Objective:To explore the differences between the deep learning-based image reconstruction (DLIR) and the adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction V (ASiR-V) algorithms in the radiation dose and image quality of head and neck CT angiography (CTA).Methods:The data of 80 patients undergoing head and neck CTA due to vascular diseases in the head and neck were prospectively collected. These patients were randomly divided into groups A and B based on their examination sequence. The CTA images of group A were reconstructed based on ASiR-V 50%, with a tube voltage of 120 kV and a noise index of 11.0. In contrast, those of group B were reconstructed based on ASiR-V 50% (for group B1) and DLIR-H (for group B2), with a tube voltage of 80 kV and a noise index of 9.0. Then, the radiation doses and image quality of both groups were compared using the independent-sample t-test. The radiation doses, and both subjective and objective image quality of the two imaging method were compared through the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The independent- or paired-sample t-test was employed to measure inter-group vascular enhanced CT values, as well as signals and noise from regions of interest (ROIs), with signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) calculated. Results:The effective doses of groups A and B were (0.77±0.08) and (0.45±0.05) mSv, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t = 21.96, P < 0.001). The vascular enhanced CT values, SDs, SNRs, and CNRs in the arch of the aorta, the initial and bifurcation parts of the common carotid artery, and the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery showed statistically significant differences among groups A, B1, and B2 ( F = 67.69, 68.50, 50.52, 74.10, 63.10, 91.22, 69.16, P < 0.001). Additionally, statistically significant differences were observed in the subjective scores of image quality among groups A, B1, and B2 ( Z = 71.06, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The DLIR algorithm can further reduce the radiation dose in head and neck CTA examination while significantly reducing image noise and ensuring image quality, thus demonstrating high clinical application value.

Objective:To investigate the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT combined with conventional imaging modalities in the evaluation of the depth of tumor invasion, regional lymph node metastasis, distant organ and lymph node metastasis (TNM staging), and the adjacent structure invasion of rectal cancer. Methods:Fifty-four patients (28 males, 26 females, age (65.8±11.0) years) with pathologically confirmed rectal cancer admitted to the Affiliated Qingdao Central Hospital of Qingdao University between September 2019 and June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. 18F-FDG PET/CT examination, conventional imaging modalities including high-resolution MRI (HR-MRI), chest CT plain scan, upper abdominal MRI or CT plain scan+ enhanced examination were performed within 2 weeks before or after the rectal cancer being confirmed. The TNM staging and adjacent structural invasions including circumferential resection margin (CRM), extramural vascular invasion (EMVI), anal sphincter complex involvement were evaluated by 18F-FDG PET/CT and conventional imaging modalities separately or in combination, and those results based on imaging were compared with the pathological results or clinical follow-up results. χ2 test was used to compare the differences of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the 18F-FDG PET/CT or conventional imaging modalities and combined examination. Results:The accuracy for T staging and the sensitivity and accuracy for N staging of the combined examination were 96.30%(52/54), 98.65%(73/74) and 93.91%(185/197), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of 18F-FDG PET/CT (85.19%(46/54), 66.22%(49/74), 81.73%(161/197); χ2 values: 3.97, 26.88, 13.66, all P<0.05). The specificity (91.06%, 112/123) and accuracy of the combined examination for N staging were higher than those of the conventional imaging modalities (77.24%(95/123), 83.76%(165/197); χ2 values: 8.81, 10.23, both P<0.05). The sensitivity and accuracy of the combined examination for M staging were higher than those of the conventional imaging modalities (97.01%(65/67) vs 73.13%(49/67), 95.95%(71/74) vs 68.92%(51/74); χ2 values: 15.05, 18.66, both P<0.001). The sensitivities of the combined examination in evaluating CRM and EMVI were 100%(22/22) and 95.00%(19/20), and the accuracies were 98.15%(53/54) and 96.30%(52/54), all of which were higher than those of 18F-FDG PET/CT (CRM: 54.55%(12/22), 74.07%(40/54); EVMI: 30.00%(6/20), 74.07%(40/54); χ2 values: 12.94, 13.08, 18.03, 10.56, all P<0.01). The accuracy of the combined examination in evaluating EMVI was higher than that of the conventional imaging modalities (85.19%(46/54); χ2=3.97, P=0.046). Conclusion:18F-FDG PET/CT combined with conventional imaging modalities can improve the diagnostic efficacy for TNM staging and assessment of adjacent structural invasion in rectal cancer.

