Objective To compare the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A ( BTXA) and ethyl alcohol ( EA) in treating lower extremity spasticity after stroke. Methods This was a randomized, case-control study. A to-tal of 92 eligible stroke survivors completed the study. They were randomly divided into a BTXA group of 48 and an EA group of 44 according to a random number table. The gastrocnemius, soleus and posterior tibial muscles of the af-fected limb were chosen as injection sites. The BTXA group was injected with 50 to 200 IU of BTXA ( at 50 U/ml) at one to four sites in each muscle, with a total injection dose of less than 600 U. The EA group was injected with less than 10 ml of 50% EA (0.1 to 0.5 ml at each site). Before and 2, 4 and 12 weeks after the injection, both groups were evaluated using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), a 3 m timed up and go test (TUG), a timed 10 meter walk ( 10m-WT) and each was asked to assess their pain level using a visual analogue scale ( VAS) . Any adverse re-actions were also observed. Results Two weeks after the injection, the average MAS score of both groups had im-proved significantly compared to that before the injection. The average improvement in the BTXA group was signifi-cantly less than in the EA group. No significant differences were found in other measurements. After four weeks the average MAS score of the BTXA group was still significantly different from that before injection or from 2 weeks previ-ously, but the EA group now showed no significant difference from before the injection. The average TUG, 10m-WT and VAS scores of both groups had improved significantly compared to those of the earlier time points. Twelve weeks after the injection, the average MAS, TUG, 10m-WT and VAS scores of the BTXA were still significantly improved compared to before the injection, but in the EA group only the average score VAS reading was significantly improved. There were then significant differences between the two groups in all of the measurements. Conclusions Both BTXA and EA can relieve muscle spasticity. Both take effect within 2 weeks, but the former has fewer side effects than the latter and a longer duration of therapeutic effect.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of prostate imaging recurrence reporting (PI-RR) system for detecting local recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) in prostate cancer (PCa) and to assess the consistency of the PI-RR scores assigned by different seniority radiologists.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 176 PCa patients who underwent multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) for biochemical recurrence (BCR) after RP from July 2015 to October 2021 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively collected. The mpMRI images were reviewed and the PI-RR scores of the main lesions were assigned independently by six different seniority radiologists (2 junior, 2 senior and 2 expert radiologists). Following the reference standard determined by biopsy pathologic results, follow-up imaging, or prostate specific antigen levels, the patients were divided into two groups: 54 patients with local recurrence and 122 patients without local recurrence. The intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC) and Kappa test were used to evaluate the consistency of the PI-RR scores by different seniority radiologists. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the PI-RR scores assessed by different seniority radiologists for detecting local recurrence of PCa after RP. The DeLong test was utilized to compare the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of different seniority radiologist PI-RR scores and a false discovery rate (FDR) was applied to correct results using the Benjamini and Hochberg method. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated according to the cutoff value of PI-RR score≥3 or 4. Results:The ICC (95% CI) of all different seniority radiologists was 0.70 (0.64-0.76). The Kappa value was 0.528, 0.325 and 0.370 respectively between expert and senior radiologists, expert and junior radiologists, senior and junior radiologists. The AUC (95% CI) of junior, senior, and expert radiologists were separately 0.73 (0.65-0.81), 0.81 (0.74-0.88), and 0.86 (0.80-0.93). The AUC of the expert radiologist PI-RR score was higher than those of senior and junior radiologist PI-RR scores ( Z=2.22, 3.21, FDR P=0.039, 0.003). The PI-RR score of senior radiologist had higher AUC than that of junior radiologist ( Z=2.22, FDR P=0.026). With the PI-RR score of 3 or greater as a cutoff value, the sensitivity of junior, senior and expert radiologists were respectively 0.59, 0.65, and 0.78 and the specificity were 0.82, 0.93, and 0.95. With the PI-RR score of 4 or greater as a cutoff value, the sensitivity of junior, senior and expert radiologists were respectively 0.50, 0.54, and 0.69 and the specificity were 0.88, 0.96 and 0.97. Conclusion:PI-RR score can accurately diagnose local recurrence of PCa after RP. PI-RR score has a moderate inter-reader consistency across different seniority radiologists. And the diagnostic performance is influenced by the experience of radiologists.

