Objective To establish a differential model of phlegm and blood stasis pattern and qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern in stable angina pectoris using radiomics.Methods A total of 91 patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent coronary artery CT angiography in Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2021 to January 2022 were collected,including 47 cases of phlegm and blood stasis pattern and 44 cases of qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern.The patients were divided into train set(64 cases)and test set(27 cases)according to the ratio of 7∶3 by stratified random sampling method.3D-slicer software was used to extract the radiomics features of pericoronary adipose tissue(PCAT)images.Principal component analysis was used to visualize the distribution of radiomics features of pattern of phlegm and blood stasis and pattern of qi deficiency and blood stasis.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis and support vector machine decreasing feature elimination were used for feature selection.The multinomial logistics regression was used for model construction.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to verify the model in the train set and the test set to evaluate the effectiveness of the radiomics features in differentiating phlegm and blood stasis pattern and qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern.Finally,Spearman coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between the differential features and clinical physicochemical data.Results A total of 837 radiomics features were extracted from PCAT images by 3D-slicer software.In the principal component analysis,PC1 and PC2 explained 77.9%and 8.1%of the total variance,respectively,and there was a relatively obvious separation trend between the two pattern groups.After feature screening,7 radiomics features were used to construct the differential model of phlegm and blood stasis pattern and qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern.The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the differential model was 0.844 in the train set and 0.834 in the test set.Spearman correlation analysis showed that the differential features were significantly correlated with cTnI,neutrophil,triglyceride,total cholesterol,and leukocyte.Conclusion The CT radiomics model based on PCAT has a high discrimination efficiency for stable angina pectoris with phlegm and blood stasis pattern and qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Xiaoke drink on insulin resistance in ob/ob mice and explore the mechanism. MethodEighteen ob/ob mice were randomly assigned into model， Xiaoke drink （17.68 g·kg^-1）， and atorvastatin （0.01 g·kg^-1） groups （n=6）， and six C57BL/6 mice were selected as the normal group. Mice in the normal and model groups were administrated with the same amount of distilled water. Fasting body weight， weekly food intake， and weekly water intake were measured at a fixed time. Fasting plasma glucose （FPG） and 2-hour post-load plasma glucose （2 hPG） were measured before and after 8-week intervention. After intervention， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， fasting insulin （FINS）， Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance （HOMA-IR）， blood routine， and alkaline phosphatase （ALP） were measured. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of ubiquitin-specific protease 20 （USP20） and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase （HMGCR） in the liver. The pancreas was stained with hematoxylin-eosin for observation. ResultCompared with the model group， the Xiaoke drink group showed decreased body weight of ob/ob mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）， declined growth trend of body weight （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced weekly average water intake， lowered levels of FPG， 2 hPG， TC， and HOMA-IR （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated expression level of USP20 in the liver （P<0.05）. HMGCR content was positively correlated with USP20 expression. In addition， Xiaoke drink promoted the recovery of islet tissue morphology and function in ob/ob mice. ConclusionXiaoke drink can ameliorate insulin resistance in ob/ob mice by inhibiting USP20/HMGCR expression， reversing cholesterol biosynthesis process， and reducing cholesterol level.

Purpose To observe the clinical and CT features of severe immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis(CIP)in lung cancer patients.Materials and Methods A total of 174 patients with lung cancer who received immune checkpoint inhibitor(PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors)in Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital from September 1,2019 to March 31,2022 were retrospectively collected.Clinical and imaging features of patients with severe CIP were analyzed.Results There were 23 patients who met the diagnostic criteria of severe CIP.Among them,22 were male patients,15 were younger(＜65 years old),17 had a history of underlying lung disease,16 had a history of chemoradiotherapy and other treatments,and 21 had a history of combined radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy.The median time from the initiation of immune checkpoint inhibitor to CIP was 128(74,348)days.19 patients were non-small cell carcinoma.CIP occurred in 16 patients with right lung cancer,15 had tumor central airway invasion,14 had radiographic features of diffuse alveolar injury/acute interstitial pneumonia pattern,and 20 died during follow-up.Conclusion Severe CIP is likely to occur in male lung cancer patients with a history of basic medical history and radiotherapy and chemotherapy.The clinical manifestations are varied,and the main imaging features are diffuse alveolar injury/acute interstitial pneumonia pattern,and the prognosis is poor.

