Objective To develop and validate a deep learning-based segmentation model for low-dose cervical spine X-ray,aiming to address the insufficient segmentation accuracy in low-dose protocols while balancing radiation protection and diagnostic accuracy.Methods A total of 1 363 patients cervical spine X-ray images data were collected.A dose-attenuation mathematical simulation sys-tem was constructed to generate 14 122 dynamic low-dose cervical spine images incorporating quantum noise,contrast degradation,and blur artifacts.A neural network model was developed for automated segmentation of low-dose cervical spine X-ray using this dataset.Results Within the dose range of 50%to 7.5%,the average reults of automatic segmentation by the neural network model and manual segmentation for each group were as follows:50%dose group,intersection over union(IoU)=0.98 vs 0.93(P=0.707)and Dice coefficient(Dice)=0.99 vs 0.96(P=0.749);10%dose group,IoU=0.97 vs 0.87(P=0.201)and Dice=0.99 vs 0.93(P=0.219);7.5%dose group,IoU=0.97 vs 0.67(P<0.01)and Dice=0.98 vs 0.80(P<0.01).Conclusion The developed deep learning model achieved robust cervical spine segmentation(IoU>0.96,Dice>0.98)below diagnostic dose thresholds[peak signal-to-noise ratio(PSNR)<38 dB,structural similarity index(SSIM)<0.65].Under ultra-low-dose conditions(PSNR=27.710 dB,SSIM=0.274),it demonstrated a 44.78%IoU improvement and 22.5%Dice improvement over manual segmentation.This model enables minimal radia-tion exposure while preserving diagnostic performance,confirming its theoretical feasibility for low-dose X-ray image analysis and clinical research potential.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy Yizhi Qingxin Prescription combined with warming-needle muxibustion in the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment(VCI)after cerebral infarction,and to explore its effect on cognitive function.Methods A total of 110 cases of patients with definitive diagnosis of VCI after cerebral infarction admitted to Beijing Bo'ai Hospital from February 2020 to February 2023 were selected for the study.The patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group according to random number table method,with 55 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Donepezil Hydrochloride,and the observation group was treated with Yizhi Qingxin Prescription combined with warming-needle muxibustion on the basis of the treatment of the control group,the course of treatment covered four consecutive weeks.After one month of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes in the scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)and Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),as well as the measurements of cerebral blood perfusion were observed before and after the treatment of the patients in the two groups.The changes of C-reactive protein(CRP),interleukin 6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.The safety and incidence of adverse reactions in the two groups were also evaluated.Results(1)The total effective rate was 96.36％(53/55)in the observation group and 74.55％(41/55)in the control group.The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the MMSE scores and MoCA scores of the patients in the two groups were improved significantly(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the CBV,MTT,and CBF of the basal ganglia region of the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the serum CRP,IL-6,and TNF-α levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 7.27％(4/55),and that in the control group was 5.45％(3/55),the comparison between the two groups showed that the difference being not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Yizhi Qingxin Prescription combined with warming-needle muxibustion in the treatment of VCI after cerebral infarction can effectively alleviate the cognitive function of patients,improve their cerebral blood perfusion,and inhibit the release of inflammatory factors,so as to enhance their quality of life.

Objective To develop and validate a deep learning-based segmentation model for low-dose cervical spine X-ray,aiming to address the insufficient segmentation accuracy in low-dose protocols while balancing radiation protection and diagnostic accuracy.Methods A total of 1 363 patients cervical spine X-ray images data were collected.A dose-attenuation mathematical simulation sys-tem was constructed to generate 14 122 dynamic low-dose cervical spine images incorporating quantum noise,contrast degradation,and blur artifacts.A neural network model was developed for automated segmentation of low-dose cervical spine X-ray using this dataset.Results Within the dose range of 50%to 7.5%,the average reults of automatic segmentation by the neural network model and manual segmentation for each group were as follows:50%dose group,intersection over union(IoU)=0.98 vs 0.93(P=0.707)and Dice coefficient(Dice)=0.99 vs 0.96(P=0.749);10%dose group,IoU=0.97 vs 0.87(P=0.201)and Dice=0.99 vs 0.93(P=0.219);7.5%dose group,IoU=0.97 vs 0.67(P<0.01)and Dice=0.98 vs 0.80(P<0.01).Conclusion The developed deep learning model achieved robust cervical spine segmentation(IoU>0.96,Dice>0.98)below diagnostic dose thresholds[peak signal-to-noise ratio(PSNR)<38 dB,structural similarity index(SSIM)<0.65].Under ultra-low-dose conditions(PSNR=27.710 dB,SSIM=0.274),it demonstrated a 44.78%IoU improvement and 22.5%Dice improvement over manual segmentation.This model enables minimal radia-tion exposure while preserving diagnostic performance,confirming its theoretical feasibility for low-dose X-ray image analysis and clinical research potential.

