Objective To explore the value of low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical CT angiography(CT A)-cerebral CT perfusion(CTP)for detecting carotid atherosclerosis(CAS).Methods Totally 117 CAS patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into group A(n=19),B(n=52),C(n=46),and low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical CTA-brain CTP scanning,low contrast dose and low flow rate craniocervical CT A scanning,as well as conventional craniocervical CT A scanning were performed,respectively.Virtual monoenergetic images(VMI)of 40,50 and 60 keV were reconstructed in group A and B.The subjective and objective evaluations of image quality were compared among 3 groups.Results Subjective scores of image quality and diagnostic confidence of 40 and 50 keV VMI,and the diagnostic confidence of 60 keV VMI in group A and B were not significant different compared with those in group C(all P＞0.05).Signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of each segment of craniocervical blood vessels at 40 and 50 keV VMI in group A and B were all higher than those in group C(all P＜0.05).CNR of cavernous sinus segment of internal carotid artery(C5 segment),horizontal segment of middle cerebral artery(MCA)(A1 segment),lateral sulcus segment of MCA(M2 segment)and basilar artery(BA)segment in group A at 60 keV VMI were all higher than those in group C(all P＜0.05).SNR of C5 segment,A1 segment and BA segment,as well as CNR of BA segment of 60 keV VMI in group B were all higher than those in group C(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical was feasible for detecting CAS.

Objective To analyze the relationship of total imaging burden score with blood pressure variability(BPV)and cognitive function in elderly patients with cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD).Methods Clinical data of 182 elderly CSVD patients admitted in our hospital from December 2022 to January 2024 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.According to the results of Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of CSVD-Related Cognitive Dysfunc-tion(2019),Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)and other tools for their cognitive impair-ment,they were divided into cognitively impaired group(76 cases)and cognitively normal group(106 cases).The total burden score and BPV indicators[24 h systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation(24 h SBPCV),24 h diastolic blood pressure coefficient of variation(24 h DBPCV)]were compared between the two groups.ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV on cognitive impairment in elderly CSVD patients.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of cognitive impairment in the patients.Based on the MoCA score of the cognitively impaired group,these pa-tients were further assigned into mild and moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment subgroups[with a MoCA score of 18-25(43 cases)and＜18(33 cases),respectively].Then the total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV were compared between the two subgroups.Pearson correla-tion coefficient was adopted to evaluate the correlation of severity of cognitive impairment with total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV in the elderly CSVD patients.Results The total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV were significantly higher in the cognitively impaired group than the cognitively normal group(P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis indicated that total bur-den score(AUC=0.953,95％CI:0.926-0.980,P=0.000),24 h SBPCV(AUC=0.850,95％CI:0.795-0.906,P=0.000)and 24 h DBPCV(AUC=0.761,95％CI:0.690-0.832,P=0.000)had good diagnostic efficiency for cognitive impairment in the elderly CSVD patients,with a cut-off value of 1.5,11.82％,and 8.92％,respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the above three indicators were risk factors for cognitive impairment in the elderly patients with CSVD(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Their values were significantly lower in the mild than the moder-ate-to-severe cognitive impairment subgroups(P＜0.01).Pearson correlation analysis displayed that MoCA score was negatively correlated with total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV in elderly patients with CSVD(r=-0.755,-0.632,-0.601,P＜0.01).Conclusion Detection of total burden score and BPV indicators is beneficial to the assessment of cognitive impairment in elderly CSVD patients.The higher the total burden score and the greater the BPV indicators,the more severe the cognitive impairment is,which may explore new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment of CSVD.

