OBJECTIVES: We propose a Contrastive Regional Attention and Prior Knowledge-Infused U-Transformer model (CRAKUT) to address the challenges of imbalanced text distribution, lack of contextual clinical knowledge, and cross-modal information transformation to enhance the quality of generated radiology reports. METHODS: The CRAKUT model comprises 3 key components, including an image encoder that utilizes common normal images from the dataset for extracting enhanced visual features, an external knowledge infuser that incorporates clinical prior knowledge, and a U-Transformer that facilitates cross-modal information conversion from vision to language. The contrastive regional attention in the image encoder was introduced to enhance the features of abnormal regions by emphasizing the difference between normal and abnormal semantic features. Additionally, the clinical prior knowledge infuser within the text encoder integrates clinical history and knowledge graphs generated by ChatGPT. Finally, the U-Transformer was utilized to connect the multi-modal encoder and the report decoder in a U-connection schema, and multiple types of information were used to fuse and obtain the final report. RESULTS: We evaluated the proposed CRAKUT model on two publicly available CXR datasets (IU-Xray and MIMIC-CXR). The experimental results showed that the CRAKUT model achieved a state-of-the-art performance on report generation with a BLEU-4 score of 0.159, a ROUGE-L score of 0.353, and a CIDEr score of 0.500 in MIMIC-CXR dataset; the model also had a METEOR score of 0.258 in IU-Xray dataset, outperforming all the comparison models. CONCLUSIONS The proposed method has great potential for application in clinical disease diagnoses and report generation.
Humans ; Radiology Information Systems ; Radiology

Objective:To compare the dosimetric differences between volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)and helical tomotherapy(HT)in undergoing protective plan for pelvic bones of patients with cervical cancer.Methods:A total of 40 patients with cervical cancer,who underwent radiotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University from January 2023 to February 2024,were selected for this study.The target volumes and organs at risk(OARs)were delineated after the information of computed tomography(CT)simulation images were acquired from each patient.The pelvic bone was alone delineated as OAR.Two kinds of bone marrow dose-limiting radiotherapy plans,coplanar dual-arc VMAT and HT,were respectively designed for each patient by using the treatment planning system(TPS)of radiotherapy.A statistical analysis was conducted to compare the dose parameters of target volume,conformity,homogeneity,OAR dose-volume,mean dose,and maximum dose of point between the two kinds of plans.Results:Both the VMAT and HT plans could meet the requirements of target volume and OARs for dose.For general OARs,the dose-volume percentage(V40 Gy)of V40 Gy at bladder,mean dose(Dmean),rectal V40 Gy,maximum dose(Dmax)at small intestine point of HT plan were respectively(38.97±2.29)%,(38.06±0.45)Gy,(61.50±2.51)%and(50.82±0.36)Gy.The differences of them between HT plan and VMAT plan were statistically significant(t=25.46,13.99,1.56,10.93,P<0.05).The V10 Gy,V20 Gy,V30 Gy and Dmean of VMAT plan were respectively(70.76±2.51)%,(60.84±3.29)%,(52.40±2.56)%and(32.02±4.33)Gy for pelvic bones,which were significantly lower than those of HT plan,and the differences of them between two kinds of plans were also statistically significant(t=-20.68,-13.23,-7.73,-10.26,P<0.05).Conclusion:The HT plan can provide the optimal dose distribution for target region in radiotherapy for patients with cervical cancer,which can better protect OAR nearby target region.VMAT plan has a significant advantage in low-dose regions of protecting pelvis.Thus,individualized treatment design should be conducted according to the conditions of each patient in clinical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and recurrent autoinflammatory disease, imposes a substantial burden on patients and society. Awareness of GPP in China remains limited. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey, conducted between September 2021 and May 2023 across 14 hospitals in China, included GPP patients of all ages and disease phases. Data collected encompassed demographics, clinical characteristics, economic impact, disease severity, quality of life, and treatment-related complications. Risk factors for GPP recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 127 patients (female/male ratio = 1.35:1), the mean age of disease onset was 25 years (1st quartile [Q1]-3rd quartile [Q3]: 11-44 years); 29.2% had experienced GPP for more than 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 75.6% of patients, and nearly half reported no identifiable triggers. Younger age at disease onset ( P  = 0.021) and transitioning to plaque psoriasis ( P  = 0.022) were associated with