OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of artificial intelligence-assisted compressed sensing (ACS) acceleration on MRI radiomic feature extraction and performance of diagnostic staging models for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in comparison with conventional parallel imaging (PI). METHODS: A total of 64 patients with newly diagnosed NPC underwent 3.0T MRI using axial T1-weighted (T1W), T2-weighted (T2W), and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1W) sequences. Both PI and ACS protocols were performed using identical imaging parameters. The total scan time for the 3 sequences in ACS group was 227 s, representing a 30% reduction from 312 s in the PI group. Eighteen first-order and 75 texture features were extracted using Pyradiomics. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess the agreement between the two acceleration methods. After feature selection using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), random forest regression models were constructed to distinguish early-stage (T1 and T2) from advanced-stage (T3 and T4) NPC. The diagnostic performance of the models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and compared using the DeLong test. RESULTS: ACS-accelerated images demonstrated good radiomic reproducibility, with 86.0% (240/279) of features showing good agreement (ICC>0.75), with mean ICCs for T1W, T2W and CE-T1W sequences of 0.91±0.09, 0.89±0.13 and 0.88±0.11, respectively. The staging prediction models achieved similar AUCs for ACS and PI (0.89 vs 0.90, P=0.991). CONCLUSIONS The MRI radiomic features extracted using ACS and PI techniques are highly consistent, and the ACS-based model shows comparable diagnostic performance to the PI-based model, but ACS significantly reduces the scan time and provides an efficient and reliable acceleration strategy for radiomics in NPC.
Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Neoplasm Staging ; Artificial Intelligence ; Carcinoma ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Radiomics

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation versus intravenous monotherapy for pulmonary infections caused by carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were collected from patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of 10 tertiary class-A hospitals in Henan Province between July 2021 and May 2023, who received colistin sulfate for CRO pulmonary infections. Data included baseline characteristics, inflammatory markers [white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP)], renal function indicators [serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], life support measures, anti-infection regimens, clinical efficacy, microbiological clearance rate, and prognostic outcomes. Patients were divided into two groups: intravenous group (colistin sulfate monotherapy via intravenous infusion) and combination group ((intravenous infusion combined with nebulized inhalation of colistin sulfate). Changes in parameters before and after treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients with CRO pulmonary infections were enrolled, including 89 in the intravenous group and 48 in the combination group. Baseline characteristics, life support measures, daily colistin dose, and combination regimens (most commonly colistin sulfate plus carbapenems in both groups) showed no significant differences between two groups. The combination group exhibited higher clinical efficacy [77.1% (37/48) vs. 59.6% (52/89)] and microbiological clearance rate [60.4% (29/48) vs. 39.3% (35/89)], both P < 0.05. Pre-treatment inflammatory and renal parameters showed no significant differences between two groups. Post-treatment, the combination group showed significantly lower WBC and CRP [WBC (×10⁹/L): 8.2±0.5 vs. 10.9±0.6, CRP (mg/L): 14.0 (5.7, 26.6) vs. 52.1 (24.4, 109.6), both P < 0.05], whereas NEU, PCT, SCr, and BUN levels showed no significant between two groups. ICU length of stay was shorter in the combination group [days: 16 (10, 25) vs. 21 (14, 29), P < 0.05], although mechanical ventilation duration and total hospitalization showed no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous colistin sulfate combined with nebulized inhalation improved clinical efficacy and microbiological clearance in CRO pulmonary infections with an acceptable safety profile.
Humans ; Colistin/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Administration, Inhalation ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Carbapenems/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects* ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy*

Objective To preliminarily design a wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 solid-state nuclear track individual neutron dosimeter with different energy sections. Methods The thickness of the converter was optimized using the Monte Carlo SRIM program to broaden the energy range of the dosimeter. The self-made wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 individual neutron dosimeter was calibrated using ²⁴¹Am-Be, ²⁵²Cf, and thermal neutron sources to evaluate its dosimetric performance, including linearity, energy response, and neutron energy resolution. Results The linear correlation coefficient of the measurement system exceeded 0.98. The relative deviations of the energy response were 35.0% for blank section and 42.0% for polyethylene section, falling within the range of −50% to + 100% and meeting the monitoring requirements. The detection sensitivity for thermal neutron dose was 67 137.2 tr·cm⁻²·mSv⁻¹, and the detection sensitivity for thermal neutron fluence was 0.98 × 10⁻³ tr·n⁻¹, demonstrating good thermal neutron detection capability. Conclusion The self-made wide-energy-spectrum CR-39 individual neutron dosimeter fundamentally meets the requirements for individual neutron dose monitoring and is suitable for individual neutron dose monitoring in the energy range of thermal neutrons (up to approximately 15 MeV).

