Objective:To explore the clinical application value of MRI ultra-short echo time sequence (MRI-UTE) in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 101 consecutive patients were recruited prospectively from January to August 2024 at Huazhong Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University. All of the included patients were diagnosed with pulmonary nodules by chest CT examination and intended for treatment. All patients underwent low-dose CT examination and MRI-UTE examination. The number, classification, and lung imaging reporting and data system (lung-RADS) grading of the pulmonary nodules were analyzed. Nodules classification was determined as solid nodules or sub-solid nodules, and sub-solid nodules included part-solid nodules and pure ground-glass nodules. Taking the evaluation results of radiologists with 10 and 12 years of experience in chest imaging diagnosis as the reference standard, the Kappa test was used to analyze the agreement of CT and MRI-UTE in terms of the accurate diagnosis, classification, and lung-RADS grading of pulmonary nodules. Results:Among the 101 patients, a total of 216 pulmonary nodules were identified. MRI-UTE accurately diagnosed 180 pulmonary nodules, while 203 pulmonary nodules were detected by CT. The concordance was moderate ( Kappa=0.48, P<0.001). In terms of nodule classification, CT correctly classified 167 nodules as solid and 36 as sub-solid, whereas MRI-UTE correctly classified 153 as solid and 23 as sub-solid, with good agreement (weighted Kappa=0.73, P<0.001). For lung-RADS grading, CT correctly graded 186 nodules, with 85 graded as category 2, 46 as category 3, 33 as category 4A, 12 as category 4B, and 10 as category 4X; MRI-UTE correctly graded 155 nodules, with 74 graded as category 2, 30 as category 3, 30 as category 4A, 12 as category 4B, and 9 as category 4X. The agreement between the two modalities in determining lung-RADS grade was also good (weighted Kappa=0.74, P<0.001). Conclusion:MRI-UTE demonstrates good agreement with CT in the accurate diagnosis, classification, and lung-RADS grading of pulmonary nodules, indicating certain clinical application value.

AIM:We investigated the survival,migration and differentiation abilities of human oligodendro-cyte precursor cells(hOPC)in the brains of mice with vascular dementia(VaD),the effects of hOPC on cerebral white matter,and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Mouse VaD model was constructed using the bilateral common ca-rotid artery stenosis method,and the mice were randomly divided into sham,VaD and hOPC groups.Eight weeks after model establishment,the mice in VaD and hOPC groups received equal volume of vehicle(PBS)and hOPC solution,re-spectively,through the corpus callosum.Survival,migration and differentiation of hOPC in the brain were observed by im-munofluorescence staining at 4 and 12 weeks after transplantation.Twelve weeks after transplantation,the effects of hOPC on mouse brain white matter were detected by immunofluorescence staining of myelin basic protein(MBP),myelin-associ-ated glycoprotein(MAG),neurofilament protein 200(NF200)and non-phosphorylated neurofilament H(using monoclo-nal antibody SMI32),and by water maze experiments.Paracrine signaling by hOPC was explored using immunofluores-cence staining for vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).RESULTS:The hOPC survived in the brains of VaD mice for 12 weeks,migrated to damaged white matter areas,and partially differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes(approxi-mately 64%).Twelve weeks after transplantation,hOPC significantly increased the fluorescence intensity of MBP,MAG,and NF200(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and decreased the fluorescence intensity of SMI32(P<0.01).The VEGF expression in hOPC-treated mice was significantly higher than that in sham and VaD groups(P<0.01).The difference in water maze test performance between hOPC and sham groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The mice in hOPC group had a shorter latency than those in VaD group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and performed more platform crossings than those in VaD group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The hOPC can survive,migrate and differentiate in the brains of VaD mice,attenuate cerebral white matter lesions,and improve cognitive function.These improvements may be attributed to cell replacement and paracrine effects.

