ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of various strength levels of deep learning image reconstruction （DLIR） algorithms for improving non-contrast abdominal CT image quality at ultra-low radiation doses， by comparing ultra-low-dose DLIR images with low-dose filtered back projection （FBP） images. MethodsA prospective collection of 85 patients undergoing non-contrast abdominal CT scans was performed， and a self-controlled study method was employed to conduct low-dose （LD） group and ultra-low-dose （ULD） group scans. The LD group used a noise index of 10 and employed FBP for image reconstruction （LD-FBP group）. The ULD group used a noise index of 30 and employed DLIR at different levels （low， medium， high）， resulting in three subgroups of reconstructed images： ULD-DLIR-L， ULD-DLIR-M， and ULD-DLIR-H. For each group， CT values， standard devia-tion （SD）， signal-to-noise ratio （SNR）， and contrast-to-noise ratio （CNR） were measured and calculated for the liver， spleen， kidneys， aorta， psoas major， and subcutaneous fat. Effective dose （ED） was also recorded. Two radiologists independently performed subjective evaluations of image quality using a 5-point scale. ResultsCompared with the LD-FBP group， the ULD-DLIR-L group showed significantly lower SNR and CNR values in the liver， spleen， kidneys， aorta， and psoas major （P<0.001）， while the ULD-DLIR-H group exhibited significantly higher values （P<0.001）. The difference of SNR and CNR values for the ULD-DLIR-M group showed no statistically significant difference. For subjective evaluation， the scores of the ULD-DLIR-L and ULD-DLIR-M groups were lower than those of the LD-FBP group， while there was no statistically significant difference in scores between the ULD-DLIR-H group and the LD-FBP group. The ED value of the ULD group was approximately 88% lower than that of the LD group. ConclusionCompared with the LD-FBP group， the ULD-DLIR-H group significantly reduces SD values while increasing SNR and CNR values， effectively improving the image quality of non-contrast abdominal CT scans.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of applying deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) in low-radiation dose liver dual-energy CT to further improve image quality, diagnostic confidence of lesion, and accuracy of iodine concentration (IC) measurement.Methods:This prospective cohort study enrolled 60 patients scheduled for enhanced liver CT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2023 to January 2024. The participants were randomly assigned into the standard dose group and low radiation dose group with 30 cases in each using randomized block method. The standard radiation dose group underwent standard-radiation dose 120 kVp scans during the venous phase, while the low radiation dose group underwent low radiation dose scans with a rapid kVp-switching spectral scanning mode at 80 kVp and 140 kVp. The effective radiation dose (ED) was calculated for both groups. The standard radiation dose group was reconstructed using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (ASIR-V) algorithm 40% (AR40 120 kVp). The low radiation dose group using high-intensity DLIR (DLIR-H) to reconstructed 40 keV and 50 keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) (DH-VMI 40 keV, DH-VMI 50 keV). The image quality of the above three groups was objectively evaluated through the measurement of image noise and calculation of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the liver and portal vein; and the image quality was subjectively scored for image noise, contrast, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence. In the low radiation dose group, DLIR-H and ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps were used to measure the liver and portal vein of IC values, standard deviations (SD), and coefficients of variation (CV). One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the differences of subjective and objective image quality among the three groups, and paired t-test was used to compare the differences in measurement indexes between DLIR-H and ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps. Results:The ED in the low radiation dose group [(2.2±0.5) mSv] was reduced by 56.8% compared to the conventional radiation dose group [(5.4±1.4) mSv]. Objective evaluations demonstrated that DH-VMI 40 keV had higher image noise, CNR, and SNR for liver and portal veins compared to AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.001). DH-VMI 50 keV had lower image noise ( P=0.200), with higher CNR and SNR for the liver and portal vein compared to AR40 120 kVp( P<0.001). In subjective evaluation, there was no statistically significant difference in image noise scores between DH-VMI 40 keV and AR40 120 kVp ( P>0.05), while the image noise score for DH-VMI 50 keV was lower than that of AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.05). Both DH-VMI 40 keV and DH-VMI 50 keV had higher scores for contrast, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence compared to those of AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.05). In the low radiation dose group, there was no statistically significant difference in IC values for the liver and portal vein between the ASIR-V40% and DLIR-H algorithm reconstructed iodine maps ( P>0.05). The SD and CV of liver and portal vein in the DLIR-H reconstructed iodine maps were lower than those in the ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps ( P<0.001). Conclusions:DLIR can effectively reduce the image noise of low-energy (40, 50 keV) VMI, enhance lesion conspicuity and diagnostic confidence, and improve measurement accuracy without affecting IC values.