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.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of native T1 mapping in differentiating Oxford classification (MEST-C) scores in patients with IgA nephropathy.Methods:In this prospective study, patients who underwent both T1 mapping and renal biopsy at the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital between April 2023 and October 2024 were consecutively enrolled. Two radiologists, blinded to clinical and pathological information, measured renal T1 mapping parameters, including cortical T1 (cT1), medullary T1 (mT1), the corticomedullary difference (ΔT1), and the corticomedullary ratio (T1 ratio). Clinical and renal biopsy data based on the Oxford classification from patients with IgA nephropathy were collected. The Oxford classification includes five indicators: Mesangial hypercellularity (M), Endocapillary hypercellularity (E), Segmental glomerulosclerosis or adhesion (S), Tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (T), and Cellular or fibrocellular crescents (C). Spearman correlation analysis was applied to evaluate the associations between MEST-C scores and T1 parameters. The diagnostic performance of T1 parameters for discriminating among scores of the Oxford classification was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:A total of 124 patients with IgA nephropathy were included in this study [66 males, 58 females; age 19-70 years, 39 (30, 51) years]. Except for the E indicator, M, S, T, and C were significantly correlated with renal T1 values ( ρ=0.177-0.414, all P<0.05). cT1 showed the best diagnostic efficacy for the S score, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.798, a sensitivity of 68.7%, and a specificity of 88.0%. The best T1 parameter for differentiating the T score was the T1 ratio, with an AUC of 0.687, a sensitivity of 57.9%, and a specificity of 79.1%. Conclusion:Native T1 mapping can be used for the non-invasive assessment of the S and T scores in the Oxford classification of patients with IgA nephropathy.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative prediction of regional lymph node (RLN) metastasis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using a machine learning model based on habitat imaging radiomics from renal MRI.Methods:This cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed 220 patients with RCC who underwent nephrectomy and RLN dissection at four medical centers of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2010 to August 2023. The cohort included 65 patients with RLN metastasis and 155 without. A stratified random sampling method was used to divide 175 patients from the first medical center into a training set ( n=140) and an internal test set ( n=35) in an 8∶2 ratio, while 45 patients from the third, fourth, and fifth medical centers constituted the external test set. The primary RCC lesions were categorized into 15 habitat subregions based on corticomedullary-phase enhancement and T 2WI signal intensity on MRI, and the volume fractions of different subregions were analyzed. In the training cohort, radiomics features derived from the habitat subregions were used to construct a radiomics model employing various machine learning algorithms, including extremely random trees (ET), gradient boosting decision trees (GBDT), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM). The optimal model was selected and combined with RLN short-axis diameter to develop a combined model. The efficacy of each model in predicting RLN metastasis was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:The volume fraction of hyper-enhanced hyper-intense regions in the non-metastatic group was significantly higher than that in the metastatic group (0.05±0.09 vs. 0.02±0.03; t=3.00, P=0.003). Among the machine learning models constructed using 15 optimal habitat radiomics features, the SVM model demonstrated the best performance, with area under the ROC curve (AUC) values of 0.85 (95% CI 0.72-0.98) in the internal test set and 0.82 (95% CI 0.67-0.98) in the external test set, surpassing those of the ET, GBDT, and RF models. The combined model, integrating the SVM model with RLN short-axis diameter, achieved AUC values of 0.94 (95% CI 0.85-1.00) in the internal test set and 0.89 (95% CI 0.78-1.00) in the external test set, with RLN short-axis diameter contributing AUC values of 0.81 (95% CI 0.66-0.96) and 0.81 (95% CI 0.68-0.94), respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity of the combined model was 91.7% in the internal test set and 85.7% in the external test set, with specificities of 78.3% and 67.7%, respectively. Conclusion:The combined model based on MRI habitat imaging radiomics and RLN short-axis diameter demonstrates excellent preoperative assessment capability for RLN metastasis in RCC.