1.Development and Application of the Evidence Quality Rating Scale for Ancient Classical Prescriptions in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Juwen ZHANG ; Jianping LIU ; Xiangfei SU ; Wei WEI ; Xiaolan SU ; Xue FENG ; Fanya YU ; Xudong ZHANG ; Junhong YU ; Wei CHEN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(8):804-810
ObjectiveTo develop the Evidence Grading Scale for Ancient classical prescriptions in Traditional Chinese medicine, assess its reliability and validity, and apply it in practice to provide multi-source evidence for clinical practice guidelines development. MethodsLiterature retrieval was conducted to extract and screen existing evaluation dimensions, then the initial items were summarized using thematic analysis. Experts in the clinical medicine, medical history and literature participated in the Delphi questionnaire survey to evaluate and refine the items. An expert consensus meeting was conducted to finalize the included items, refine the method for items evaluation and evidence grading. The evidence quality rating scale for ancient classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions was then established and tested for reliability and validity. ResultsThrough literature review, extraction, screening and summarization, a total of 3 dimensions and 12 initial items were formed. Questionnaires were sent to 69 experts to evaluate the initial items, with a questionnaire response rate of 100% and an expert authority coefficient of 0.92. All 12 items were retained for they had importance scores above 4. The Evidence Grading Scale on Ancient classical prescriptions in Traditional Chinese medicine includes 3 dimensions with 12 items. The 3 dimensions includes ancient evidence, inheritance status, and modern application. Each dimension contains 4 items, and each item has a full score of 5 points. The evidence was rated as high-level, moderate-level, and low-level according to the final scores. The content validity index (CVI) of the 12 items was >0.9, the average CVI of the scale was 0.98, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.90. ConclusionThe Evidence Grading Scale on Ancient classical prescriptions in Traditional Chinese medicine has good reliability and validity, which is practical for use in the development of TCM clinical guidelines and can better support clinical decision-making.
2.Association between lifestyle and cardiovascular-metabolic risk factor aggregation in a young and middle-aged male occupational population
Baoyi LIANG ; Lyurong LI ; Yingjun CHEN ; Lingxiang XIE ; Gaisheng LIU ; Liuquan JIANG ; Lu YU ; Qingsong CHEN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):385-391
Background Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors may be associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic risk factor aggregation (CMRF≥ 2), and few studies have focused on the correlation between the two in occupational populations. Objective To investigate the current status of CMRF≥2 and the compliance of healthy lifestyle in male occupational personnel, explore the effect of lifestyle on cardiometabolic risk, and provide reference for formulating healthy behavior promotion strategies and reducing cardiometabolic risk in occupational populations. Methods The study subjects were selected from male workers who completed occupational health examinations at an occupational disease prevention and control hospital in Shanxi Province from May to December 2023, and
3.External review of the recommendations of the Guidelines for Evidence-based Use of Biological Agents for the Clinical Treatment of Osteoporosis: a cross-sectional survey
Lingling YU ; Shuang LIU ; Zaiwei SONG ; Qiusha YI ; Yu ZHANG ; Liyan MIAO ; Zhenlin ZHANG ; Chunli SONG ; Yaolong CHEN ; Lingli ZHANG ; Rongsheng ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(9):1025-1029
OBJECTIVE To assess the scientific rigor, clarity and feasibility of the recommendations of the Guidelines for Evidence-based Use of Biological Agents for the Clinical Treatment of Osteoporosis (hereinafter referred to as the Guideline) through external review, in order to further revise and improve the Guideline recommendations. METHODS This study employed a cross-sectional survey research design, a convenience sampling method was adopted to select frontline medical workers in the field of osteoporosis (including clinical doctors, clinical pharmacists, and nurses) as well as patients or their family members. External review was conducted through a combination of closed-ended and open-ended electronic questionnaires to get feedback from them on the appreciation,clarity and feasibility of the 32 preliminary recommendations in the Guideline. RESULTS A total of 90 external review subjects from 15 hospitals were collected, including 45 clinical doctors, 15 clinical pharmacists, 15 nurses and 15 patients or their family members. The overall appreciation degree of recommendations was 99.38%, the overall clarity degree of recommendations was 98.92%, and the overall feasibility degree of recommendations was 99.65%. At the same time, 111 subjective suggestions were collected, which provided an important reference for the further improvement of the Guideline recommendations. Based on the above feedback, the Guideline steering committee and core expert group revised the wording of 12 draft recommendations without deletion, and finally determined 32 recommendations. CONCLUSIONS The external review provides an important basis for the final formation of the Guideline, further improves the scientific rigor, clarity and feasibility of the recommendations, and ensures the standardization, practicality and implementability of the Guideline.
