Interpretable CT radiomics model for invasiveness prediction in patients with ground-glass nodules

AIM

To evaluate the performance of an interpretable computed tomography (CT) radiomic model in predicting the invasiveness of ground-glass nodules (GGNs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted retrospectively from 1 August 2017 to 1 August 2022, at three different centres. Two hundred and thirty patients with GGNs were enrolled at centre I as a training cohort. Centres II (n=157) and III (n=156) formed two external validation cohorts. Radiomics features extracted based on CT were reduced by a coarse-fine feature screening strategy. A radiomic model was developed through the use of the LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) and XGBoost algorithms. Then, a radiological model was established through multivariate logistic regression analysis. Finally, the interpretability of the model was explored using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP).

RESULTS

The radiomic XGBoost model outperformed the radiomic logistic model and radiological model in assessing the invasiveness of GGNs. The area under the curve (AUC) values for the radiomic XGBoost model were 0.885 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.836-0.923), 0.853 (95% CI 0.790-0.906), and 0.838 (95% CI 0.773-0.902) in the training and the two external validation cohorts, respectively. The SHAP method allowed for both a quantitative and visual representation of how decisions were made using a given model for each individual patient. This can provide a deeper understanding of the decision-making mechanisms within the model and the factors that contribute to its prediction effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

The present interpretable CT radiomics model has the potential to preoperatively evaluate the invasiveness of GGNs. Furthermore, it can provide personalised, image-based clinical-decision support.

[Related factors of successful endovascular therapy in patients with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion]

The clinical data of 73 symptomatic patients with chronic internal carotid artery occlusion (CICAO) who underwent endovascular therapy in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Suzhou Ninth People's Hospital from January 2011 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and the related factors of successful endovascular therapy were determined. The patients were divided into recanalization group (49 cases) and non-recanalization group (24 cases). The related factors of successful endovascular recanalization in patients with symptomatic CICAO were investigated by both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The results showed that distal ICA reconstitution at the clinoid segment (OR=8.946, 95%CI: 1.782-44.910) and tapered stump (OR=4.488, 95%CI: 1.147-17.566) were related factors of successful endovascular therapy in patients with CICAO (both P<0.05). However, calcification at the beginning of occluded ICA (OR=0.161, 95%CI: 0.027-0.965) was an adverse factor for successful endovascular therapy in patients with CICAO (P<0.05). This study indicates that the related factors of successful ICA endovascular therapy in patients with symptomatic CICAO mainly include tapered stump and distal ICA reconstitution at the clinoid segment, while calcification at the beginning of occluded ICA was an adverse factor.

Development of a multiplex RT-PCR method for the detection of four porcine enteric coronaviruses

Porcine enteric coronaviruses are pathogens that cause viral diarrhea in pigs and are widely prevalent worldwide. Moreover, studies have shown that some porcine enteric coronaviruses can infect humans and poultry. In order to effectively monitor these viruses, it is necessary to establish a multiple detection method to understand their prevalence and conduct in-depth research. Common porcine enteric coronaviruses include Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), Porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), Porcine delta coronavirus (PDCoV), and Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV). Pigs infected with these viruses have the common clinical symptoms that are difficult to distinguish. A quadruplex RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) method for the simultaneous detection of PEDV, PDCoV, TGEV and SADS-CoV was developed. Four pairs of specific primers were designed for the PEDV M gene, PDCoV N gene, TGEV S gene and SADS-CoV RdRp gene. Multiplex RT-PCR results showed that the target fragments of PDCoV, SADS-CoV, PEDV and TGEV could be amplified by this method. and the specific fragments with sizes of 250 bp, 368 bp, 616 bp and 801 bp were amplified, respectively. This method cannot amplify any fragment of nucleic acids of Seneca Valley virus (SVV), Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) and Atypical Porcine Pestivirus (APPV), and has good specificity. The lowest detection limits of PDCoV, PEDV, TGEV and SADS-CoV were 5.66 × 105 copies/μL, 6.48 × 105 copies/μL, 8.54 × 105 copies/μL and 7.79 × 106 copies/μL, respectively. A total of 94 samples were collected from pig farms were analyzed using this method. There were 15 positive samples for PEDV, 3 positive samples for mixed infection of PEDV and PDCoV, 2 positive samples for mixed infection of PEDV and TGEV, and 1 positive sample for mixed infection of PEDV, TGEV, and PDCoV. Multiplex RT-PCR method could detect four intestinal coronaviruses (PEDV, PDCoV, TGEV, and SADS-CoV) in pigs efficiently, cheaply and accurately, which can be used for clinical large-scale epidemiological investigation and diagnosis.

