Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of lumbar spine CT radiomics nomogram for osteoporosis(OP).Methods A total of 414 patients who underwent abdominal CT and quantitative computed tomography(QCT)examinations were retrospectively selected.The patients were randomly divided into a training group(n=290)and a validation group(n=124)at a ratio of 7∶3.Radiomics features were extracted from lumbar spine CT images.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)algorithm was used for dimen-sion reduction and feature selection.Multivariable logisitic regression was used to build the radiomics signature and the radiomics nomo-gram.The area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic performance of the Radiomics score(Radscore)and radiomics nomogram in diagnosing OP.The DeLong test was used to compare the diagnostic performance between the two models.Results Eight radiomics features were selected to establish the Radscore.The AUC of the Radscore and radiomics nomograms in the validation group for distinguishing normal bone mass from reduced bone mass and OP,reduced bone mass from OP,and OP from reduced bone mass and normal bone mass were 0.891 and 0.976,0.866 and 0.976,0.897 and 0.982,respectively.According to the DeLong test,the AUC of the radiomics nomograms was significantly higher than that of the Radscore(P＜0.05).Conclusion The radiomics nomogram model based on lumbar spine CT can serve as a novel method for individualized assess-ment of OP and provide assistance to clinical decision-making.

Objective To investigate the correlation between tibial plateau varus and osteoporosis(OP)in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 194 postmenopausal women with KOA who underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.Various risk factors associated with tibial plateau varus[medial tibial plateau angle(MTPA)＜85°],including age,body mass index(BMI),Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L)grade,hip-knee-ankle angle(HKAA),lateral distal femur angle(LDFA),bone mineral density(BMD)were collected and analyzed.Multiple regression was employed to analyze the relationship of these factors with tibial plateau varus.Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between MTPA and BMD.Results Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that BMD(β=0.381,P＜0.001)and HKAA(β=0.460,P＜0.001)were independent risk factors for tibial plateau varus.LDFA,age,BMI,K-L grade were not significantly associated with tibial plateau varus.A statistically significant association between BMD and tibial plateau varus was noted(r=0.817,P＜0.001).Further data stratification showed a significant association between BMD and tibial plateau varus in patients with knee varus(HKAA＜175°)(r=0.781,P＜0.001).There was no statistical significance association between BMD and tibial plateau varus in patients with normal lower extremity alignment(HKAA≥175°)(r=-0.035,P=0.063).Conclusion OP and knee varus emerge as the primary risk factors for tibial plateau varus in the knee in postmenopausal women with KOA.

Objective To compare the bone mineral density and age-related bone loss rate of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae using quantitative CT(QCT),and to explore the feasibility of measuring bone density and bone loss rate using thoracic QCT.Methods A total of 708 patients who underwent full abdominal CT scans due to trauma,acute abdominal disease,and health examination from March 2022 to March 2023 were selected.The average BMD of T10 to L3 vertebral bodies were measured using quantitative CT software.The subjects were divided into several age groups according to the age of every 10 years.The average bone density and the age-related annual rate of bone density loss of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae for each group were computed,the correlation analysis between thoracic and lumbar BMD and age was conducted using Pearson correlation analysis.Results The peak BMD for both males and females was in the 20 to 29 years age group.After the age of 30,the bone density of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae began to decrease to varying degrees.For females aged 80 to 89,the cumulative bone loss rate for the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae was 60.61%and 61.34%,respectively,while for males,it was 44.45%and 49.35%,respectively.The BMD of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in both males and females showed a negative correlation with age(P<0.01).There was a significant positive correlation between the bone mineral density of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae(for males,r = 0.96;for females,r = 0.98;P<0.01).Conclusion Both thoracic and lumbar QCT accurately displayed BMD and bone loss in different age groups,and thoracic QCT could be used as a method for evaluating and monitoring bone loss.

