Background::Computer-aided detection (CAD) software has been introduced to automatically interpret digital chest X-rays. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CAD software (JF CXR-1 v3.0, which was developed by a domestic Hi-tech enterprise) in tuberculosis (TB) case finding in China.Methods::In 2019, we conducted an internal evaluation of the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 by reading standard images annotated by a panel of experts. In 2020, using the reading results of chest X-rays by a panel of experts as the reference standard, we conducted an on-site prospective study to evaluate the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in TB case finding in 13 township health centers in Zhongmu County, Henan Province.Results::Internal assessment results based on 277 standard images showed that JF CXR-1 v3.0 had a sensitivity of 85.94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.42%, 94.45%) and a specificity of 74.65% (95% CI: 68.81%, 80.49%) to distinguish active TB from other imaging conditions. In the on-site evaluation phase, images from 3705 outpatients who underwent chest X-ray detection were read by JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in parallel. The imaging diagnosis of local radiologists for active TB had a sensitivity of 32.89% (95% CI: 22.33%, 43.46%) and a specificity of 99.28% (95% CI: 99.01%, 99.56%), while JF CXR-1 v3.0 showed a significantly higher sensitivity of 92.11% (95% CI: 86.04%, 98.17%) ( p < 0.05) and maintained high specificity at 94.54% (95% CI: 93.81%, 95.28%). Conclusions::CAD software could play a positive role in improving the TB case finding capability of township health centers.

Background::Computer-aided detection (CAD) software has been introduced to automatically interpret digital chest X-rays. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of CAD software (JF CXR-1 v3.0, which was developed by a domestic Hi-tech enterprise) in tuberculosis (TB) case finding in China.Methods::In 2019, we conducted an internal evaluation of the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 by reading standard images annotated by a panel of experts. In 2020, using the reading results of chest X-rays by a panel of experts as the reference standard, we conducted an on-site prospective study to evaluate the performance of JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in TB case finding in 13 township health centers in Zhongmu County, Henan Province.Results::Internal assessment results based on 277 standard images showed that JF CXR-1 v3.0 had a sensitivity of 85.94% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.42%, 94.45%) and a specificity of 74.65% (95% CI: 68.81%, 80.49%) to distinguish active TB from other imaging conditions. In the on-site evaluation phase, images from 3705 outpatients who underwent chest X-ray detection were read by JF CXR-1 v3.0 and local radiologists in parallel. The imaging diagnosis of local radiologists for active TB had a sensitivity of 32.89% (95% CI: 22.33%, 43.46%) and a specificity of 99.28% (95% CI: 99.01%, 99.56%), while JF CXR-1 v3.0 showed a significantly higher sensitivity of 92.11% (95% CI: 86.04%, 98.17%) ( p < 0.05) and maintained high specificity at 94.54% (95% CI: 93.81%, 95.28%). Conclusions::CAD software could play a positive role in improving the TB case finding capability of township health centers.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) of the multi-target cerebral cortex after stroke on functional recovery of the upper limb of the hemiplegic side. MethodsFrom November, 2019 to August, 2020, 40 stroke patients in Gansu Provine Hospital Rehabilitation Center were included and randomly divided into single-target stimulation group (n = 20) and multiple-target stimulation group (n = 20). Both groups underwent basic neurorehabilitation drug therapy and conventional rehabilitation exercises. The single-target stimulation group received repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (iTBS mode) only in the primary motor cortex (M1) of the affected side. The multi-target stimulation group received rTMS (iTBS mode) in the cerebellar cortex of the healthy brain and M1 of the affected side, once a day, six days a week, for four weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and modified Barthel Index (MBI), and the latency and amplitude of somatosensory-evoked potentials N20 were compared. ResultsNo serious adverse reaction occurred during treatment. After treatment, the scores of FMA-UE, MBI and ARAT, and the amplitude and latency of N20 improved in both groups (|t| > 3.478, |Z| > 2.243, P < 0.05); and the scores of FMA-UE and ARAT, and the amplitude of N20 were better in the multiple-target stimulation group than in the single-target stimulation group (t > 2.939, Z = -2.697, P < 0.01). ConclusionMulti-target stimulation is superior to single-target stimulation for improving upper limb motor function and N20 amplitude in the hemiplegics after stroke.

The prevalence of tuberculosis infection among adolescents born after terminating the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) booster vaccination in China was estimated using tuberculin skin testing (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay (QFT) to investigate the influence of neonatal BCG vaccination on the performance of TST.Data analysis was conducted for 2831 eligible participants aged 5-15 years from the baseline survey of a population-based multi-center prospective study.The prevalence rates of TST (induration ≥ 10 mm) and QFT positivity were 9.3％ (264/2827) and 2.5％ (71/2831),respectively.The rate of QFT indeterminate result was 2.2％ (62/2831).The overall agreement between TST and QFT was low (concordance =88.0％;K coefficient =0.125).Only TST was positively associated with BCG vaccination with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.71 [95％ confidence interval,1.26-2.31].A history of close contact with patients of active TB was significantly associated with positivity for TST and QFT.Our results suggested that BCG neonatal vaccination still affects TST performance,and a two-step approach might be considered for TB infection testing among adolescents in China.