The number of interventional procedures has increased significantly due to the advantages of minor trauma, rapid recovery, and low incidence of complications. In 2018, there were approximately 24 million interventional procedures worldwide, representing a six-fold increase compared with 3.6 million procedures in 2008. From 2020 to 2021, the percentage of medical institutions with independent interventional departments in China increased from 50.49% to 63.18%. Interventional procedures inherently involve exposure to ionizing radiation, which poses a greater risk of radiation-related harm to the pediatric population due to their increased sensitivity, Consequently, the radiation dose levels experienced by children undergoing these procedures have become a growing concern, emerging as a focus of research both nationally and internationally. This article summarizes the reports published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as well as academic articles, and reviews the dose optimization measures in the interventional procedures for pediatric patients. Regular radiation safety training for interventional radiation workers, enhancing radiation safety awareness, optimizing intraoperative techniques, and timely updating imaging equipment can effectively reduce the radiation dose received by pediatric patients. This approach helps reduce the doses to an acceptable range while still meeting interventional procedural requirements, thereby protecting the physical health of pediatric patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the deafness genetic mutation spectrum in nonsyndromic hearing impairment (NSHI) associated with enlarged vestibular aqueducts (EVA). MethodsFrom October, 2015 to August, 2016, 85 patients with NSHI from Hubei Yichang Special Education School were examined with temporal bone CT, and 20 deafness-related gene mutations in GJB2, GJB3, SLC26A4 and mtDNA 12S rRNA were detected with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. ResultsA total of 31 patients were found EVA with temporal bone CT. Compared with non-EVA patients, the proportion of deafness-related gene mutations was more in patients with EVA (χ² = 11.160, P = 0.001), especially for c.919-2A>G mutation of SLC26A4 (χ² = 23.870, P < 0.001). ConclusionThe deafness gene mutation spectrum is different in NSHI patients with or without EVA. It is needed to optimize genetic testing scheme for deafness for early diagnosis and intervention of NSHI associated with EVA.

ObjectiveTo explore the application value of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in assessing the severity of acute pulmonary embolism (APE) and right heart function in rehabilitation patients. MethodsFrom January, 2013 to January, 2020, 133 inpatients (94 positive and 39 negative) who underwent CTPA examination in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were involved. Positive patients were further divided into mild, moderate and severe groups based on the pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI). The clinical parameters and right heart function indicators were compared. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between PAOI, and clinical parameters and right heart function indicators, and Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the risk factors of APE. ResultsThere was significant difference in lower extremity venous thrombosis, D-dimer, oxygen partial pressure, PAOI and left process of interventricular septum among four groups (H ≥ 12.350, P < 0.01). PAOI was moderately positively correlated with D-dimer (r = 0.443, P < 0.001) and left process of interventricular septum (r = 0.520, P < 0.001), and was weakly positively correlated with lower extremity venous thrombosis (r = 0.399, P < 0.001), left pulmonary artery diameter (r = 0.213, P = 0.014) and inferior vena cava regurgitation (r = 0.229, P = 0.008). Lower extremity venous thrombosis (OR = 7.708, P < 0.001) and left process of interventricular septum (OR = 3.641, P = 0.008) were independent risk factors for the onset of APE. The combination of the two indicators was effective for diagnosis of APE, and AUC was 0.795 (95% CI 0.715 to 0.874). ConclusionCTPA may be applied to evaluate the severity of APE and right heart function in rehabilitation patients.