Objective:To investigate the effects of 3-methyladenine(3-MA)on extracellular matrix deposition in early diabetic nephropathy(DN)and its mechanism.Methods:A streptozotocin(STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mouse model was used, and the mice were divided into vehicle control group, diabetes group(STZ group), 3-MA group, and chloroquine(CQ)group, 8 mice in each group. After 6 weeks of intervention, both kidneys were harvested, and the kidney-to-body weight ratio was recorded. Western blotting was performed to detect protein expressions of renal cortex fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), LC3, Beclin 1, p62, and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF). Immunohistochemistry was used to observe kidney fibronectin staining. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted on shared genes between diabetic nephropathy(DN)gene targets and 3-MA predicted gene targets.Results:Both 3-MA and CQ exhibited certain hypoglycemic effects in diabetic mice. Compared to the STZ group, the kidney-to-body weight ratio decreased in the 3-MA group( P<0.05). Western blotting showed that 3-MA reduced the expression of renal cortex matrix-related proteins fibronectin and α-SMA in diabetic mice( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Immunohistochemistry also revealed that 3-MA reduced fibronectin staining in the kidneys of diabetic mice. Both 3-MA and CQ inhibited the protein expression of renal cortex Beclin 1 in diabetic mice(both P<0.05), while 3-MA increased the expression of renal cortex p62( P<0.05). Bioinformatics analysis indicated a connection between shared genes of DN gene targets and 3-MA predicted gene targets with the VEGF signaling pathway. Western blotting results further showed that 3-MA reduced renal cortex VEGF expression in diabetic mice( P<0.01). Conclusion:3-MA can alleviate extracellular matrix deposition in the kidneys of early DN mice by inhibiting the VEGF signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:The ankle joint is capable of flexion and extension, including plantar flexion and dorsiflexion, to act as a support and a lever. An ankle injury, often accompanied by fracture and ligament injury, seriously threatens the ankle joint function. Previous diagnosis of ankle injury mainly relied on clinical signs and X-ray examination. However, X-ray examination is not accurate enough for ankle injury diagnosis because it cannot clearly diagnose damage to the surrounding ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues except for obvious fractures. Mutlisequence and multiplanar MRI is currently the optimal noninvasive method for high-resolution determination of soft tissue deformations, but little has been reported on the diagnostic accuracy of ankle ligament and tendon injury. OBJECTIVE:To observe the diagnostic value of MRI for ligament and tendon injury of the ankle in its normal position, and during complete plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. METHODS:It is a single-center, prospective, diagnostic trial that wil be completed at the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, China. Sixty cases were recruited, including 30 cases of normal ankle joint and 30 cases of ankle ligament and tendon injury. MRI scans of the ankle joint in normal position, complete plantar flexion and complete dorsiflexion were performed in al the cases, and the multi-position MRI results were compared. The primary outcome measure is the sensitivity of MRI to ligament and tendon injury of the ankle during complete plantar flexion. The secondary outcomes include the specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of MRI to ligament and tendon injury of the ankle during the complete plantar position as wel as rate of correct diagnosis;specificity and sensitivity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio in normal position or during the complete dorsiflexion as wel as rate of correct diagnosis;the morphology of the ankle on the multi-position MRI. This study design was registered at ClinicalTrial.gov (03049423) on February 8, 2017. This study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital of China (approval No. 2015076) and wil be performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, formulated by the World Medical Association. Signed informed consent regarding trial procedure and treatment was obtained from each volunteer. DISCUSSION:This study aims to determine the rate of correct diagnosis of ankle ligament and tendon injury using the MRI, to clarify the diagnostic value of MRI for ankle ligament and tendon injury, and to provide a quantitative MRI diagnostic standard for developing a reasonable surgical treatment.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of dual syringe and dual-channel direct multi-slice computed tomography venography(MSCTV) for lower extremity deep venous obstructive disease.Methods 100 patients highly suspected deep vein thrombosis by clinic wereunderwent dual syringe and dual-channel direct MSCTV.The original data processed with technology of subtraction,and put into workstation and reconstructed with maximum intensity projection(MIP),multiplanar reformation(MPR) and volume rendering (VR).Images of deep venous obstructive lesions were analysed and graded.All patients were underwent DSA in one week.Results Direct MSCTV showed that the reconstructed images and the vascular contrast were very clear.In the evaluation of deep venous,excellent proportion was 95 ％ for the inferior vena cava,94 ％ for the common iliac vein,95 ％ for the external iliac vein,95.5 ％ for the femoral vein,96.5％ for the popliteal vein and 92 ％ for the low leg vein.Direct MSCTV displayed complete and regular vein in 8 normal patients,92 cases displayed different parts and different degrees of thrombosis.On original axial images,eccentric filling defect of vascular were showed (there were 64 multiple vein occlusion cases and 28 solitary obstruction cases).The occlusion locations in deep venous were as following:3 in the inferior vena cava,67 in the common iliac vein,28 in the external iliac vein,50 in the femoral vein,26 in the popliteal vein,89 in the anterior tibial vein,35 in the posterior tibial vein and 5 in the peroneal vein.There were 7 normal patients and 93 patients with different parts and different degrees of thrombosis.Conclusion Direct MSCTV can accurately show deep vein thrombosis,which image is clear and reliable for displaying the scope and extent of lesions of the vascular and whether the collateral circulation established.Direct MSCTV has a significant clinical value in diagnosing the thrombotic disease of deep vein obstructive lesions.

Objective The hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein assembly inhibitors GLS4JHS could destroy HBV capsid assembly and the formation of non-capsid polymer structure.The aim of this study is to explore the mechanisms of GLS4JHS in inhibiting HBV replication.Methods HepAD38 cells was used as the study model.TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR with specific primers were used to measure the change in pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels under different concentrations.ChIP assay in HepAD38 cells was used to assess the recruitment of HBV core protein and histone modifications.Results The amount of cccDNA and pgRNA decreased with the increasing GLS4JHS concentrations.After the drug concentrations reached 400 nmol/L, cccDNA and pgRNA declined by 94% and 84%, respectively.Both HBV core protein occupancy on the cccDNA and cccDNA-bound H3 histone acetylation were reduced by GLS4JHS.Conclusions GLS4JHS decreases transcriptional activity of cccDNA and reduces pgRNA production by inhibiting cccDNA minichromosome bound to HBV core protein and acetylated histone H3, which results in HBV DNA formation.