higher recurrence rates. The median diagnostic delay was 8 months (Q1-Q3: 2-41 months), and 32.3% of patients reported misdiagnoses. Comorbidities were present in 53.5% of patients, whereas 51.1% experienced systemic complications during treatment. Depression and anxiety affected 84.5% and 95.6% of patients, respectively. During GPP flares, the median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 19.0 (Q1-Q3: 13.0-23.5). This score showed significant differences between patients with and without systemic symptoms; it demonstrated correlations with both depression and anxiety scores. Treatment costs caused financial hardship in 55.9% of patients, underscoring the burden associated with GPP. CONCLUSIONS The substantial disease and economic burdens among Chinese GPP patients warrant increased attention. Patients with early onset disease and those transitioning to plaque psoriasis require targeted interventions to mitigate the high recurrence risk.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Psoriasis/pathology* ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Quality of Life ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; East Asian People

AIM:To investigate the ameliorative effect of interleukin 17A(IL-17A)gene knockout on airway remodeling in asthmatic mice and the specific mechanism involved.METHODS:In vivo,wild-type and IL-17A knockout(IL-17A-/-)mice were divided into 4 groups:control,IL-17A-/-,ovalbumin(OVA)and OVA+IL-17A-/-,with 6 mice in each group.Airway hyperresponsiveness was measured,pathological changes in the lungs were observed by staining tissue sections,the expression of the proteins related to airway remodeling,such as α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),matrix me-talloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and collagen type Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ),was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the level of p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was detected by Western blot.In vitro,the regulatory effects of IL-17A on transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)-induced proliferation and migration of human airway smooth muscle(HASM)cells were as-sessed.Additionally,the level of p38 phosphorylation was detected,and the effect of a p38 inhibitor on airway remodel-ing-related protein expression was evaluated.RESULTS:Knockout of IL-17A significantly attenuated airway hyperrespon-siveness,airway inflammation and downregulated α-SMA(P<0.01),MMP-9(P<0.01)and Col Ⅲ(P<0.01)in asth-matic mice.In HASM cells,the proliferation and migration of these cells were inhibited following IL-17A intervention.Furthermore,a significant reduction in p38 phosphorylation was observed in both mouse lung tissue(P<0.01)and HASM cells(P<0.01).In addition,the gene expression of α-SMA(P<0.05),MMP-9(P<0.01)and Col Ⅲ(P<0.05)was re-duced upon further inhibition of p38 phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:Knockout of IL-17A attenuates airway remodeling in asthmatic mice by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 in airway smooth muscle.

AIM:To investigate the ameliorative effect of interleukin 17A(IL-17A)gene knockout on airway remodeling in asthmatic mice and the specific mechanism involved.METHODS:In vivo,wild-type and IL-17A knockout(IL-17A-/-)mice were divided into 4 groups:control,IL-17A-/-,ovalbumin(OVA)and OVA+IL-17A-/-,with 6 mice in each group.Airway hyperresponsiveness was measured,pathological changes in the lungs were observed by staining tissue sections,the expression of the proteins related to airway remodeling,such as α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),matrix me-talloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and collagen type Ⅲ(Col Ⅲ),was detected by immunohistochemistry,and the level of p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was detected by Western blot.In vitro,the regulatory effects of IL-17A on transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)-induced proliferation and migration of human airway smooth muscle(HASM)cells were as-sessed.Additionally,the level of p38 phosphorylation was detected,and the effect of a p38 inhibitor on airway remodel-ing-related protein expression was evaluated.RESULTS:Knockout of IL-17A significantly attenuated airway hyperrespon-siveness,airway inflammation and downregulated α-SMA(P<0.01),MMP-9(P<0.01)and Col Ⅲ(P<0.01)in asth-matic mice.In HASM cells,the proliferation and migration of these cells were inhibited following IL-17A intervention.Furthermore,a significant reduction in p38 phosphorylation was observed in both mouse lung tissue(P<0.01)and HASM cells(P<0.01).In addition,the gene expression of α-SMA(P<0.05),MMP-9(P<0.01)and Col Ⅲ(P<0.05)was re-duced upon further inhibition of p38 phosphorylation.CONCLUSION:Knockout of IL-17A attenuates airway remodeling in asthmatic mice by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 in airway smooth muscle.