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of applying deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) in low-radiation dose liver dual-energy CT to further improve image quality, diagnostic confidence of lesion, and accuracy of iodine concentration (IC) measurement.Methods:This prospective cohort study enrolled 60 patients scheduled for enhanced liver CT at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2023 to January 2024. The participants were randomly assigned into the standard dose group and low radiation dose group with 30 cases in each using randomized block method. The standard radiation dose group underwent standard-radiation dose 120 kVp scans during the venous phase, while the low radiation dose group underwent low radiation dose scans with a rapid kVp-switching spectral scanning mode at 80 kVp and 140 kVp. The effective radiation dose (ED) was calculated for both groups. The standard radiation dose group was reconstructed using adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (ASIR-V) algorithm 40% (AR40 120 kVp). The low radiation dose group using high-intensity DLIR (DLIR-H) to reconstructed 40 keV and 50 keV virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) (DH-VMI 40 keV, DH-VMI 50 keV). The image quality of the above three groups was objectively evaluated through the measurement of image noise and calculation of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the liver and portal vein; and the image quality was subjectively scored for image noise, contrast, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence. In the low radiation dose group, DLIR-H and ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps were used to measure the liver and portal vein of IC values, standard deviations (SD), and coefficients of variation (CV). One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the differences of subjective and objective image quality among the three groups, and paired t-test was used to compare the differences in measurement indexes between DLIR-H and ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps. Results:The ED in the low radiation dose group [(2.2±0.5) mSv] was reduced by 56.8% compared to the conventional radiation dose group [(5.4±1.4) mSv]. Objective evaluations demonstrated that DH-VMI 40 keV had higher image noise, CNR, and SNR for liver and portal veins compared to AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.001). DH-VMI 50 keV had lower image noise ( P=0.200), with higher CNR and SNR for the liver and portal vein compared to AR40 120 kVp( P<0.001). In subjective evaluation, there was no statistically significant difference in image noise scores between DH-VMI 40 keV and AR40 120 kVp ( P>0.05), while the image noise score for DH-VMI 50 keV was lower than that of AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.05). Both DH-VMI 40 keV and DH-VMI 50 keV had higher scores for contrast, lesion conspicuity, and diagnostic confidence compared to those of AR40 120 kVp ( P<0.05). In the low radiation dose group, there was no statistically significant difference in IC values for the liver and portal vein between the ASIR-V40% and DLIR-H algorithm reconstructed iodine maps ( P>0.05). The SD and CV of liver and portal vein in the DLIR-H reconstructed iodine maps were lower than those in the ASIR-V40% reconstructed iodine maps ( P<0.001). Conclusions:DLIR can effectively reduce the image noise of low-energy (40, 50 keV) VMI, enhance lesion conspicuity and diagnostic confidence, and improve measurement accuracy without affecting IC values.

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of excimer laser ablation (ELA) in the treatment of lower extremity arterial ischemic diseases.Methods:The clinical data of 44 patients with lower extremity ischemic diseases treated with ELA in the People′s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from December 2020 to April 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Among the 44 patients, there were 29 patients in lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO), including 3 patients with femoral artery stent occlusion. 8 patients of diabetes foot (DF) and 7 patients of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). Observation indicators include target vascular patency rate, amputation rate, vascular reintervention rate and mortality rate. The measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation ( ± s), one-way analysis of variance was used for inter-group comparison, and paired sample t-test was used for intra-group comparison. The Chi-square test was used for comparison between count data. Results:The success rate of operation was 100% in 44 patients. The rate of major amputation in ASO group was 10.3%, while the other two groups had a major amputation rate of 0. The minor amputation rates of the three groups were 6.9%, 25.0% and 28.6%, respectively. The vascular reintervention rate was 10.3% in ASO group, 12.5% in DF group and 0 in TAO group. The 1-year mortality rate in the ASO group was 10.3%, while the other two groups had a mortality rate of 0. The 2-year mortality rate of the three group were 31.0%, 12.5% and 0, respectively.Conclusion:For the treatment of lower extremity arterial ischemic diseases, ELA is safe and effective, but the curative effect need to further clarify by large sample and long-term clinical follow-up observation.

