Objective To evaluate the position of the talus on the axial images of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the ankle joint in patients with chronic ankle instability(CAI)and to identify the indirect signs for diagnosing CAI.Methods Fifty patients hospitalized in our hospital between January 1,2021 and July 1,2023 for chronic ankle instability(CAI)were selected into the experimental group,while 50 counterparts treated in our hospital for other diseases were chosen into the control group.The basic information of both groups was recorded.The internal measurement tools of the Picture Ar-chiving and Communication System(PACS)were used to measure the malleolar talus index(MTI)and two new measurement methods:talus movement index(TMI)and talus comprehensive index(TCI)on the axial images of ankle MRI to evaluate the position of the talus in the ankle mortise.Sta-tistical analysis was then performed.Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age,sex ratio,affected side ratio,height,weight and body mass index(BMI)(P>0.05).Compared with the control group,the MTI(86.56°±3.54° vs.85.28°±2.77°,P<0.05),TMI(2.00°±2.36° vs.-2.00°±2.54°,P<0.001)and TCI(4.70°±2.98° vs.1.90°±2.01°,P<0.001)of the experi-mental group increased.The area under the ROC curve of TMI and TCI was 0.841 and 0.794,respec-tively.The optimal cut-off points for diagnosing CAI based on TMI and TCI were 0.5° and 4.5°,re-spectively.Conclusion Patients with CAI show changes in the bony structure of the ankle joint.Specifi-cally,on the axial MRI images of the ankle joint,there are simultaneous posterior displacement and internal rotation of the talus,which may be an indirect sign for the diagnosis of CAI.

Objective To evaluate the position of the talus on the axial images of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the ankle joint in patients with chronic ankle instability(CAI)and to identify the indirect signs for diagnosing CAI.Methods Fifty patients hospitalized in our hospital between January 1,2021 and July 1,2023 for chronic ankle instability(CAI)were selected into the experimental group,while 50 counterparts treated in our hospital for other diseases were chosen into the control group.The basic information of both groups was recorded.The internal measurement tools of the Picture Ar-chiving and Communication System(PACS)were used to measure the malleolar talus index(MTI)and two new measurement methods:talus movement index(TMI)and talus comprehensive index(TCI)on the axial images of ankle MRI to evaluate the position of the talus in the ankle mortise.Sta-tistical analysis was then performed.Results There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age,sex ratio,affected side ratio,height,weight and body mass index(BMI)(P>0.05).Compared with the control group,the MTI(86.56°±3.54° vs.85.28°±2.77°,P<0.05),TMI(2.00°±2.36° vs.-2.00°±2.54°,P<0.001)and TCI(4.70°±2.98° vs.1.90°±2.01°,P<0.001)of the experi-mental group increased.The area under the ROC curve of TMI and TCI was 0.841 and 0.794,respec-tively.The optimal cut-off points for diagnosing CAI based on TMI and TCI were 0.5° and 4.5°,re-spectively.Conclusion Patients with CAI show changes in the bony structure of the ankle joint.Specifi-cally,on the axial MRI images of the ankle joint,there are simultaneous posterior displacement and internal rotation of the talus,which may be an indirect sign for the diagnosis of CAI.

Objective::Patients with untreated severe aortic regurgitation (AR) have a high risk of mortality. Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) is a treatment option for AR; however, the safety and efficacy of this technique have not been sufficiently established. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and anatomical variables correlating with device success of TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system for pure AR.Methods::Patients with pure native severe AR who underwent TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system were registered at 5 Chinese centers. The primary endpoint was device success at 1 month after TAVR. The secondary endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 6 months, including all-cause death, ischemic stroke, emergency conversion to cardiac surgery, and permanent pacemaker implantation. Echocardiography was used to analyze the left ventricular function before the TAVR procedure and during follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were performed to find relevant independent risk factors.Results::Between September 2019 and February 2022, 79 patients with AR were enrolled in the study. At 1 month, device success was achieved in 60 (75.9%) patients. By 6 months, 29 (36.7%) patients had MACE. Echocardiography revealed improved left ventricular function after TAVR. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score (odds ratio 0.760, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.584-0.989; P = 0.041) and annulus perimeter (odds ratio 0.888, 95% CI: 0.796-0.992; P = 0.035) were 2 predictors of device success. Moreover, annulus perimeter (<80.2 mm), but not Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score, was associated with a significant reduction in MACE at 6 months (hazard ratio 2.223, 95% CI: 1.060-4.659; P = 0.028). Conclusions::TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system appears to be a safe and feasible treatment for patients with pure native severe AR, particularly those with a less enlarged annulus.