4.0.05% cyclosporine eye drops(Ⅱ)combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops in the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye associated with diabetes mellitus
Cancan SHI ; Xinshu LIU ; Shuwen CHEN ; Yingyi ZHAO ; Xiaofan YU ; He WANG ; Mingxin LI
International Eye Science 2025;25(6):886-893
AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of 0.05% cyclosporine eye drops(Ⅱ)combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops in treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and moderate-to-severe dry eye.METHODS:A total of 120 T2DM patients(120 eyes)with moderate-to-severe dry eye, treated at the endocrinology and ophthalmology departments at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2024 to September 2024, were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: combination group [0.05% cyclosporine eye drops(Ⅱ)+ sodium hyaluronate eye drops] and control group(sodium hyaluronate eye drops alone), with 60 cases(60 eyes)in each group. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 mo post-treatment, including the ocular surface disease index(OSDI), non-contact tear meniscus height(NITMH), first non-invasive tear breakup time(NIBUTf), meibomian gland loss score, lipid layer thickness grade, conjunctival hyperemia grade, and corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score. At 3 mo after treatment, changes in tear inflammatory factors were observed, and corneal subbasal nerve plexus(SBN)morphology/density were analyzed using in vivo confocal microscopy(IVCM).RESULTS:At 1, 2, and 3 mo post-treatment, both groups showed statistically significant increases in NITMH and NIBUTf compared to baseline(all P<0.05), with greater improvement observed in the combination group(both P<0.05). OSDI and FL scores significantly decreased from baseline(all P<0.05), with more pronounced reductions in the combination group(both P<0.05). Meibomian gland loss scores showed no significant improvement in either group(all P>0.05). At 3 mo after treatment, tear levels of interleukin 6(IL-6)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)significantly decreased in both groups(all P<0.001), with a greater reduction noted in the combination group(both P<0.001). The combination group displayed increased corneal nerve branch density and nerve fiber density, along with decreased nerve tortuosity and dendritic cell(DC)density compared to baseline(all P<0.001), while the control group did not show significant changes(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The combination of 0.05% cyclosporine eye drops(Ⅱ)and sodium hyaluronate eye drops significantly improves clinical outcomes in T2DM patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye. This treatment effectively alleviates ocular surface inflammation, restores corneal nerve morphology and density, and demonstrates a favorable safety profile.
5.Clinical prediction model for diabetic retinopathy based on ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography
Xinshu LIU ; Cancan SHI ; Qing YU ; Shuwen CHEN ; Yingyi ZHAO ; He WANG ; Mingxin LI
International Eye Science 2025;25(6):999-1004
AIM: To explore the risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy(DR)based on ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(UWF-SS-OCTA), and to establish a clinical prediction model.METHODS:A total of 235 patients(235 eyes)with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from July to November 2024 were selected as the research objects. According to the presence or absence of DR, they were divided into 120 cases(120 eyes)in non-DR group(NDR group)and 115 cases(115 eyes)in non-proliferative DR group(NPDR group). Data on general characteristics, laboratory tests, and OCTA results were collected for both groups. Univariate analysis was employed to identify DR-related risk factors. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze these risk factors and to establish a DR prediction model. The efficacy of the model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis(DCA).RESULTS: The duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), history of hypertension, and the choroidal vascular index(CVI)were found to be statistically significant in the model(all P<0.05). Specifically, the duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, BUN, and history of hypertension were identified as risk factors for DR among diabetic patients, while CVI was recognized as a protective factor. The area under the curve for the model predicting the probability of DR was 0.898(0.859-0.938), with a diagnostic threshold of 0.438. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 87.8% and 78.3%, respectively, indicating that the model possesses high predictive value for the occurrence of DR.CONCLUSION: The duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, BUN, history of hypertension, and CVI are significantly correlated with DR. The established prediction model demonstrates a substantial screening capability for DR.