Objective:To compare the dosimetric differences between volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)and helical tomotherapy(HT)in undergoing protective plan for pelvic bones of patients with cervical cancer.Methods:A total of 40 patients with cervical cancer,who underwent radiotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University from January 2023 to February 2024,were selected for this study.The target volumes and organs at risk(OARs)were delineated after the information of computed tomography(CT)simulation images were acquired from each patient.The pelvic bone was alone delineated as OAR.Two kinds of bone marrow dose-limiting radiotherapy plans,coplanar dual-arc VMAT and HT,were respectively designed for each patient by using the treatment planning system(TPS)of radiotherapy.A statistical analysis was conducted to compare the dose parameters of target volume,conformity,homogeneity,OAR dose-volume,mean dose,and maximum dose of point between the two kinds of plans.Results:Both the VMAT and HT plans could meet the requirements of target volume and OARs for dose.For general OARs,the dose-volume percentage(V40 Gy)of V40 Gy at bladder,mean dose(Dmean),rectal V40 Gy,maximum dose(Dmax)at small intestine point of HT plan were respectively(38.97±2.29)%,(38.06±0.45)Gy,(61.50±2.51)%and(50.82±0.36)Gy.The differences of them between HT plan and VMAT plan were statistically significant(t=25.46,13.99,1.56,10.93,P<0.05).The V10 Gy,V20 Gy,V30 Gy and Dmean of VMAT plan were respectively(70.76±2.51)%,(60.84±3.29)%,(52.40±2.56)%and(32.02±4.33)Gy for pelvic bones,which were significantly lower than those of HT plan,and the differences of them between two kinds of plans were also statistically significant(t=-20.68,-13.23,-7.73,-10.26,P<0.05).Conclusion:The HT plan can provide the optimal dose distribution for target region in radiotherapy for patients with cervical cancer,which can better protect OAR nearby target region.VMAT plan has a significant advantage in low-dose regions of protecting pelvis.Thus,individualized treatment design should be conducted according to the conditions of each patient in clinical treatment.

Objective To studyexplore the reversal effect of S-adenosylmethionine(SAM)on chemotherapy resistancechemoresis-tance of pancreatic cancer and explore its related mechanisms.Methods After treatment of human pancreatic cancer resistant cell lines PANC-1/GEM with SAM,the cell proliferation activity of PANC-1/GEM cells and their resistance to gemcitabine(GEM)were ana-lyzed by MTT assay;The the effect of SAM on apoptosis rate of PANC-1/GEM cells was detected by flow cytometry;the change of SAM on the migration activity of drug-resistant cell lines was detected by cell scratch assay;the expression of NEDD4-1 protein in drug-re-sistant cell lines and the changes of NEDD4-1,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and P-gp protein levels after SAM treatment were detected by Western blot.Results SAM could inhibit the activity of pancreatic cancer PANC-1/GEM resistant cell lines and significantly decreased its resistance to GEM chemotherapy.The IC50 value decreased from 1557.50±201.10nmol/L to 218.39±20.61 nmol/L(P＜0.01);SAM can obviously induced the apoptosis of drug-resistant cell lines and inhibited their migration activity;the expression of NEDD4-1 protein was up-regulated in drug-resistant cell lines,and SAM could inhibit the activation levels of NEDD4-1,p-JAK2,p-STAT3 and P-gp proteins.Conclusion SAM can reduce the chemotherapy resistance of PANC-1/GEM cells to GEM by regulating NEDD4-1 to inhibit the activity of JAK2/STAT3 pathway and regulate the activity of P-gp protein,which provides some experimental evidence for the clinical application of SAM in the treatment of chemotherapy resistance in tumor patients.