Purpose To explore the application value of combining 18F-FDG PET images with interpretable deep learning radiomics(IDLR)models in the differential diagnosis of primary Parkinson's disease(IPD)and atypical Parkinson's syndrome.Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted using the Parkinson's Disease PET Imaging Benchmark Database from Huashan Hospital,Fudan University from March 2015 to February 2023.A total of 330 Parkinson's disease patients underwent 18F-FDG PET imaging,both 18F-FDG PET imaging and clinical scale information were collected for all subjects.The study included two cohorts,a training group(n=270)and a testing group(n=60),with a total of 211 cases in the IPD group,59 cases in the progressive supranuclear palsy(PSP)group,and a group of 60 patients with multiple system atrophy(MSA).The clinical information between different groups were compared.An IDLR model was developed to extract feature indicators.Under the supervision of radiomics features,IDLR features were selected from the features collected by neural network extractors,and a binary support vector machine model was constructed for the selected features in images of in testing group.The constructed IDLR model,traditional radiomics model and standard uptake ratio model were separately used to calculate the performance metrics and area under curve values of deep learning models for pairwise classification between IPD/PSP/MSA groups.The study conducted independent classification and testing in two cohorts using 100 10-fold cross-validation tests.Brain-related regions of interest were displayed through feature mapping,using gradient weighted class activation maps to highlight and visualize the most relevant information in the brain.The output heatmaps of different disease groups were examined and compared with clinical diagnostic locations.Results The IDLR model showed promising results for differentiating between Parkinson's syndrome patients.It achieved the best classification performance and had the highest area under the curve values compared to other comparative models such as the standard uptake ratio model(Z=1.22-3.23,all P<0.05),and radiomics model(Z=1.31-2.96,all P<0.05).The area under the curve values for the IDLR model in differentiating MSA and IPD were 0.935 7,for MSA and PSP were 0.975 4,for IPD and PSP were 0.982 5 in the test set.The IDLR model also showed consistency between its filtered feature maps and the visualization of gradient-weighted class activation mapping slice thermal maps in the radiomics regions of interest.Conclusion The IDLR model has the potential for differential diagnosis between IPD and atypical Parkinson's syndrome in 18F-FDG PET images.

Objective:To explore the relationship between soft markers found in the first trimester (11-13 + 6 gestational weeks) ultrasound screening and fetal adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods:Single pregnancy fetuses were selected from the Multicenter Clinical Study of First Trimester Screening in China during August 2017 to August 2020. The types and detection rate of soft markers during the first trimester were compared. The correlation between positive soft markers and adverse pregnancy outcomes was analyzed by binary Logistics regression.Results:A total of 16 625 fetuses with complete follow-up outcomes were included in the group. Six hundred and seven ultrasonic soft markers were detected in 556 fetuses with positive soft markers during the first trimester, and the first four most frequently occurred were increased nuchal translucency (NT) (2.08%, 345/16 625), echogenic intracardiac focus (EIF) (0.94%, 156/16 625), hypoplasia of fetal nasal bone (0.20%, 34/16 625), single umbilical artery (SUA) (0.19%, 31/16 625). Among 556 fetuses, the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in fetuses with two or more positive soft markers was 32.50% (13/40), which was significantly higher than fetuses with single positive soft marker (11.05%, 57/516), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=5.055, P<0.001). The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in positive soft markers fetus associated with structural abnormalities was 80.77% (21/26), which was significantly higher than fetuses with isolated positive soft marker (12.08%, 64/530), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=90.310, P<0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed choroid plexus cyst (CPC), SUA, echogenic bowel (EB), absent/reversed a-wave of ductus venosus, hypoplasia of fetal nasal bone, increased NT, and EIF were closely related to the adverse pregnancy outcomes (all P<0.05). However, there were no significant correlations between tricuspid regurgitation (TR), pyelectasis (PYE) and fetal adverse pregnancy outcomes (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The ultrasonic soft markers during the first trimester are of great significance in predicting fetal adverse pregnancy outcomes. For multiple positive soft markers or positive soft markers combined with structural abnormalities, more attention should be paid to them and comprehensive evaluation is required to be carried out.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Shengmaisan granules on myocardial fibrosis in chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome by cardiac magnetic resonance （CMR） imaging and serological indicators. MethodSixty-six chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine， Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to January 2023 were selected. The patients were assigned into a control group （33 cases） and an observation group （33 cases） by the minimization random method. Both groups received standardized Western medicine treatment for heart failure. In addition， the control group was treated with placebo granules， and the observation group with Shengmaisan granules for a course of 6 months. The baseline data， clinical efficacy， TCM symptom scores， serological indicators ［high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein （sST2）， pro-collagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide （PⅢNP）， interleukin （IL）-6， IL-11， transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）］， echocardiography ［Left atrial diameter （LAD）， left ventricular end systolic diameter （LVEDs）， left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDd）］ and CMR indicators ［left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， myocardial extracellular volume fraction （ECV）， and longitudinal relaxation time （T1）］ were compared between the two groups. ResultFinally， 31 patients in the control group and 30 patients in the observation group were included. There was no significant difference in baseline data or indicators between the two groups before treatment. Compared with those before treatment， the scores of TCM symptoms （shortness of breath， fatigue， palpitations， spontaneous or night sweats， thirst/dry throat， feverish feeling in palms and soles， and edema in lower limbs）， total score of TCM symptoms， ECV， T1， inflammation/fibrosis indicators （hs-CRP， sST2， PⅢNP， IL-6， IL-11， and TGF-β₁） in observation group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles）， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators in the control group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the observation group had lower scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles and edema in lower limbs）， ECV， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the total response rate in the observation group was 93.33% （28/30）， which was higher than that （80.65%， 25/31） in the control group （Z=2.976， P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups during treatment. ConclusionFor patients with chronic heart failure with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome， Shengmaisan Granules can alleviate the TCM symptoms， reduce inflammation， and inhibit myocardial fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β₁/IL-11 signaling axis.

Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of the da Vinci robot and thoracoscopic subxiphoid approach for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumors. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent anterior mediastinal tumor resection through the subxiphoid approach admitted to the same medical group in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between June 2020 and April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgery approach, the patients were divided into a robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) group and a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) group. The perioperative data and the incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 79 patients were enrolled. There were 41 patients in the RATS group, including 13 males and 28 females, with an average age of 45.61±14.99 years. There were 38 patients in the VATS group, including 14 males and 24 females, with an average age of 47.84±15.05 years. All patients completed the surgery successfully. Hospitalization cost and operative time were higher or longer in the RATS group than those in the VATS group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative water and food intake time, postoperative off-bed activity time, white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage and visual analogue scale (VAS) score on the first postoperative day, white blood cell count and neutrophil percentage on the third postoperative day, duration of analgesic pump use, the number of voluntary compressions of the analgesic pump, and mediastinal drainage volume were all superior to those in the VATS group (P<0.05). The differences in VAS scores on the third postoperative day, duration of drainage tube retention and postoperative complication rates were not statistically different between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion RATS subxiphoid anterior mediastinum tumor resection is a safe and feasible surgical method with less injury and higher safety, which is conducive to rapid postoperative recovery and has wide clinical application prospects.

Objective To compare the short-term clinical effects of Da Vinci robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of posterior mediastinal tumors, and to explore the advantages of RATS posterior mediastinal tumor resection. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent posterior mediastinal tumors resection through the lateral chest approach admitted to the same medical group in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between January 2019 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different surgical methods, the patients were divided into a RATS group and a VATS group. The clinical data were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 85 patients were included in this study. There were 39 patients in the RATS group, including 25 females and 14 males, with an average age of 47.6±13.0 years, and 46 patients in the VATS group, including 14 males and 32 females, with an average age of 45.3±14.7 years. All patients completed the operation successfully. The hospitalization cost in the RATS group was significantly higher than that in the VATS group (P<0.001), and the white blood cell count and neutrophilic granulocyte percentage on the first day after operation in the RATS group were lower than those in the VATS group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The operative time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, white blood cell count and neutrophil percentage on the third postoperative day, visual analogue scale score on the first and third postoperative days, duration of analgesic pump use, postoperative 12 h oxygen saturation (no oxygen inhalation), postoperative down bed time, total thoracic drainage volume, duration of drainage tube retention, and postoperative complication rates were not statistically different between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no perioperative death, conversion to thoracotomy or serious perioperative complications in both groups. Conclusion RATS resection of posterior mediastinal tumor via lateral thoracic approach is safe and feasible, and its short-term effect is similar to that of VATS via lateral thoracic single-hole approach. It is worth further comparative study to explore its benefit and cost performance.