Ureteral calculi after lingual mucosal ureteral reconstruction are rare. In this paper, we reported a case of a male patient who had undergone robotic-assisted laparoscopic lingual mucosal right ureteroplasty. Calculi were found in the right reconstructed ureteral segment 4 months after surgery. Then the patient underwent transurethral ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy combined with a stone retrieval basket, and postoperative urological CT showed no residual calculi in the right ureter. No recurrence of right ureteral calculi or complications were observed during 20 months of follow-up.

Objective:To construct a C57BL/6 mouse model of simulating transurethral thulium laser vaporization prostatectomy.Methods:Twelve male C57BL/6 mice were selected to undergo transvesical vaporization resection of the urothelium covering the urethra of the prostate using thulium laser. The urethral tissue of the prostate was retrieved on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days after the surgery. HE staining was used to observe the process of re-epithelialization of the urethral wound of the prostate. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to detect whether the re-epithelialized cells of the urethral wound of the prostate expressed urothelin Ⅲ (UPⅢ).Results:On the first day after surgery, HE staining showed complete destruction to the urothelium covering the urethra of the prostate, with a large amount of coagulative necrotic tissue on the wound surface, and IHC staining showed no expression of UPⅢ on the wound surface. On the 3rd day after surgery, HE staining showed that there were still no regenerated epithelial cells on the wound surface, with coagulation necrosis tissue significantly reduced, and the urethral cavity was clearly visible. And IHC staining showed no expression of UPⅢ on the wound surface. On the 5th day after surgery, HE staining showed 1-2 layers of regenerated epithelial cells lacking cell polarity on the wound surface, and IHC staining showed that the regenerated epithelial cells expressed UPⅢ. On the 7th day after surgery, HE staining showed 4-6 layers of polar regenerated epithelial cells on the wound surface, and IHC staining showed the multiple layers of regenerated epithelial cells expressing UPⅢ.Conclusions:Based on the simulation of transurethral thulium laser vaporization resection of the prostate, the thulium laser and ultra micro endoscope system were used to vaporize the urothelium covering the urethra of the prostate, and the process of urethral re-epithelialization of the prostate can be observed after surgery. The establishment of the C57BL/6 mouse model simulating thulium laser vaporization prostatectomy provides a new research platform for studying the mechanism of wound repair after prostatectomy.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) in the treatment of diabetic foot with infrapopliteal arteriopathy.Methods:The clinical data of 36 patients (40 limbs) with diabetic foot complicated with inferior knee artery disease treated by ELA in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People′s Hospital from December 2019 to May 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The success rate of ELA in the treatment of diabetic inferior genicular artery disease, ankle-brachial index (ABI), limb salvage rate and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score at 3 days and 3 and 6 months after operation was observed.Results:All the 36 patients were operated successfully, including 2 cases of flow-limiting dissection, 2 cases of arterial embolism and 1 case of hematoma at the puncture point. The ABI of patients 3, 6 months after operation was significantly higher than that before operation (all P<0.05), and the VAS score 3, 6 months after operation was significantly lower than that before operation (all P<0.05). The rate of limb (toe) salvage were 92.5%(37/40), 82.5%(33/40) at 3 d, 3 months and 77.5%(31/40) at 6 months after operation. Conclusions:ELA is safe and effective in the treatment of diabetic foot infrapopliteal arteriopathy, and the recent efficacy is fair.