6.Shaoyaotang Containing Serum Mediates Fas/FasL Pathway to Inhibit Lipopolysaccharide Induced Inflammation and Apoptosis of Caco-2 Cells
Yuting YANG ; Dongsheng WU ; Hui CAO ; Yu ZHANG ; Nianjia XIE ; Bo ZOU ; Daguang CHEN ; Erle LIU ; Yi LU ; Zhaowen LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):62-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different concentrations of Shaoyaotang-containing serum on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation of human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells by inhibiting apoptosis via activating the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily member 6 (Fas)/Fas ligand (FasL) pathway. MethodsCaco-2 cells were allocated into blank, model (LPS, 10 mg·L-1), Shaoyaotang-containing serum (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%), and Fas inhibitor (KR-33493, 20 mmol·L-1) groups. Except the blank group, the other groups were stimulated with 10 mg·L-1 LPS for 24 h for the modeling of inflammation. After successful modeling, the blank, Fas inhibitor, and model groups were treated with blank serum, and the Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups were treated with the serum samples at corresponding concentrations for 24 h. The Fas inhibitor group was subjected to KR-33493 pretreatment for 1 h. Cell proliferation and viability were examined by the cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-3, Caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were determined by Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group presented a decrease in cell survival rate (P<0.01). Compared with that in the model group, the cell survival rate showed no significant change in the 5% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group but increased in the 10%, 15%, and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups (P<0.01). Since there was no statistical difference between the 5% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group and the model group, 10%, 15%, and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing sera were selected for the follow-up study. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed risen levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01), an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Fas inhibitor group and the 10%, 15%, and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups showed declined levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01), decreased apoptosis rates (P<0.01), down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the 15% and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups had lower levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01), lower apoptosis rates (P<0.05, P<0.01), lower protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax (P<0.05, P<0.01), and higher protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the 10% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group. ConclusionThe Shaoyaotang-containing serum can reduce the content of inflammatory factors in Caco-2 cells, down-regulate the protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax, and up-regulate the protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 under the intervention of LPS by regulating the Fas/FasL pathway and inhibiting the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis.