Objective::Patients with untreated severe aortic regurgitation (AR) have a high risk of mortality. Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) is a treatment option for AR; however, the safety and efficacy of this technique have not been sufficiently established. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and anatomical variables correlating with device success of TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system for pure AR.Methods::Patients with pure native severe AR who underwent TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system were registered at 5 Chinese centers. The primary endpoint was device success at 1 month after TAVR. The secondary endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 6 months, including all-cause death, ischemic stroke, emergency conversion to cardiac surgery, and permanent pacemaker implantation. Echocardiography was used to analyze the left ventricular function before the TAVR procedure and during follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were performed to find relevant independent risk factors.Results::Between September 2019 and February 2022, 79 patients with AR were enrolled in the study. At 1 month, device success was achieved in 60 (75.9%) patients. By 6 months, 29 (36.7%) patients had MACE. Echocardiography revealed improved left ventricular function after TAVR. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score (odds ratio 0.760, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.584-0.989; P = 0.041) and annulus perimeter (odds ratio 0.888, 95% CI: 0.796-0.992; P = 0.035) were 2 predictors of device success. Moreover, annulus perimeter (<80.2 mm), but not Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score, was associated with a significant reduction in MACE at 6 months (hazard ratio 2.223, 95% CI: 1.060-4.659; P = 0.028). Conclusions::TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system appears to be a safe and feasible treatment for patients with pure native severe AR, particularly those with a less enlarged annulus.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of coronary artery calcium (CAC) detection, quantification and risk classification using ultra-low-dose chest CT (ULD-CT) combined with a calcium-aware algorithm.Methods:A total of 115 patients were prospectively enrolled from April to October 2022 at Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital, who underwent a standard calcium scoring CT (CACS-CT) scan followed by an additional ULD-CT scan. CACS-CT adopted a prospective ECG-triggered sequence scan with a tube voltage of 120 kVp, and the reconstruction algorithm with Qr36 (group CACS-CT Qr). ULD-CT adopted non-ECG-triggered high-pitch scan with a tube voltage of Sn 100 kVp, and the standard algorithm Qr36 (group ULD-CT Qr) and calcium-aware algorithm Sa36 (group ULD-CT Sa) were respectively used to reconstruct two groups of images. Taking the CAC detection of CACS-CT as a reference, the accuracy of ULD-CT for detecting CAC was calculated, and kappa was used to evaluate the agreement of CAC detection between scanning protocols. The agreement of CACS quantification between scanning protocols was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots, and the agreement of risk classification between scanning protocols was assessed using weighted kappa. Results:The CAC was found in 66.96% (77/115) of patients in CACS-CT Qr. Taking the CAC detection in CACS-CT Qr as a reference, the sensitivity of CAC detection in ULD-CT Qr and ULD-CT Sa was 96.1% and 97.4%, respectively, and the specificity was 94.73% (k= 0.902, 0.921). The CACS for ULD-CT Qr and ULD-CT Sa was lower than that for CACS-CT Qr (3.6, 6.2 vs. 8.5; P< 0.001), but strongly correlated with CACS for CACS-CT Qr ( r= 0.983, P< 0.001). The mean difference in CACS for ULD-CT Sa and CACS-CT Qr was smaller (12.33), and the agreement was better (ICC= 0.992). The agreement of risk classifications between ULD-CT Sa and CACS-CT Qr was relatively high (weighted k= 0.936), and the reclassification rate (6.08%) was relatively low. The effective radiation dose for ULD-CT was reduced by approximately 77.22% compared with that for CACS-CT. Conclusions:It is feasible to evaluate CACS using Non-ECG-triggered ULD-CT combined with a calcium-aware algorithm.

