ObjectiveTo evaluate a novel nomogram based on contrast-enhanced MRI radiomics combined with clinical variables for the preoperative prediction of perineural invasion （PNI） in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma （ICC）. MethodsThe clinical data of 59 ICC patients were retrospectively collected. According to postoperative pathology reports， the patients were divided into the non-PNI group （n = 33） and the PNI group （n = 26）. Regions of interest （ROI） were delineated from five MRI sequences. Radiomics features were then extracted and filtered to select those with the strongest discriminative power for PNI identification. These selected features were used to construct a radiomics model， which subsequently generated a quantitative radiomics score （radiomics score， Radscore）. Univariate analysis was applied to identify clinical variables associated with PNI， and the glm function was subsequently used to construct clinical and combined models. Finally， the models were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves， calibration curves， and decision curve analysis （DCA）. The combined model was then visualized as a nomogram. ResultsThe clinical model included age， carbohydrate antigen 19-9 （CA19-9）， red blood cell distribution width， and albumin， whereas the Radscore included five radiomic features. The areas under the ROC curves （AUCs） for the clinical and radiomics models were 0.717 （95%CI： 0.586-0.848） and 0.896 （95%CI： 0.820-0.973）， respectively， whereas the combined model further improved its AUC to 0.917 （95% CI：0.848-0.987）. The calibration curves and DCA showed that the nomogram was well calibrated and provided the greatest net clinical benefit. ConclusionThe novel nomogram may serve as a basis for preoperative prediction of PNI status， thereby assisting clinical decision-making and guiding personalized treatment.

Objectives:To summarize the characteristics of Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement.Methods:This was a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective study. Patients with Fabry disease who were admitted to Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from January 2022 to March 2023 were included. Clinical data, laboratory results, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance findings of enrolled patients were collected. Clinical presentations and imaging features of patients with Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement were summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 17 patients from 8 families were included, with 9 males and diagnosis age of (44.35±13.72) years. Cardiac involvement and other organ involvement were presented in all patients and the heart was the most vulnerable organ (17/17). 24 h electrocardiogram showed frequent sinus arrhythmia in 3 patients. Echocardiography showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 1 patient, myocardial hypertrophy in 13 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness ≥13 mm in 10 patients. Mitral regurgitation was observed in 11 patients and tricuspid regurgitation in 12 patients. Two patients underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, both revealing reduced regional longitudinal strain of the left ventricle, primarily in the basal segments. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 2 patients, myocardial hypertrophy in 16 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness≥13 mm in 14 patients. T1 value was reduced in 16 patients, with late gadolinium enhancement observed in 9 patients and “pseudo-normalization” of T1 values in 1 patient. The most susceptible target organ besides the heart was the kidneys (14/17), followed by the central nervous system (9/17). Additional findings inclucling cutaneous angiokeratoma in 4 patients, peripheral neuropathy with burning pain and hypohidrosis or hyperhidrosis in 6 patients, and corneal vortex opacities in 2 patients.Conclusion:The main manifestations of cardiac involvement in Fabry′s disease are decreased cardiac function, left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. Advanced imaging techniques such as two-dimensional speckle tracking, T1 Mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement are useful in detecting myocardial pathological changes of Fabry′s disease.

Objective:To compare the dosimetric differences between a 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel applicator and traditional single-channel/co-planar multi-channel applicators in postoperative vaginal brachytherapy for early-stage endometrial cancer.Methods:CT scan data of 66 patients with stage I endometrial cancer, encompassing 100 3D brachytherapy CT imaging datasets, admitted to Department of Gynecologic Oncology of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2021 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on CT images and delineated structures, offline reconstructions of radiotherapy plans were performed for single-channel, coplanar multi-channel, and 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel applicators. These 3 radiotherapy plans were optimized, and the high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) coverage (V 100 ≥90%) and doses to organs at risk (rectum, bladder) were compared. The prescription dose was standardized at 600 cGy, with constraints of rectal D 2 cm3 ≤420 cGy and bladder D 2 cm3 ≤480 cGy. Comparison among multiple groups was conducted by ANOVA. Bonferroni method was used to correct P-values for comparison between two groups. Results:When defined as HR-CTV D 90%≥600 cGy, bladder D 2 cm3 was (398.29±76.13)cGy and rectum D 2 cm3 was (402.10±49.77)cGy of the 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel group,which were significantly lower than those in the single-channel group [bladder D 2 cm3 (424.09±131.52) cGy, rectum D 2 cm3 (493.11±115.17) cGy] and coplanar group [bladder D 2 cm3 (461.28±134.84) cGy, rectum D 2 cm3 (508.75±119.02) cGy], respectively. When limiting bladder D 2 cm3≤480 cGy, rectal D 2 cm3 was (446.81±78.53 cGy) of the 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel group, which was significantly lower than those in the single-channel group [(589.71±153.91) cGy] and the coplanar group [(545.51±122.00) cGy], respectively. Meanwhile, HR-CTV V 100% (94.53%±3.42%) was higher than (91.19%±7.63%) in the coplanar group. When the rectal D 2 cm3 was ≤ 420 cGy, HR-CTV V 100% was (91.92%±4.04%) of the 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel group,which was significantly better than (79.23%±13.95%) in the single-channel group and (85.88%±6.86%) in the coplanar group, respectively. Conclusions:The 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel applicator significantly reduces bladder and rectal doses while enhancing target coverage, outperforming traditional single-channel and co-planar multi-channel applicators. This innovation provides an optimized solution for individualized precision radiotherapy.