7.Phase Change and Quantity-quality Transfer Analysis of Medicinal Materials, Decoction Pieces and Standard Decoction of Haliotidis Concha (Haliotis discus hannai)
Zhihan YANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Weichao WANG ; Yu HUANG ; Chuang LUO ; Lian YANG ; Chenyu ZHONG ; Hongping CHEN ; Fu WANG ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU ; Shilin CHEN ; Lin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):206-214
ObjectiveTo explore the quantity-quality transfer process of medicinal materials, decoction pieces and standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha(Haliotis discus hannai) by analyzing the physical phase and compositional changes, so as to provide references for the effective control of its quality. MethodsA total of 20 batches of Haliotidis Concha(H. discus hannai) from different habitats were collected and prepared into corresponding calcined products and standard decoction, and the content of CaCO3 of the three samples were determined and the extract yield and transfer rate of CaCO3 were calculated. The changes in elemental composition and their relative contents were investigated by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry(XRF), X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to study the changes in the phase compositions of the three samples and to establish their respective XRD specific chromatogram. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry(FTIR) was used to study the changes in the chemical composition and content changes of the three samples and to establish their respective FTIR specific chromatogram, while combining hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) to find the common and differential characteristics, in order to explore the quantity-quality transfer relationship in the preparation process of standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha(H. discus hannai). ResultsThe CaCO3 contents of the 20 batches of medicinal materials, decoction pieces and standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha(H. discus hannai) were 93.87%-98.95%, 96.02%-99.97% and 38.29%-51.96%, respectively, and the extract yield of standard decoction was 1.71%-2.37%, and the CaCO3 transfer rate of decoction pieces-standard decoction was 0.68%-1.27%. XRF results showed that the elemental species and their relative contents contained in Haliotidis Concha and its calcined products had a high degree of similarity, and although there was no obvious difference in the elemental species contained in decoction pieces and standard decoction, the difference in the relative contents was obvious, which was mainly reflected in the decrease of the relative content of element Ca and the increase of the relative content of element Na. XRD results showed that Haliotidis Concha mainly contained CaCO3 of aragonite and calcite, while calcined Haliotidis Concha only contained CaCO3 of calcite, and standard decoction mainly contained CaCO3 of calcite and Na2CO3 of natrite. FTIR results showed that there were internal vibrations of O-H, C-H, C=O, HCO3- and CO32- groups in Haliotidis Concha, while O-H, HCO3- and CO32- groups existed in the calcined products and standard decoction. ConclusionThe changes of Haliotidis Concha and calcined Haliotidis Concha are mainly the increase of CaCO3 content, the transformation of CaCO3 aragonite crystal form to calcite crystal form and the absence of organic components after calcination, and the changes of calcined products and standard decoction are mainly the decrease of CaCO3 content and the increase of Na2CO3 relative content. The method established in the study is applicable to the quality control of the shellfish medicines-decoction pieces- standard decoction, which provides a new idea for the study of quality control of dispensing granules of shellfish medicines.
8.Shaoyaotang Containing Serum Mediates Fas/FasL Pathway to Inhibit Lipopolysaccharide Induced Inflammation and Apoptosis of Caco-2 Cells
Yuting YANG ; Dongsheng WU ; Hui CAO ; Yu ZHANG ; Nianjia XIE ; Bo ZOU ; Daguang CHEN ; Erle LIU ; Yi LU ; Zhaowen LYU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):62-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different concentrations of Shaoyaotang-containing serum on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation of human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells by inhibiting apoptosis via activating the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily member 6 (Fas)/Fas ligand (FasL) pathway. MethodsCaco-2 cells were allocated into blank, model (LPS, 10 mg·L-1), Shaoyaotang-containing serum (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%), and Fas inhibitor (KR-33493, 20 mmol·L-1) groups. Except the blank group, the other groups were stimulated with 10 mg·L-1 LPS for 24 h for the modeling of inflammation. After successful modeling, the blank, Fas inhibitor, and model groups were treated with blank serum, and the Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups were treated with the serum samples at corresponding concentrations for 24 h. The Fas inhibitor group was subjected to KR-33493 pretreatment for 1 h. Cell proliferation and viability were examined by the cell-counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. The levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-3, Caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were determined by Western blot and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), respectively. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group presented a decrease in cell survival rate (P<0.01). Compared with that in the model group, the cell survival rate showed no significant change in the 5% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group but increased in the 10%, 15%, and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups (P<0.01). Since there was no statistical difference between the 5% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group and the model group, 10%, 15%, and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing sera were selected for the follow-up study. Compared with the blank group, the model group showed risen levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01), an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01), up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax (P<0.01), and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Fas inhibitor group and the 10%, 15%, and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups showed declined levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.01), decreased apoptosis rates (P<0.01), down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the 15% and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups had lower levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α (P<0.05, P<0.01), lower apoptosis rates (P<0.05, P<0.01), lower protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax (P<0.05, P<0.01), and higher protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) than the 10% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group. ConclusionThe Shaoyaotang-containing serum can reduce the content of inflammatory factors in Caco-2 cells, down-regulate the protein and mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, and Bax, and up-regulate the protein and mRNA levels of Bcl-2 under the intervention of LPS by regulating the Fas/FasL pathway and inhibiting the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in ulcerative colitis.