Objective:To explore whether the food additive sodium benzoate(NAB) induces pancreatic inflammation and β cell apoptosis through the benzoylation(Kbz) modification pathway.Methods:In vivo experiments: C57BL/6J male mice(8 weeks old, 18-20 g) were randomly divided into normal control group(double distilled water feeding) and NAB feeding group(1 g/kg NAB feeding). Blood glucose were measured. After 20 weeks, fasting serum insulin, interleukin(IL)-18, IL-1β, and benzoyl-CoA levels were detected by ELISA method. Bax, IL-18, Pan-Kbz and Pan-Kac were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. In vitro experiments: β-TC-6 cells were cultured with NAB(6 mmol/L) or benzoyl-CoA(100 μmol/L) as stimulator and acyltransferase P300 inhibitor A485(10 μmol/L) as intervention factor. 24 hours later, inflammation, apoptosis, insulin secretion and Pan-Kbz level were detected by qRT-PCR, ELISA and Western blotting.Results:In the in vivo experiments, compared to the NC group, mice in the NAB group exhibited impaired glucose tolerance, decreased fasting insulin levels, significantly increased serum benzoyl coenzyme A concentrations, relatively elevated pancreatic IL-1β, IL-18, and Bax protein expressions, increased levels of Pan-Kbz, while Pan-Kac levels were downregulated(all P<0.05); In vitro experiments, NAB dose-dependently inhibited insulin secretion, promoted the release of Pan-Kbz and inflammatory factors IL-18 and TNF- α, inhibited Bcl-2 expression and up-regulated Bax expression, A485 reversed NAB-induced Pan-Kbz modification, improved NAB-induced inflammation and apoptosis, and promoted insulin secretion(all P<0.05). Conclusion:NAB may induce pancreatic inflammation, β-cell apoptosis, and impair insulin secretion through Kbz modification pathway.

More than 80% of the world’s populations are at risk of vector-borne diseases, with mosquito-borne diseases as a significant global public health problem. Mosquito populations control is critical to interrupting the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. This review summarizes the physical attributes, smell, vision, touch, and hearing of mosquitoes to unravel the preferences of female mosquitoes, and describes the mechanisms underlying the best male mating by female mosquitoes, so as to provide new insights into management of mosquito-borne diseases.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the appendicular skeletal mass index(ASMI)and os-teoporosis(OP)in postmenopausal patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM).Methods 164 hospitalized postmeno-pausal elderly T2DM patients were selected and their bone density(BMD)and appendicular skeletal mass were measured using dual energy X-ray absorption method(DXA).ASMI=appendicular skeletal mass/height2(kg/m2),and they were divided into OP group and non OP group based on T value.The general clinical data,blood biochemical indicators,and ASMI between the two groups were compared,and Logistic regression analysis,ROC curve were further used to analyze the correlation and diagnostic power.Results Compared with non OP group,OP group had a higher incidence of sarcopenia(SAC)(P＜0.05);the differences in age,ASMI,body mass index(BMI),and estradiol(E2)had significant differences between the two groups(P＜0.05);Logistic regression analysis showed that the reduction of ASMI[OR=0.133,95％CI(0.029-0.611)],BMI[OR=0.785,95％CI(0.625-0.985)],and E2[OR=0.967,95％CI(0.942-0.993)]were protective factors for OP;receiver operating curve(ROC)suggested that the AUC of ASMI for OP prediction was 0.752[95％CI(0.632-0.872),P＜0.001]with sensitivity 87.5％,specificity 47.8％,and the best diagnostic value was 5.52 kg/m2.Conclusion The reduction of ASMI,BMI,and E2 is positively correlated with the occurrence of osteoporosis.ASMI is an important protective factor for osteoporosis.Early OP screening and risk factor assessment should be conducted for elderly postmenopausal T2DM patients,and early intervention measures should be taken to reduce the risk of falls and fractures.