Objective:To explore the effect of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in the treatment of chronic insomnia.Methods:A total of 69 patients with chronic insomnia admitted to the Nanjing First Hospital from January 2023 to February 2024 were selected and randomly divided into the CBT-I alone group (simple group, 34 cases) and the SGB combined with CBT-I group (combined group, 35 cases) using a random number table. Both groups received treatment for 8 weeks. The simple group was treated with CBT-I twice a week, 1 hour each time. The combined group, on the basis of the simple group, received ultrasound-guided SGB with 4 ml of 1% lidocaine, which was performed once a day, alternately on the left and right sides, for 7 consecutive days each time, with a total of 14 injections in the 1st and 5th weeks. One week before treatment and 8 weeks after treatment, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and sleep diary were used to record patients′ subjective sleep quality; Actigraph was used to record objective sleep status; the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess patients′ emotional status. Adverse reactions such as hoarseness, pneumothorax, bleeding, and infection were recorded.Results:After 8 weeks of treatment, the effective rate was 76.5%(26/34) in the simple group and 94.3%(33/35) in the combined group, with a statistically significant difference (χ 2=8.433, P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in PSQI scores between the two groups ( P>0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, the PSQI scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment, and the PSQI score of the combined group was lower than that of the simple group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in sleep parameters from sleep diaries and Actigraph between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with before treatment, after treatment, the total sleep time and time in bed were prolonged, and sleep efficiency, the proportion of deep sleep, and the proportion of rapid eye movement sleep were increased in both groups; these indicators in the combined group were better than those in the simple group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the sleep onset latency was shortened and the number of awakenings was reduced in both groups after treatment, and the combined group was better than the simple group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in SAS and SDS scores between the two groups (all P>0.05). After treatment, the SAS and SDS scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment, and the SAS and SDS scores of the combined group were lower than those of the simple group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). During treatment, 2 cases in the combined group developed hoarseness, which relieved spontaneously after 2 hours, and no other complications occurred. Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided SGB combined with CBT-I can significantly improve the nighttime sleep quality of patients with chronic insomnia.

Objective:To explore the effect of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in the treatment of chronic insomnia.Methods:A total of 69 patients with chronic insomnia admitted to the Nanjing First Hospital from January 2023 to February 2024 were selected and randomly divided into the CBT-I alone group (simple group, 34 cases) and the SGB combined with CBT-I group (combined group, 35 cases) using a random number table. Both groups received treatment for 8 weeks. The simple group was treated with CBT-I twice a week, 1 hour each time. The combined group, on the basis of the simple group, received ultrasound-guided SGB with 4 ml of 1% lidocaine, which was performed once a day, alternately on the left and right sides, for 7 consecutive days each time, with a total of 14 injections in the 1st and 5th weeks. One week before treatment and 8 weeks after treatment, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and sleep diary were used to record patients′ subjective sleep quality; Actigraph was used to record objective sleep status; the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess patients′ emotional status. Adverse reactions such as hoarseness, pneumothorax, bleeding, and infection were recorded.Results:After 8 weeks of treatment, the effective rate was 76.5%(26/34) in the simple group and 94.3%(33/35) in the combined group, with a statistically significant difference (χ 2=8.433, P<0.05). Before treatment, there was no significant difference in PSQI scores between the two groups ( P>0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, the PSQI scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment, and the PSQI score of the combined group was lower than that of the simple group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in sleep parameters from sleep diaries and Actigraph between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with before treatment, after treatment, the total sleep time and time in bed were prolonged, and sleep efficiency, the proportion of deep sleep, and the proportion of rapid eye movement sleep were increased in both groups; these indicators in the combined group were better than those in the simple group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the sleep onset latency was shortened and the number of awakenings was reduced in both groups after treatment, and the combined group was better than the simple group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in SAS and SDS scores between the two groups (all P>0.05). After treatment, the SAS and SDS scores of both groups were lower than those before treatment, and the SAS and SDS scores of the combined group were lower than those of the simple group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). During treatment, 2 cases in the combined group developed hoarseness, which relieved spontaneously after 2 hours, and no other complications occurred. Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided SGB combined with CBT-I can significantly improve the nighttime sleep quality of patients with chronic insomnia.