Objective To explore the value of 3‐dimensional volumetric diagnosis system in quantitative measurement of pulmona‐ry lobar volumetry using a 64 row MDCT .Methods Seventy‐seven adult volunteers were scanned twice on a 64 row MDCT at the end of the maximum inspiratory and maximum expiratory end respectively .On a volumetric computer‐aided diagnosis system ,the en‐tire lung was semiautomatically separated into 5 anatomy lobes including the right upper lobe ,right middle lobe ,right lower lobe ,left upper lobe ,and left lower lobe .Each lobar volume was measured .Results The lung volume of left upper lobe ,right lower lobe ,left lower lobe ,right upper lobe ,right middle lobe in male volunteers were 1 303 .90 mL and 938 .31 mL ,1 276 .90 mL and 737 .69 mL , 1 204 .47 mL and 678 .67 mL ,1 048 .49 mL and 754 .83 mL ,519 .53 mL and 407 .86 mL at the end of the inspiratory and expiratory respectively .The lung volume of left upper lobe ,right lower lobe ,left lower lobe ,right upper lobe ,right middle lobe in female volun‐teers were 915 .78 mL and 666 .23 mL ,913 .87 mL and 576 .62 mL ,822 .17 mL and 509 .30 mL ,734 .20 mL and 530 .23 mL ,389 .13 mL and 316 .70 mL at the end of the inspiratory and expiratory respectively .The values of each lobe volume between the full inspiration phase and expiration phase group showed significant difference the same sex group (P<0 .05) .The values of each lobe volume in the man group were significantly larger than those of female group in both respiratory phase (P<0 .05) .Of the D‐value in the each lobe volume in 5 anatomy lobe at full inspiration phase and expiration phase in both sex group ,both of the lower lobes were the largest , followed by the left upper lobe ,right upper lobe and right middle lobe .The D‐value in the each lobe volume at full inspiration phase and expiration phase in the man group were significantly larger than those of female group .Conclusion Three‐dimensional volumet‐ric diagnosis system and 64 row MDCT images can be used to assess the volume of each lung lobe .

In this study, 17 kinds of Dendrobium species of Fengdous including 39 individuals were collected from 4 provinces. Mitochondrial gene sequences co I, nad 5, nad 1-intron 2 and chloroplast gene sequences rbcL, matK amd psbA-trnH were amplified from these materials, as well as nrDNA ITS. Furthermore, suitable sequences for identification of Dendrobium species of Fengdous were screened by K-2-P and P-distance. The results showed that during the mentioned 7 sequences, nrDNA ITS, nad 1-intron 2 and psbA-trnH which had a high degree of variability could be used to identify Dendrobium species of Fengdous. However, single fragment could not be used to distinguish D. moniliforme and D. huoshanense. Moreover, compared to other combined fragments, new type combined fragments nrDNA ITS+nad 1-intron 2 was more effective in identifying the original plants of Dendrobium species and could be used to identify D. huoshanense and D. moniliforme. Besides, according to the UPGMA tree constructed with nrDNA ITS+nad 1-intron 2, 3 inspected Dendrobium plants were identified as D. huoshanense, D. moniliforme and D. officinale, respectively. This study identified Dendrobium species of Fengdous by combined fragments nrDNA ITS+nad 1-intron 2 for the first time, which provided a more effective basis for identification of Dendrobium species. And this study will be helpful for regulating the market of Fengdous.

Objective To explore the changes of white matter microstructure by using DTI in children with developmental delay (DD)with normal routine MRI results.Methods We performed routine MRI and DTI in 23 children with DD and 23 age-matched normal children,FA values of five deep white matters (limb of internal capsule,anterior limb,genu and knee of corpus callosum and optic radiation)and four shallow white matters (frontal lobe,temporal lobe,occipital cortex,centrum ovale)were measured.FA values of the white matter for two groups were assessed by paired t tests for each region of interest.Results FA values on the deep white matter for DD,and on the deep white matter and the shallow white matter for normal development group increased with age significantly (P <0.05).FA values on the shallow white matter for DD were lower than that for normal development group,which had no significant correlation with age (P >0.05).The FA values on the shallow white matter and deep white matter (corpus callo-sum knee,optic radiation)for children with DD were lower than that for the control group (P <0.05),and the FA values of the limb of deep white matter (genu of corpus callosum,internal capsule and anterior limb)were no difference with the contorl group (P >0.05).Conclusion DTI may detect the changes of white matter microstructure in children with developmental delay,and provides an objective basis for quantitative diagnosis.