AIM:We investigated the survival,migration and differentiation abilities of human oligodendro-cyte precursor cells(hOPC)in the brains of mice with vascular dementia(VaD),the effects of hOPC on cerebral white matter,and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Mouse VaD model was constructed using the bilateral common ca-rotid artery stenosis method,and the mice were randomly divided into sham,VaD and hOPC groups.Eight weeks after model establishment,the mice in VaD and hOPC groups received equal volume of vehicle(PBS)and hOPC solution,re-spectively,through the corpus callosum.Survival,migration and differentiation of hOPC in the brain were observed by im-munofluorescence staining at 4 and 12 weeks after transplantation.Twelve weeks after transplantation,the effects of hOPC on mouse brain white matter were detected by immunofluorescence staining of myelin basic protein(MBP),myelin-associ-ated glycoprotein(MAG),neurofilament protein 200(NF200)and non-phosphorylated neurofilament H(using monoclo-nal antibody SMI32),and by water maze experiments.Paracrine signaling by hOPC was explored using immunofluores-cence staining for vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).RESULTS:The hOPC survived in the brains of VaD mice for 12 weeks,migrated to damaged white matter areas,and partially differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes(approxi-mately 64%).Twelve weeks after transplantation,hOPC significantly increased the fluorescence intensity of MBP,MAG,and NF200(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and decreased the fluorescence intensity of SMI32(P<0.01).The VEGF expression in hOPC-treated mice was significantly higher than that in sham and VaD groups(P<0.01).The difference in water maze test performance between hOPC and sham groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The mice in hOPC group had a shorter latency than those in VaD group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and performed more platform crossings than those in VaD group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The hOPC can survive,migrate and differentiate in the brains of VaD mice,attenuate cerebral white matter lesions,and improve cognitive function.These improvements may be attributed to cell replacement and paracrine effects.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of MRI ultra-short echo time sequence (MRI-UTE) in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 101 consecutive patients were recruited prospectively from January to August 2024 at Huazhong Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University. All of the included patients were diagnosed with pulmonary nodules by chest CT examination and intended for treatment. All patients underwent low-dose CT examination and MRI-UTE examination. The number, classification, and lung imaging reporting and data system (lung-RADS) grading of the pulmonary nodules were analyzed. Nodules classification was determined as solid nodules or sub-solid nodules, and sub-solid nodules included part-solid nodules and pure ground-glass nodules. Taking the evaluation results of radiologists with 10 and 12 years of experience in chest imaging diagnosis as the reference standard, the Kappa test was used to analyze the agreement of CT and MRI-UTE in terms of the accurate diagnosis, classification, and lung-RADS grading of pulmonary nodules. Results:Among the 101 patients, a total of 216 pulmonary nodules were identified. MRI-UTE accurately diagnosed 180 pulmonary nodules, while 203 pulmonary nodules were detected by CT. The concordance was moderate ( Kappa=0.48, P<0.001). In terms of nodule classification, CT correctly classified 167 nodules as solid and 36 as sub-solid, whereas MRI-UTE correctly classified 153 as solid and 23 as sub-solid, with good agreement (weighted Kappa=0.73, P<0.001). For lung-RADS grading, CT correctly graded 186 nodules, with 85 graded as category 2, 46 as category 3, 33 as category 4A, 12 as category 4B, and 10 as category 4X; MRI-UTE correctly graded 155 nodules, with 74 graded as category 2, 30 as category 3, 30 as category 4A, 12 as category 4B, and 9 as category 4X. The agreement between the two modalities in determining lung-RADS grade was also good (weighted Kappa=0.74, P<0.001). Conclusion:MRI-UTE demonstrates good agreement with CT in the accurate diagnosis, classification, and lung-RADS grading of pulmonary nodules, indicating certain clinical application value.

Objective·To investigate the pathological and physiological changes underlying noise-induced cochlear nucleus damage and the regulating function of astrocytes on the damage,using a combination of morphological analysis,and molecular biology techniques.Methods·Forty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups and exposed to 110 dB SPL(sound pressure level)broadband noise for 2 hours.Auditory brainstem response(ABR)tests were performed on the mice on days 1,7,14,30,and 90 after the noise exposure.Immunofluorescence staining of cochlear nuclear tissue was conducted to observe cochlear nuclear neurons and auditory synapses,as well as astrocyte activation levels.In addition,the damage to the cochlear nuclear neurons and synapses caused by noise was verified through Western blotting.Results·A significant decrease in cochlear nuclear Bushy cells after noise exposure was observed.The Western blotting results showed that there was severe loss of nerve fibers in cochlear nuclear neurons,indicating that noise caused significant damage to cochlear nucleus neurons.Moreover,a significant loss of auditory synapses labeled with vesicular glutamate transporter 1(Vglutl)was observed,which was the severest on day 14 after noise exposure and slowly recovered on day 90.Interestingly,astrocytes in the cochlear nucleus displayed obvious clustering and activation after noise exposure.By staining with glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),most astrocytes were distributed around the cochlear nucleus,granule cell area,and auditory nerve root before noise exposure,and they had a small size.However,on day 14 after noise exposure,a large number of activated astrocytes aggregated in the ventral cochlear nucleus,and they all showed a pattern of growth around the synapses.Conclusion·Noise exposure leads to significant damage in the cochlear nucleus,and it is possible that astrocytes are involved in its damage and repair processes.These findings will provide a crucial foundation for further understanding the mechanisms of sound signal analysis,integration,and neural plasticity in the cochlear nucleus.

