Objective:To investigate the value of dual-detector spectral CTA in distinguishing infarct core from penumbra in patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS), and to further explore the risk factors associated with infarct core and their predictive value.Methods:The imaging and clinical data of 163 patients with AIS who met the inclusion criteria admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from March 2022 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients from March 2022 to December 2022 were used as the training group, and patients from January 2023 to May 2023 were used as the validation group for internal validation. The head and neck spectral CTA and brain CT perfusion imaging with dual-layer detector spectral CT were all carried out on all patients. Using CTP as reference, the patients were divided into infarct core group and non-infarct core group according to whether an infarct core occurred in the hypoperfusion regions of brain tissue. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen predictors related to the infarct core. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy.Results:A total of 163 patients were included in the study, including 112 in the training group and 51 in the validation group. There were significant differences in iodine density, effective atomic number, hypertension, triglyceride and neutrophils between the two groups ( P< 0.05). The cutoff values for iodine density values and effective atomic number values were 0.215 mg/mL and 7.405, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that iodine density and hypertension were independent risk factors for infarct core in AIS, and triglyceride was an independent protective factor. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of iodine density value was the largest (0.859), with a sensitivity of 70.27%, and a specificity of 90.67%, which had a good predictive value. The ROC curve analysis results for the validation group were consistent with the training group. Conclusions:Spectral CT parameters iodine density values and effective atomic number values have the potential to distinguish the infarct core area from the penumbra area in patients with AIS. Iodine density and hypertension were independent risk factors of infarct core in AIS, triglyceride was an independent protective factor, and iodine density values obtained by dual-layer spectral detector CT had a high predictive value.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of clinical factor model, deep learning model based on baseline plain CT images, and combination of both for predicting hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage.Methods:The study was cross-sectional. Totally 471 cerebral hemorrhage patients who were firstly diagnosed in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2017 to December 2021 were collected retrospectively. These patients were randomly divided into a training dataset ( n=330) and a validation dataset ( n=141) at a ratio of 7∶3 by using the random function. All patients underwent two noncontrast CT examinations within 24 h and an increase in hematoma volume of >33% or an absolute increase in hematoma volume of >6 ml was considered hematoma enlargement. According to the presence or absence of hematoma enlargement, all patients were divided into hematoma enlargement group and hematoma non-enlargement group.Two-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test were used for univariate analysis. The factors with statistically significant differences were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis, and independent influences related to hematoma enlargement were screened out to establish a clinical factor model. ITK-SNAP software was applied to manually label and segment the cerebral hemorrhage lesions on plain CT images to train and build a deep learning model based on ResNet50 architecture. A combination model for predicting hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage was established by combining independent clinical influences with deep learning scores. The value of the clinical factor model, the deep learning model, and the combination model for predicting hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curves in the training and validation datasets. Results:Among 471 cerebral hemorrhage patients, 136 cases were in the hematoma enlargement group and 335 cases were in the hematoma non-enlargement group. Regression analyses showed that male ( OR=1.790, 95% CI 1.136-2.819, P=0.012), time of occurrence ( OR=0.812, 95% CI 0.702-0.939, P=0.005), history of oral anticoagulants ( OR=2.157, 95% CI 1.100-4.229, P=0.025), admission Glasgow Coma Scale score ( OR=0.866, 95% CI 0.807-0.929, P<0.001) and red blood cell distribution width ( OR=1.045, 95% CI 1.010-1.081, P=0.011) were the independent factors for predicting hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage. ROC curve analysis showed that in the training dataset, the area under the curve (AUC) of clinical factor model, deep learning model and combination model were 0.688 (95% CI 0.635-0.738), 0.695 (95% CI 0.642-0.744) and 0.747 (95% CI 0.697-0.793) respectively. The AUC of the combination model was better than that of the clinical model ( Z=0.54, P=0.011) and the deep learning model ( Z=2.44, P=0.015). In the validation dataset, the AUC of clinical factor model, deep learning model and combination model were 0.687 (95% CI 0.604-0.763), 0.683 (95% CI 0.599-0.759) and 0.736 (95% CI 0.655-0.806) respectively, with no statistical significance. Decision curves showed that the combination model had the highest net benefit rate and strong clinical practicability. Conclusions:Both the deep learning model and the clinical factor model established in this study have some predictive value for hematoma expansion in cerebral hemorrhage; the combination model established by the two together has the highest predictive value and can be applied to predict hematoma expansion.

