Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis(AAV)with peripheral neuropathy as the initial symptom and to enhance the understanding of the disease.Methods The clinical data of 6 patients of AAV with peripheral neuropathy as the initial symptom at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from 2017 to 2021 were collected.Results All 6 cases were middle-aged or elderly males,and the initial symptoms mainly consisted of limb numbness,pain,and weakness.In addition to neurological involvement,some patients had upper respiratory tract,lungs,kidneys,eyes,ears,skin and joints involved.Electromyography showed multiple peripheral nerve damage;Five patients were positive for pANCA and MPO,and one patient was positive for cANCA and PR3.Six patients were all treated with glucocorticoid and cyclophosphamide,and the clinical symptoms and laboratory indexes were improved to different degrees.Conclusions There were no characteristic symptoms in AAV with peripheral neuropathy as the first symptom.Early diagnosis and treatment of AAV can improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients.

Objective:To explore the application value of qualitative characteristics and quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and non-PDAC presenting as pancreatic solid focal lesions.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 cases of PDAC(the PDAC group) and 52 cases of non-PDAC(the non-PDAC group) who underwent CEUS examination at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from July 2022 to June 2023. Clinical characteristics, two-dimensional ultrasound features, CEUS qualitative characteristic, and quantitative parameters were compared between the two groups. ROC curves were plotted, and the Delong test was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of qualitative and quantitative analyses in distinguishing PDAC from non-PDAC. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the independent predictors of PDAC.Results:①There were significant differences in serum CA19-9, lesion size, boundary, the main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter, degree of enhancement and enhancement pattern between the PDAC group and the non-PDAC group (all P<0.05). ②The relative peak intensity (rPE), and relative wash-in and wash-out area under the curve (rWiWoAUC) were lower in the PDAC group than the non-PDAC group, with statistically significant differences(all P<0.001). ③The areas under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing PDAC using enhancement pattern, venous phase(VP) enhancement degree, rPE, and rWiWoAUC were 0.698, 0.707, 0.863, and 0.867, respectively. The AUCs of quantitative parameters were superior to those of qualitative characteristics, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Using CEUS mode B, low VP enhancement, rPE<72.44, and rWiWoAUC<86.59 as cut-off values, the accuracies for diagnosing PDAC were 0.698, 0.741, 0.828, and 0.802, respectively. ④Serum CA19-9, lesion size, MPD diameter, rPE, and rWiWoAUC were independent predictors of PDAC (all P<0.05). Conclusions:CEUS qualitative and quantitative analyses are helpful in the differential diagnosis of PDAC and non-PDAC, with rPE and rWiWoAUC being useful indicators for diagnosing PDAC.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of ultrasound-based radiomics for liver metastasis in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNEN).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical, pathological, and ultrasound data of 269 pNEN patients confirmed by pathology at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2012 to June 2022, including 94 patients with liver metastasis and 175 without liver metastasis. The regions of interest (ROI) were delineated on the maximum diameter section of the tumor using ITKSNAP software, and radiomics features were extracted using Pyradiomics. Radiomics features with an intra-group correlation coefficient greater than 0.90 were retained, and the optimal features were selected using the maximum relevance minimum redundancy (MRMR) algorithm. The dataset was randomly divided into a training set and a validation set in a ratio of 7∶3, and the random forest algorithm (Rfs) was used to predict pNEN liver metastasis. Three models were constructed, including the clinical ultrasound model, the radiomics model, and the comprehensive model that combined clinical ultrasound and radiomics features. The predictive performance of different models for pNEN liver metastasis was analyzed using the ROC curve, and the predictive performance of different models was compared using the Delong test.Results:A total of 874 features were extracted from the ROI, and 12 highly robust radiomics features were retained for model construction based on inter- and intra-observer correlation grading and feature selection. The area under curve(AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the radiomics model, the clinical ultrasound model, and the comprehensive model for predicting liver metastasis in pNEN patients were 0.800, 0.574, 0.789, 0.714; 0.780, 0.596, 0.874, 0.777; and 0.890, 0.694, 0.874, 0.810, respectively. The Delong test showed that the comprehensive model had the best predictive performance, with an AUC superior to that of radiomics model ( Z=3.845, P=0.000 12) and clinical ultrasound model ( Z=3.506, P=0.000 45). Conclusions:The radiomics model based on ultrasound has good performance in predicting liver metastasis in pNEN, and the comprehensive model that combines clinical ultrasound and radiomics features can further improve the predictive performance of the model.