Objective To explore the application value of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in the postoperative complications of McKeown surgery for da Vinci robotic esophageal cancer. Methods The clinical data of the patients who underwent da Vinci robotic McKeown surgery for esophageal cancer in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2019 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cut-off value of PNI for predicting postoperative complications was explored. The patients were divided into a high PNI group and a low PNI group according to the cut-off value, and the differences in basic characteristics, surgery-related indexes and postoperative complications between the two groups were analyzed. According to the occurrence of postoperative complications, the patients were divided into a non-complication group and a complication group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the influence of relevant indicators on the occurrence of postoperative complications in da Vinci robotic McKeown surgery for esophageal cancer. Results Finally 120 patients were collected, including 95 males and 25 females, with an average age of 62.82 years. The preoperative hemoglobin content, preoperative blood lymphocyte count, preoperative serum albumin and preoperative blood total cholesterol in the high PNI group were higher than those in the low PNI group (P<0.05). There were statistical differences between the two groups in the incidences of postoperative overall complications, pulmonary infection, pleural effusion and poor incision healing (P<0.05). The relevant indicators that may cause postoperative complications were included in univariate analysis, and the results showed that age, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, preoperative blood lymphocyte count, preoperative hemoglobin content, preoperative blood mononuclear cell count, preoperative blood monocyte count, serum albumin level and PNI were possible influencing factors of postoperative complications after da Vinci robotic McKeown surgery for esophageal cancer. Incorporating these influencing factors into multivariate analysis, the results showed that age, PNI, operation time and intraoperative blood loss were independent influencing factors of postoperative complications. Conclusion PNI has certain predictive value in the postoperative complications of da Vinci robotic McKeown surgery for esophageal cancer. PNI is an independent factor affecting postoperative complications. Improving the level of PNI in esophageal cancer patient before surgery may help reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Objective     To investigate the application of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in da Vinci robotic McKeown surgery for esophageal cancer. Methods     Clinical data of patients admitted to the First Hospital of Lanzhou University and undergoing da Vinci robotic McKeown surgery for esophageal cancer from 2017 to 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the treatment, they were divided into two groups, a conventional group and an ERAS group. Patients in the conventional group were treated with the conventional perioperative treatment mode of thoracic surgery, and patients in the ERAS group were treated with accelerated rehabilitation surgical treatment mode. Relevant hospitalization indicators and postoperative complication rates were compared between the two groups. Results     Finally 128 patients were collected, including 106 males and 22 females, with an average age of 61.91 years. There were 71 patients in the conventional group and 57 patients in the ERAS group. The postoperative pain index in the ERAS group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group (P<0.05), and the duration of postoperative analgesic pump used in the ERAS group was shorter than that in the conventional group (2.39±0.49 d vs. 3.13±0.63 d, P<0.001). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of postoperative related complications (gastroesophageal reflux, anastomotic stenosis, anastomotic fistula, arrhythmia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, chylothorax, anastomosis stomatitis or incisional infection) between the two groups (P>0.05), but the incidence of postoperative lung infection in the ERAS group was statistically lower (12.28% vs. 26.76%, P=0.043), and the volume of postoperative pleural effusion was statistically less compared with the conventional group (P<0.05). In the ERAS group, the surgery time (294.35±15.19 min vs. 322.79±59.09 min, P<0.001), postoperative exhaust time (1.44±0.39 d vs. 1.94±0.43 d, P<0.001), postoperative removal time of nasolasal tube (6.79±0.73 d vs. 8.21±0.86 d, P<0.001), hospital stay (19.88±3.36 d vs. 21.34±3.59 d, P=0.020), hospitalization costs (105 575.28±8 960.75 yuan vs. 137 894.64±19 518.60 yuan, P<0.001) were all lower or shorter than those of the conventional group. Postoperative activity was longer in the ERAS group than that in the conventional group (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference in preoperative anesthesia time between the two groups (P=0.841). Conclusion     The application of ERAS in da Vinci robotic McKeown surgery for esophageal cancer can effectively alleviate the physiological and psychological burden of patients, reduce the occurrence of postoperative related complications, effectively shorten the total hospital stay, save hospitalization costs, and reduce the economic burden of patients and society. Therefore, it can be promoted and applied in the clinic.

Objective To investigate the effect of multi-sided foramen ultrafine drainage tube with metal support on the formation of thoracic residual cavity after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) upper lobectomy. Methods The clinical data of the patients who underwent uniportal VATS upper lobectomy for lung cancer in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2021 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the type of ultrafine drainage tube used in the surgery, the patients were divided into a test group (using metal-supported multi-sided foramen ultrafine drainage tube) and a control group (using ordinary 12F ultrafine drainage tube). The incidence of postoperative thoracic residual cavity and operation-related data were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 200 patients were enrolled, including 126 males and 74 females, with a mean age of 57.52 years. There were 90 patients in the test group, and 110 patients in the control group. The incidence of postoperative thoracic residual cavity in the test group was lower than that in the control group (P=0.045). The differences in the postoperative bedtime, postoperative visual analogue scale, postoperative analgesic pump using time, postoperative hospitalization time, times of postoperative thoracentration and drainage, postoperative drainage time and hospitalization cost between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). The incidences of postoperative lung infection, pleural effusion and atelectasis complications were lower in the test group than those in the control group (P<0.05). The differences in the preoperative anesthesia time, operation time, intraoperative bleeding and postoperative lung leakage were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion The use of multi-sided foramen ultrafine drainage tube with metal support can reduce the incidence of thoracic residual cavity after uniportal VATS upper lobectomy, and can reduce pain and economical burdens and the incidence of operation-related complications, accelerating the recovery of patients after surgery. The application of multi-sided foramen ultrafine drainage tube with metal support in uniportal VATS upper lobectomy can be widely used in the clinic.