1.Effects of low-dose computed tomography parameter optimization on diagnostic performance and radiation exposure in pulmonary nodules
Mengyin HE ; Zhongle WANG ; Jie LEI
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(1):36-42
Objective To retrospectively analyze the impact of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) parameter optimization on the diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary nodules and their radiation exposure, and to provide a basis for balancing diagnostic performance and radiation safety. Methods Data from 300 high-risk individuals who underwent pulmonary LDCT screening at Wuhan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2023 and December 2024 were collected. Participants were divided into an optimized LDCT group (n = 150; 100 kV, 70-90 mA) and a traditional LDCT group (n = 150; 120 kV, 140-160 mA) based on scanning parameters. Baseline characteristics, radiation dose, image quality, and diagnostic accuracy were compared between the two groups. Key factors influencing diagnostic accuracy were analyzed. Results In the optimized group, the volume CT dose index, dose-length product, and effective dose decreased by over 40% (t = 37.492, 35.351, and 35.262, respectively, all P<0.001). Similarly, tube voltage and current decreased significantly (t = 14.582 and 28.653, respectively, both P<0.001), while scan time showed no significant change (t = 0.321, P = 0.760). The overall image quality score of the optimized group was slightly lower than that of the traditional group (4.21 ± 0.43 vs. 4.38 ± 0.39; t = 3.587, P<0.001), but remained within the good-to-excellent range. Both groups demonstrated high diagnostic confidence (4.25 vs. 4.41; t = 3.361, P = 0.001) and high inter-evaluator consistency as indicated by an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.82. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in sensitivity (94.83% vs. 96.43%; Z = 0.393), specificity (91.30% vs. 90.22%; Z = 0.292), accuracy (92.78% vs. 93.33%; χ2 = 0.031), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.931 vs. 0.938; Z = 0.202) (all P>0.05). Diagnostic performance for<6 mm nodules showed no significant difference (P = 0.778). Multivariable analysis identified nodule size, solid density, lobulated margins, and image quality score as independent predictors of diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion Optimized LDCT can significantly reduce radiation exposure (by over 40%) while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary nodules, including small nodules, and good image quality, making it suitable for lung cancer screening in high-risk populations.
2.Efficacy of intravesical electrical stimulation and extracorporeal shock wave therapy for female non-obstructive detrusor underactivity: a reinforcement learning optimization approach
Zhen WANG ; Zhongle XU ; Junhua XI ; Yanbin ZHANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(12):1056-1063
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intravesical electrical stimulation (IVES) and low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) in improving bladder emptying function in female patients with non-obstructive detrusor underactivity (NODU), and to further assess the clinical value of an individualized integrated treatment strategy guided by reinforcement learning (RL) optimization. Methods A total of 98 female patients diagnosed with NODU by urodynamic testing at the Department of Urology, the Second People's Hospital of Hefei, duirng Jun.2023 and Feb.2025 were prospectively enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned (1∶1∶1) to three groups:the IVES group (n=33), the Li-ESWT group (n=35), and the RL group (n=30). Clinical outcomes before and after the 4-week treatment were compared among the three groups, including peak detrusor pressure during urination (PdetQmax), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual (PVR), bladder contractility index (BCI), patient perception of bladder condition-scale (PPBC-S), incontinence impact questionnaire-short form 7 (IIQ-7), urogenital distress inventory-short form 6 (UDI-6), total efficiency and satisfaction.A RL model was trained based on clinical data, with a model structure diagram and reward convergence curve plotted to validate the utility of the RL system in optimizing individualized treatment parameters. Results There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics among the three groups (P>0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, all groups demonstrated significant improvements in PdetQmax, Qmax, and BCI, along with significant reductions in PVR, PPBC-S, IIQ-7, and UDI-6 scores (all P<0.01). Notably, the RL group exhibited significantly greater improvements in PdetQmax, Qmax, and BCI, and more pronounced reductions in PVR, PPBC-S, IIQ-7, and UDI-6 scores than the IVES and Li-ESWT groups (all P<0.05). Specifically, the RL group showed the most substantial improvements in Qmax, PVR, and BCI than the other two groups (all P<0.01). The total effective rate in the RL group was 90.0% (27/30), which was higher than that of the IVES group (81.8%,27/33) and the Li-ESWT group (77.1%,27/35), but the differences were not statistically significant (χ
=2.63, P=0.27). The Li-ESWT group had a satisfaction rate of 51.4% (18/35), which was higher than that of the RL group (30.0%,9/30) and the IVES group (27.3%,9/33), but the differences were not statistically significant (χ
=6.76, P=0.34). No serious adverse events were observed in any group. After approximately 200 iterations, the reward value of the RL agent stabilized, and the individualized treatment parameters recommended further optimized bladder emptying efficiency. Conclusion Compared to IVES and Li-ESWT, the RL-optimized individualized comprehensive treatment strategy can significantly improve the bladder emptying function in women with NODU.
