Objective:To investigate the value of biparametric-MRI (bpMRI) based peritumoral radiomics for preoperative prediction of extraprostatic extension (EPE) in prostate cancer (PCa).Methods:In this cross-sectional study, consecutive bpMRI of patients undergoing prostatectomy for PCa were retrospectively collected from the First Medical Center (center 1) and the Third Medical Center (center 2) of Chinese PLA General Hospital. A total of 274 patients were finally enrolled. Patients at center 1 from January 2020 to December 2022 were randomly divided into a training set (149 cases) and an internal validation set (63 cases) by stratified random sampling. Patients at center 2 from January 2023 to March 2024 were assigned to the external test set (62 cases). Patients were categorized into EPE-positive group and EPE-negative group according to pathological assessment postoperatively. In the training set, there were 49 cases in EPE-positive group and 100 cases in EPE-negative group. In the internal validation set, there were 26 cases in EPE-positive group and 37 cases in EPE-negative group. In the external test set, there were 22 cases in EPE-positive group and 40 cases in EPE-negative group. Axial T 2WI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images were manually annotated to obtain index lesion regions of interest (ROIs), with the peritumoral ROIs subsequently delineated by semi-automatic segmentation technique. Radiomics features were extracted from intra-tumoral, peri-tumoral, and intra-tumoral plus peri-tumoral ROIs. The training set data was employed to select and optimize features to build the radiomics models. The logistic regression analysis was used to develop radiomics, clinical, and integrated models. The predictive performance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the external test set, and compared by the DeLong test. The sensitivity and specificity were compared by the exact McNemar test. Results:In the external test set, the peri-tumoral radiomics model based on bpMRI showed the highest performance in evaluating EPE, with an AUC of 0.739 (95% CI 0.611-0.842), which was identified as the optimal radiomics model. EPE grade ( OR=6.151, 95% CI 3.371-11.226, P<0.001) was incorporated into the clinical model, with an AUC of 0.780 (95% CI 0.657-0.875) in the external test set. The integrated model had an AUC of 0.817 (95% CI 0.698-0.904) in the external test set. There was no statistically significant difference in comparisons of AUCs among the three models (all P>0.05). The sensitivity of the integrated model (68.2%) showed no significant difference from those of the clinical model and the optimal radiomics model (77.3% and 86.4%, respectively; P=0.500 and P=0.289). However, the specificity of the integrated model (85.0%) was significantly higher than those of the clinical model (67.5%, P=0.016) and the optimal radiomics model (50.0%, P<0.001). Conclusion:A bpMRI-based peritumoral radiomics integrating clinical model demonstrates high performance for preoperative prediction of EPE in PCa.

Objective:To investigate the value of biparametric-MRI (bpMRI) based peritumoral radiomics for preoperative prediction of extraprostatic extension (EPE) in prostate cancer (PCa).Methods:In this cross-sectional study, consecutive bpMRI of patients undergoing prostatectomy for PCa were retrospectively collected from the First Medical Center (center 1) and the Third Medical Center (center 2) of Chinese PLA General Hospital. A total of 274 patients were finally enrolled. Patients at center 1 from January 2020 to December 2022 were randomly divided into a training set (149 cases) and an internal validation set (63 cases) by stratified random sampling. Patients at center 2 from January 2023 to March 2024 were assigned to the external test set (62 cases). Patients were categorized into EPE-positive group and EPE-negative group according to pathological assessment postoperatively. In the training set, there were 49 cases in EPE-positive group and 100 cases in EPE-negative group. In the internal validation set, there were 26 cases in