1.Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway regulates the development of osteoarthritis:guiding targeted therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
Hao LI ; Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Qiang DING ; Chicheng NIU ; Kai HUANG ; Hongyu KANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1476-1485
BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.
2.Endoscopic lumbar canal decompression for upper lumbar spinal stenosis:a comparison of biomechanical stability of three surgical models
Jingbo MA ; Guangnan YANG ; Jiang LIU ; Qiang JIANG ; Hanshuo ZHANG ; Jiaheng HAN ; Yu DING
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):577-585
BACKGROUND:Upper lumbar spinal stenosis is a multifactorial degenerative disorder of the spine.For narrowing of the spinal canal in the upper lumbar region(L1-L4),surgical decision-making is particularly complex.Existing minimally invasive surgeries each have their own advantages and limitations.Currently,there are few reports on biomechanical comparison and finite element analysis of different surgical methods for the treatment of high lumbar spinal stenosis.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biomechanical impact of endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression,transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression,and cross-overtop decompression in the treatment of upper lumbar spinal stenosis using endoscopy,and to verify the reliability and effectiveness of these three surgical techniques in treating upper lumbar spinal stenosis,providing a biomechanical basis for clinical decision-making.METHODS:The CT images of the lumbar spine of a healthy volunteer were selected,and the finite element model M0 of the normal lumbar L1-L5 segments was established using Mimics,Geomagic,Solid works,and Ansys software.The L2-L3 segment,representing upper lumbar characteristics,was chosen.Based on this model,the surgical models for endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression(M1),transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression(M2),and cross-overtop decompression(M3)were established.Using software,the changes in the range of motion of the entire lumbar segment and the maximum Von Mises stress of the intervertebral discs were simulated and evaluated for each group of models under six loading conditions:flexion,extension,left lateral bending,right lateral bending,left rotation,and right rotation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with model MO,the range of motion in M1,M2,and M3 increased under all six conditions,with M1 showing a greater increase.(2)M1 and M2 demonstrated significant increases in range of motion under forward bending,extension,and right rotation,while the increase under other conditions remained below 7%.(3)Compared with model M3,model M1 exhibited slightly increased overall joint range of motion during extension and left bending,while no significant changes were observed in other aspects,and the L1-L5 lumbar segments did not reach an unstable state.(4)In model M1,the maximum Von Mises stress of the intervertebral discs increased most significantly under flexion and extension loading conditions.However,under left lateral bending,right lateral bending,left rotation,and right rotation loading conditions,the increase did not exceed 5%.(5)These findings suggest that due to the sagittal anatomical characteristics of the facet joints,the unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression technique,while decompressing,involves resection of more facet joints,which impacts overall segmental stability.The transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression technique is suitable for patients with foraminal stenosis but cannot achieve complete decompression for those with severe ventral central stenosis.The Cross-Overtop technique effectively enlarges the volume of the central canal and lateral recess,optimizing decompression,and shows unique advantages in treating upper lumbar spinal stenosis.
3.Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway regulates the development of osteoarthritis:guiding targeted therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
Hao LI ; Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Qiang DING ; Chicheng NIU ; Kai HUANG ; Hongyu KANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(6):1476-1485
BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.