9.Phase Change and Quantity-quality Transfer Analysis of Medicinal Materials, Decoction Pieces and Standard Decoction of Haliotidis Concha (Haliotis discus hannai)
Zhihan YANG ; Jingwei ZHOU ; Weichao WANG ; Yu HUANG ; Chuang LUO ; Lian YANG ; Chenyu ZHONG ; Hongping CHEN ; Fu WANG ; Yuan HU ; Youping LIU ; Shilin CHEN ; Lin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):206-214
ObjectiveTo explore the quantity-quality transfer process of medicinal materials, decoction pieces and standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha(Haliotis discus hannai) by analyzing the physical phase and compositional changes, so as to provide references for the effective control of its quality. MethodsA total of 20 batches of Haliotidis Concha(H. discus hannai) from different habitats were collected and prepared into corresponding calcined products and standard decoction, and the content of CaCO3 of the three samples were determined and the extract yield and transfer rate of CaCO3 were calculated. The changes in elemental composition and their relative contents were investigated by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry(XRF), X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to study the changes in the phase compositions of the three samples and to establish their respective XRD specific chromatogram. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry(FTIR) was used to study the changes in the chemical composition and content changes of the three samples and to establish their respective FTIR specific chromatogram, while combining hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) to find the common and differential characteristics, in order to explore the quantity-quality transfer relationship in the preparation process of standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha(H. discus hannai). ResultsThe CaCO3 contents of the 20 batches of medicinal materials, decoction pieces and standard decoction of Haliotidis Concha(H. discus hannai) were 93.87%-98.95%, 96.02%-99.97% and 38.29%-51.96%, respectively, and the extract yield of standard decoction was 1.71%-2.37%, and the CaCO3 transfer rate of decoction pieces-standard decoction was 0.68%-1.27%. XRF results showed that the elemental species and their relative contents contained in Haliotidis Concha and its calcined products had a high degree of similarity, and although there was no obvious difference in the elemental species contained in decoction pieces and standard decoction, the difference in the relative contents was obvious, which was mainly reflected in the decrease of the relative content of element Ca and the increase of the relative content of element Na. XRD results showed that Haliotidis Concha mainly contained CaCO3 of aragonite and calcite, while calcined Haliotidis Concha only contained CaCO3 of calcite, and standard decoction mainly contained CaCO3 of calcite and Na2CO3 of natrite. FTIR results showed that there were internal vibrations of O-H, C-H, C=O, HCO3- and CO32- groups in Haliotidis Concha, while O-H, HCO3- and CO32- groups existed in the calcined products and standard decoction. ConclusionThe changes of Haliotidis Concha and calcined Haliotidis Concha are mainly the increase of CaCO3 content, the transformation of CaCO3 aragonite crystal form to calcite crystal form and the absence of organic components after calcination, and the changes of calcined products and standard decoction are mainly the decrease of CaCO3 content and the increase of Na2CO3 relative content. The method established in the study is applicable to the quality control of the shellfish medicines-decoction pieces- standard decoction, which provides a new idea for the study of quality control of dispensing granules of shellfish medicines.
10.Discriminating Tumor Deposits From Metastatic Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer: A Pilot Study Utilizing Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI
Xue-han WU ; Yu-tao QUE ; Xin-yue YANG ; Zi-qiang WEN ; Yu-ru MA ; Zhi-wen ZHANG ; Quan-meng LIU ; Wen-jie FAN ; Li DING ; Yue-jiao LANG ; Yun-zhu WU ; Jian-peng YUAN ; Shen-ping YU ; Yi-yan LIU ; Yan CHEN
Korean Journal of Radiology 2025;26(5):400-410
Objective:
To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs.
Results:
All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027).
Conclusion
The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

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