EPE-positive group and 37 cases in EPE-negative group. In the external test set, there were 22 cases in EPE-positive group and 40 cases in EPE-negative group. Axial T 2WI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images were manually annotated to obtain index lesion regions of interest (ROIs), with the peritumoral ROIs subsequently delineated by semi-automatic segmentation technique. Radiomics features were extracted from intra-tumoral, peri-tumoral, and intra-tumoral plus peri-tumoral ROIs. The training set data was employed to select and optimize features to build the radiomics models. The logistic regression analysis was used to develop radiomics, clinical, and integrated models. The predictive performance was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the external test set, and compared by the DeLong test. The sensitivity and specificity were compared by the exact McNemar test. Results:In the external test set, the peri-tumoral radiomics model based on bpMRI showed the highest performance in evaluating EPE, with an AUC of 0.739 (95% CI 0.611-0.842), which was identified as the optimal radiomics model. EPE grade ( OR=6.151, 95% CI 3.371-11.226, P<0.001) was incorporated into the clinical model, with an AUC of 0.780 (95% CI 0.657-0.875) in the external test set. The integrated model had an AUC of 0.817 (95% CI 0.698-0.904) in the external test set. There was no statistically significant difference in comparisons of AUCs among the three models (all P>0.05). The sensitivity of the integrated model (68.2%) showed no significant difference from those of the clinical model and the optimal radiomics model (77.3% and 86.4%, respectively; P=0.500 and P=0.289). However, the specificity of the integrated model (85.0%) was significantly higher than those of the clinical model (67.5%, P=0.016) and the optimal radiomics model (50.0%, P<0.001). Conclusion:A bpMRI-based peritumoral radiomics integrating clinical model demonstrates high performance for preoperative prediction of EPE in PCa.

Objective To establish a stable,reliable,and clinically relevant porcine model of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods Ten 8-month-old male Bama minipigs were deeply sedated,followed by invasive mechanical ventilation and electrocardiographic monitoring.Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was intravenously pumped at 600 μg/(kg·h)for 3 hours,then maintained at 15 μg/(kg·h)thereafter.Dynamic monitoring was performed at five time points after LPS injection(LPS 0,1,3,5,and 8 h),including arterial blood gas analysis and chest computed tomography(CT)scans.Pathological examination of lung tissues obtained via bronchoscopic biopsy(HE staining and transmission electron microscopy)was conducted.These indicators were comprehensively used to evaluate the success of the animal model.Results At 5 hours after LPS administration,8 minipigs developed symptoms such as skin cyanosis,elevated body temperature,and respiratory distress.The oxygenation index decreased to<300 mmHg.Chest CT scans showed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates.Histopathology revealed alveolar edema and hyaline membrane formation.Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated disruption of pulmonary blood-air barrier,depletion of lamellar bodies in type Ⅱ pneumocytes,inflammatory cell infiltration,and exudation of plasma proteins and fibrin.Compared with LPS 0 h,at LPS 8 h,the oxygenation index and arterial blood pH were significantly decreased(P<0.001),while blood lactic acid and serum potassium were significantly increased(P<0.05);serum calcium and base excess were significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the lung injury score based on HE-stained lung sections was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion The porcine ARDS model established by continuous LPS injection can dynamically simulate the pathophysiological characteristics and typical pathological manifestations of clinical septic ARDS,making it an effective tool to study the pathogenesis,prevention,and treatment strategies of septic ARDS.