Objectives:To summarize the characteristics of Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement.Methods:This was a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective study. Patients with Fabry disease who were admitted to Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from January 2022 to March 2023 were included. Clinical data, laboratory results, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance findings of enrolled patients were collected. Clinical presentations and imaging features of patients with Fabry′s disease with cardiac involvement were summarized and analyzed.Results:A total of 17 patients from 8 families were included, with 9 males and diagnosis age of (44.35±13.72) years. Cardiac involvement and other organ involvement were presented in all patients and the heart was the most vulnerable organ (17/17). 24 h electrocardiogram showed frequent sinus arrhythmia in 3 patients. Echocardiography showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 1 patient, myocardial hypertrophy in 13 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness ≥13 mm in 10 patients. Mitral regurgitation was observed in 11 patients and tricuspid regurgitation in 12 patients. Two patients underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, both revealing reduced regional longitudinal strain of the left ventricle, primarily in the basal segments. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction in 2 patients, myocardial hypertrophy in 16 patients, and left ventricular wall thickness≥13 mm in 14 patients. T1 value was reduced in 16 patients, with late gadolinium enhancement observed in 9 patients and “pseudo-normalization” of T1 values in 1 patient. The most susceptible target organ besides the heart was the kidneys (14/17), followed by the central nervous system (9/17). Additional findings inclucling cutaneous angiokeratoma in 4 patients, peripheral neuropathy with burning pain and hypohidrosis or hyperhidrosis in 6 patients, and corneal vortex opacities in 2 patients.Conclusion:The main manifestations of cardiac involvement in Fabry′s disease are decreased cardiac function, left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. Advanced imaging techniques such as two-dimensional speckle tracking, T1 Mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement are useful in detecting myocardial pathological changes of Fabry′s disease.