4.Endoscopic lumbar canal decompression for upper lumbar spinal stenosis:a comparison of biomechanical stability of three surgical models
Jingbo MA ; Guangnan YANG ; Jiang LIU ; Qiang JIANG ; Hanshuo ZHANG ; Jiaheng HAN ; Yu DING
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(3):577-585
BACKGROUND:Upper lumbar spinal stenosis is a multifactorial degenerative disorder of the spine.For narrowing of the spinal canal in the upper lumbar region(L1-L4),surgical decision-making is particularly complex.Existing minimally invasive surgeries each have their own advantages and limitations.Currently,there are few reports on biomechanical comparison and finite element analysis of different surgical methods for the treatment of high lumbar spinal stenosis.OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biomechanical impact of endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression,transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression,and cross-overtop decompression in the treatment of upper lumbar spinal stenosis using endoscopy,and to verify the reliability and effectiveness of these three surgical techniques in treating upper lumbar spinal stenosis,providing a biomechanical basis for clinical decision-making.METHODS:The CT images of the lumbar spine of a healthy volunteer were selected,and the finite element model M0 of the normal lumbar L1-L5 segments was established using Mimics,Geomagic,Solid works,and Ansys software.The L2-L3 segment,representing upper lumbar characteristics,was chosen.Based on this model,the surgical models for endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression(M1),transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression(M2),and cross-overtop decompression(M3)were established.Using software,the changes in the range of motion of the entire lumbar segment and the maximum Von Mises stress of the intervertebral discs were simulated and evaluated for each group of models under six loading conditions:flexion,extension,left lateral bending,right lateral bending,left rotation,and right rotation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with model MO,the range of motion in M1,M2,and M3 increased under all six conditions,with M1 showing a greater increase.(2)M1 and M2 demonstrated significant increases in range of motion under forward bending,extension,and right rotation,while the increase under other conditions remained below 7%.(3)Compared with model M3,model M1 exhibited slightly increased overall joint range of motion during extension and left bending,while no significant changes were observed in other aspects,and the L1-L5 lumbar segments did not reach an unstable state.(4)In model M1,the maximum Von Mises stress of the intervertebral discs increased most significantly under flexion and extension loading conditions.However,under left lateral bending,right lateral bending,left rotation,and right rotation loading conditions,the increase did not exceed 5%.(5)These findings suggest that due to the sagittal anatomical characteristics of the facet joints,the unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression technique,while decompressing,involves resection of more facet joints,which impacts overall segmental stability.The transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression technique is suitable for patients with foraminal stenosis but cannot achieve complete decompression for those with severe ventral central stenosis.The Cross-Overtop technique effectively enlarges the volume of the central canal and lateral recess,optimizing decompression,and shows unique advantages in treating upper lumbar spinal stenosis.
5.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.
6.Effects of Wenfei Jiangzhuo Formula on mitochondrial function of Aβ25-35-induced BV-2 cells based on PGAM5-Drp1 axis
Ding ZHANG ; Zhi-han HU ; Ke-qing ZHOU ; Wei CHEN ; Hong-ling QING ; Jun-jun XIANG ; Yue-qiang HU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(8):2558-2565
AIM To investigate the effects of Wenfei Jiangzhuo Formula on mitochondrial function of Aβ25-35-induced BV-2 cells.METHODS In the establishment of cell model of Alzheimer's disease(AD)using Aβ25-35 on the BV-2 cells,the optimal concentration and time point of Aβ25-35 intervention were determined;and the groups for the intervention of LFHP-1c group(inhibitor)or the serum containing Wenfei Jiangzhuo Formula were set up.The detection of the optimal intervention concentration and time point by CCK-8 assay;the observation of cell migration and apoptosis by Transwell assay and Hoechst 33342 staining;the detection of the positive expressions of PGAM5 and Drp1 by immunofluorescence;and the detection of cellular PGAM5,Drp1,OPA1,and Mfn1/2 mRNA and protein expressions by RT-qPCR and Western blot were conducted.RESULTS The best AD cell model was established by 48 h exposure to 5 μmol/L of Aβ25-35,and most active cell viability was achieved with the 48 h use of serum containing 20%Wenfei Jiangzhuo Formula.Compared with the control group,the model group displayed decreased number of cell migration,more bright blue positive apoptotic cells,increased number of PGAM5 and Drp1 positive cells and their mRNA and protein expressions(P<0.05);and decreased mRNA and protein expressions of OPA1 and Mfn1/2(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with the medicines shared increased number of cell migration,less bright blue positive apoptotic cells,decreased number of PGAM5 and Drp1 positive cells and their mRNA and protein expressions(P<0.05);and elevated OPA1 and Mfn1/2 mRNA and protein expressions(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Wenfei Jiangzhuo Formula exerts cerebroprotective effects to improve cognition by reducing cell damage and improving the balance of mitochondrial homeostasis through PGAM5-Drp1 axis in AD model.