Objective To investigate the relationship and potential pathways between metal(loid)exposure and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in women of childbearing age. Methods This case-control study included 200 patients with PCOS(cases)and 896 non-PCOS controls with the age of 25-37 years.The concentrations of 29 metal(loid)s in the follicular fluid(FF)and clinical indicators in the serum were measured in all participants.Logistic regression analysis and mediation analysis were conducted to evaluate the associations between metal(loid)exposure and PCOS risk and investigate the possible roles of clinical indicators,respectively. Results Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between high copper levels in FF and increased PCOS risk(highest vs.lowest quartile:adjusted odds ratio=2.94,95%confidence interval:1.83-4.72).A high luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio and elevated levels of testosterone and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)were strongly associated with increased PCOS risk induced by high copper exposure.The mediation analysis indicated a mediating effect of AMH in the association between copper exposure and PCOS risk. Conclusion Copper may affect PCOS risk through the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis,mediated by AMH.Copper exposure and internal AMH levels are important indicators for early warning of PCOS development.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China.Methods:Data of chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) CML patients diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2022 from 77 centers, ≥18 years old, and receiving initial imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or flumatinib-therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China with complete data were retrospectively interrogated. The choice of initial TKI, current TKI medications, treatment switch and reasons, treatment responses and outcomes as well as the variables associated with them were analyzed.Results:6 893 patients in CP ( n=6 453, 93.6%) or AP ( n=440, 6.4%) receiving initial imatinib ( n=4 906, 71.2%), nilotinib ( n=1 157, 16.8%), dasatinib ( n=298, 4.3%) or flumatinib ( n=532, 7.2%) -therapy. With the median follow-up of 43 ( IQR 22-75) months, 1 581 (22.9%) patients switched TKI due to resistance ( n=1 055, 15.3%), intolerance ( n=248, 3.6%), pursuit of better efficacy ( n=168, 2.4%), economic or other reasons ( n=110, 1.6%). The frequency of switching TKI in AP patients was significantly-higher than that in CP patients (44.1% vs 21.5%, P<0.001), and more AP patients switched TKI due to resistance than CP patients (75.3% vs 66.1%, P=0.011). Multi-variable analyses showed that male, lower HGB concentration and ELTS intermediate/high-risk cohort were associated with lower cytogenetic and molecular responses rate and poor outcomes in CP patients; higher WBC count and initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher response rates; Ph + ACA at diagnosis, poor PFS. However, Sokal intermediate/high-risk cohort was only significantly-associated with lower CCyR and MMR rates and the poor PFS. Lower HGB concentration and larger spleen size were significantly-associated with the lower cytogenetic and molecular response rates in AP patients; initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher treatment response rates; lower PLT count, higher blasts and Ph + ACA, poorer TFS; Ph + ACA, poorer OS. Conclusion:At present, the vast majority of newly-diagnosed CML-CP or AP patients could benefit from TKI treatment in the long term with the good treatment responses and survival outcomes.

Objective:To explore the current status of intrinsic capacity in elderly patients with hospitalization-associated disability (HAD) and explore its influencing factors.Methods:From November 2023 to January 2024, convenience sampling was used to select 203 elderly patients with HAD at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University as the study subjects. A survey was conducted on elderly patients using the General Information Questionnaire, Fried Frailty Phenotype, Barthel Index, Social Support Rating Scale, and Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Tool. Binomial Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of intrinsic capacity in elderly patients with HAD.Results:A total of 203 questionnaires were distributed, and 199 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 98.03% (199/203). The total score of intrinsic capacity in 199 elderly patients with HAD was 5.00 (4.00, 6.00), with scores for cognitive dimension, psychological dimension, motor dimension, vitality dimension, and sensory dimension being 1.00 (1.00, 2.00), 2.00 (1.00, 2.00), 0 (0, 1.00), 1.00 (1.00, 1.00) and 1.00 (1.00, 1.00), respectively. The binomial Logistic regression showed that department of medicine and surgery, self-rating health status, social support, serum albumin, and Barthel Index were the influencing factors of intrinsic capacity in elderly patients with HAD ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The intrinsic capacity of elderly patients with HAD is at medium to low level, with the most severe impairment in the motor dimension. Medical and nursing staff should develop personalized rehabilitation measures for elderly HAD patients based on the influencing factors of their intrinsic capacity, enhance their intrinsic capacity, and reduce the burden of care on families and society.

Objective:To investigate the status and influencing factors of different types of cognitive frailty in aged inpatients with hypertension.Methods:Totally 300 aged patients with hypertension admitted to the Cardiology, Geriatrics, and Endocrinology Departments of Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, from April to October 2022 were selected by convenience sampling. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Fried Frailty Phenotype (FP), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the 9-item Subjective Cognitive Decline Questionnaire-9 (SCD-Q9), the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) .Results:A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed and returned, yielding a 100.00% response rate. Among the 300 aged hypertensive patients, 74 were diagnosed with reversible cognitive frailty (RCF) and 98 with potentially reversible cognitive frailty (PRCF). Logistic vegression analysis showed that, factors influencing RCF included daily exercise habits and the use of thiazide diuretics ( P<0.05) ; factors influencing PRCF included age, pre-retirement occupation, daily exercise habits, sleep quality, Barthel Index score, and serum albumin levels ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The status of both RCF and PRCF is relatively high among aged inpatients with hypertension. The influencing factors for different types of cognitive frailty vary. Targeted interventions based on both common and specific influencing factors should be developed to reverse or slow the progression of cognitive frailty in aged hypertensive patients.