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of supplemented Buyang Huanwu decoction(BYHWD)on zinc home-ostasis and reproductive function in oligoasthenozoospermia(OAS)rats.Methods As many as 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into control,OAS,L-carnitine(0.323 g/kg),BYHWD low-dose(BYHWD-L,19.5 g/kg),BYHWD medium-dose(BYHWD-M,39 g/kg),and BYHWD high-dose(BYHWD-H,78 g/kg)groups,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the control group,all other groups were admini-stered adenine by gavage to establish an OAS model.After successful construction of the model,each group was treated by gavage with the corresponding drug doses or physiological saline once daily for 4 weeks.The general condition of the rats was recorded,testicular and epididymal coefficients were calculated,and sperm water volume and vitality were measured.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of serum testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),prolactin(PRL),as well as the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)and zinc containing enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in testicular tissue.The zinc con-tent in testicular tissue were also measured.Pathological changes in testicular tissue were observed using hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining.Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),and nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)protein expression in testicu-lar tissue were identified using immunohistochemistry.Results Compared to the control group,the OAS group exhibited significantly lower testicular and epididymal coefficients,sperm motility,sperm count,serum T and E2 levels(P＜0.05)and significantly higher FSH,LH,and PRL levels(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the OAS group showed significantly lower testicular tissue zinc content and levels of zinc containing enzymes ADH,ALP,and LDH(P＜0.05)than the control group.Conversely,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels,along with protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB were significantly higher in the OAS group than in the control group(P＜0.05).Compared to the OAS group,each drug intervention group showed improvements in testicular and epididymal coefficients,sperm motility,sperm count,T and E2 levels,testicular zinc content and zinc containing enzymes(ADH,ALP,and LDH)levels.Furthermore,the intervention groups demonstrated reduced FSH,LH,PRL,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels,and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway protein expression(P＜0.05).Conclusion BYHWD improves the reproductive function of OAS rats,potentially by regulating zinc homeostasis and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway,consequently reducing the inflammatory response.

Objective:To investigate the targets and mechanisms of cycloastragenol in ameliorating azithromycin-induced drug-induced liver injury(DILI)based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiment validation.Methods:Potential targets of cycloastragenol and DILI were predicted using databases.The common and key targets were screened and subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses,as well as molecular docking validation.Primary hepatocytes from C57BL/6 mice were isolated.The optimal concentration and time for azithromycin-induced DILI in mouse primary hepatocytes were determined using CCK8 and ROS assays.The expression of genes and proteins such as NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,AMPKα,and p-AMPKα was assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot to evaluate the intervention effect of cycloastragenol(10-50 μmol/L).Results:Network pharmacology analysis identified 10 key genes related to cycloastragenol's improvement of DILI,including heat shock protein 90AA1(HSP90AA1),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),etc.GO enrichment analysis suggested that cycloastragenol primarily regulates biological processes such as membrane potential and chemical synaptic transmission,and affects cellular components such as neuronal cell bodies and distal axons,and related kinase activities.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that it mainly exerts intervention effects through neuro-signaling pathways and IL-17 signaling pathways.Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding of cycloastragenol to HSP90AA1,MMP2,NF-κB p65,AMPKα,nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),heme oxygenase 1(HO-1),and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1),with a binding energy≤-5.0 kcal/mol for Nrf2.In vitro experiments showed that azithromycin(50 μmol/L,12 h)significantly reduced hepatocyte viability and increased ROS levels(P＜0.01).Different concentrations of cycloastragenol significantly improved the activity of mouse primary hepatocytes,reduced the generation of intracellular ROS,downregulated the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65,and upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of AMPKα,Nrf2,HO-1,NQO1(P＜0.05).Conclusions:Cycloastragenol may alleviate azithromycin-induced hepatocyte oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB phosphorylation and activating the AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway,with its mechanism likely closely linked to targeting Nrf2.However,the complex mechanisms of DILI may involve additional unverified pathways.Therefore,further studies are necessary to validate the efficacy and safety of cycloastragenol in animal models.