Objective:To establish and validate a nomogram model for early prediction of the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP) progressing to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods:CT signs and clinical laboratory parameters of 361 AP patients admitted to our Hospital from January 2016 to July 2022 were retrospectively collected. There were 221 males (61.2%) and 140 females (38.8%). According to the Atlantic score, all patients were divided into the SAP group (64 cases) and the non-SAP (NSAP) group (297 cases). Univariate analysis was used to screen out variables with statistically significant differences. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen out the independent risk factors of SAP, and finally a nomogram prediction model was established. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and decision curve (DCA) were used to evaluate the predictive efficacy, accuracy and clinical practicability of the model, and Bootstrap method was used to verify the model internally.Results:Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pleural effusion ( OR=7.353, 95% CI: 3.344-16.170), posterior pararenal space (PPS) involvement ( OR=3.149, 95% CI: 1.314-7.527), serum creatinine concentration (Cr) ( OR=1.027, 95% CI: 1.017-1.038) and serum calcium concentration (Ca 2+) ( OR=0.038, 95% CI: 0.009-0.166) were independent risk factors for SAP ( P<0.05). A Nomogram model was established based on these four factors. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of this model was 0.905 (95% CI: 0.869-0.933), indicating high predictive efficiency. Internal verification showed that the model had good accuracy in predicting SAP, and C-index was 0.90. DCA analysis showed that the model had high clinical practicability. Conclusions:The Nomogram model combining pleural effusion, PPS involvement, Cr and Ca 2+ had a good effect on early prediction of SAP, which could provide a new reference tool for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: : Extracranial supra-aortic dissections (ESADs) with severe stenosis, occlusion and/or pseudoaneurysm presents potential risk of stroke. Endovascular stenting to reconstruct non acute phase ESADs (NAP-ESADs) is an alternative to anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy. However, its feasibility, safety and efficacy of stenting in NAP-ESADs is unclear. This study aims to investigate the long-term outcomes of the feasibility, safety and efficacy of stenting in NAP-ESADs. Methods: : Seventy-four patients with 91 NAP-ESAD vessels with severe stenosis, occlusion and/or pseudoaneurysm presents potential risk of stroke who underwent stent remodeling were enrolled into this respective study from December 2008 to March 2020. Technical success rate, complications, clinical and angiographic results were harvested and analyzed. Results: : Success rate of stent deployment was 99% (90/91) with no procedural mortality or morbidity. Transient ischemic attack occurred in three patients during operation (4.1%, 3/74). Asymptomatic embolisms of distal intracranial vessels were found in two patients (2.7%, 2/74). One hundred and forty-two stents deployed at 85 carotid (135 stents) and six vertebral (seven stents) vessels. Six stent types (Wingspan, 28/135, 20.7%; Solitaire, 10/135, 7.4%; Neuroform, 8/135, 5.9%; LVIS, 2/135, 1.5%; Precise, 75/135, 55.6%; Acculink, 12/135, 8.9%) were deployed at carotid arterial dissection while two types (Wingspan, 5/7, 71.4%; Solitaire 2/7, 28.6%) at vertebral arterial dissection. Digital subtracted angiography (56%, 51/91), computational tomography angiography (41.8%, 38/91) and high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (2.2%, 2/91) were adopted for follow up, with a mean time of 17.2±15.4 months (5–77). All patient modified Rankin Scale scores showed no increase at discharge or follow-up. Angiographically, dissections in 86 vessels in 69 patients (94.5%, 86/91) were completely reconstructed with only minor remnant dissections in four vessels in four patients (4.4%, 4/91). Severe re-stenosis in the stented segment required re-stenting in one patient (1.1%, 1/91). Conclusion : Stent remodeling technique provides feasible, safe and efficacious treatment of ESADs patients with severe stenosis, occlusion and/or pseudoaneurysm.