Objective:To compare the dosimetric differences between a 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel applicator and traditional single-channel/co-planar multi-channel applicators in postoperative vaginal brachytherapy for early-stage endometrial cancer.Methods:CT scan data of 66 patients with stage I endometrial cancer, encompassing 100 3D brachytherapy CT imaging datasets, admitted to Department of Gynecologic Oncology of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2021 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on CT images and delineated structures, offline reconstructions of radiotherapy plans were performed for single-channel, coplanar multi-channel, and 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel applicators. These 3 radiotherapy plans were optimized, and the high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) coverage (V 100 ≥90%) and doses to organs at risk (rectum, bladder) were compared. The prescription dose was standardized at 600 cGy, with constraints of rectal D 2 cm3 ≤420 cGy and bladder D 2 cm3 ≤480 cGy. Comparison among multiple groups was conducted by ANOVA. Bonferroni method was used to correct P-values for comparison between two groups. Results:When defined as HR-CTV D 90%≥600 cGy, bladder D 2 cm3 was (398.29±76.13)cGy and rectum D 2 cm3 was (402.10±49.77)cGy of the 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel group,which were significantly lower than those in the single-channel group [bladder D 2 cm3 (424.09±131.52) cGy, rectum D 2 cm3 (493.11±115.17) cGy] and coplanar group [bladder D 2 cm3 (461.28±134.84) cGy, rectum D 2 cm3 (508.75±119.02) cGy], respectively. When limiting bladder D 2 cm3≤480 cGy, rectal D 2 cm3 was (446.81±78.53 cGy) of the 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel group, which was significantly lower than those in the single-channel group [(589.71±153.91) cGy] and the coplanar group [(545.51±122.00) cGy], respectively. Meanwhile, HR-CTV V 100% (94.53%±3.42%) was higher than (91.19%±7.63%) in the coplanar group. When the rectal D 2 cm3 was ≤ 420 cGy, HR-CTV V 100% was (91.92%±4.04%) of the 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel group,which was significantly better than (79.23%±13.95%) in the single-channel group and (85.88%±6.86%) in the coplanar group, respectively. Conclusions:The 3D-printed non-coplanar multi-channel applicator significantly reduces bladder and rectal doses while enhancing target coverage, outperforming traditional single-channel and co-planar multi-channel applicators. This innovation provides an optimized solution for individualized precision radiotherapy.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue index (IATI) calculated from computed tomography images at transverse process of the first lumbar and all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients, and to provide a reference for improving the prognosis in these patients.Methods:It was a multicenter retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of patients who received maintenance hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis treatment from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 in 4 grade Ⅲ hospitals including Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, and the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively collected. IATI was calculated by low attenuation muscle (LAM) density/skeletal muscle density. The receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of IATI, and the patients were divided into high IATI group and low IATI group according to the optimal cut-off value. The differences of baseline clinical data and measurement parameters of the first lumbar level between the two groups were compared. The follow-up ended on December 23, 2022. The endpoint event was defined as all-cause mortality within 3 years. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to analyze the survival rates and the differences between the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis models were used to analyze the association between IATI and the risk of all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis model was used to analyze the influencing factors of high IATI.Results:A total of 478 patients were eligibly recruited in this study, with age of (53.55±13.19) years old and 319 (66.7%) males, including 365 (76.4%) hemodialysis patients and 113 (23.6%) peritoneal dialysis patients. There were 376 (78.7%) patients in low IATI (<0.42) group and 102 (21.3%) patients in high IATI (≥0.42) group. The proportion of age ≥ 60 years old ( χ2=24.746, P<0.001), proportion of diabetes mellitus ( χ2=5.570, P=0.018), fasting blood glucose ( t=-2.145, P=0.032), LAM density ( t=-3.735, P<0.001), LAM index ( t=-7.072, P<0.001), and LAM area/skeletal muscle area ratio ( Z=-9.630, P<0.001) in high IATI group were all higher than those in low IATI group, while proportion of males ( χ2=11.116, P<0.001), serum albumin ( Z=2.708, P=0.007) and skeletal muscle density ( t=12.380, P<0.001) were lower than those in low IATI group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 3-years overall survival rate of low IATI group was significantly higher than that in high IATI group (Log-rank χ2=19.188, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that IATI<0.42 [<0.42/≥0.42, HR(95% CI): 0.50 (0.31-0.83), P=0.007] was an independent protective factor of all-cause mortality, and age ≥60 years old [ HR (95% CI): 2.61 (1.60-4.23), P<0.001], diabetes mellitus [ HR (95% CI): 1.71 (1.06-2.78), P=0.029] and high blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [ HR (95% CI): 1.04 (1.00-1.07), P=0.049] were the independent risk factors of all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients. Stepwise Cox regression analysis showed that IATI<0.42 was still an independent protective factor of all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients [<0.42/≥0.42, HR (95% CI): 0.45 (0.27-0.76), P=0.003]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low skeletal muscle density [ OR (95% CI): 0.84 (0.81-0.88), P<0.001] and high serum triglyceride [ OR (95% CI): 1.39 (1.07-1.82), P=0.015] were the independent influencing factors of IATI≥0.42. Conclusion:IATI<0.42 of the first lumbar level is an independent protective factor of all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients. Localized myosteatosis within high-quality skeletal muscle may reduce the risk of all-cause mortality in these patients.

Objective:To predict the status of microvascular invasion (MVI) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients preoperatively based on the radiomics analysis of contrast-enhanced CT to provide imaging evidence for early identification of patients at high risk of recurrence.Methods:Clinical data of 40 ICC patients who underwent radical hepatectomy at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2021 to May 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into the MVI group ( n=8) and the non-MVI group ( n=32) according to the MVI status of the postoperative pathology report. Whether there were differences in each pathological index between the groups and the efficacy of radiomics analysis of contrast-enhanced CT for the preoperative prediction of MVI were analyzed. The regions of interest (ROI) were outlined on the arterial and venous phase images using the 3D Slicer software. Then, radiomics features were extracted from each ROI based on Python. Finally, the LASSO regression and glm function were used to screen radiomics features and establish a prediction model based on the R language. The established predictive model′s diagnostic efficacy, calibration, and net clinical benefit were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. Normally distributed measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s) and compared using the t-test. Count data were expressed as frequency and compared using the chi-square test. Results:Patients in the MVI group had more poorly differentiated tumors and a significantly higher proportion of lymph node metastases ( P<0.05). The established radiomics prediction model included six features, 1 first-order statistical feature and 5 gray texture features. The area under the ROC curve was 0.87, the sensitivity was 75.0%, and the specificity was 90.6%. The calibration curve showed good agreement between the predicted MVI and actual MVI status, and the decision curve demonstrated that the model could provide a large net clinical benefit. Conclusion:Radiomics analysis of contrast-enhanced CT can identify the MVI status of ICC patients preoperatively and aid in clinical decision-making, providing vital evidence for individualized and precise treatment of ICC.