Objective:To analyze locoregional recurrence (LRR) pattern of patients with pT 1-2N 1 breast cancer after modified radical mastectomy, with and without adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Methods:A total of 5442 eligible patients with breast cancer from 12 Chinese centers were included. The LRR sites and the effect of RT at different sites on recurrence in patients with and without RT were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative LRR rate, and the difference was compared by the log-rank test.Results:With a median follow-up time of 63.8 months for the entire cohort, 395 patients developed LRR. The chest wall and supraclavicular fossa were the most common LRR sites, regardless of RT or molecular subtypes. The 5-year chest wall recurrence rates for patients with and without chest wall irradiation were 2.5% and 3.8%( P=0.003); the 5-year supraclavicular lymph nodal recurrence rates for patients with and without supraclavicular fossa irradiation were 1.3% and 4.1%( P<0.001); the 5-year axillary recurrence-free rates for patients with and without axillary irradiation were 0.8% and 1.5%( HR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.04-2.23, P=0.219); and the 5-year internal mammary nodal recurrence-free rates for patients with and without internal mammary nodal irradiation were 0.8% and 1.5%( HR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.11-1.90, P=0.268). Conclusions:The chest wall and supraclavicular fossa are the most common LRR sites of patients with pT 1-2N 1 breast cancer after modified radical mastectomy, which is not affected by adjuvant RT or molecular subtypes. The chest wall and supraclavicular fossa irradiation significantly reduce the risk of recurrence in the corresponding area. However, axillary and internal mammary nodal irradiation has no impact on the risk of recurrence in the corresponding area.

Objective:To explore the strategies for the treatment of difficult iliac artery approach in endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.Methods:The clinical data of 275 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm who underwent endovascular surgery at the Department of Vascular Surgery, People′s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from March 2010 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and the general clinical data such as age, gender, and comorbidities of the patients were recorded. The resource index was to carry out corresponding measures to perform surgery for patients with difficult access, analyze the incidence of the type of difficult access, treatment measures and effects.Results:Two hundred and seventy-five patients underwent endovascular repair, 78 of them (28.3%) had difficulty in accessing the iliac artery, including 29 cases (10.5%) with mild iliac artery stenosis, 7 cases (2.54%) with severe stenosis, and 3 cases with occlusion ( 1.09%), 39 cases (14.2%) were twisted. For patients with vascular twist, super-hard guide wire was used to correct iliac artery angulation. For patients with iliac artery stenosis, balloon dilation was performed. For severe stenosis, the artificial blood vessel was passed through the lateral peritoneum. After road transplantation, stent placement and other treatments were successfully performed endovascular repair.Conclusions:Pathway vascular disease can cause difficulties in endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Endovascular repair can be successfully performed after corresponding treatments according to different difficulties, and the long-term patency rate is good.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between clinicopathological features and lymph node metastasis(LNM)of early gastric cancer(EGC), so as to provide and theoretical guidance for the normative treatment of EGC.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 128 patients with EGC who received surgical treatment from January 2016 to December 2019 in Anhui Medical University Affiliated Anqing hospital.Results:The total LNM ratio of EGC was 10.1% (13/128). Univariate analysis showed that the LNM ratio was 18.0% in patients with the largest diameter of >2 cm, higher than 5.1% in patients with the largest diameter of ≤2 cm. The LNM ratio of submucosal carcinoma (T 1b) was 21.6%, higher than 2.6% of intramucosal carcinoma (T 1a). The LNM ratio of patients with vascular invasion was 71.4%, higher than 6.7% of patients without vascular invasion. The LNM ratio was 13.1% in the total dissected lymph node group ≥15, higher than 0 in the total dissected lymph node group <15. The difference between the these groups was statistically significant( χ2=5.532, 12.101, 23.778, 4.239, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the correlation between age, gender, tumor site, general type, degree of differentiation, and the LNM of EGC ( P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that submucosal carcinoma(RR=10.688, 95% CI: 1.714-66.651, P=0.011) and vascular infiltration(RR=27.209, 95% CI: 3.749-197.450, P=0.001) were the independent risk factor for the LNM of EGC. Conclusions:Patients of EGC with tumor infiltration to submucosa(T 1b), maximum diameter of lesion >2 cm, and vascular infiltration have a higher risk of LNM. Standardized D1+ or D2 lymph node dissection (≥15) should be performed for EGC patients.