Objective:To investigate the expression of LncRNA ANCR in human glioma tissues and its relationship with malignant proliferation of cells.Methods:The samples of 10 normal brain tissue,13 low-grade and 45 high-grade gliomas were regarded as normal group, low-grade group and high-grade group, which were collected from neurosurgery department in Linyi Central Hospital, and the expression of ANCR and potential interaction molecule eIF4B was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in vitro. Lentivirus transfection in vitro was used to construct the U251 shRNA ANCR and control cell line in human high-grade gliomas as control, test 1 and test 2 group cells in the study. QPCR detect the expression level ANCR, eIF4B and Myc mRNA in cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression of eIF4B and c-Myc protein, CCK-8 assay was used to detect the relative proliferation ability of cells, and the colony formation assay was used to observe the change of cell clone formation. SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis, analysis of variance was used for inter group comparison, and SNK-q pairwise comparison method was used for intra group comparison.Results:The expressions of ANCR mRNA in high-grade glioma tissues, low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues were 0.710±0.125, 2.033±0.312 and 3.408±0.296. The expressions of eIF4B mRNA in high-grade glioma tissues, low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues were 0.176±0.019, 0.268±0.022 and 0.426±0.028. The expression of ANCR and eIF4B in high-grade glioma tissues was higher than that in low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues ( P<0.001). The expression of ANCR in low-grade glioma tissues was higher than that in normal brain tissues ( P=0.013). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of ANCR and eIF4B in glioma tissues ( P<0.001) ; The expressions of ANCR mRNA in Control, test1 and test2 were 1.000±0.021, 0.202±0.057 and 0.300±0.016. The expressions of eIF4B mRNA were 1.000±0.078, 0.452±0.012 and 0.526±0.037, and the expressions of c-Myc mRNA were 1.000±0.053, 0.688±0.067 and 0.564±0.089. the expressions of ANCR, eIF4B and c-Myc mRNA and protein in test1 and test2 cells were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01) ; the proliferation of test1 and test2 groups were significantly decreased at 72h and 96h, and the ability of colony formation was significantly decreased ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:The expression of ANCR was significantly up-regulated in high-grade glioma tissues and positively correlated with the expression of eIF4B. Interference with ANCR in vitro could mediate the decrease of the expression of eIF4B and c-Myc mRNA and protein molecules, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of glioma cells.

Objective    To explore the surgical technique and preliminary results of endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy (E-NSM) and immediate pre-pectoral implant-based breast reconstruction (BR) with titanium-coated polypropylene mesh (TiLoop Bra) via single axillary incision for breast cancer patients. Methods    The clinical data of 9 consecutive female patients who underwent E-NSM and immediate pre-pectoral implant-based BR with TiLoop Bra from  March to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age of patients was 40.6 (22-60) years. The operation time, early complications were collected, and the patients' social and mental health, breast satisfaction and chest function before and after the operation were assessed with the BREAST-Q questionnaire. Results    All the patients had unicentric tumor with a mean diameter of 2.4 (0.6-4.7) cm. The mean distance from the tumor to the nipple was 2.5 (2-4) cm. There were 2 patients with tumor stage 0 and 7 patients with stageⅠ. The mean operation time was 161.1 (125-201) min, the mean blood loss was 41.1 mL and the hospital stay time was 1.5 d. There were 5 patients in the day-care unit. All the patients were successfully followed up with a median follow-up time of 1 (1-2) month. One (11.1%) patient with depigmentation of the nipple-areola complex caused by mild ischemia. None of the patients had incision complications, subcutaneous emphysema, hematoma, infection, nipple-areola or skin flaps necrosis, implant loss. During the follow-up period, no local/regional recurrence or distant metastasis was found. Chest well-being was decreased in the first month after the surgery compared with preoperative status, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). There was no statistical difference in the breast satisfaction or psychosocial function scores between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05). Conclusion    E-NSM and immediate pre-pectoral implant-based BR with TiLoop Bra via single axillary incision has minimal trauma, rapid postoperative recovery, short operation time, few early complications and good early cosmetic effect, and the short-term result is satisfactory.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the distribution and characteristics of peripheral nerve abnormalities in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) using magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) and to examine the diagnostic efficiency.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one CIDP patients and 21 controls underwent MR scans. Three-dimensional sampling perfections with application-optimized contrasts using different flip-angle evolutions and T1-/T2- weighted turbo spin-echo sequences were performed for neurography of the brachial and lumbosacral (LS) plexus and cauda equina, respectively. Clinical data and scores of the inflammatory Rasch-built overall disability scale (I-RODS) in CIDP were obtained.RESULTS: The bilateral extracranial vagus (n = 11), trigeminal (n = 12), and intercostal nerves (n = 10) were hypertrophic. Plexus hypertrophies were observed in the brachial plexus of 19 patients (61.3%) and in the LS plexus of 25 patients (80.6%). Patterns of hypertrophy included uniform hypertrophy (17 [54.8%] brachial plexuses and 21 [67.7%] LS plexuses), and multifocal fusiform hypertrophy (2 [6.5%] brachial plexuses and 4 [12.9%] LS plexuses) was present. Enlarged and/or contrast-enhanced cauda equina was found in 3 (9.7%) and 13 (41.9%) patients, respectively. Diameters of the brachial and LS nerve roots were significantly larger in CIDP than in controls (p < 0.001). The largest AUC was obtained for the L5 nerve. There were no significant differences in the course duration, I-RODS score, or diameter between patients with and without hypertrophy.CONCLUSION: MRN is useful for the assessment of distribution and characteristics of the peripheral nerves in CIDP. Compared to other regions, LS plexus neurography is more sensitive for CIDP.