Objective To analyze the current status,research hotspots and development trends in the field of immune responses in the microenvironment after spinal cord injury(SCI). Methods Literatrues about immune responses in the microenvironment after SCI were searched from CNKI and the Web of Science Core Collection,from inception to March,2024.VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to conduct a vi-sual analysis of authors,countries,institutions,journals,co-cited references and keywords. Results A total of 152 Chinese and 455 English studies were included.The number of publications increased annually,and China and the United States were leading research efforts in this field.In the Chinese literature,Zhu Yue was the most prolific author,and China Medical University was the leading institution.In the English literature,Phil-lip Popovich was the most prolific and highly cited author,and Ohio State University was the leading institution.Journal of Neuroscience and Experimental Neurology were identified as key journals.The research hotspots in both languages focused on immune activation,inflammatory response and functional recovery.Researches on stem cell transplantation,macrophage and traditional Chinese medicine were particularly prominent in the regu-lation of immune responses after SCI. Conclusion Immune responses in the microenvironment have emerged as a central focus in SCI research.The emphasis of current researches is shifting from mechanistic exploration to the investigation of immunomodulatory strate-gies,with several cutting-edge technologies showing significant potential in this regard.Moving forward,increas-ing collaboration across regions and institutions are essential to promote information sharing,accelerate scientific progress,and facilitate clinical translation,ultimately enhance patient rehabilitation outcomes.

Humans ; Fractures, Compression/surgery* ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Vertebroplasty ; Osteoporotic Fractures/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Bone Cements

Objective:To determine the factors related to postoperative 1-year and 5-year mortalities in elderly patients with hip fracture plus chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the elderly patients with hip fracture who had sought medical attention at Department of Orthopaedics, The 7th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2012 to December 2016.Of them, 103 were complicated with COPD, and another 103 without COPD were selected as controls who were matched in age, gender and fracture site. The 2 groups were compared in terms of postoperative 30-day, 1-year and 5-year mortalities; the risk factors were explored for postoperative 1-year and 5-year mortalities in patients with hip fracture plus COPD.Results:The postoperative 30-day, 1-year and 5-year mortalities in the COPD group were 7.8%(8/103), 29.1%(30/103) and 48.5%(50/103), significantly higher than those in the control group except for the 30-day value [1.9%(2/103), 13.6%(14/103) and 31.1%(32/103)] ( P<0.05). Advanced age ( P=0.003), cardiovascular disease ( P=0.006), respiratory disease ( P=0.009), acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) ( P<0.01), American Society of anesthesiologists (ASA) grades Ⅲ+Ⅳ ( P=0.001), delayed surgery (>48 h) ( P=0.015), pre-injury activities of daily living (ADL) score ( P=0.002) and mobility ( P=0.010) were related to an increased risk for 1-year mortality after operation. Advanced age ( OR=1.106, 95% CI: 1.016 to 1.210, P=0.021), AECOPD ( OR=5.053, 95% CI: 1.520 to 16.800, P=0.008), and ASA grades Ⅲ+Ⅳ ( OR=1.657, 95% CI: 1.072 to 3.912, P=0.040) were the risk factors for 5-year mortality in patients with COPD; pre-injury ADL ( OR=0.974, 95% CI: 0.987 to 0.967, P=0.043) was negatively correlated with 5-year mortality. Conclusions:COPD can significantly increase the short-term and long-term mortalities in elderly patients with hip fracture.Cardiovascular disease, AECOPD and ASA grades Ⅲ+Ⅳ are factors related to postoperative 1-year mortality in patients with hip fracture plus COPD. Advanced age, AECOPD and ASA grades Ⅲ+Ⅳ and delayed surgery (>48 h) are risk factors for postoperative 5-year mortality in patients with hip fracture plus COPD. ADL score before injury is negatively correlated with postoperative 1-year and 5-year mortalities.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) through anterolateral approach in treatment of middle-distal humeral shaft fracture.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 21 patients with middle-distal humeral shaft fracture admitted to 7th Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from August 2015 to March 2018, including 12 males and 9 females, aged 18-68 years [(31.3±3.6)years]. All were closed fracture. According to AO classification, the fracture were classified as type A in 6 patients, type B in 10 and type C in 5. All patients were treated with anterolateral minimally invasive plate fixation. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay were recorded. The fracture healing was observed after operation. The visual analogue scale (VAS), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale, and Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) were used to evaluate the effectiveness before operation and at 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months after operation.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-26 months [(18.2±2.4)months]. The operation time was 50-82 minutes [(68.2±19.4)minutes], with intraoperative blood loss of 40-95 ml [(60.2±21.3)ml]. The hospital stay was 6-16 days [(6.8±1.2)days]. There was no iatrogenic vascular or nerve injury during operation. The patients with radial nerve injury before operation were all adventitia contusion. The nerve function returned to normal within 3 months after operation. All fractures were healed within 5-10 months [(5.3±1.2)months]. At 2 weeks, 3 months and 12 months after operation, the VAS [(3.6±0.8)points, (2.1±0.4)points, (1.8±0.3)points] was lower than that before operation [(8.3±1.6)points] ( P<0.05); UCLA shoulder rating scale [(31.2±1.5)points, (33.6±0.8)points, (34.6±0.5)points] was higher than that before operation [(28.4±2.3)points] ( P<0.05); and MEPS [(80.2±3.4)points, (93.4±2.2)points, (96.4±3.5)points] was higher than that before operation [(60.5±4.5)points] ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the UCLA shoulder rating scale and MEPS showed excellent results. Conclusion:For middle and lower humeral shaft fracture especially for the fracture line relatively distal to the shaft, MIPO technique through anterolateral approach can attain satisfactory results in terms of pain, range of motion of shoulder and elbow joint, and joint function.