7.A study of health needs profiling of potential service users in community health service organisations
Ying JIN ; Lijin DING ; Jiabao GAO ; Siyu GONG ; Bing XU ; Qiang CHEN ; Liping CHEN ; Yu FENG ; Fulai SHEN
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2025;24(8):925-937
Objective:To investigate the distribution of health needs and healthcare workforce demands among potential service users in community health service institurions (CHSIs) and establish a comprehensive health needs profile for targeted service development.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire survey (55 items for adults and 39 items for minors) was conducted among 564 residents aged 3-65 in Dapuqiao Subdistrict, Shanghai from March to May 2024. A health sketch model was developed, encompassing five dimensions (intake, basal metabolism, consumption, influencing factors, and somatosensory perception). Health issues were mapped to standardized healthcare services, and annual standardized workloads (SW) were calculated to quantify human resource demands. Results:Among 534 valid responses (94.68% response rate), 355 from the adults and 179 from minors, the top health issues for adults were irregular diet, nutritional imbalance, obesity, somatic fatigue, and disordered eating; for minors, they were nutritional imbalance, medication overuse, insufficient physical activity, picky eating, and anorexia. The total annual SW required to address these needs was 3 906 807.93. Among them, the total SW for each age group was as follows: the total annual SW demand for children aged between 3 and 5 years old was 24 108.90, for children aged between 6 and 11 years old was 141 355.70, for adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years old was 29 813.74, 223 475.50 for 18-24 year olds, 476 426.53 for 25-34 year olds, 1 221 105.84 for 35-44 year olds, 812 200.22 for 45-54 year olds; and 978 321.50 for 55-65 year olds. Workforce allocation analysis revealed a total demand for 139.84 standardized personnel, with rehabilitation therapists (38.16), general practitioners (35.69), and nurses (27.34) being the top three required roles.Conclusions:Health needs and workforce demands vary significantly across age groups. This study provides a data-driven framework for optimizing community health services through stratified health needs profiling and precision resource allocation. Future strategies should prioritize tailored interventions and workforce planning to bridge service gaps and enhance health outcomes.
8.Human resource allocation in community health service center: a case study of discrepancy between supply and demand based on standardized workload
Ying JIN ; Lijin DING ; Siyu GONG ; Jiabao GAO ; Bing XU ; Qiang CHEN ; Liping CHEN ; Fulai SHEN ; Yu FENG
Chinese Journal of General Practitioners 2025;24(4):449-457
Objective:To investigate the descrepancy between current supply and demand based on standardiized workload for rational human resource allocation in community health service centers.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted in Dapuqiao Community Health Service Center of Shanghai Huangpu District from January 1st to December 3lst 2023. The current status of demand and supply were analyzed using the 2023 data of the institution. The standardised workload was measured according to the potential basic medical and public health service needs based on the disease profile and population groups in the community. The discrepancy between the current supply and theoretical demand was analyzed.Results:A total of 36 634 patients paid 277 262 visits in outpatient clinics of Dapuqiao Community Health Service Center in 2023. There are total 161 employees in the center, 124 of whom are female (77.02%). The actual calibrated workload of basic medical care and public health service in the center calculated on fee-based medical service items in 2023 was 2 888 425.61 and 455 898.35, respectively; while the theoretically calibrated workload was 5 416 492.42 and 711 230.94, respectively. The center employed 131 medical and health workers currently, calibrated as 90.67 employees based on current demand, while it should be 183.74 calibrated on the theoretical demand, there was a certain discrepancy between the current staffing and the standard staffing based on the standardized workload calculation.Conclusion:At present, the actual standardized workload of basic medical and public health services in Dapuqiao Community Health Service Center still has room for improvement, but there is a certain gap between the current human resource allocation and the demand.