Objective:To investigate the amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression in brain glioma tissues and cerebrospinal fluid of glioma patients and their significances.Methods:(1) Fifty-six brain glioma specimens surgically resected and pathologically confirmed in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were collected, including 9 with WHO grading I, 14 with WHO grading II, 18 with WHO grading III, and 15 with WHO grading IV. In addition, the necrotic brain tissues of 4 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage during hematoma removal at the same time period were collected as controls. Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the APP protein and mRNA expressions in glioma tissues and control brain tissues, respectively. (2) The cerebrospinal fluid of above 56 patients with glioma, 4 patients with viral meningitis, 4 patients with bacterial meningitis, 4 patients with autoimmune encephalitis, 5 patients with epilepsy, 3 patients with migraine and 3 normal subjects were collected at the same time period, and the APP content in the cerebrospinal fluid of all subjects were detected by ELISA.Results:(1) Western blotting and RT-qPCR showed that the APP protein and mRNA expressions in glioma tissues of WHO grading I, II, III and IV were significantly higher than those in control brain tissues, and the APP protein and mRNA expressions in glioma tissues of WHO grading I, II, III and IV increased successively, with statistical differences ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in APP protein and mRNA expressions between first-onset glioma and recurrent glioma in glioma tissues of WHO grading I and II ( P>0.05); while in glioma tissues of WHO grading III and IV, APP mRNA expression in recurrent glioma was statistically higher than that in first-onset glioma ( P<0.05). (2) ELISA results showed that APP content in patients with viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis, autoimmune encephalitis, epilepsy or migraine was not significantly different as compared with that in normal controls ( P>0.05). The APP content in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with WHO grading I, II, III and IV gliomas was significantly higher than that in normal controls, and the APP content in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with WHO grading I, II, III and IV gliomas increased successively, with statistical differences ( P<0.05). Conclusion:APP is highly expressed in glioma tissues and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with glioma, and its expression is significantly correlated with the pathological grades of glioma; the detection of APP expression in cerebrospinal fluid can be used as a new screening method for glioma patients.

Objective: : This study aims to investigate the relationship between aneurysm wall enhancement and clinical rupture risks based on the magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) quantitative methods. Methods: : One hundred and eight patients with 127 unruptured aneurysms were prospectively enrolled from Feburary 2016 to October 2017. Aneurysms were divided into high risk (≥10) and intermediate-low risk group (<10) according to the PHASES (Population, Hypertension, Age, Size of aneurysm, Earlier SAH history from another aneurysm, Site of aneurysm) scores. Clinical risk factors, aneurysm morphology, and wall enhancement index (WEI) calculated using 3D MR-VWI were analyzed and compared. Results: : In comparison of high-risk and intermediated-low risk groups, univariate analysis showed that neck width (4.5±3.3 mm vs. 3.4±1.7 mm, p=0.002), the presence of wall enhancement (100.0% vs. 62.9%, p<0.001), and WEI (1.6±0.6 vs. 0.8±0.8, p<0.001) were significantly associated with high rupture risk. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that WEI was the most important factor in predicting high rupture risk (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–4.9; p=0.002). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis can efficiently differentiate higher risk aneurysms (area under the curve, 0.780; p<0.001) which have a reliable WEI cutoff value (1.04; sensitivity, 0.833; specificity, 0.67) predictive of high rupture risk. Conclusion : Aneurysms with higher rupture risk based on PHASES score demonstrate increased neck width, wall enhancement, and the enhancement intensity. Higher WEI in unruptured aneurysms has a predictive value for increased rupture risk.