Objective To explore the accuracy of machine learning algorithms based on SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation levels in predicting early-stage lung adenocarcinoma pathological types. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens from patients who underwent lung tumor resection surgery at Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2021 to January 2023. Based on the pathological classification of the tumors, patients were divided into three groups: a benign tumor/adenocarcinoma in situ (BT/AIS) group, a minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) group, and an invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) group. The methylation levels of SHOX2 and RASSF1A in FFPE specimens were measured using the LungMe kit through methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR). Using the methylation levels of SHOX2 and RASSF1A as predictive variables, various machine learning algorithms (including logistic regression, XGBoost, random forest, and naive Bayes) were employed to predict different lung adenocarcinoma pathological types. Results A total of 272 patients were included. The average ages of patients in the BT/AIS, MIA, and IA groups were 57.97, 61.31, and 63.84 years, respectively. The proportions of female patients were 55.38%, 61.11%, and 61.36%, respectively. In the early-stage lung adenocarcinoma prediction model established based on SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation levels, the random forest and XGBoost models performed well in predicting each pathological type. The C-statistics of the random forest model for the BT/AIS, MIA, and IA groups were 0.71, 0.72, and 0.78, respectively. The C-statistics of the XGBoost model for the BT/AIS, MIA, and IA groups were 0.70, 0.75, and 0.77, respectively. The naive Bayes model only showed robust performance in the IA group, with a C-statistic of 0.73, indicating some predictive ability. The logistic regression model performed the worst among all groups, showing no predictive ability for any group. Through decision curve analysis, the random forest model demonstrated higher net benefit in predicting BT/AIS and MIA pathological types, indicating its potential value in clinical application. Conclusion Machine learning algorithms based on SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation levels have high accuracy in predicting early-stage lung adenocarcinoma pathological types.

African swine fever(ASF),caused by the African swine fever virus(ASFV),is a highly contagious infectious disease of pigs.This disease has been spread rapidly in China since 2018,po-sing a huge threat to China's pig farming industry.To rapid detect the ASFV,a loop-mediated iso-thermal amplification(LAMP)combined with the disposable nucleic acid visualization test strip was established for visual detection of the nucleic acid of ASFV B646L gene.The method was easy to operate without special instruments and equipment,while it effectively avoided the disadvantage of false positives caused by aerosol contamination.The method was able to detect 1.16 copies/μL of the recombinant plasmid in 50 min at 65 ℃.In addition,the method was specific with no cross-re-action with classical swine fever virus,porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,por-cine parvovirus,transmissible gastroenteritis virus.The results in this study provides a rapid,con-venient,sensitive and reliable method for early diagnosis and screening for ASFV suspected infec-tion cases.

Objective:To preliminarily explore the clinical value of three-dimensional ultrasound fusion imaging(3DUS FI) visualization technology in guiding precise needle placement during thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:A total of 56 HCC patients (59 lesions)who underwent 3DUS FI guided thermal ablation were retrospectively analyzed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 2019 to December 2021. All patients were collected with three-dimensional ultrasound volume image before ablation which were fused with real-time two-dimensional ultrasound image for registration, and then the tumor and the safety margin of 5 mm were segmented and marked. Finally, the thermal ablation was performed under three-dimensional visualization. Contrast-enhanced CT/MRI was performed 1 month after thermal ablation to evaluate whether the lesion was completely ablated and measure the ablative margin, and the relationship between ablative margin and the incidence of local tumor progression (LTP) was also analyzed.Results:During the ablation, all lesions could be successfully registered and displayed in three-dimension. Postoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed that all lesions were completely ablated. A total of 37 lesions could be evaluated for ablative efficacy and ablative margin based on contrast-enhanced CT/MRI 1 month after themal ablation, of which 32 (86.5%) lesions achieved complete ablation and obtained at least 5 mm ablative margin. During the follow-up period, LTP was occurred in 4 lesions, 3 of the lesions occurred at the ablative margin< 5 mm. Both 1-year and 2-year cumulative LTP rates were all 7.1%. None of patients had serious complications or deaths associated with thermal ablation.Conclusions:3DUS FI real-time guidance technology is feasible and safe in visually guiding precise needle placement during thermal ablation of HCC.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound fusion navigation technology in the biopsy of parapharyngeal-infratemporal fossa-skull base (PIS) lesions.Methods:This study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from March 2021 to March 2022 and included 8 patients [3 females and 5 males; age, (50±20) years; range, 16-76 years] with PIS lesions who needed to clarify the pathological diagnosis. The ultrasound fusion navigation with CT or MRI was used to guide lesion biopsy, and the technical feasibility, pathological diagnostic results and complications were evaluated.Results:The biopsy procedures were successful in all 8 patients, and the lesion size ranged from 2.2 to 6.5 cm. The exact pathological diagnosis was obtained in 7 patients, and the diagnostic rate was 87.5% (7/8). No major complication was observed after the biopsy. Mild complications occurred in 1 case, with a incidence of 12.5% (1/8).Conclusions:Ultrasound fusion navigation-guided biopsy is feasible, effective, and safe in the biopsy of deep head and neck lesions.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the commonest cause of heart failure (HF), whereas pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been established or reported in this patient population. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence, risk factors, and survival in CAD-associated HF (CAD-HF) complicated with PH. METHODS: Symptomatic CAD-HF patients were continuously enrolled in this prospective, multicenter registry study. Echocardiography, coronary arteriography, left and right heart catheterization (RHC), and other baseline clinical data were recorded. Patients were followed up and their survival was recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-two CAD-HF patients were enrolled, including 142 with HF with a preserved ejection fraction (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction [HFpEF]; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≥50%) and 40 with a reduced ejection fraction (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF]; LVEF < 50%). PH was diagnosed with RHC in 77.5% of patients. Patients with PH showed worse hemodynamic parameters and higher mortality. HFrEF-PH patients had worse survival than HFpEF-PH patients. CAD-HF patients with an enlarged left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and reduced hemoglobin were at higher risk of PH. Nitrate treatment reduced the risk of PH. Elevated creatinine and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), diastolic pressure gradient (DPG) ≥7 mmHg, and previous myocardial infarction (MI) entailed a higher risk of mortality in CAD-HF patients with PH. CONCLUSIONS: PH is common in CAD-HF and worsens the hemodynamics and survival in these patients. Left ventricle enlargement and anemia increase the risk of PH in CAD-HF. Patients may benefit from nitrate medications. Renal impairment, elevated mPAP, DPG ≥7 mmHg, and previous MI are strong predictors of mortality in CAD-HF-PH patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02164526.
Coronary Artery Disease/epidemiology* ; Creatinine ; Heart Failure/complications* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/complications* ; Nitrates ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Registries ; Risk Factors ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left

