Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical value of artificial intelligence-assisted compressed sensing (ACS) technology in accelerating MR simulation (MR-sim) for radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods:Thirty patients with NPC scheduled to receive radical radiotherapy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent head and neck MR-sim on a 3.0 T scanner, with axial T 1 weighted imaging (WI), T 2WI, contrast-enhanced T 1WI, and fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T 1WI images acquired using both ACS and parallel imaging (PI) techniques. Paired-sample t tests or rank-sum tests were used to compare scan time, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of MR-sim images between the two techniques. A 5-point Likert scale was applied to evaluate tumor lesion visualization, lesion margin clarity, artifacts, and overall image quality, with chi-square tests used to compare subjective image quality scores between the two techniques. Tumor target volumes were delineated on MR-sim images obtained by both ACS and PI techniques after fusion with CT simulation images, and consistency was assessed using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Results:For both individual sequences and overall protocols, ACS significantly reduced MR-sim acquisition time compared with PI ( P < 0.001). The total acquisition time with ACS was (378.60±17.07) s versus (694.93±17.07) s with PI, representing a 45.52% time reduction. SNR, CNR, tumor lesion identification, margin clarity, artifacts, and overall image quality scores of MR-sim images did not differ significantly between ACS and PI ( P > 0.05). Tumor target volumes delineated from ACS- and PI-based MR-sim images showed high consistency after fusion with CT simulation images ( P > 0.05), with mean DSC values of primary tumors and metastatic cervical lymph nodes approaching 1. Conclusion:Compared with conventional MR acceleration methods (PI), ACS enables faster MR-sim acquisition in NPC without compromising image quality or the accuracy of tumor target delineation.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical value of artificial intelligence-assisted compressed sensing (ACS) technology in accelerating MR simulation (MR-sim) for radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods:Thirty patients with NPC scheduled to receive radical radiotherapy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent head and neck MR-sim on a 3.0 T scanner, with axial T 1 weighted imaging (WI), T 2WI, contrast-enhanced T 1WI, and fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T 1WI images acquired using both ACS and parallel imaging (PI) techniques. Paired-sample t tests or rank-sum tests were used to compare scan time, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of MR-sim images between the two techniques. A 5-point Likert scale was applied to evaluate tumor lesion visualization, lesion margin clarity, artifacts, and overall image quality, with chi-square tests used to compare subjective image quality scores between the two techniques. Tumor target volumes were delineated on MR-sim images obtained by both ACS and PI techniques after fusion with CT simulation images, and consistency was assessed using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Results:For both individual sequences and overall protocols, ACS significantly reduced MR-sim acquisition time compared with PI ( P < 0.001). The total acquisition time with ACS was (378.60±17.07) s versus (694.93±17.07) s with PI, representing a 45.52% time reduction. SNR, CNR, tumor lesion identification, margin clarity, artifacts, and overall image quality scores of MR-sim images did not differ significantly between ACS and PI ( P > 0.05). Tumor target volumes delineated from ACS- and PI-based MR-sim images showed high consistency after fusion with CT simulation images ( P > 0.05), with mean DSC values of primary tumors and metastatic cervical lymph nodes approaching 1. Conclusion:Compared with conventional MR acceleration methods (PI), ACS enables faster MR-sim acquisition in NPC without compromising image quality or the accuracy of tumor target delineation.

Objective To study the surgical treatment of the pilonidal disease.Methods The clinical data of 33 cases of the pilonidal disease were retrospectively analyzed from Jul 2007 to Feb 2014.18 cases were treated with Excision and Marsupialization,and 15 cases were treated with Rhomboid excision and Limberg flap.Results All 18 cases in the excision and marsupialization group,were cured by surgery.all 15 cases in the rhomboid excision and Limberg flap group were cured,five of these cases were delayed healing dehiscence or necrosis,all this cases were healed after dressing drainage.The average healing time of the Limberg flap group was shorter than that of the Marsupialization group[(19 ±7) d vs.(37 ± 12) d,t =6.556,P ＜ 0.01].Postoperative recurrence of the Marsupialization group was 1 case,the recurrence rate was 5.6％,and there was no recurrence after Limberg flap transfer.The recurrence rate of the 2 groups was statistically insignificant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The excision and marsupialization and the rhomboid excision and Limberg flap are effective in the treatment of the pilonidal disease,and the Limberg flap transfer is recommended in complicated and recurrence cases.