Objective:To establish a predictive risk model for acute kidney injury (AKI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients based on machine learning algorithm and compare with a traditional logistic regression model.Methods:It was a retrospective study. The demographic data, laboratory examination, treatment regimen and medication of AMI patients from July 2011 to December 2016 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University were collected. The diagnostic criteria of AKI were based on the AKI diagnosis and treatment guidelines published by Kidney Diseases: Improving Global Outcomes in 2012. The selected AMI patients were randomly divided into training set (70%) and internal test set (30%) by simple random sampling. SelectFromModel and Lasso regression models were used to extract clinical parameters as predictors of AKI in AMI patients. Logistic regression model (model A) and machine learning algorithm (model B) were used to establish the risk prediction model of AKI in AMI patients. DeLong method was used to compare the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve ( AUC) between model A and model B for selecting the best model. Results:A total of 6 014 AMI patients were included in the study, with age of (58.4±11.7) years old and 3 414 males (80.5%). There were 674 patients (11.2%) with AKI. There were 4 252 patients (70.7%) in the training set and 1 762 patients (29.3%) in the test set. The selected twelve clinical parameters by the SelectFromModel and Lasso regression models included the number of myocardial infarctions, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia, third degree atrioventricular block, decompensated heart failure at admission, admission serum creatinine, admission blood urea nitrogen, admission peak creatine kinase isoenzyme, diuretics, maximum daily dose of diuretics, days of diuretic use and statins. Logistic regression prediction model showed that AUC for the test set was 0.80 (95% CI 0.76-0.84). The machine learning algorithm model obtained AUC in the test set with 0.82 (95% CI 0.78-0.85).There was no significant difference in AUC between the two models ( Z=0.858, P=0.363), and AUC of the machine learning algorithm predictive model was slightly higher than that of the traditional logistic regression model. Conclusions:The prediction effect of AKI risk in AMI patients based on machine learning algorithm is similar to that of traditional logistic regression model, and the prediction accuracy of machine learning algorithm is better. The introduction of machine learning algorithm model may improve the ability to predict AKI risk.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of serological indicators and evaluate the diagnostic value of a new established combined serological model on identifying the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective multicenter study enrolled 263 compensated cirrhotic patients from 23 hospitals in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China between October 2021 and August 2022. Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected, and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated. Ammonia level was corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) by the baseline blood ammonia measurements/upper limit of the normal reference value. MHE was diagnosed by combined abnormal number connection test-A and abnormal digit symbol test as suggested by Guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis. The patients were randomly divided (7∶3) into training set ( n=185) and validation set ( n=78) based on caret package of R language. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model of MHE diagnosis. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve. The internal verification was carried out by the Bootstrap method ( n=200). AUC comparisons were achieved using the Delong test. Results:In the training set, prevalence of MHE was 37.8% (70/185). There were statistically significant differences in AMM-ULN, albumin, platelet, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, MELD score and education between non-MHE group and MHE group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AMM-ULN [odds ratio ( OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.05-3.14, P=0.038] and MELD score ( OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for MHE, and the AUC for predicting MHE were 0.663, 0.625, respectively. Compared with the use of blood AMM-ULN and MELD score alone, the AUC of the combined model of AMM-ULN, MELD score and education exhibited better predictive performance in determining the presence of MHE was 0.755, the specificity and sensitivity was 85.2% and 55.7%, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ( P=0.733). The AUC for internal validation of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.752. In the validation set, the AUC of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.794, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration ( P=0.841). Conclusion:Use of the combined model including AMM-ULN, MELD score and education could improve the predictive efficiency of MHE among patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Objective:To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test.Methods:This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results:After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea ( Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of applying peroneal artery perforator flap with super-draining techniques in repairing skin defects of extremities.Methods:The data of patients with limb wounds admitted to the 990th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People’s Liberation Army from March 2014 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. All were repaired with peroneal artery perforator flaps with super-draining techniques.Cutaneous nerves and perforating vessels were anastomosed according to the routine ratio of 1∶2.The superficial vein and the recipient veinwere matched and marked according to the relative position the diameter and length.Then one to three superficial veins were anastomosed in sequence according to the vein mark number.Upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Hand Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association.Patients with lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hindfoot Score System.All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association.Results:A total of 67 cases were included in this cohort. There were 54 males and 13 females, aged from 21 to 65 years, with an average of 44 years.Eight cases were anastomosed with three superficial veins, 38 cases were anastomosed with two flaps, and 21 cases were anastomosed with one flap.The donor sites were closed directly in 56 cases.Eleven cases received full-thickness skin grafting to cover the donor site.One case showed necrosis of the half flap for the arterial crisis. The wound was repaired by full-thickness skin grafting in further treatment. Three cases had hemorrhage under the free flap, which was healed secondarily after debridement. The remaining were healed well.All patients were followed for 6 to 44 months. There was no obvious swelling and blisters in the early postoperative period.The texture of the flap was the same as the surrounding area.In the later stage, the atrophy and scar were not obvious, without pigmentation. The sensation recovered quickly. The donor site healed without dysfunction.Sixteen patients with upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Branch. Twelve cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and one case was fair. Fifty-one cases of lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hind Foot Score System. Thirty-eight cases were excellent, 11 cases were good, and two cases were fair. All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association. The two-point distance discrimination was 8-10 mm, with an average of 9.1 mm. The sensory function of the flaps reached S3+ in 48 cases and S3 in 19 cases.Conclusions:Application of super-draining technique in peroneal artery perforator flap surgery can effectively prevent blood congestion and reduce the necrosis risk of the free flap and complication rate. It can improve the survival quality of the flap and facilitate the recovery of the function of the receiving area.