Objective:To predict the clinical value of World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology (WHO/ISUP) grading of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) pre-scholarly based on ultrasound imaging group.Methods:Clinical and ultrasound imaging data of patients with surgically pathologically confirmed ccRCC at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institue and Hospital from January 2021 to October 2022 were retrospectively collected and divided into a low grade group (grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ, 105 cases) and a high grade group (grade Ⅲ and Ⅳ, 70 cases) using WHO/ISUP pathological grading criteria. The clear image of the largest diameter of the tumor was selected and imported into ITK-SNAP software for manual segmentation of the image and extraction of ultrasonographic radiomics features. The patients were randomly divided into a training group and a test group in the ratio of 7∶3, with 122 cases in the training group and 53 cases in the test group. Stable radiomics features were obtained by dimensionality reduction. The support vector machines (SVM) algorithm was applied to predict the pathological grading of ccRCC. Finally, a clinical-ultrasound imaging model, an ultrasonographic radiomics model and a comprehensive model combining the two were constructed. The predictive effects of the three models were analyzed by the area under the ROC curve (AUC). The performance of each model was evaluated by applying the calibration curve. The net benefit of patients was obtained by applying the decision curve.Results:A total of 873 radiomics features were extracted, and 10 features were finally obtained for model construction after dimensionality reduction. Final test results showed that the AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the clinical-ultrasound imaging model were 0.68, 0.47, 0.78, 0.66. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the ultrasonographic radiomics model were 0.74, 0.53, 0.88, 0.74. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the comprehensive model were 0.84, 0.63, 0.86, 0.77. The AUC of the comprehensive model being larger than that of the clinical-ultrasound imaging model ( Z=-3.224, P=0.001) and ultrasonographic radiomics model ( Z=-2.594, P=0.009). The calibration curves showed that the comprehensive model was more stable than the other two models. The decision curve showed a higher net clinical benefit for the comprehensive model than for the other two models within a threshold of 0.1-1.0. Conclusions:The preoperative prediction of ccRCC pathological grading by the radiomics model based on ultrasound images is effective. The comprehensive model constructed by combining relevant clinical and ultrasound parameters has better performance, which can help predict ccRCC pathological grading preoperatively to a certain extent. It is crucial to help physicians choose the best management plan in the era of personalized medicine.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of PACS system (picture archiving and communication system) in the standardized residency training of cardiovascular medicine.Methods:Fifty-nine residents taking the standardized residency training of cardiovascular medicine in Changhai Hospital from 2018 to 2019 were randomly divided into PACS teaching group ( n = 30) and traditional teaching group ( n = 29). The research group adopted the PACS system for the teaching of cardiovascular medicine, and the control group took the traditional teaching method. The teaching effect was evaluated by theoretical examination, imaging examination and questionnaire. SPSS 19.0 was used for t test and chi-square test. Results:The theoretical and film reading scores of the PACS teaching group were significantly higher than those of the control group [(87.70 ± 6.52) vs. (80.55 ± 8.63); (86.67 ± 6.33) vs. (77.48 ± 10.29), P < 0.05)]. The results of the questionnaire showed that PACS teaching method was helpful for residents to master cardiovascular knowledge, arouse their learning interest and improve their clinical thinking ability. The satisfaction with the teaching method in the PACS teaching group was significantly higher than that in the traditional teaching group [(9.22 ± 0.44) vs. (8.26 ± 0.72), P < 0.05]. Conclusion:The application of PACS system in the teaching of cardiovascular medicine can significantly improve the teaching effect of residents.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between radiation dose of the pelvic bone marrow of different anatomical bony sites and the incidence of neutrophil toxicity during the three-dimensional radiotherapy concurrent chemotherapy for cervical cancer.Methods:Clinical data of 117 cervical cancer patients who received three-dimensional radiotherapy concurrent chemotherapy from 2016 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The dosimetric parameters included D mean, V 5Gy, V 10Gy, V 20Gy, V 30Gy, V 40Gy and V 50Gy. The correlation between the dosimetric parameters and the lowest neutrophil count was analyzed by linear regression analysis. Clinicopathological features and dosimetric parameters were included into the multivariate regression analysis model. Results:The incidence rates of neutrophil toxicity (grade 1-4) were 10.3%, 27.4%, 11.1% and 10.3%, respectively. The linear regression analysis showed that the D mean and V 50Gy of lumbosacral vertebrae (LS), the D mean, V 5Gy, V 10Gy, V 20Gy, V 30Gy, V 40Gy and V 50Gy of the ilium were significantly correlated with the grade 2-4 neutrophil toxicity ( P=0.035、<0.001、<0.001、=0.001、=0.003、=0.001、<0.001、<0.001、<0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the V 20Gy, V 30Gy and V 50Gy of the LS, the D mean, V 5Gy, V 10Gy, V 20Gy and V 30Gy of the ilium were significantly correlated with the grade 2-4 neutrophil toxicity ( P=0.046、0.038、0.049、0.041、0.039、0.029、0.036、0.029). Conclusion:During the process of three-dimensional radiotherapy concurrent chemotherapy for cervical cancer, the volume of medium-and high-dose of LS and the volume of low-and medium-dose of ilium are significantly correlated with the risk of neutrophil toxicity.