3.Prevalence of Senecavirus A in pigs from 2014 to 2020: a global systematic review and meta-analysis
Xuhua RAN ; Zhenru HU ; Jun WANG ; Zhiyuan YANG ; Zhongle LI ; Xiaobo WEN
Journal of Veterinary Science 2023;24(3):e48-
Background:
Senecavirus A (SVA), a member of the family Picornaviridae, is newly discovered, which causes vesicular lesions, lameness in swine, and even death in neonatal piglets. SVA has rapidly spread worldwide in recent years, especially in Asia.
Objectives:
We conducted a global meta-analysis and systematic review to determine the status of SVA infection in pigs.
Methods:
Through PubMed, VIP Chinese Journals Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data search data from 2014 to July 26, 2020, a total of 34 articles were included in this analysis based on our inclusion criteria. We estimated the pooled prevalence of SVA in pigs by the random effects model. A risk of bias assessment of the studies and subgroup analysis to explain heterogeneity was undertaken.
Results:
We estimated the SVA prevalence to be 15.90% (1,564/9,839; 95% confidence interval [CI], 44.75–65.89) globally. The prevalence decreased to 11.06% (945/8,542; 95% CI, 28.25–50.64) after 2016. The highest SVA prevalence with the VP1-based RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assay was 58.52% (594/1,015; 95% CI, 59.90–83.96) and 85.54% (71/83; 95% CI, 76.68–100.00), respectively. Besides, the SVA prevalence in piglet herds was the highest at 71.69% (119/166; 95% CI, 68.61–98.43) (p < 0.05). Moreover, our analysis confirmed that the subgroups, including country, sampling year, sampling position, detected gene, detection method, season, age, and climate, could be the heterogeneous factors associated with SVA prevalence.
Conclusions
The results indicated that SVA widely exists in various countries currently.Therefore, more prevention and control policies should be proposed to enhance the management of pig farms and improve breeding conditions and the environment to reduce the spread of SVA.
4.Predictive value of maximum ureteral wall thickness at stone bed position for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of ureteral calculi
Wei QI ; Junhua XI ; Zhongle XU ; Can WEI ; Yizhe WANG ; Zhiqiang LU ; Peng WANG ; Yan HE ; Li YANG ; Yanbin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Urology 2022;43(11):845-849
Objective:To investigate the predictors of the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the treatment of ureteral calculi, and to evaluate the predictive value of the maximum ureteral wall thickness (UWT) in the treatment of ureteral calculi with ESWL.Methods:The clinical data of 138 patients with ureteral calculi treated with ESWL in the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from January 2020 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 91 males and 47 females. The age was (50.9±14.8) years old. The body mass index was (25.3±3.6) kg/m 2. The stones of 73 cases were located on the left side and 65 cases were on the right side. 70 cases had upper ureteral stones, 18 cases had middle ureteral stones, and 50 cases had lower ureteral stones. The median length of the stone was 8.5 (7.5, 10.5) mm. The CT value of the stone was 509 (343, 783) HU. The anteroposterior diameter of the renal pelvis was 12.0 (10.1, 16.0) mm, and UWT was (2.8 ± 0.8) mm. All patients underwent urinary non-contrast CT before lithotripsy, and the UWT of the stone bed was measured on the CT images. According to the stone removal situation 2 weeks after the operation, the patients were divided into a successful lithotripsy group and a failed lithotripsy group. Univariate analysis was used to compare the differences of various indicators between the two groups, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the independent predictors of ESWL in the treatment of ureteral calculi for the indicators. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) of each independent predictor, and the cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity were analyzed. Results:All operations were successfully completed, and the success rate of the first-stage lithotripsy was 71.7% (99/138). The results of univariate analysis showed that the stone length diameter, stone CT value, anteroposterior diameter of renal pelvis, stone skin distance, and UWT were significantly different between the successful lithotripsy group and the failure group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, stone side and stone location ( P>0.05). The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed that stone length ( OR=1.393, P=0.015), stone CT value ( OR=1.002, P=0.043) and UWT ( OR=17.997, P<0.001) were all for the efficacy of ESWL in the treatment of ureteral stones. The ROC curve was used to compare the three independent predictors. The area under the UWT curve was the largest (AUC=0.898, P<0.001), followed by the length of the stone (AUC=0.744, P<0.001), and the CT value of the stone (AUC=0.672, P= 0.002). The cut-off value for UWT was 3.19 mm, which had a sensitivity of 91.9% and a specificity of 71.8% for predicting the success of ESWL lithotripsy. When dividing the patients into thin wall group (UWT ≤3.19 mm) and thick wall group (UWT>3.19 mm) according to the cut-off value, the success rates of one-stage lithotripsy in the two groups were 89.2% (91 / 102) and 22.2% (8/36), respectively ( P<0.05). Conclusions:UWT, calculus length and calculus CT value are independent predictors of the efficacy of ESWL in the treatment of ureteral calculi, and UWT has the best predictive value. When UWT≤3.19 mm, the success rate of ESWL in the treatment of ureteral calculi is higher.
5.Curcumin inhibits AngⅡ-induced proliferation and oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells
Chen WANG ; Zhe MENG ; Yanqiu MA ; Ze LI ; Hailong TAO ; Zhongle BAI ; Ling LI
Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University(Medical Sciences) 2016;37(3):441-446
Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin (Cur)on AngⅡ-induced proliferation and oxidative stress of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).Methods Primary rat VSMCs were cultured and divided into control group,AngⅡ group,AngⅡ+Cur 5μmol/L group,AngⅡ+Cur 10μmol/L group,AngⅡ+Cur 20μmol/L group,and Cur 20μmol/L group.The proliferation of AngⅡ-induced VSMCs was measured by MTT assay.The mRNA and protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)and p47phox were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot.Nitric oxide (NO)production was measured by Griess reaction.Production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)was measured by DCFH-DA staining,and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD)and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)were detected by xanthine oxidase assay and visible spectrophotometer. small interfering RNA (siRNA)was used to silence the expression of p47phox to further explore the mechanism for Cur inhibiting the proliferation of AngⅡ-induced VSMCs and oxidative stress.Results VSMCs activities were not significantly affected by Cur at the concentration between 0 and 80μmol/L.Cur (5,10 and 20μmol/L)significantly inhibited AngⅡ-induced proliferation of VSMCs.Cur had an inhibitory effect on the overexpression of NO,iNOS, p47phox and ROS in VSMCs and upregulated the activities of SOD and Gpx in a concentration-dependent manner. AngⅡ-induced ROS production in VSMCs was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with p47phox specific siRNA.Conclusion Cur can inhibit the proliferation and oxidative stress of AngⅡ-induced VSMCs.
