipid core, thin fibrous cap, inflammatory infiltration, neovascularization, severe stenosis, plaque rupture, and endothelial denudation suggesting inflammation performed an important role in the formation of vulnerable plaque.</p>

Prevalence and associated factors of school physical violence behaviors among middle school students in Beijing / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To described the prevalence of school physical violence behaviors and to explore its associated factors among middle school students in Beijing. Methods In 2009, a randomly selected cross- sectional survey was conducted among 5718 students in grades 7 to 12 in Beijing. A self-report anonymous questionnaire involving physical violence at school and sociodemographic variables, such as sex, grades, family economic status and family structure, peer relationships, and communication with their parents etc. were completed by students themselves.Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between physical violence and sociodemographic variables. Results Among the students, 14.3% reported that they had had physical violence behavior in school during the past 12 months. Male students had been more likely to have physical violence behaviors than female students (Male 25.2%, Female 5.1% ). For both male and female students, poor school cohesion were the risk factors of physical violence behaviors (Male OR=1.060, Female OR=1.065). For male students, factors as father' s lower education level (OR=1.653 ), remarried/single-parent families ( OR = 1.834 ), low-grade ( grade 7 OR = 5.291; grade 11 OR =1.526) , poor school performance (OR=1.470) etc were the risk factors of physical violence behaviors; while better-off family economic status (OR=0.546), good peer relationships (OR=0.618) , and easy to communicate with the father (OR=0.756) were the protective factors of physical violence behaviors. For female students, easy to communicate with her mother (OR = 0.358)were the protective factors of physical violence behaviors. Conclusion For male and female students, the prevalence of school physical violence and its related factors were different. Actions on prevention against physical violence behaviors should be fully considered, including factors as gender, personal characteristics, family, school and peers etc.