Objective To evaluated the role of postoperative radiotherapy (PR) after surgery in patients with uterine sarcoma,and analyzed the prognostic factors.Methods A total of 182 patients with uterine sarcoma were included between June 1994 and October 2014.Radiotherapy dose were 30-50 Gy/10-25 fractions/5 fractions/week.The LRFFS and OS were calculated with Kaplan-Meier method,and difference was analyzed with log-rank method.Cox regression analyses were used to determine prognosticators.Results There were 114 patients which survived more than 5-years in this whole group,including PR 24 cases and no PR 90 cases.The 5-year LRRFS and OS were 62.1％ and 56.2％,respectively.The 5-year LRRFS were 78.0％ and 55.3％ on PR and no PR (P=0.013);with OS 64.1％ and 51.7％ on PR and no PR (P=0.070).A multivariate analysis showed that pathological types,histological grade and clinical stage were associated with LRRFS and OS (P=0.032,0.008,0.000 and 0.046,0.000,0.000).PR was significant influencing factor for OS (P=0.013).Conclusions Uterine sarcoma patients treated with PR after surgery had an improved LRRFS compared to those treated with surgery,especially those with leiomyosarcoma.The role of PR personalized radiation for uterine sarcoma still needs to be further discussed.

Objective:To establish a real time dissolution determination method for furosemide tablets and compare the similarity of dissolution curves of furosemide tablets from 11 generic drug manufacturers and the original research drug manufacturer in four kinds of dissolution media to evaluate the overall situation of dissolution process of furosemide tablets in our country. Methods:A fiber-optic medicine dissolution process real time test system was used to monitor the dissolution process of furosemide tablets from 11 generic drug manufacturers and the original research drug manufacturer. A paddle method was applied and the rotation speed was 50 r·min-1 . The dissolution medium was pH 1. 2 hydrochloric acid solution, pH 4. 0 acetate buffer, pH 6. 8 phosphate buffer and water, respectively with volume of 900 ml. The absorbance wavelength was 277 nm. The dissolution profile was drawn and f 2 factor was used to evaluate the similarity. Results:The dissolution tests were not influenced by the excipients and the dissolution media. The liner range of furose-mide was 4. 44-26. 66 μg·ml-1(r=0. 9997). The average recovery of furosemide was 101. 26% and RSD was 1. 84%(n=9). Ee-spect to 11 manufactures, there was only one of the dissolution similarity can meet the requirements. Conclusion:A simple, fast and accurate fiber-optic method for medicine dissolution process real time test is established. The method can reflect the real dissolution and provide the information on how to improve the preparation technology and monitor the stability of the preparation technology.

The current challenge from radiotherapy of early breast cancer has been to minimize the morbidity caused by this treatment without losing efficacy.Conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy breast plans can produce substantial dose inhomogeneities.Intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT) can be used to improve the dose homogeneity in an irradiated volume.And to some extent,IMRT can reduce radiation doses to adjacent normal tissues including the contralateral breast,heart and lung,and improve the cosmetic outcome.

Objective To investigate the efficacy,toxicity and cosmetic outcome of short-course radiotherapy with concomitant tumor bed boost after breast-conserving surgery for early stage breast cancer.Methods A total of 306 patients with T1-2 N0-1 M0 breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery were included.160 patients received whole-breast radiation to 45 Gy in 25 fractions followed by tumor bed boost of 14 Gy in 7 fractions (C group).146 patients received whole-breast radiation to 46 Gy in 23 fractions with concomitant tumor bed boost to 60 Gy in 23 fractions (S group).Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the local recurrence and overall survival rates and the differences were compared by Logrank test.Chi-square test was used to compared the differences of the clinical characteristics,toxicity and cosmetic outcome between the two groups.Results The follow-up rate was 100％.After a median follow up of 26 months,the 1-,2-and 3-year overall survival rates were 100％.No patient developed local recurrence.In C and S group,the incidence of grade 1 acute skin toxicity was 46.9％ and 45.1％ (x2 =0.73,P =0.695),grade 2was 16.3％ and 13.7％ (x2 =0.73,P =0.695).Grade 1 late skin and subcutaneous tissue toxicity developed in 16.9％ and 17.1％ of patients in C and S group (x2 =0.00,P =0.954).Grade 1 neutropenia occurred in 11.9％ and 13.7％ of patients in C and S group (x2 =0.23,P =0.633).In C and S group,66.2％ and 65.5％ of patients had excellent and good cosmetic outcome (x2 =0.01,P =0.927).Conclusions Short-course radiotherapy with concomitant tumor bed boost provides similar results to conventional radiotherapy in local control,toxicity and cosmetic outcome.Long-term follow up is warranted to confirm this finding.