Objective:To analyze the gray-scale ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound features in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) to construct a clinical and ultrasound-based model, and to investigate the relationship between this model and serum intact parathyroid hormone(iPTH) level in order to find proper indicators for evaluation of the severity of SHPT.Methods:From February 2016 to March 2021, a total of 59 SHPT patients with 181 parathyroid glands (PTGs) admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were enrolled. Gray-scale ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound were performed in every participant. Patients were divided into low-iPTH group ( iPTH<800 ng/L) and high-iPTH group (iPTH≥800 ng/L) according to the serum iPTH level. The characteristics of gray-scale ultrasonic imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonic imaging were analyzed by 2 sonographers.Biochemical parameters were collected and combined with ultrasonic characteristics to construct the clinical and ultrasound-based model. The relationship between the model and serum iPTH level was analyzed by multivariate linear regression (stepwise). Independent influencing factors on serum iPTH level was investigated in SHPT patients without iPTH-reducing drugs using history.Results:There were 19 patients in low-iPTH group and 40 patients in high-iPTH group.Serum calcium, serum phosphorus, serum creatinine, PTG number, total PTG volume, blood scores, calcification and cysts scores, CEUS scores (washing-in phase and washing-out phase) were significantly different between two groups(all P<0.05). The multivariate linear regression (stepwise) showed that serum phosphorus, total PTG volume and blood scores were independently related with serum iPTH level (standardized β coefficient were 0.387, 0.254 and 0.242 respectively; all P<0.05). Conclusions:Serum phosphorus, total PTG volume and blood scores are independent influencing factors on serum iPTH level. Ultrasonography combined with clinical parameters can help evaluate the severity of SHPT more accurately.

Objective:To explore the value of shear wave elastography imaging(SWE) in the diagnosis of renal allograft fibrosis and analyze its advantages and limitations.Methods:The renal allograft of 61 patients who underwent renal allograft biopsy from June 2019 to April 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were included in this study. According to the Banff classification, there were 51 patients with mild-degree fibration(interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, IFTA 0-Ⅰ), and 29 patients with moderate or severe-degree fibration(IFTA Ⅱ-Ⅲ). Two-dimensional ultrasound, color Doppler flow imaging, SWE and kidney function test performed. All the results were compared between the two groups. Diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using pathology as gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated for the diagnosis of moderate or severe-degree fibration.Results:Compared to mild-degree fibration group, creatinine( P<0.001), glomerular filtration rate( P<0.001), RI of arcuate arteries( P=0.022) and SWE value( P<0.001) significantly increased in the moderate or severe-degree fibration group. There were significant correlations between IFTA and creatinine ( r s=0.488, P<0.001), glomerular filtration rate ( r s=-0.452, P<0.001), RI of arcuate arteries( r s=0.228, P=0.042), SWE value( r s=0.584, P<0.001). Taking the cutoff value of SWE value deduced by ROC curve as 21.7 kPa, the area under ROC curve was 0.827. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 86.2%, 74.5%, 61.0% and 89.7%, respectively. Conclusions:There is a good correlation between the SWE value and the degree of fibrosis in the transplanted kidney. SWE can be used to distinguish mild from moderate or severe fibrosis of renal allograft, providing a potential noninvasive method for the assessment of kidney allograft fibration.