Objective To analyze the relationship of total imaging burden score with blood pressure variability(BPV)and cognitive function in elderly patients with cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD).Methods Clinical data of 182 elderly CSVD patients admitted in our hospital from December 2022 to January 2024 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.According to the results of Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of CSVD-Related Cognitive Dysfunc-tion(2019),Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)and other tools for their cognitive impair-ment,they were divided into cognitively impaired group(76 cases)and cognitively normal group(106 cases).The total burden score and BPV indicators[24 h systolic blood pressure coefficient of variation(24 h SBPCV),24 h diastolic blood pressure coefficient of variation(24 h DBPCV)]were compared between the two groups.ROC curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV on cognitive impairment in elderly CSVD patients.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of cognitive impairment in the patients.Based on the MoCA score of the cognitively impaired group,these pa-tients were further assigned into mild and moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment subgroups[with a MoCA score of 18-25(43 cases)and＜18(33 cases),respectively].Then the total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV were compared between the two subgroups.Pearson correla-tion coefficient was adopted to evaluate the correlation of severity of cognitive impairment with total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV in the elderly CSVD patients.Results The total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV were significantly higher in the cognitively impaired group than the cognitively normal group(P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis indicated that total bur-den score(AUC=0.953,95％CI:0.926-0.980,P=0.000),24 h SBPCV(AUC=0.850,95％CI:0.795-0.906,P=0.000)and 24 h DBPCV(AUC=0.761,95％CI:0.690-0.832,P=0.000)had good diagnostic efficiency for cognitive impairment in the elderly CSVD patients,with a cut-off value of 1.5,11.82％,and 8.92％,respectively.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the above three indicators were risk factors for cognitive impairment in the elderly patients with CSVD(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Their values were significantly lower in the mild than the moder-ate-to-severe cognitive impairment subgroups(P＜0.01).Pearson correlation analysis displayed that MoCA score was negatively correlated with total burden score,24 h SBPCV and 24 h DBPCV in elderly patients with CSVD(r=-0.755,-0.632,-0.601,P＜0.01).Conclusion Detection of total burden score and BPV indicators is beneficial to the assessment of cognitive impairment in elderly CSVD patients.The higher the total burden score and the greater the BPV indicators,the more severe the cognitive impairment is,which may explore new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment of CSVD.

Objective To explore the value of low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical CT angiography(CT A)-cerebral CT perfusion(CTP)for detecting carotid atherosclerosis(CAS).Methods Totally 117 CAS patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into group A(n=19),B(n=52),C(n=46),and low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical CTA-brain CTP scanning,low contrast dose and low flow rate craniocervical CT A scanning,as well as conventional craniocervical CT A scanning were performed,respectively.Virtual monoenergetic images(VMI)of 40,50 and 60 keV were reconstructed in group A and B.The subjective and objective evaluations of image quality were compared among 3 groups.Results Subjective scores of image quality and diagnostic confidence of 40 and 50 keV VMI,and the diagnostic confidence of 60 keV VMI in group A and B were not significant different compared with those in group C(all P＞0.05).Signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of each segment of craniocervical blood vessels at 40 and 50 keV VMI in group A and B were all higher than those in group C(all P＜0.05).CNR of cavernous sinus segment of internal carotid artery(C5 segment),horizontal segment of middle cerebral artery(MCA)(A1 segment),lateral sulcus segment of MCA(M2 segment)and basilar artery(BA)segment in group A at 60 keV VMI were all higher than those in group C(all P＜0.05).SNR of C5 segment,A1 segment and BA segment,as well as CNR of BA segment of 60 keV VMI in group B were all higher than those in group C(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Low contrast dose and low flow rate one-stop craniocervical was feasible for detecting CAS.