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of bybrid surgery in the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformation(CAVM)and possible factors for postoperative symptom progression.Methods A total of 61 patients with CAVM admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery,Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University from January 1,2016 to December 31,2021 who underwent bybrid surgery were retrospectively included.Demographic information(sex,age),incidence(first diagnosis of CAVM by imaging and/or first appearance of CAVM-related symptoms such as hemorrhage and epilepsy),time from onset to hybrid surgery,modified Rankin scale(mRS)score at admission,history of previous CAVM treatment(surgical removal of previous CAVM and intravascular treatment),CAVM imaging data(lesion location,size,drainage),Spetzler-Martin grade,lesion density(loose,dense),CAVM combined with aneurysm or aneurysmal structure,surgical method(microsurgery+intraoperative DSA,microsurgery+intraoperative DSA+endovascular embolism),treatment-related complications(intracranial hemorrhage and/or ischemic events and/or edema in surgery-related areas,puncture site hematoma and/or fistula and/or pseudoaneurysm,gastrointestinal and/or gingival bleeding and/or epistaxis,contrast hypersensitivity,all-cause death),clinical and radiological follow-up data were recorded.The safety(treatment-related complications,symptom progression[positive difference between the mRS score at 6 months postoperatively and the baseline mRS score])and effectiveness(occlusion,complete absence of the malformation on DSA at 6 months postoperatively;good prognosis,mRS score≤2 at 6months postoperatively)of hybrid surgery treatment were evaluated.Based on the clinical follow-up results at 6 months after surgery,patients who underwent hybrid surgery for CAVM were divided into the progressive group and the non-progressive group,and their baseline and clinical characteristics were compared.Results(1)Among the 61 patients who underwent hybrid surgery for CAVM,37(60.7％)were male,with a median age of 25(13,42)years;11(18.0％)were asymptomatic,and 39(63.9％)had hemorrhage as their initial symptom,while 11(18.0％)had seizures as their initial symptom.At admission,54(88.5％)patients had an mRS score of ≤2,including 38(62.3％)patients who had undergone previous endovascular embolization and had residual or recurrent CAVM;the Spetzler-Martin grade of the CAVM lesion was Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,or Ⅳ in 13(21.3％),22(36.1％),21(34.4％),and 5(8.2％)patients,respectively;24 patients underwent DSA verification during surgery using a hybrid surgical platform,and 37 patients underwent DSA verification and assisted endovascular embolization using a hybrid surgical platform.(2)Clinical follow-up completion rate was 77.0％(47/61);the follow-up time ranged from 6 to 24 months and the median follow-up time was 12(6,24)months.The good prognosis rate was 91.5％(43/47),there was no death.The incidence of treatment-related complications was 10.6％(5/47).The completion rate of imaging follow-up was 72.1％(44/61)and the median follow-up time was 15(10,22)months.There were 40(90.9％)of CAVM occlusion,2(4.5％)of residual CAVM and 2(4.5％)of recurrent CAVM.(3)Among the 47 patients who completed clinical follow-up,15 patients developed symptoms and 32 patients did not develop symptoms.There were no significant differences in sex,age,onset symptoms,mRS score at admission,lesion location,lesion density and aneurysm or aneurysmal structure between the two groups(all P＞0.05).In the progressive group,the proportion of lesions with the largest diameter＜3 cm,3-6 cm and＞6 cm were 3/15,10/15 and 2/15,respectively,and the largest diameter was mainly 3-6 cm.In the non-progressive group,the proportion of the largest diameter＜3 cm and 3-6 cm were 18/32 and 14/32,respectively,and the largest diameter＜3 cm was the main proportion(x2=8.321).Deep venous drainage(x2=11.937)and residual and/or recurrence(x2=8.507)were present in the progressive group,and the differences between the groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusions Hybrid surgery has certain safety and effectiveness in the treatment of CAVM.Patients with CAVM who experienced progression after undergoing composite surgery have characteristics such as larger maximum diameter,the presence of deep venous drainage and residual and/or recurrence,and the factors affecting progression need to be further explored in the future.