Objective:To assess the severity of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal rats and predict the occurrence of subsequent neurobehavioral abnormalities after brain injury by scoring and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods:7-day-old of 60 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group (14 rats), sham operation group (14 rats) and HIBD model group (32 rats). HIBD model was established by right common carotid artery dissection with Rice-Vannucci method and hypoxia. Within 24 h after modeling, the rats in the model group were evaluated by general condition score and Longa score, and the surviving rats with moderate and severe HIBD were selected for the experiment. 24 h after modeling, 5 rats of the model group were randomly selected for 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazole chloride staining to verify cerebral infarction. 1 week after modeling, 6 rats from each group were randomly selected for hematoxylin-eosin staining to observe HIBD brain injury. 4 weeks after modeling, 4 rats were randomly selected from the control group and the sham operation group, and 8 rats from the remaining model group were used to evaluate the volume of brain damage by MRI. 5-6 weeks after modeling, the remaining 8 rats from each group were subjected to the Cylinder test, and at 13 weeks, they underwent the Morris water maze test to evaluate their neurobehavior.Results:In HIBD model group, 19 rats with moderate to severe HIBD were selected from 32 rats. 24 h after modeling, cerebral infarction was verified in all rats, indicating moderate to severe HIBD. Brain tissue pathology observed 1 week after modeling revealed predominantly gray matter brain damage. MRI showed that 7 out of 8 rats had moderate to severe HIBD. Compared to the control and sham operation groups, the model group exhibited a significant decrease in the usage rate of the left forelimb in the Cylinder test at 5-6 weeks after modeling ( P<0.05), and the latency period in Morris water maze test was significantly prolonged at 13 weeks after modeling ( P<0.05), and the times of crossing platform quadrant were significantly reduced ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the right brain injury volume between 24 h and 4 weeks model group ( P>0.05). The brain injury volume in model group was negatively correlated with the usage rate of left forelimb in cylinder test at 5-6 weeks and the times of crossing platform quadrant in Morris water maze test at 13 weeks ( P<0.05), and positively correlated with latency period in Morris water maze test at 13 weeks ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Within 24 h of HIBD modeling, the severity of brain injury can be preliminarily predicted by general condition score and Longa score. 4 weeks after modeling, in the chronic phase of brain injury, MRI was proved to be an excellent predictor for mid-term and long-term neurobehavioral abnormalities in HIBD rats.

Objective::To build a reference fetal growth chart for the Chinese population based on fetal ultrasound measurements.Methods::This was a multicenter, population-based retrospective cohort study. Longitudinal ultrasound measurement data were collected from 24 hospitals in 18 provinces of China from 1 st September through 31 st October of 2019. The estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated based on head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length using Hadlock formula 3. Fetal growth curves were estimated using a two-level linear regression model with cubic splines. All participants were divided into two groups: the northern group ( n = 5829) and the southern group ( n = 3246) based on the geographical division of China and male fetus group ( n = 4775) and female fetus group ( n = 4300) based on fetal gender. The EFW was compared by fetal gender and geographical group. All statistical models were adjusted for maternal sociodemographic characteristics. Results::A total of 9075 participants with 31,700 ultrasound measurement records were included in this study. Male fetuses demonstrated significantly larger EFW compared to female ones starting at 16 weeks of gestation and extending to delivery (global test P < 0.01). The overall geographic difference in EFW was significant (global test P = 0.03), and week-specific comparisons showed that the northern group had a greater EFW starting at 15 weeks of gestation and extending to 29 weeks of gestation, although this difference did not extend to the time of delivery. The Z-score of EFW confirmed that our Chinese fetal growth charts differed from previously published standards. Conclusion::This study provides EFW and ultrasound biometric reference measurements for Chinese fetuses and reveals differences from other fetal growth charts. The chart is worth promoting in more regions of China but should be tested prudently before use.