Objective To detect the viscoelasticity of carotid artery in healthy volunteers using ultrasonic shear wave dispersion ( SWD ) technique ,and explore the feasibility and influencing factors for SWD parameters . Methods Forty‐five healthy volunteers were recruited and divided into elder group ( ≥50 years old) and younger group ( ＜50 years old) according to the age . T he carotid arteries were examined by SWD at systole ,axial elastic modulus ( SWER ) and viscous index ( SWDR ) were obtained . T he pulse wave velocity ( PWV ) ,a carotid artery circumferential elastic parameter was obtained and considered as the reference indicator . T he difference of SWE R ,SWDR and PWV were compared between two groups ; and the correlation between them were analyzed by Pearson analysis ,respectively . Results ① Compared with the younger group ,the carotid PWV increased ,w hile SWE R and SWDR decreased in the elder group ( all P ＜0 .05) . ②In all subjects ,SWER was negatively correlated with PWV ( r ＝ －0 .256 , P ＜ 0 .05 ) . In the elder group ,SWER was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure ( r ＝ －0 .357 , P ＜ 0 .05 ) ,and SWDR was negatively correlated with PWV ( r ＝ －0 .393 , P ＜0 .05 ) . In the younger group ,SWDR was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure ( r ＝0 .366 , P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions Compared with the elder group ,the carotid viscoelasticity was higher in young people ,and it is correlated with PWV . SWD can evaluate carotid viscoelasticity ,and contribute to better understanding of its tissue characteristics .

Objective: To detect the viscoelasticity of carotid artery in healthy volunteers using ultrasonic shear wave dispersion (SWD) technique, and explore the feasibility and influencing factors for SWD parameters. Methods: Forty-five healthy volunteers were recruited and divided into elder group (≥50 years old) and younger group (<50 years old) according to the age. The carotid arteries were examined by SWD at systole, axial elastic modulus (SWE_R) and viscous index (SWD_R) were obtained. The pulse wave velocity (PWV), a carotid artery circumferential elastic parameter was obtained and considered as the reference indicator. The difference of SWE_R, SWD_R and PWV were compared between two groups; and the correlation between them were analyzed by Pearson analysis, respectively. Results: ①Compared with the younger group, the carotid PWV increased, while SWE_R and SWD_R decreased in the elder group(all P<0.05). ②In all subjects, SWE_R was negatively correlated with PWV (r=-0.256, P<0.05). In the elder group, SWE_R was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=-0.357, P<0.05), and SWD_R was negatively correlated with PWV (r=-0.393, P<0.05). In the younger group, SWD_R was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=0.366, P<0.05). Conclusions Compared with the elder group, the carotid viscoelasticity was higher in young people, and it is correlated with PWV. SWD can evaluate carotid viscoelasticity, and contribute to better understanding of its tissue characteristics.

Objective To observe the effect of sevoflurane preconditioning on serum GDF-15,TNF-α, cTnI expression during perioperative period in patients in congenital heart diseases(CHD)with pulmonary artery hypertension(PAH),and to investigate the mechanism of myocardial protection. Methods Forty adult patients of CHD with PAH who received open-heart surgery under extracorporeal circulation were randomly divided into two groups(n=20):sevoflurane preconditioning group(Group S)and the control group(Group C). In the group S, 1MAC sevoflurane was inhaled for 20 min from beginning of operation ,and followed with oxygen elution for 10 min,in twice;only inhaling pure oxygen in the Group C. The artery blood samples were collected for measurements of serum GDF-15,TNF-α,cTnI immediately before anesthesia induction(T0),at 2 h(T1),12 h(T2),24 h (T3)after aorta declamping and 7 d(T4)after operation. The restoration of spontaneous heart beat ,reperfusion arrhythmia scores,preoperative and postoperative pulmonary artery systolic pressure were recorded. Results Com-pared with preoperative pumonary artery systolic pressure(PASP),it became low in the two groups at 7 days after operation(P<0.05);compared with the group C,the rate of restoration of spontaneous heart beat was promoted, and reperfusion arrhythmia scores were decreased in the group S(P<0.05);compared with the group C,GDF-15 were increased,TNF-α,cTnI were decreased in the group S at T1～3(P < 0.05);Compared with T0,GDF-15, TNF-α,cTnI were increased in the two groups at T1～3,GDF-15 in the two groups were decreased at T4(P <0.05). Conclusion Sevoflurane preconditioning may reduce inflammatory reaction during perioperative period in patients of CHD with PAH by promoting the expression of GDF-15,inhibiting the expression of TNF-α and then improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

DNA typing of biological samples is an important step in performing individual identification and paternity testing in forensic applications. In practice, the detection of complex biological samples and the identification of complex kinships are challenging current biological technologies. Novel DNA technologies are also introduced into forensic genetics to improve the power of analysis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has several advantages, such as high-throughput and low cost, and can obtain detailed DNA sequences and relative contents of targeted regions, which will improve the detection of biological samples to help the analysis of forensic cases. The application of NGS in forensic genetics has received extensive attention and reports on the application of NGS in forensic genetics are increasing. In this study, we summarized the progress in the application research of NGS in the forensic genetics including the detection of genetic markers and their analytical methods. This will provide guides for related studies and forensic applications.