Objective:To review and analyze the clinical diagnosis and treatment of renal Ewing's sar-coma with venous tumor embolus,to follow up the survival and prognosis of the patients,and to provide help for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.Methods:Clinical data(including general data,sur-gical data and postoperative pathological data)of patients diagnosed with renal Ewing's sarcoma with ve-nous tumor embolus in Peking University Third Hospital from June 2016 to June 2022 were collected,and the prognosis of the patients was followed up to analyze the influence of diagnosis and treatment process on the prognosis of the disease.Results:There were 6 patients,including 1 male and 5 females.There were 4 cases of left renal tumor and 2 cases of right renal tumor.The median age at diagnosis was 28 years(16-52 years).The imaging findings were all exogenous tumors with internal necrotic tissue and hemorrhage.The mean maximum tumor diameter was 12.6 cm,and the mean tumor thrombus length was 7.8 cm.Four patients underwent open surgery and 2 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery.The post-operative pathological results were renal Ewing sarcoma.Immunohistochemical results showed 3 cases of CD99(+),2 cases of FLI-1(+),and 1 case of CD99,FLI-1(-).3 patients received chemothera-py(cyclophosphamide,doxorubicin,vincristine/ifosfamide,etoposide),1 case received chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy,and 2 cases received no adjuvant therapy.The mean overall survival(OS)of the 6 patients was 37 months,and the mean OS of the 4 patients(47 months)who received chemo-therapy was significantly higher than that of the 2 patients(16 months)who did not receive chemotherapy(P=0.031).Conclusion:Renal Ewing's sarcoma with venous tumor embolus is rare in clinic,and it is common in young female patients.The operation is difficult and the prognosis is poor.Surgical resection,adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy can improve the overall survival rate of the patients.

Background::Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects approximately 10% of adults worldwide. CM310 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-4 receptor alpha that blocks interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CM310 in Chinese adults with moderate-to-severe AD.Methods::This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial was conducted in 21 medical institutions in China from February to November 2021. Totally 120 eligible patients were enrolled and randomized (1:1:1) to receive subcutaneous injections of 300 mg CM310, 150 mg CM310, or placebo every 2 weeks for 16 weeks, followed by an 8-week follow-up period. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving ≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) score from baseline at week 16. Safety and pharmacodynamics were also studied.Results::At week 16, the proportion of EASI-75 responders from baseline was significantly higher in the CM310 groups (70% [28/40] for high-dose and 65% [26/40] for low-dose) than that in the placebo group (20%[8/40]). The differences in EASI-75 response rate were 50% (high vs. placebo, 95% CI 31%–69%) and 45% (low vs. placebo, 95% CI 26%–64%), with both P values <0.0001. CM310 at both doses also significantly improved the EASI score, Investigator’s Global Assessment score, daily peak pruritus Numerical Rating Scale, AD-affected body surface area, and Dermatology Life Quality Index compared with placebo. CM310 treatment reduced levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, total immunoglobulin E, lactate dehydrogenase, and blood eosinophils. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was similar among all three groups, with the most common TEAEs reported being upper respiratory tract infection, atopic dermatitis, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia. No severe adverse events were deemed to be attributed to CM310. Conclusion::CM310 at 150 mg and 300 mg every 2 weeks demonstrated significant efficacy and was well-tolerated in adults with moderate-to-severe AD.Trial Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04805411.