Objective:To investigate the targets and mechanisms of cycloastragenol in ameliorating azithromycin-induced drug-induced liver injury(DILI)based on network pharmacology and in vitro experiment validation.Methods:Potential targets of cycloastragenol and DILI were predicted using databases.The common and key targets were screened and subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses,as well as molecular docking validation.Primary hepatocytes from C57BL/6 mice were isolated.The optimal concentration and time for azithromycin-induced DILI in mouse primary hepatocytes were determined using CCK8 and ROS assays.The expression of genes and proteins such as NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,AMPKα,and p-AMPKα was assessed using RT-qPCR and Western blot to evaluate the intervention effect of cycloastragenol(10-50 μmol/L).Results:Network pharmacology analysis identified 10 key genes related to cycloastragenol's improvement of DILI,including heat shock protein 90AA1(HSP90AA1),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),etc.GO enrichment analysis suggested that cycloastragenol primarily regulates biological processes such as membrane potential and chemical synaptic transmission,and affects cellular components such as neuronal cell bodies and distal axons,and related kinase activities.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that it mainly exerts intervention effects through neuro-signaling pathways and IL-17 signaling pathways.Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding of cycloastragenol to HSP90AA1,MMP2,NF-κB p65,AMPKα,nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),heme oxygenase 1(HO-1),and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1),with a binding energy≤-5.0 kcal/mol for Nrf2.In vitro experiments showed that azithromycin(50 μmol/L,12 h)significantly reduced hepatocyte viability and increased ROS levels(P＜0.01).Different concentrations of cycloastragenol significantly improved the activity of mouse primary hepatocytes,reduced the generation of intracellular ROS,downregulated the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65,and upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of AMPKα,Nrf2,HO-1,NQO1(P＜0.05).Conclusions:Cycloastragenol may alleviate azithromycin-induced hepatocyte oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB phosphorylation and activating the AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 pathway,with its mechanism likely closely linked to targeting Nrf2.However,the complex mechanisms of DILI may involve additional unverified pathways.Therefore,further studies are necessary to validate the efficacy and safety of cycloastragenol in animal models.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of supplemented Buyang Huanwu decoction(BYHWD)on zinc home-ostasis and reproductive function in oligoasthenozoospermia(OAS)rats.Methods As many as 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into control,OAS,L-carnitine(0.323 g/kg),BYHWD low-dose(BYHWD-L,19.5 g/kg),BYHWD medium-dose(BYHWD-M,39 g/kg),and BYHWD high-dose(BYHWD-H,78 g/kg)groups,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the control group,all other groups were admini-stered adenine by gavage to establish an OAS model.After successful construction of the model,each group was treated by gavage with the corresponding drug doses or physiological saline once daily for 4 weeks.The general condition of the rats was recorded,testicular and epididymal coefficients were calculated,and sperm water volume and vitality were measured.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of serum testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),prolactin(PRL),as well as the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)and zinc containing enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in testicular tissue.The zinc con-tent in testicular tissue were also measured.Pathological changes in testicular tissue were observed using hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining.Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),and nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)protein expression in testicu-lar tissue were identified using immunohistochemistry.Results Compared to the control group,the OAS group exhibited significantly lower testicular and epididymal coefficients,sperm motility,sperm count,serum T and E2 levels(P＜0.05)and significantly higher FSH,LH,and PRL levels(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the OAS group showed significantly lower testicular tissue zinc content and levels of zinc containing enzymes ADH,ALP,and LDH(P＜0.05)than the control group.Conversely,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels,along with protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB were significantly higher in the OAS group than in the control group(P＜0.05).Compared to the OAS group,each drug intervention group showed improvements in testicular and epididymal coefficients,sperm motility,sperm count,T and E2 levels,testicular zinc content and zinc containing enzymes(ADH,ALP,and LDH)levels.Furthermore,the intervention groups demonstrated reduced FSH,LH,PRL,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels,and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway protein expression(P＜0.05).Conclusion BYHWD improves the reproductive function of OAS rats,potentially by regulating zinc homeostasis and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway,consequently reducing the inflammatory response.

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.

Vertebral refracture following percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) is commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures (OTLCF). It can lead to recurrent pain, loss of vertebral height, progression of kyphosis, and even neurological dysfunction, significantly impairing patients′ quality of life. Current diagnosis and treatment face multiple challenges, including high misdiagnosis rate, difficulty in choosing between surgical and non-surgical treatment options, lack of standardized surgical protocols, interference from intralesional bone cement during procedures, inadequate stability of internal fixation in osteoporotic bone, and suboptimal compliance of anti-osteoporotic therapy. Establishing a standardized diagnostic and therapeutic framework is urgently needed. To standardize the management process and improve outcomes for vertebral refractures after PVA in elderly OTLCF patients, Spinal Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field to develop Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebral augmentation in elderly patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures ( version 2025), based on current literature and clinical experience, and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability. A total of 11 recommendations were proposed, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vertebral refracture after PVA in elderly patients with OTLCF, aiming to provide a foundation for a standardized management.