Objective:To accurately ascertain the whole genome sequencing and the composition of open reading frames (ORFs) of non-replicating Tiantan strain of vaccinia virus (NTV) using next-generation long-read sequencing technology.Methods:NTV, obtained from our laboratory stock, was amplified and purified on chicken embryo fibroblast cells(CEFs), and the full-length genomic nucleic acid of NTV was extracted. The PacBio HiFi sequencing platform was utilized for de novo assembly to obtain the complete genomic sequence of NTV. Using a homology annotation strategy, we identified its ORF composition and compared it with known non-replicating vaccinia virus strains. Results:The total length of NTV′s genome was 171 729 bp, with a GC content of 33%. Its unique inverted terminal repeat (ITR) region comprised hairpin structures, two tandem repeat regions, and three non-repeat regions. NTV contained 166 ORFs, with major differences observed in the ITR and its surrounding regions when compared to MVA-BN and NYVAC. These three strains shared a common set of 138 ORFs. NTV encoded six unique ORFs related to virus evasion of host antiviral response.Conclusions:This study accurately determines the whole genome sequencing and ORFs composition of NTV, and reveals its similarities and differences with other replication-deficient vaccinia virus strains, which pave a way for the development and application of the next generation of monkeypox vaccines and novel viral vectors.

Objective:To develop a recombinase-aided amplification (RAA)-clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus with high specificity and sensitivity.Methods:RAA primers and CRISPR RNA (crRNA) were designed based on the known conserved regions of the monkeypox virus gene and synthesized, and specific crRNAs were screened using fluorescence detection. The sensitivity and specificity of the detection system were evaluated.Results:An RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus was developed with a sensitivity of 2.5 copies/reaction and high specificity without cross-reactivity with ectromelia virus and vaccinia virus.Conclusions:An RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus was established, which would provide a powerful tool for efficient, rapid and specific detection of monkeypox virus.

Objective To observe the value of CT"cut-edge sign"for differentiating complex thymic cyst and thymic epithelial tumor(TET)with diameter less than 4 cm.Methods Data of 24 patients with complex thymic cyst(complex thymic cyst group)and 14 patients with TET(TET group)confirmed by surgical pathology who underwent plain and dual-phase enhanced chest CT scanning were retrospectively analyzed.CT"cut-edge sign"was evaluated by 2 physicians,and the inter-observer consistency was evaluated using intra-class correlation coefficient(ICC).The detection rate of CT"cut-edge sign"was compared between groups using logistic regression analysis.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of CT"cut-edge sign"for differentiating complex thymic cyst and TET.Results The inter-observer consistency of CT"cut-edge sign"was good(ICC=0.94,95％CI[0.90,0.97]).The detection rate of CT"cut-edge sign"in complex thymic cyst group was 62.50％(15/24),higher than in TET group(2/14,14.29％)(P＜0.01).The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and AUC of CT"cut-edge sign"for differentiating complex thymic cyst and TET was 62.50％(15/24),85.71％(12/14),71.05％(27/38)and 0.74,respectively.Conclusion CT"cut-edge sign"was helpful for differentiating complex thymic cyst and TET with diameter less than 4 cm.

Objective:To evaluate the performance of two commercial EIA kits for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) neutralizing antibodies.Methods:Two commercial SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody ELISA test kits (A and B) were used to detect serum panel consists of the following sera: 44 collected before vaccination, 120 collected one month after vaccination and 64 collected six months after recovery from convalescent patients of COVID-19. In the meantime, the above samples were also taken for live virus micro-neutralization test (micro-NT) indicated as the 50% neutralization antibody titer (NT 50). The consistency of qualitative and quantitative results between the two commercial kits and live virus neutralization test was analyzed. Results:Taking the micro-NT results as the standard, the positive coincidence rates of A and B kits were 97.40% and 100.00%, respectively; the negative coincidence rates were 97.30% and 95.95%, respectively; the Youden indices were 0.95 and 0.96, respectively. Furthermore, quantitative analysis indicated that the correlation coefficients between A and B kits and micro-NT results were 0.24 ( P<0.05) and 0.52 ( P<0.000 1) for samples collected after vaccination, respectively; while the correlation coefficients were 0.81 ( P<0.000 1) and 0.89 ( P<0.000 1) for convalescent serum samples, respectively. Conclusions:The results obtained by the two commercial neutralizing antibody detection kits were in good agreement with the qualitative results of micro-NT. The neutralizing antibody titers in convalescent serum samples detected by the two kits showed a stronger correlation with the micro-NT results.