Objective To evaluate the early diagnostic value of circulating microRNA-1 (miR-1) on acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted. The patients with chest pain admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Wuxi from November 2012 to June 2015 were enrolled. According to AMI diagnostic criteria, the patients were divided into AMI group and non-AMI group, and healthy individuals during the same period were served as heath controls. The venous samples of the onset patients were collected within 3 hours after admission. The plasma miR-1 was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the levels of plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) were measured by electrochemiluminescence. The correlation between plasma miR-1 and cTnI as well as CK-MB was performed by Spearman analysis. The early diagnostic performance of plasma miR-1, cTnI, and CK-MB for AMI was estimated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results There were 127 patients in AMI group, and 107 in non-AMI group, including 82 patients with angina pectoris, 2 with pulmonary embolism, 3 with aortic dissection, 2 with acute pericarditis, 3 with myocarditis, 13 with acute heart failure, and 2 with peptic ulcer. Ninety volunteers were served as healthy controls. There was no difference in clinical characteristics including gender and hyperlipidemia between AMI group and non-AMI group. The expressions of plasma miR-1, cTnI and CK-MB were significantly increased in AMI patients as compared with those of the healthy controls [miR-1 (2-ΔΔCt): 4.32±2.60 vs. 1.44±0.75 and 0.98±0.18, cTnI (μg/L): 3.23 (0.63, 10.70) vs. 0.02 (0.00, 0.17) and 0.00 (0.00, 0.00), CK-MB (U/L): 32.40 (14.20, 95.40) vs. 14.40 (11.20, 17.10) and 8.90 (8.28, 9.50), all P < 0.01]. The expression of plasma miR-1 had a significantly positive correlation with cTnI and CK-MB in AMI patients (r1 = 0.395, r2 = 0.490, both P < 0.000). It was demonstrated by ROC curve analysis that the area under ROC curve (AUC) for the diagnostic value of miR-1 on AMI was 0.905 [95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.860-0.950, P = 0.000], the sensitivity was 86.6%, and the specificity was 95.4%; the AUC for cTnI was 0.908 (95%CI = 0.870-0.946, P = 0.000), the sensitivity was 81.9%, and the specificity was 95.9%; the AUC for CK-MB was 0.795 (95%CI = 0.736-0.854, P = 0.000), the sensitivity was 63.0%, and the specificity was 92.9%. Conclusions Plasma miR-1 has the capacity in early diagnosis of AMI, superior to CK-MB, and equal to cTnI. It can provide additional diagnostic information beyond cTnI. The diagnostic accuracy for early AMI can be improved with the combination of plasma miR-1 and cTnI.

Objective To explore the change rules of peak area ratio of STR loci to Amelogenin (AMEL) locus (STR/A M EL ), a sex-determ ining gene in DNA degradation, and to evaluate the application of STR/A MEL value in the estim ation of DNA degradation degree. Methods DNA w as extracted from iliopsoas, and the variations of STR/A MEL value (Penta E/AMEL, Penta D/AMEL, FGA/AMEL) w ere analyzed after the artificial degradation w as m ade by DNaseⅠ, and the changes of these three ratios of the iliopsoas naturally degraded in an outdoor environm ent w ere also analyzed. The regression curves w ere analyzed using the periods of DNA degradation and outside the body as the independent variable (x) and the STR/A MEL value as the dependent variable (y) and three curve equations under tw o conditions w ere established. Results B oth under the conditions of artificial and natural degradation, STR/A MEL value had a negative relationship w ith the degradation tim e. The relationship betw een STR/A MEL and degradation tim e can be w ell sim ulated by the cubic function. R2 w as over 0.99 under controlled degradation condition and over 0.86 under natural degradation condition. Conclusion The STR/A MEL value (Penta E/AMEL, Penta D/AMEL , FGA/AMEL ) is negatively related w ith the DNA degradation degree, w hich follow s m athem atical regression m odels strictly, and it m ight be applied to evaluate the DNA degradation degree.

RNA has received m ore attention in the field of forensic m edicine and the developm ent of the new biological m arkers based on RNA show s great significance in the analysis of com plex cases. circular RNA (circRNA ) is a kind of non-coding RNA w hich is w idely reported recently. A lthough the regulatory m echanism s of generation and expression are not fully clear, the existing research indicates that circRNA has im portant biological functions. C ircRNA has a cell-type-specific expression w ith great stability and a high expression level, w hich m akes it m eaningful in forensic applications potentially. In this paper, the research progress, the generation and regulation of circRNA as w ell as its biological characteristics and functions are sum m arized, w hich w ill provide references for related studies and foren-sic applications.