Background: The present investigation explored the therapeutic actions of oleuropein along with the possible signaling pathway involved in attenuating neuropathic pain in chronic constriction injury (CCI) and vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in male rats. Methods: Four loose ligatures were placed around the sciatic nerve to induce CCI, and vincristine (50 μg/kg) was injected for 10 days to develop neuropathic pain.The development of cold allodynia, mechanical allodynia, and mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed using different pain-related behavioral tests. The levels of H2S, cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), orexin, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were measured in the sciatic nerve. Results: Treatment with oleuropein for 14 days led to significant amelioration of behavioral manifestations of neuropathic pain in two pain models. Moreover, oleuropein restored both CCI and vincristine-induced decreases in H2S, CSE, CBS, orexin, and Nrf2 levels. Co-administration of suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, significantly counteracted the pain-attenuating actions of oleuropein and Nrf2 levels without modulating H2S, CSE and CBS. Conclusions Oleuropein has therapeutic potential to attenuate the pain manifestations in CCI and vincristine-induced neuropathic pain, possibly by restoring the CSE, CBS, and H2S, which may subsequently increase the expression of orexin and Nrf2 to ameliorate behavioral manifestations of pain.

Objective:The study aimed to study the efficacy and safety of combined dual therapy using anti-programmed death (PD)-1 and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with combined triple therapy using anti-PD-1, TKI and locoregional intervention triple therapy in patients with postoperative refractory recurrent liver cancer.Methods:Patients with postoperative refractory recurrent liver cancer who had undergone either anti-PD-1 and TKI dual therapy or anti-PD-1, TKI and locoregional intervention triple therapy between July 2016 and March 2019 at the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively studied. Tumor responses were assessed by the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors and overall survival and progression free survival were compared. Adverse events were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.Results:Of 63 patients who were included in this study, there were 25 patients in the dual therapy group (16 males and 9 females, aged 54.3±8.8 years) and 38 patients in the triple therapy group (31 males and 7 females, aged 55.5±8.4 years). The 1-year survival rate of the triple therapy group was significantly higher than the dual therapy group (94.5%vs 54.9%) ( P<0.01). The disease control rate was 64.0% (16/25) in the dual therapy group and 84.2% (32/38) in the triple therapy group, and the difference was not significant ( P>0.05). The incidence of treatment-related adverse events in the triple therapy group and the dual therapy group were 78.9% (30/38) and 80% (20/25), respectively. There was no treatment-related death in the 2 groups. Conclusions:Anti-PD-1 and TKI dual therapy and anti-PD-1, TKI and locoregional intervention triple therapy were effective and tolerable treatments for postoperative refractory recurrent liver cancer. The latter treatment had a significantly better clinical benefit on survival outcomes.

Background: The present investigation explored the therapeutic actions of oleuropein along with the possible signaling pathway involved in attenuating neuropathic pain in chronic constriction injury (CCI) and vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in male rats. Methods: Four loose ligatures were placed around the sciatic nerve to induce CCI, and vincristine (50 μg/kg) was injected for 10 days to develop neuropathic pain.The development of cold allodynia, mechanical allodynia, and mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed using different pain-related behavioral tests. The levels of H2S, cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), orexin, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were measured in the sciatic nerve. Results: Treatment with oleuropein for 14 days led to significant amelioration of behavioral manifestations of neuropathic pain in two pain models. Moreover, oleuropein restored both CCI and vincristine-induced decreases in H2S, CSE, CBS, orexin, and Nrf2 levels. Co-administration of suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist, significantly counteracted the pain-attenuating actions of oleuropein and Nrf2 levels without modulating H2S, CSE and CBS. Conclusions Oleuropein has therapeutic potential to attenuate the pain manifestations in CCI and vincristine-induced neuropathic pain, possibly by restoring the CSE, CBS, and H2S, which may subsequently increase the expression of orexin and Nrf2 to ameliorate behavioral manifestations of pain.