Objective:To explore the feasibility for taking weight and body mass index (BMI) to calculate the size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) in abdomen-pelvis CT examination.Methods:512 adult patients undergoing abdomen-pelvis CT examination were retrospectively analyzed. The in-house software based on MATLAB platform were used to calculate automatically water equivalent diameter ( dw), size-dependent conversion factor ( f), SSDE, together with their respective averaged values. The correlations between age, height, weight and BMI with dw were calculated by using Spearman correlation analysis. Two regression equations were established to calculate the SSDE (SSDE weight, SSDE BMI), one for the correlation of weight with dw based on first half of these cases and the other for that between BMI with dw based on another half as the cases to be verified. With reference of the SSDE derived from the in-house software, the averaged relative differences and root-mean-square errors in SSDE weightand SSDE BMI were calculated, respectively. Results:No statistically significant correlation between age and d w ( P>0.05) was shown, but weak correlation between height and dw( r=0.260, P<0.05), strong correlation between either weight or BMI with dw( r=0.879, 0.851, P<0.05). Two regression equations were described as dw=13.808+ 0.184×weight, dw=11.142+ 0.618×BMI. The mean SSDE, SSDE weight and SSDE BMI for the verified patients were (13.55±1.66) mGy, (13.84±2.03) mGy and (13.83±2.02) mGy, respectively. As compared to actual SSDE, the averaged relative differences in SSDE weight and SSDE BMI were 1.97% and 1.87%; 0.38% and 2.75% for male patients; 4.58% and 0.43% for female patients; 0.11% and 3.32% for patients with BMI<18.5 kg/m 2;1.92% and 2.06% for those with 18.5 kg/m 2≤BMI<24.0 kg/m 2;2.57% and 1.57% for those with 24 kg/m 2≤BMI<28.0 kg/m 2;3.28% and -1.36% for those with BMI≥28.0 kg/m 2. The averaged root-mean-square errors in SSDE weight and SSDE BMI were both 0.80 mGy; 0.65 and 0.67 mGy for male patients; 0.98 and 0.59 mGy for female patients; 0.73 and 1.03 mGy for underweight, 0.74 and 0.66 mGy for normal weight, 0.85 and 0.79 mGy for overweight, and 1.10 and 1.32 mGy for obesity. Conclusions:Weight and BMI can be used as the surrogate dw to compute SSDE in adult abdomen-pelvis CT examination. However, Weight rather than BMI is more applied to male patients, and BMI is more suitable for female patients.

Objective To investigate the difference of size-specific dose estimates ( SSDEs ) based on effective diameter ( def ) and water equivalent diameter ( dw ) in coronary computed tomography angiography ( CCTA) and explore the causes. Methods A total of 99 patients undergoing CCTA were enrolled in this retrospective study. SSDEs ( SSDEd ef and SSDEdw ) were calculated in two approaches using def and dw , respectively. Mean absolute relative difference ( MARD) was computed as an index to quantify the consistency of SSDEd ef and SSDEdw . Multivariate stepwise regression analysis was performed to study the factors influencing MARD. Results The values def and dw were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r=0. 869, 0. 823, P<0. 05). The median (interquartile range) of SSDEdef and SSDEdw were 12. 34 ( 11. 75, 12. 98) mGy, 13. 78 ( 13. 02, 15. 04) mGy, respectively. SSDEdef was lower by 10. 45％ than SSDEdw( Z=-8. 186, P<0. 05) . Both SSDEdef and SSDEdw were negatively correlated with BMI and dw(r=-0. 765, -0. 680, -0. 701, -0. 840, P<0. 05). MARD of SSDEdef and SSDEdw was generally at 11. 39％. No statistical significance was found in the correlation of MARD with BMI ( r=0. 031, P>0. 05) , however, positive correlation was shown between MARD and def ( r=0. 251, P<0. 05) , but negative correlation for MARD and dw(r=-0. 379, P<0. 05). With respect to the factors influencing MARD, four variables were included into the regression equation. MARD was positively correlated with the area of both air-filled lungs ( Arealow ) and soft tissues ( Areasoft ) (β=0. 634, 0. 102, P<0. 05) , and negatively correlated with the area of bone, enhanced cardiac chambers and aorta ( Areahigh ) and the CT value of air-filled lungs ( SIlow ) (β=-0. 234,-0. 343, P<0. 05) . Conclusions SSDEdef was approximately 10. 45％ lower than SSDEdw , which was predominantly influenced by the area of air-filled lungs due to the characteristics of low X-ray attenuation in CCTA.