ObjectiveThis research focused on examining the distinctive characteristics of nutrient intake and dietary patterns among long-lived elderly individuals. Additionally， the study was aimed to explore the specific dietary components that may impact the skeletal muscle mass in this particular group. MethodsThis study was conducted in the Chongming area of Shanghai， China. A total of 206 long-lived elderly individuals aged 90 or above were recruited. The 3-day 24-hour dietary recall method was used to collect dietary information and general demographic data through face-to-face interviews with professional nutritionists. The skeletal muscle mass index（SMI） was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis（BIA）， and low skeletal muscle mass was diagnosed based on the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. T-test analysis， chi-square test， and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between dietary nutrient intake and skeletal muscle mass. ResultsIn terms of food intake categories， compared with the long-lived elderly people with normal muscle mass， the intake of cereals containing miscellaneous beans and vegetables in the long-lived elderly people with low muscle mass was significantly lower（P<0.05）. In terms of the nutrient intake， compared with the long-lived elderly people with normal muscle mass， the intake of total energy， carbohydrate， dietary fiber， vitamin D， folic acid， phosphorus， potassium， magnesium， iron， and manganese in the long-lived elderly people with low muscle mass was significantly lower（P<0.05）. After continuous adjustment for the covariates， multivariate logistic regression analysis found that the intake levels of folic acid and dietary fiber were important factors influencing skeletal muscle mass， Individuals with lower intake levels of folic acid and dietary fiber are at a higher risk of low muscle mass in long-lived elderly individuals ［OR_{folic acid T1}， _{dietary fiber T1} （95%CI）： 2.90 （1.11‒7.61）； 4.09 （1.53‒10.91）］. ConclusionThe consumption of cereals that include a variety of beans and vegetables was noticeably lower in the long-lived elderly individuals with lower muscle mass when compared to those with normal muscle mass. Furthermore， low levels of folic acid and dietary fiber intake are associated with an increased risk of low skeletal muscle mass.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential therapeutic targets and molecular mechanisms of menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) transplantation combined with exercise training in promoting recovery in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) through transcriptome sequencing analysis. MethodsFemale SD rats aged two months were selected and a SCI model was established by a hemisection at the tenth thoracic vertebra (T10). The rats were then divided into two groups: the Cell and Treadmill Training (CTMT) group, which received MenSCs transplantation and treadmill training after SCI, and the SCI group (control), with 12 rats in each group. One week after modeling, the CTMT group received a microinjection of 1×10⁵ MenSCs at the injury site, followed by two weeks of weight-supported aerobic exercise training. Spinal cord tissue from the injury site was selected for transcriptome sequencing, and mRNA expression data from both the SCI and CTMT groups were analyzed. Differential gene expression, GO (Gene Ontology) functional enrichment, KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were performed. Motor function recovery was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score, while histopathological changes at the injury site were evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to verify the expression of differentially expressed genes. ResultsTranscriptome sequencing analysis showed 247 upregulated genes and 174 downregulated genes in the CTMT group compared to the SCI group. Notably, genes such as Bdnf, Hmox1, Sd4, Mmp3, and Cd163 were significantly upregulated [|log2(FoldChange)|≥0.66, P<0.05]. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and GO functional enrichment analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in growth and development, metabolic reactions, and immune-inflammatory processes, such as axon growth and the electron transport chain. The Bdnf gene was notably enriched in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The BBB score showed that MenSCs transplantation combined with exercise training significantly improved the motor function of SCI rats. HE staining revealed that pathological changes at the injury site were significantly reduced in the treatment group. Furthermore, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting confirmed that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and protein expression levels in the CTMT group were significantly higher than those in the SCI group (P<0.001). ConclusionThe combined exercise training with MenSCs effectively promotes the recovery of motor function in SCI rats by upregulating BDNF expression, providing a novel strategy for SCI treatment.