9.Study on prediction of radiotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer using machine learning models based on localization CT-based radiomics, dosiomics and clinical features
Shuang GE ; Peijun ZHU ; Qiang DING ; Jun MA ; Aiping ZHANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Junli MA ; Xun WANG ; Shucheng YE
Cancer Research and Clinic 2025;37(10):743-751
Objective:To construct a machine learning model based on localization CT-based radiomics, dosiomics and clinical features for predicting radiotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and validate its application value.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. A total of 138 NSCLC patients who received radiotherapy at the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 2016 to December 2022 were selected. The efficacy was evaluated according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1, and the patients were stratified according to the objective remission (complete remission+partial remission). Random stratified sampling was used to divide the 138 patients into a training group (96 cases) and an internal validation group (42 cases) at a ratio of 7∶3. Additionally, 33 patients who received radiotherapy at Jining Cancer Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were included as the external validation group. Based on the pre-radiotherapy data of the radiotherapy planning system, PyRadiomics software package was used to extract 107 radiomics features and 107 dosiomics features for each patient. Pearson correlation analysis and LASSO regression analysis were used for dimensionality reduction screening; the final selected features were weighted and integrated to generate radiomics-dosiomics scores (RDS), which were then input into logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), extremely randomized forest (Extra Trees), K-nearest neighbor algorithm (KNN), lightweight gradient boosting machine (Light GBM), and multi-layer perceptron (MLP) machine learning algorithms to construct 6 radiomics-dosiomics models (RDM) for predicting the objective remission. RECIST 1.1 standard was used to evaluate objective remission as the gold standard, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 6 RDM for predicting objective remission was plotted, and the optimal algorithm for RDM was selected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed on demographic characteristics, hematological indicators and radiotherapy parameters of the training group to screen independent risk factors for NSCLC patients who received radiotherapy but did not achieve objective remission. These factors were input into the optimal machine learning algorithm to construct a clinical model (CM). Combined with features from RDS and CM, the clinical feature-radiomics-dosiomics combined model (CRDM) was established, and the nomogram of the model for predicting objective remission in NSCLC patients with radiotherapy was drawn. ROC curves were used to evaluate the efficacy of CM, RDM and CRDM in predicting the objective remission in NSCLC patients with radiotherapy in the training group, internal validation group and external validation group.Results:Four radiomics features (including grayscale variance, low grayscale long-range operation emphasis, low grayscale area emphasis, and small area low grayscale area emphasis, all of which were texture features) and 6 dosiomics features [including 1 first-order feature (robust mean absolute deviation), 4 texture features (grayscale non-uniformity, large area emphasis, large area high grayscale emphasis, contrast) and 1 shape feature (shortest axis length)] were selected. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the RDM constructed using SVM algorithm for judging the objective remission in the training group and the internal validation group was 0.907 (95% CI: 0.836-0.977) and 0.822 (95% CI: 0.685-0.959), which were higher than RDM constructed using other algorithms, and the sensitivity (96.2% and 91.7%), specificity (78.6% and 76.7%) and accuracy (83.3% and 81.0%) at the optimal cut-off values were all higher. Considering the stability and generalization ability of the model, SVM algorithm was ultimately used to construct RDM, CM and CRDM uniformly. Based on training group data, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) ( OR = 1.001, 95% CI: 1.000-1.003, P = 0.035) and increased target volume of radiotherapy plan ( OR = 1.001, 95% CI: 1.000-1.001, P = 0.008) were independent risk factors for failure to achieve objective remission. ROC curve analysis showed that in the training group and the internal validation group, the AUC of CRDM predicting objective remission were 0.914 (95% CI: 0.856-0.972) and 0.864 (95% CI: 0.754-0.974), respectively, which were better than CM [AUC were 0.735 (95% CI: 0.612-0.857) and 0.697 (95% CI: 0.507-0.888)] and RDM, respectively. In the external validation group, the AUC of CRDM, CM and RDM were 0.778 (95% CI: 0.500-1.000), 0.667 (95% CI: 0.434-0.899) and 0.741 (95% CI: 0.463-1.000), respectively. Conclusions:The CRDM constructed by combining radiomics, dosiomics and clinical features can comprehensively and accurately evaluate the radiotherapy response of NSCLC patients, and may have important clinical application value in achieving precision medicine and optimizing treatment strategies.