6.Dynamic changes of intestinal bacteria, endotoxin and liver function in autism rat models and patients
Zhongle CHENG ; Wei WEI ; Xu WANG ; De WU
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2016;15(7):705-709
Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of intestinal bacteria, endotoxin and liver function in autism rat models and patients. Methods (1) Sixteen SD rats of two weeks pregnant were randomly divided into group I (n=8), accepted intraperitoneal injection of valproic acid (VPA, 600 mg/kg), and group II (n=8), given same volume of saline by intraperitoneal injection; 3-4 weeks old new-born offsprings were respectively used as autism model group and control group (n=8); the autism models were confirmed by Morris water maze test;rats were executed, and liver function and endotoxin level in the peripheral blood were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer and kinetic turbidimetric assay, respectively; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used in feces to detect long bifidobacterium, lactobacillus, clostridium perfringens and escherichia coli amount, and the value of intestinal resistance (B/E value) was compared and calculated. (2) Thirty children with autism and 30 normal controls, collected in our hospitals from January 2013 and January 2015, were chosen in our study; real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used in feces to detect long bifidobacterium, lactobacillus, clostridium perfringens and escherichia coli amount, and the value of intestinal resistance was compared and calculated. Results (1) As compared with control group, autism model group had significantly higher endotoxin level ([106.0±17.5] U/L vs. [42.0±10.4] U/L), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase levels (P<0.05). Rats in the autism model group had significantly increased number of escherichia coli and clostridium perfringens, and significantly decreased number of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium as compared with control group (P<0.05); autism model group had significantly decreased intestinal fixed value (B/E<1) as compared with the control group (P<0. 05). (2) As compared with control subjects, children with autism had significantly increased number of escherichia coli and clostridium perfringens, and significantly decreased number of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium (P<0.05). Conclusion In valproate autism rat models, intestinal flora balance is broken, number of enterobacteriaceae and clostridium perfringens is increased, number of bifidobacterium and lactobacillus is decreased, and transaminase and endotoxin levels are increased; the same phenomenon of intestinal flora is also found in children with autism.
7.Comorbidities and functional impairments in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Zhao-Hua XIAO ; Qing-Hong WANG ; Tian-Tian LUO ; Le ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2013;15(9):728-732
OBJECTIVETo assess comorbidities and functional impairments in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to investigate their relationship with the core symptoms (attention deficit and hyperactivity) of ADHD.
METHODSA total of 319 children with suspected ADHD were included in the study. The Vanderbilt ADHD Parent Rating Scale (VADPRS) was completed by their parents. Diagnosis and classification were performed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition. Comorbidities and functional impairments were evaluated according to the VADPRS. Children with various types of ADHD were compared in terms of comorbidities and functional impairments, and their relationship with the core symptoms of ADHD was analyzed.
RESULTSOf the 319 children, 196 were diagnosed with ADHD, including 84 cases of predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I), 35 cases of predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type (ADHD-HI) and 77 cases of combined type (ADHD-C); 123 did not meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. At least one other psychiatric disorder (oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder or emotional disorder) was seen in 63.8% (125/196) of the children with ADHD, versus 37.4 % (46/123) of the children without ADHD (P<0.05). The incidence of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder in the ADHD-C subgroup was significantly higher than in the ADHD-I subgroup (P<0.05). The sums of oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder and emotional disorder symptoms were weakly correlated with the sums of hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive symptoms (P<0.01). Up to 89.8% of children with ADHD and 74.8% of children without ADHD showed functional impairments (P<0.05). The ADHD-C subgroup had a significantly higher overall incidence of functional impairments than the ADHD-I and ADHD-HI subgroups (P<0.05). The sum of inattentive symptoms was weakly correlated with the scores of learning ability, sibling relationship and participation in organized activities (P<0.01), and the sum of hyperactive-impulsive symptoms was weakly correlated with the score of sibling relationship (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of comorbidities and functional impairments among children with ADHD is high, especially in those with ADHD-C. The severity of core symptoms in children with ADHD can influence the occurrence of comorbidities and functional impairments. The incidence of psychiatric disorders and functional impairments is also high in children with suspected ADHD who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD, so attention also needs to be paid to interventions among these children.
Adolescent ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Male
8.Histamine receptor antagonist prevent and ameliorate airway remodeling and acid-base imbalance in asthma of guinea pig
Xianghong WANG ; Shengyuan LIU ; Zhongle ZHANG ; Shangbin YU ; Shiqiao YE ; Qiling CHEN ; Dixun WANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 1986;0(03):-
the normal control group (Pthe continued asthma model group (P

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