Objective:To investigate the application value of metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) in the diagnosis of spinal infectious diseases except tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterium infection.Methods:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the clinical data of 171 patients with suspected non-tuberculous infectious diseases of spine from January 2019 to November 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent puncture biopsy of spine or surgery to obtain tissue specimens, then tissue biopsy were measured, and Foci purulent blood or lavage fluid was obtained for routine bacterial and mNGS. The differences of reporting time, sensitivity (positive rate) and specificity (true negative rate) were compared between the two methods. The pathogenic microorganism spectrum of spinal infection was analyzed. The effects of specimen collection method, preoperative antibiotic use and specimen type on the detection of pathogenic microorganisms were analyzed.Results:According to the diagnostic criteria of non-tuberculous infectious diseases of the spine, there were 136 cases of infection, among which 111 cases had specific pathogenic microorganism. The average reporting time of traditional culture and mNGS were 81.67+15.52 h and 36.33+11.92 h. There were 43 positive cases and 5 false positive cases in traditional culture, the sensitivity was 31.62%, and the specificity was 85.71%; There were 76 positive cases and 19 false positive cases in mNGS, the sensitivity was 55.88%, and the specificity was 45.71%. There were significant statistical differences in the sensitivity, specificity and reporting time for detection of pathogenic microorganisms by mNGS. The top 3 pathogens of non-specific infection were Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus. Eleven patients with non-tuberculous specific infection were confirmed, including 2 positive cases with traditional culture, 11 positive cases with mNGS. A higher detection rate for rare specific infections were expressed in mNGS. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the standard antibiotic use 4 weeks before surgery and specimen acquisition methods had significant effects on the traditional culture results, while the specimen acquisition methods had no statistically significant effects on the mNGS.Conclusion:Metagenomic next generation sequencing has a higher sensitivity to the detection of pathogenic microorganisms in the diagnosis of non-tuberculous spinal infectious diseases, especially for the detection of rare pathogenic microorganisms, which has a high diagnostic value.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of humanized CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor T cells (hCART19s) in treating children and young adults with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R ALL) and to analyze relevant factors affecting its curative effect and prognosis.Methods:We conducted a single-center clinical trial involving 31 children and young adult patients with R/R B-ALL who were treated with humanized CD19-specific CAR-T cells (hCART19s) from May 2016 to September 2021.Results:Results showed that 27 (87.1%) patients achieved complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi) one month after CAR-T cell infusion. During treatment, 20 (64.5%) patients developed grade 1-2 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) , and 4 (12.9%) developed grade 3 CRS. Additionally, two patients had grade 1 neurological events. During the follow-up with a median time of 19.3 months, the median event-free survival (EFS) was 15.7 months (95% CI 8.7-22.5) , and the median overall survival (OS) was 32.2 months (95% CI 10.6-53.9) . EFS and OS rates were higher in patients who have undergone hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) than in those without [EFS: (75.0 ± 12.5) % vs (21.1 ± 9.4) %, P=0.012; OS: (75.0 ± 12.5) % vs (24.6 ± 10.2) %, P=0.035]. The EFS and OS rates were significantly lower in patients with >3 treatment lines than in those with <3 treatment lines [EFS: 0 vs (49.5±10.4) %, P<0.001; OS: 0 vs (52.0±10.8) %, P<0.001]. To the cutoff date, 12 patients presented with CD19 + relapse, and 1 had CD19 - relapse. Conclusion:hCART19s are effective in treating pediatric and young adult R/R ALL patients, with a low incidence of severe adverse events and reversible symptoms. Following HSCT, the number of treatment lines can affect the long-term efficacy and prognosis of pediatric and young adult R/R ALL patients.

AIM: To observe the immunomodulatory effect of 1, 25(OH)

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical value of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for differentiation of malignant from benign focal thyroid incidentaloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 99 patients with focal thyroid incidentaloma of 5216 non-thyroid cancer patients that had undergone PET/CT. PET/CT semi-quantitative parameters, volume-based functional parameters, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of thyroid incidentaloma were assessed. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted and areas under the curve (AUC) were compared by Hanley and McNeil test to evaluate usefulness of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), MTV and TLG, as markers for differentiating malignant from benign thyroid incidentalomas. RESULTS: Of 99 thyroid incidentalomas, 64 (64.6%) were malignant and 35 (35.4%) were benign. Malignant thyroid incidentalomas were larger (1.8 cm vs. 1.3 cm, p = 0.006), and had higher SUVmax (11.3 vs. 4.8, p < 0.001), MTV (all p < 0.001) and TLG (all p < 0.001) than benign. TLG 4.0 had the highest performance for differentiation of malignant from benign thyroid incidentaloma in all semi-quantitative parameters with AUC 0.895 by ROC curve analysis. AUC (TLG 4.0) was significantly larger than AUC (SUVmean), AUC (MTV 2.5), AUC (MTV 3.0), AUC (MTV 3.5), AUC (TLG 2.5), and AUC (TLG 3.0), respectively (all, p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between AUC (TLG 4.0) and AUC (SUVmax) (p > 0.05). A threshold TLG 4.0 of 2.475 had 81.3% sensitivity and 94.3% specificity for identifying malignant thyroid incidentalomas. CONCLUSION: Volume-based PET/CT parameters could potentially have clinical value in differential diagnosis of thyroid incidentaloma along with SUVmax.
Area Under Curve ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Electrons ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18* ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography* ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Tumor Burden