Objective To analyze the influence factors of local efficacy by parametric contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE),and to investigate the application value of parametric CEUS in TACE.Methods From August 2011 to March 2014,a total of 61 HCC patients [60 men,1 women;age range:18-76 years,mean age:(53 ± 13)years old] who underwent one procedure of TACE were enrolled in this prospective study.All cases were scanned by CEUS 1-7 days before and after TACE (3 days,15 days and 30 days post-TACE).Analysis of tumor perfusion during the procedure of CEUS was performed with dedicated software (SonoLiver,TomTec,Germany and Bracco,Italy).Time-intensity curves were plotted and parameters were extracted.According to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST),we evaluated the response of TACE using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and CEUS 30 days after TACE,which was as reference standard.Results There was a middle negative correlation between the reference standard and the PSV of the hepatic artery pre-TACE,and the correlation coefficient was 0.436 (P =0.011).There was a low negative correlation between the reference standard and the TTP of the reference region on 3 days post-TACE and the analysis region pre-TACE,and the correlation coefficient was -0.264 and-0.268 (P =0.047,P =0.037).Conclusions Our preliminary study suggests,some parameters of CEUS can predict the local response of TACE.

Objective: To investigate the differences of gemstone spectral curve and CT value of gastric cancer with different pathological types and differentiation degrees. Methods: 91 cases of preoperative gemstone CT images with gastric cancer were collected, including 24 cases of mucinous carcinoma, 67 cases of non-mucinous carcinoma, 16 cases of signet ring cell carcinoma, 8 cases of mucinous adenocarcinoma, 32 cases of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and 35 cases of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Gemstone CT spectral imaging was performed preoperatively, and the spectral curve of the lesion in venous phase was obtained by using GSI Viewer software, the slope of the curve was calculated, and 11 monoenergetic CT values of 40~140 keV (10 keV interval) were measured. The gemstone spectral curves and CT values of gastric cancer with different pathological types and differentiation degrees are compared. Results: The curve slopes of non-mucinous carcinoma, signet ring cell carcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma were -1.92±0.53, -1.73±0.37 and -2.14±0.54, respectively. The absolute values were higher than those of mucinous carcinoma (-1.45±0.54), mucinous adenocarcinoma (-0.90±0.34) and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (-1.67±0.41), and the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). There were significant differences in monoenergetic CT values between mucinous and non-mucinous carcinomas at 40-140 keV (all P<0.05). The former was lower than the latter in different degrees, and the lower the energy, the greater the difference was. There were significant differences in monoenergetic CT values between signet ring cell carcinoma and mucinous adenocarcinoma at 40-100 keV (all P<0.05); monoenergetic CT values between poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma at 40-90 keV showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusions Gastric cancer with different pathological types and differentiation degrees have their characteristic spectral curves in venous phase, and the monoenergetic CT values are significantly different at low energy. The spectral curve of gemstone CT may be helpful to evaluate the pathological type and differentiation degree of gastric cancer before operation.

Objective To compare three-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasound ( 3DCEUS) fusion imaging and computed tomography ( CT ) fusion imaging in evaluating ablation margin ( AM ) after radiofrequency ablation ( RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) . Methods The 3DCEUS images of 60 patients before and after RFA were collected . The AM was evaluated by the self-developed 3DCEUS fusion imaging technique . The consistency of AM evaluation was compared between 3DCEUS and CT fusion imaging . The risk factors of local tumor progression ( LTP) including AM were analyzed . Results The registration success rate of 3DCEUS fusion imaging was 96 .7％ ( 58/60) . Thirty-one cases were in the AM<5 mm group ,and 27 cases were in the AM ≥5 mm group . The consistency of AM evaluation between 3DCEUS and CT fusion imaging was good ( Kappa coefficient = 0 .895 , P < 0 .001) . During a follow-up period ranging 4 .2 to 18 months ,LTP was identified in 5 tumors (8 .6％ ,5/58) .The incidence of LTP with the AM<5 mm was higher than that with the AM ≥5 mm ( P =0 .033) . Conclusions 3DCEUS fusion imaging is feasible for AM evaluation immediately after RFA with high consistency with CT fusion imaging . AM<5 mm evaluated on 3DCEUS fusion immediately after RFA is a risk factor for LTP .