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent-assisted coil embolization in patients with recurrent intracranial bifurcation aneurysms,after initial simple coiling or microsurgical clipping.Methods:Clinical data of 20 patients with recurrent intracranial bifurcation aneurysms who initially underwent simple coiling or surgical clipping and subsequently re-treated by stent-assisted coiling embolization at the Radiology Intervention Department of Huashan Hospital between March 2009 and November 2019 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.There were 9 males and 11 females,with a median age of 55.5 years (range:33 to 71 years),including 17 aneurysms initially treated with simple coiling and 3 treated with surgical clipping.All cases were re-treated with stent-assisted coiling,15 using a single stent and 5 employing two stents in a Y-configuration.Peri-and post-operative complications and outcomes were evaluated.Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to compare the follow-up duration between initial treatment and re-treatment.Student′s t tests were used to compare the parent artery angles before re-treatment, after re-treatment and at the last follow-up. The parent artery angle was defined using the proximal main trunk and the stented branch. Results:Immediate complete occlusion (Raymond Ⅰ) was achieved in 18 aneurysms (90.0%) while 2 aneurysms (10.0%) had a residual neck (Raymond Ⅱ).The median follow-up time( M( Q R)) was 8.5(16.3)months,which had no significantly different from the initial treatment follow-up duration (15.5(27.0)months)( U=157.7, P=0.25). During the follow-up period,2 aneurysms (10.0%) with immediate post-operative residual necks recanalized again,including 1 aneurysm re-treated with the Y-configuration stent.Symptomatic thromboembolic complications occurred in 6 patients,including 4 re-treated with the Y-configuration stent.No peri-operative hemorrhagic complications occurred,along with no operation-related permanent disability or death. The parent artery angle increased significantly from pre-operative(90.1±21.1)°to post-operative and the last follow-up ((115.4±28.9)° and (132.6±26.8)°); t=5.14, P<0.01; t=7.78, P<0.01). Conclusion:For recurrent intracranial bifurcation aneurysms after initial surgical clipping or simple coiling,stent assisted coil embolization is proved to be safe and can decrease recurrence rate.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent-assisted coil embolization in patients with recurrent intracranial bifurcation aneurysms,after initial simple coiling or microsurgical clipping.Methods:Clinical data of 20 patients with recurrent intracranial bifurcation aneurysms who initially underwent simple coiling or surgical clipping and subsequently re-treated by stent-assisted coiling embolization at the Radiology Intervention Department of Huashan Hospital between March 2009 and November 2019 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.There were 9 males and 11 females,with a median age of 55.5 years (range:33 to 71 years),including 17 aneurysms initially treated with simple coiling and 3 treated with surgical clipping.All cases were re-treated with stent-assisted coiling,15 using a single stent and 5 employing two stents in a Y-configuration.Peri-and post-operative complications and outcomes were evaluated.Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to compare the follow-up duration between initial treatment and re-treatment.Student′s t tests were used to compare the parent artery angles before re-treatment, after re-treatment and at the last follow-up. The parent artery angle was defined using the proximal main trunk and the stented branch. Results:Immediate complete occlusion (Raymond Ⅰ) was achieved in 18 aneurysms (90.0%) while 2 aneurysms (10.0%) had a residual neck (Raymond Ⅱ).The median follow-up time( M( Q R)) was 8.5(16.3)months,which had no significantly different from the initial treatment follow-up duration (15.5(27.0)months)( U=157.7, P=0.25). During the follow-up period,2 aneurysms (10.0%) with immediate post-operative residual necks recanalized again,including 1 aneurysm re-treated with the Y-configuration stent.Symptomatic thromboembolic complications occurred in 6 patients,including 4 re-treated with the Y-configuration stent.No peri-operative hemorrhagic complications occurred,along with no operation-related permanent disability or death. The parent artery angle increased significantly from pre-operative(90.1±21.1)°to post-operative and the last follow-up ((115.4±28.9)° and (132.6±26.8)°); t=5.14, P<0.01; t=7.78, P<0.01). Conclusion:For recurrent intracranial bifurcation aneurysms after initial surgical clipping or simple coiling,stent assisted coil embolization is proved to be safe and can decrease recurrence rate.