Objective:To improve the consistency of test results through reducing inter-laboratory variation in SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection with WHO SARS-CoV-2 antibody candidate international standard (IS, sample G) and antibody reference panel (samples E, F, H, I, J).Methods:Ten WHO samples (A-J) including the candidate IS and reference panel were evaluated using different methods, such as microneutralization tests based on live SARS-CoV-2, pseudovirus neutralization assay and commercial ELISA kits. The test results were compared using statistical analysis.Results:Using IS (sample G) as a reference, the relative concentrations of other samples could be determined with less variation. ELISA and pseudovirus neutralization assay had consistent results with those obtained with the microneutralization test based on SARS-COV-2 strain HB02. Weakly positive samples could be detected only by a certain kit.Conclusions:The availability of an IS for antibodies would facilitate the standardization of SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection methods. The reference panel fitted all the assays based on the SARS-CoV-2 prototype Wuhan strain. Pseudovirus neutralization assay and ELISA could be used as alternatives to live SARS-CoV-2-based neutralization test to some extent.

Objective:To investigate the optimal monochromatic level for evaluation of in-stent lumen after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) by dual-layer detector CT.Methods:Twenty-nine patients after TIPS were retrospectively enrolled who underwent abdomen enhanced examinations with portal venous phases by a dual-layer detector CT between December 2019 and July 2021. The mixed iterative image (conventional group) and monochromatic images (40 keV group, 50 keV group, 60 keV group and 70 keV group) were obtained by reconstruction. Circular regions of interest were placed in the in-stent of the cross-sectional reconstructed image and in the vertical spinal muscle on the same plane to obtain the corresponding average CT value and noise. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) were calculated. Then 4-point scale was performed to evaluate image quality subjectively by 2 physicians blindly and separately. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis H rank-sum test was used for the overall analysis between groups, and LSD test or Dunn′s Bonforoni test was used for pairwise comparison within groups. Results:There was no significant difference in noise values among the 5 groups ( P>0.05). The difference of CNR and SNR between the 5 groups was statistically significant ( F=72.28, 56.45, P<0.001). The CNR and SNR in the 40 keV group were the highest, which were 50.4±15.7 and 59.3±18.4 respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). Subjective scores showed statistically significant differences among the 5 groups (χ2=101.61, P<0.001). The score of the 40 keV group was higher than that of the 60 keV group, 70 keV group, and conventional group ( P<0.001), and there was no significant difference when compared with the subjective score of the 50 keV group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The 40 keV monochromatic image of dual detector spectral CT is the best image to observe the lumen of the stent after TIPS.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of MRI in benign and malignant breast lesions with cluster ring enhancement.Methods:The imaging signs of 68 patients with clustered ring enhancement who underwent MRI examination due to clinical palpation, ultrasound or X-ray examination for suspected malignant lesions in Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from October 2017 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The differences between benign and malignant lesions in the distribution pattern, T2 lipid suppression signal intensity, time-signal intensity curve (TIC), ductal dilatation, peripheral gland edema, pectoralis major edema were compared using χ2 test or Mann-Whitney U test, and the risk factors of MRI imaging signs of malignant breast lesions were analyzed using binomial logistic regression model. Results:There were 68 cluster ring enhancement lesions in 68 patients, all of which were single lesions, among which 18 cases (26.5%) were benign, and the common lesions were plasma cell mastitis (9 cases). Fifty cases (73.5%) were malignant, and the most common type was invasive breast cancer (40 cases). Imaging features of plasma cell mastitis showed cluster ring enhancement, regional distribution, slightly high signal on fat suppression T2 image, type Ⅲ TIC, with ductal dilatation, edema of peripheral glands and pectoralis major. Imaging features of invasive breast cancer showed cluster ring enhancement, regional distribution, iso-signal on fat suppression T2 image, type Ⅲ TIC, no ductal dilatation, and edema of peripheral gland and pectoralis major. There were statistically significant differences in the intensity of fat-suppression T2 signal ( Z=3.003, P=0.003) and duct dilatation ( χ2=7.174, P=0.007) between benign and malignant lesions. There were no significant differences in distribution ( χ2=5.510, P=0.313), TIC type ( χ2=3.538, P=0.133), peripheral gland edema ( χ2=0.164, P=0.686) and pectoralis major edema ( χ2<0.001, P>0.999). The analysis of binomial logistic regression model showed that fat-suppression T2 iso-signal ( OR=0.182, 95% CI: 0.036-0.914, P=0.039) and no ductal dilatation ( OR=0.198, 95% CI: 0.047-0.846, P=0.029) were the risk factors for breast malignant lesions. Conclusion:Breast cancer MRI findings of cluster ring enhancement, fat-suppression T2 iso-signal and no ductal dilatation are related risk factors for malignant breast lesions. MRI is helpful for early detection and diagnosis of breast lesions.