10.Construction of a prediction model for muscular invasion in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma based on preoperative MRI features
Haonan CHEN ; Lingkai CAI ; Hongyuan DING ; Hao JI ; Tianxiao HONG ; Hao YU ; Qikai WU ; Chaoran ZHAO ; Xiao YANG ; Qiang CAO ; Xiancheng ZHAO ; Pengchao LI ; Qiang LYU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(9):661-668
Objective:To construct a nomogram based on preoperative MRI imaging features for the prediction of muscle-invasive upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC)and evaluate its performance.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed the clinical data of 99 UTUC patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from April 2018 to May 2024. Among them,69(69.7%)were male and 30(30.3%)were female,with a median age of 67.0 years. All patients underwent preoperative MRI and radical nephroureterectomy. According to postoperative pathology,tumors staged ≥ T 2 were assigned to the muscle-invasive group,and those staged ≤ T 1 were assigned to the non-muscle-invasive group. Baseline data,pathological information,and imaging characteristics were collected and compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for muscle-invasive UTUC,and a nomogram was constructed. The diagnostic performance of the model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration curves,and decision curve analysis(DCA). Results:Among the 99 patients,70(70.7%)were diagnosed with muscle-invasive UTUC,and 29(29.3%)with non-muscle-invasive UTUC. The muscle-invasive group had significantly larger tumor size[4.5(2.8,7.0)cm vs. 3.0(2.3,4.5)cm, P = 0.029],a higher incidence of multifocal tumors[37.1%(26/70)vs. 3.5%(1/29), P < 0.001],patchy tumors[30.0%(21/70)vs. 6.9%(2/29), P = 0.019],spiculated tumor margins[52.9%(37/70)vs. 17.2%(5/29), P = 0.001],tumor compression on renal parenchyma or periureteral/peripelvic fat[68.6%(48/70)vs. 10.3%(3/29), P < 0.001],high-grade pathology[92.9%(65/70)vs. 75.9%(22/29), P = 0.043],lymph node metastasis[28.6%(20/70)vs. 0, P = 0.001],and lymphovascular invasion[42.9%(30/70)vs. 10.3%(3/29), P=0.002]. The apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values[0.9(0.8,1.1)× 10 -3 mm2/s vs. 1.1(1.0,1.4)× 10 -3 mm2/s, P < 0.001]and normalized ADC(NADC)values[0.8(0.7,1.0)vs. 0.9(0.8,1.1), P = 0.002]were significantly lower in the muscle-invasive group. Univariate logistic regression identified multifocality,patchy tumor patterns,spiculated tumor margins,tumor compression on renal parenchyma or periureteral/peripelvic fat,and low NADC values as risk factors for muscle-invasive UTUC(all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed multifocality( OR = 17.903,95% CI 1.650 - 194.253, P = 0.018),tumor compression on renal parenchyma or perirenal / ureteral fat( OR = 14.690,95% CI 3.069 - 70.323, P < 0.001),and low NADC value( OR = 0.016,95% CI 0.001 - 0.471, P = 0.017)as independent risk factors. A nomogram was constructed based on these factors. The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the model was 0.898(95% CI 0.838 - 0.957),with an optimal cutoff value of 0.639. The model showed an accuracy of 83.8%,sensitivity of 81.4%,and specificity of 89.7%. Calibration curves indicated good calibration,and DCA showed that the model provided substantial clinical net benefit. Conclusions:This study constructed a nomogram based on preoperative MRI features,including tumor multifocality,compression on renal parenchyma or periureteral/peripelvic fat and NADC value,which demonstrates good predictive performances for muscle-invasive UTUC.

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