Objective To compare the predictive values of swirl sign and black hole sign on CT scanning in early hematoma expansion in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) patients.Methods Two hundred and ten firstly diagnosed SICH patients,admitted to our hospital from January 2012 to December 2018,were enrolled in the study.All patients were divided into hematoma expansion and non-hematoma expansion group according to whether early hematoma expansion appeared;and they were also divided into positive imaging sign group and negative imaging sign group according to whether imaging signs appeared;the clinical and imaging data were compared between these groups,respectively.The accuracies of swirl sign and black hole sign in predicting early hematoma expansion were analyzed using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent risk factors for early hematoma expansion.Results (1) In the 57 patients with early hematoma expansion,21 (36.8％) had swirl sign,and 17 (29.8％) had black hole sign;in the 153 patients without hematoma expansion,12 (7.8％) had swirl sign and 22 (14.4％) had black hole sign;the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P＜0.05).As compared with those in the non-hematoma expansion group,the admission systolic blood pressure increased significantly and number of patients with intraventricular hemorrhage was significantly larger in the hematoma expansion group (P＜0.05).(2) There were no statistical differences in clinical and imaging data between the patients with swirl sign (n=33) and patients without swirl sign (n=177,P＞0.05);the hematoma volume in patients with black hole sign (n=39) was significantly increased as compared with that in patients without black hole sign (n=171,P＜0.05),and there were no statistical differences in other clinical and imaging data between patients with and without black hole sign (P＞0.05).(3) The areas under ROC curve of swirl sign,black hole sign,and "swirl sign combined with black hole sign" were 0.645,0.577,and 0.570,respectively.(4) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that admission systolic blood pressure,swirl sign and black hole sign were independent risk factors for early hematoma expansion (P＜0.05).Conclusion In comparison to black hole sign and "swirl sign combined with black hole sign",the swirl sign has higher predictive value in early hematoma expansion in ICH patients.

Objective To explore the effects of ring finger protein 43 (RNF43) on fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods Synovial tissues from patients with RA treated by knee arthroplasty were used to isolate FLSs by type 2 collagenase.RNF43 lentivirus overexpressing plasmid was constructed and transfected in to RA-FLS.After successful transfection,RNA and super natant of RA-FLS were extracted.QRT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1,MMP-3 and MMP-13.Data were analyzed with Student's t test.Results Transfection efficiency could meet the test requirements when the multiplicity of infection was 40 and was in conjunction with appropriate concentration of polybrene.The mRNA of RNF43 increased for 26158-fold than the control group.In vitro,compared with the control group,RNF43 could significantly inhibit the mRNA of MMP-1,MMP-3 and MMP-13 and MMP-13 [(0.19±0.06),t=28.314,P＜0.05;(0.28±0.07),t=23.413,P＜0.05;(0.21±0.09),t=18.365,P＜0.05]and the protein of MMP-1,MMP-3 and MMP-13 and MMP-13 [(31.0±9.4) pg/ml,(17.1±2.1) pg/ml,t=3.198,P=0.029],MMP-3 [(38.7±8.1) pg/ml,(24.9±3.5) pg/ml,t=3.514,P=0.015],MMP-13 [(35.9±5.4) pg/ml,(20.6±2.9) pg/ml,t=5.632,P=0.001].Conclusion The results of study suggest that RNF43 could inhibit the secretion of MMPs in RA-FLS by suppressing the activity of Wnt signal pathway.