【Objective】 To investigate the expression of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and the effect of PKM2 on the proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ICC cells. 【Methods】 PKM2 expression was evaluated in ICC tissues and cell lines by Real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemistry assays. In vitro, we knocked down PKM2 expression in ICC cell lines and investigated the biological function and the underlying mechanism of PKM2 in ICC. 【Results】 RT-PCR results showed that PKM2 was highly expressed in ICC (P<0.05). Moreover, PKM2 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and the invasive capacities of ICC cells, and inhibited Wnt/ β-Catenin signaling, which subsequently regulated EMT signaling pathway in vitro. 【Conclusion】 PKM2 expression in cholangiocarcinoma is significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues. PKM2 can regulate EMT and invasion and metastasis of ICC via the Wnt/β-Catenin signal.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of applying peroneal artery perforator flap with super-draining techniques in repairing skin defects of extremities.Methods:The data of patients with limb wounds admitted to the 990th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People’s Liberation Army from March 2014 to August 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. All were repaired with peroneal artery perforator flaps with super-draining techniques.Cutaneous nerves and perforating vessels were anastomosed according to the routine ratio of 1∶2.The superficial vein and the recipient veinwere matched and marked according to the relative position the diameter and length.Then one to three superficial veins were anastomosed in sequence according to the vein mark number.Upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Hand Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association.Patients with lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hindfoot Score System.All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association.Results:A total of 67 cases were included in this cohort. There were 54 males and 13 females, aged from 21 to 65 years, with an average of 44 years.Eight cases were anastomosed with three superficial veins, 38 cases were anastomosed with two flaps, and 21 cases were anastomosed with one flap.The donor sites were closed directly in 56 cases.Eleven cases received full-thickness skin grafting to cover the donor site.One case showed necrosis of the half flap for the arterial crisis. The wound was repaired by full-thickness skin grafting in further treatment. Three cases had hemorrhage under the free flap, which was healed secondarily after debridement. The remaining were healed well.All patients were followed for 6 to 44 months. There was no obvious swelling and blisters in the early postoperative period.The texture of the flap was the same as the surrounding area.In the later stage, the atrophy and scar were not obvious, without pigmentation. The sensation recovered quickly. The donor site healed without dysfunction.Sixteen patients with upper limb wounds were evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Branch. Twelve cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and one case was fair. Fifty-one cases of lower limb wounds were evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Association Ankle-Hind Foot Score System. Thirty-eight cases were excellent, 11 cases were good, and two cases were fair. All patients were evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard of the British Medical Research Association. The two-point distance discrimination was 8-10 mm, with an average of 9.1 mm. The sensory function of the flaps reached S3+ in 48 cases and S3 in 19 cases.Conclusions:Application of super-draining technique in peroneal artery perforator flap surgery can effectively prevent blood congestion and reduce the necrosis risk of the free flap and complication rate. It can improve the survival quality of the flap and facilitate the recovery of the function of the receiving area.