Objective To retrospectively analyze the impact of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) parameter optimization on the diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary nodules and their radiation exposure, and to provide a basis for balancing diagnostic performance and radiation safety. Methods Data from 300 high-risk individuals who underwent pulmonary LDCT screening at Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2023 and December 2024 were collected. Participants were divided into an optimized LDCT group (n = 150; 100 kV, 70-90 mA) and a traditional LDCT group (n = 150; 120 kV, 140-160 mA) based on scanning parameters. Baseline characteristics, radiation dose, image quality, and diagnostic accuracy were compared between the two groups. Key factors influencing diagnostic accuracy were analyzed. Results In the optimized group, the volume CT dose index, dose-length product, and effective dose decreased by over 40% (t = 37.492, 35.351, and 35.262, respectively, all P<0.001). Similarly, tube voltage and current decreased significantly (t = 14.582 and 28.653, respectively, both P<0.001), while scan time showed no significant change (t = 0.321, P = 0.760). The overall image quality score of the optimized group was slightly lower than that of the traditional group (4.21 ± 0.43 vs. 4.38 ± 0.39; t = 3.587, P<0.001), but remained within the good-to-excellent range. Both groups demonstrated high diagnostic confidence (4.25 vs. 4.41; t = 3.361, P = 0.001) and high inter-evaluator consistency as indicated by an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.82. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in sensitivity (94.83% vs. 96.43%; Z = 0.393), specificity (91.30% vs. 90.22%; Z = 0.292), accuracy (92.78% vs. 93.33%; χ² = 0.031), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.931 vs. 0.938; Z = 0.202) (all P>0.05). Diagnostic performance for<6 mm nodules showed no significant difference (P = 0.778). Multivariable analysis identified nodule size, solid density, lobulated margins, and image quality score as independent predictors of diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion Optimized LDCT can significantly reduce radiation exposure (by over 40%) while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary nodules, including small nodules, and good image quality, making it suitable for lung cancer screening in high-risk populations.

Objective To investigate the effect of early insulin therapy on NF-KB pathway and inflammatory cytokine responses in fiver of diabetic rat.Methods NF-KB p65 DNA binding was assayed with ELISA-based assay kit,cytokine gene expressions were quantified with real-time PCR and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase(PEPCK),NF-KB and inhibitor KB(IKBα)protein levels wlere assayed with Westem blot.Results Compared with control,hepatic PEPCK protein level in the untreated diabetic rat increased by 40%.Early insulin and gliclazide treatment normalized PEPCK protein level.The abundance of IKBα protein was significantly decreased and nuclear NF-KB p65 DNA binding activity was incteased in untreated diabetic rats.IKBot protein content increased and NF-KB p65 DNA binding decreased during early intervention treatment.mRNAs encoding IL-1β and TNFα were increased,which were reduced to normal levels after insulin and gliclazide treatment.Conclusions It is suggested that early insulin treatment inhibits NF-KB activity and inflammatory cytokine responses in fiver that are involved in the aniefioration of insulin resistance in diabetic rats.Such results misht be due to indirect antiinflammatory effects of insulin thus relieving glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity in pefipherM tissues.