Objective::To build a reference fetal growth chart for the Chinese population based on fetal ultrasound measurements.Methods::This was a multicenter, population-based retrospective cohort study. Longitudinal ultrasound measurement data were collected from 24 hospitals in 18 provinces of China from 1 st September through 31 st October of 2019. The estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated based on head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length using Hadlock formula 3. Fetal growth curves were estimated using a two-level linear regression model with cubic splines. All participants were divided into two groups: the northern group ( n = 5829) and the southern group ( n = 3246) based on the geographical division of China and male fetus group ( n = 4775) and female fetus group ( n = 4300) based on fetal gender. The EFW was compared by fetal gender and geographical group. All statistical models were adjusted for maternal sociodemographic characteristics. Results::A total of 9075 participants with 31,700 ultrasound measurement records were included in this study. Male fetuses demonstrated significantly larger EFW compared to female ones starting at 16 weeks of gestation and extending to delivery (global test P < 0.01). The overall geographic difference in EFW was significant (global test P = 0.03), and week-specific comparisons showed that the northern group had a greater EFW starting at 15 weeks of gestation and extending to 29 weeks of gestation, although this difference did not extend to the time of delivery. The Z-score of EFW confirmed that our Chinese fetal growth charts differed from previously published standards. Conclusion::This study provides EFW and ultrasound biometric reference measurements for Chinese fetuses and reveals differences from other fetal growth charts. The chart is worth promoting in more regions of China but should be tested prudently before use.

Objective:To investigate the pathogenic gene locus and prenatal genetic diagnosis of 54 families with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA).Methods:This retrospective study enrolled 54 OCA probands and their families from Gansu Province Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from May 2014 to May 2020. TYR gene variation screening was performed on the probands by Sanger sequencing. Those with negative results were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing, and further verification was performed on their parents by Sanger sequencing. Among the 54 families, 15 ml amniotic fluid were collected from 16 women at 18-21 gestational weeks in their subsequent pregnancy. Sanger sequencing combined with short tandem repeats sequence for linkage analysis were performed for genetic analysis. All data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. Results:Out of the 54 OCA probands, 48 were diagnosed as OCA1, five were OCA2 and one was OCA4 based on the Sanger sequencing and high-throughput sequencing detection. A total of 26 different variation sites were involved in the 48 OCA1 probands, including 15 missense mutations, five nonsense mutations, three splicing mutations, and three frame-shift mutations, among which, c.929insC (29%, 28/96) was the most frequent mutation, followed by c.896G>A (11%, 11/96), c.832C>T (8%, 8/96) and c.703T>C (5%, 5/96). The diagnosis was confirmed in all 16 fetuses in the 16 families that underwent prenatal diagnosis. Five of them were affected and their mothers chose to terminate the pregnancies, the other 11 pregnancies continued to delivery, including seven heterozygous carriers and four fetuses without the same pathogenic allele as the proband. Maternal contamination was excluded in all prenatal samples using short tandem repeat for linkage analysis. All 11 children were in good health during telephone follow-up one month after birth. Postnatal validations were consistent with the prenatal tests.Conclusions:Genetic diagnosis could accurately identify various types of OCA and help to provide prenatal diagnosis and fertility consultation for subsequent pregnancies.

Objective To investigate the relationship between maternal body composition in first trimester and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods In this nested case-control study based on a prospective cohort study, we enrolled gravidas between 8 and 14 weeks of gestation, who received prenatal care and voluntary nutrition evaluation in Gansu Provincial Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital, from July 2016 to January 2017. Body mass index (BMI) of each gravida was recorded and the maternal body composition including body fat, body fat percentage and fat-free mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Pregnancy outcomes were followed up. A total of 70 patients diagnosed with GDM were allocated to the GDM group and 140 healthy gravidas matching for age and pre-pregnancy BMI were selected as the control group. Differences in body composition between two groups and their relationships with GDM were analyzed by Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. ResuLts Maternal BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR=1.973, 95%CI:1.095-7.664, P=0.024) and body fat percentage≥30%,≥35% and≥40% in first trimester (OR=1.261, 95%CI:1.021-2.982, P=0.010; OR=4.020, 95%CI: 1.341-7.950, P<0.001; OR=8.311, 95%CI: 5.018-42.771, P<0.001) were the risk factors of GDM. ConcLusions BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and body fat percentage ≥ 30% in first trimester are risk factors for GDM and excessive adipose tissue may play an important role in the development of GDM.