Objective:To develop a neural network model for the evaluation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) based on multilayer perceptual neural network, and to compare with the improved Chinese based creatinine GFR evaluation formula (C-GFR cr) and the evaluation formula (EPI-GFR cr) of the American Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) for the clinical applicability of multilayer perceptual neural network model in evaluating GFR. Methods:A total of 684 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients used for developing a modified version of China′s based creatinine GFR evaluation formula were taken as the research object. The data of 454 patients were randomly selected as the development group and the data of the other 230 patients were as the verification group. The multilayer perceptual neural network GFR evaluation model (M-GFR cr) was established. With the double plasma GFR as the reference value (rGFR), the correlation, mean difference, mean absolute difference, precision and accuracy of C-GFR cr, EPI-GFR cr and M-GFR cr were compared. Results:Among the 684 CKD patients, there were 352 males and 332 females, with age of (49.9±15.8) years. The correlation between M-GFR cr and rGFR was the highest (Pearson correlation =0.93, P<0.001). The mean difference of M-GFR cr was lower than that of C-GFR cr ( Z=9.929, P<0.001) and EPI-GFR cr ( Z=10.573, P<0.001). The mean absolute difference of M-GFR cr was also lower than that of C-GFR cr ( Z=3.953, P<0.001) and EPI-GFR cr ( Z=4.210, P<0.001). The accuracy of ±15% of M-GFR cr was higher than that of C-GFR cr ( χ2=26.068, P<0.001) and EPI-GFR cr ( χ2=23.154, P<0.001). The accuracy of ±30% of M-GFR cr was also higher than that of C-GFR cr ( χ2=8.264, P=0.001) and EPI-GFR cr ( χ2=11.963, P=0.001). The results of different stages of CKD showed that in the early stage of CKD (CKD 1-2), the mean difference of M-GFR cr was lower than that of C-GFR cr ( Z=7.401, P<0.001) and EPI-GFR cr ( Z=8.096, P<0.001); the mean absolute difference of M-GFR cr was also lower than that of C-GFR cr ( Z=4.723, P<0.001) and EPI-GFR cr ( Z=4.946, P<0.001); the accuracy of ±15% of M-GFR cr was higher than that of C-GFR cr ( χ2=23.547, P<0.001) and EPI-GFR cr ( χ2=26.421, P<0.001); the accuracy of ±30% of M-GFR cr was also higher than that of C-GFR cr ( χ2=12.089, P=0.001) and EPI-GFR cr ( χ2=16.168, P<0.001). But there was no significant difference in the applicability among C-GFR cr, EPI-GFR cr and M-GFR cr in the advanced stages of CKD (CKD 3-5). Conclusion:Compared with the improved Chinese based creatinine GFR evaluation formula C-GFR cr and CKD-EPI evaluation formula EPI-GFR cr, the accuracy of multilayer perceptual neural network model to evaluate GFR in CKD patients has been significantly improved, especially in CKD 1-2 stage.

DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification in vertebrates, and it has been shown to be involved the regulation of gene expression and embryo development. However, it remains unclear how DNA methylation regulates sexual development, especially in species without sex chromosomes. To determine this, we utilized zebrafish to investigate DNA methylation reprogramming during juvenile germ cell development and adult female-to-male sex transition. We reveal that primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo significant DNA methylation reprogramming during germ cell development, and the methylome of PGCs is reset to an oocyte/ovary-like pattern at 9 days post fertilization (9 dpf). When DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity in juveniles was blocked after 9 dpf, the zebrafish developed into females. We also show that Tet3 is involved in PGC development. Notably, we find that DNA methylome reprogramming during adult zebrafish sex transition is similar to the reprogramming during the sex differentiation from 9 dpf PGCs to sperm. Furthermore, inhibiting DNMT activity can prevent the female-to-male sex transition, sug-gesting that methylation reprogramming is required for zebrafish sex transition. In summary, DNA methylation plays important roles in zebrafish germ cell development and sexual plasticity.

Due to various factors, the proportion of infertile couples is increasing. In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) technology has made it possible for infertile couples to give birth. However, implantation failure has always hindered the development of IVF-ET. Embryo quality and endometrial receptivity are the keys to successful implantation. The implantation process is complicated and involves a variety of cytokines. Among them, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) plays an important role in the implantation process and even the entire pregnancy. At present, there are two opinions about whether hCG perfusion before embryo transfer affects the patient's pregnancy outcome: intrauterine infusion of hCG can improve the patient's pregnancy outcome; intrauterine infusion of hCG may not only not improve the patient's pregnancy rate, and even bring adverse consequences to the patient. But because there is no more uniform standard in the completed researches, the relationship between intrauterine infusion of hCG and embryo implantation is still inconclusive. Now, we summarize their contributions in this paper.

Due to various factors, the proportion of infertile couples is increasing. In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) technology has made it possible for infertile couples to give birth. However, implantation failure has always hindered the development of IVF-ET. Embryo quality and endometrial receptivity are the keys to successful implantation. The implantation process is complicated and involves a variety of cytokines. Among them, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) plays an important role in the implantation process and even the entire pregnancy. At present, there are two opinions about whether hCG perfusion before embryo transfer affects the patient's pregnancy outcome: intrauterine infusion of hCG can improve the patient's pregnancy outcome; intrauterine infusion of hCG may not only not improve the patient's pregnancy rate, and even bring adverse consequences to the patient. But because there is no more uniform standard in the completed researches, the relationship between intrauterine infusion of hCG and embryo implantation is still inconclusive. Now, we summarize their contributions in this paper.