[The pH-Sensitive Potassium Channel TASK-1 Is a Chemosensor for Central Respiratory Regulation in Rats]

TWIK-related acid-sensitive potassium channel-1 (TASK-1) is a "leak" potassium channel sensitive to extracellular protons. It contributes to setting the resting potential in mammalian neurons. TASK-1 channels are widely expressed in respiratory-related neurons in the central nervous system. Inhibition of TASK-1 by extracellular acidosis can depolarize and increase the excitability of these cells. Here we describe the distribution of TASK-1 in the rat brainstem and show that TASK-1 mRNAs are present in respiratory-related nuclei in the ventrolateral medulla, which have been proposed as neural substrates for central chemo-reception in rats. After inhalation of 8% CO2 for 30 and 60 min, TASK-1 mRNA levels in positive-expression neurons were remarkably upregulated. Injection of the TASK-1 blocker anandamide (AEA) into the rat lateral cerebral ventricle, showed a significant excitement of respiratory at 10 min posttreatment, with a marked decrease in inspiratory and expiratory durations and an increased frequency of respiration. We suggest that TASK-1 channel may serve as a chemosensor for in central respiration and may contribute to pH-sensitive respiratory effects. TASK-1 channel might be an attractive candidate for sensing H^(+)/CO2 in several respiratory-related nuclei in the brainstem. It is likely that TASK-1 participates in pH-sensitive chemical regulation in the respiratory center under physiological and pathological conditions.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of an infant with isolated 17, 20-lyase deficiency]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of an infant with isolated 17, 20-lyase deficiency.

METHOD

The clinical, biochemical and genetic characteristics were analyzed in an 8-month-old infant with 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis who presented predominantly the female external genitalia.

RESULT

The infant was referred because of"masses in bilateral inguinal region and 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis". He was normotensive. Laboratory tests revealed elevated levels of progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The detailed parameters are as follows: progesterone 29.35(reference range 0.09-1.0)nmol/L, 17-hydroxyprogesterone 10.9(reference range 0.6-2.6)nmol/L, testosterone 0.7(reference range 0.1-3.1)nmol/L, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate <0.15(reference range 0.80-5.6)mg/L, androstenedione <0.3 (reference range 0.6-3.1) μg/L, luteinizing hormone 6.6(reference range 0.6-1.7)U/L, follicle stimulating hormone 1.8 (reference range 0.5-3.7)U/L, estradiol 37.66(reference range 73.4-146.8)pmol/L. The patient had normal levels of serum sodium, potassium, corticosteroid and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone. Genomic DNA was extracted from the leukocytes of peripheral blood of the patient and subjected to next generation sequencing (NGS) for testing more than 200 sexual development related genes. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the results of NGS. Genetic analysis revealed that the patient harbored compound heterozygous mutations of c. 1226C>G (p.Pro409Arg, P409R) and c. 707T>G (p.Val236Gly, V236G) in CYP17A1 gene derived from paternal and maternal allele. V236G was a novel mutation predicted to be pathogenic. The infant was diagnosed as isolated 17, 20-lyase deficiency combined with clinical and molecular characteristics of CYP17A1 gene.

CONCLUSION

We have identified the compound heterozygous mutations of P409R and V236G in the CYP17A1 gene in one infant with isolated 17, 20-lyase deficiency. He presented with 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis, normal blood pressure and elevated concentration of progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone.

Variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy study on copper phthalocyanine ultrathin films on a Au(111) surface

Variable-temperature high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images reveal that well-ordered copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) strips can be self-assembled by depositing CuPc molecules on a Au(111) surface. The self-assembled strips are supposed to result from the balance of the intermolecular interaction and the interaction between the molecules and substrate during annealing. The energy band (approximately 1.9-2.1 eV) of CuPc, measured by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), is comparable to the optical band gap (approximately 1.7 eV). Spectroscopic measurements confirm that a dipole layer and/or an effect of image force exist at the CuPc/Au(111) interface.

[Induction of callus of Hypericum perforatum L. and qualitative identification of active constituents of its callus]

OBJECTIVE

To induce the callus of H. perforatum and identify hypericin and pseudohypericin of its callus.

METHOD

The callus was induced in different culture conditions, and active constituents were determined by HPLC.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

The inductions of callus from different parts were discussed, the induction rate of the leaf axil being the highest. The MS basic medium with 4 micrograms.L-1 2,4-D and 0.2 microgram.L-1 6-BA was the best of all screened media. Hypericin in the callus is determined by HPLC.

Quantitative analysis of Roussin red methyl ester in pickled vegetables

In a study of the etiological factors in esophageal cancer, Roussin red methyl ester was isolated and identified in pickled vegetables of Linxian County, North China, where there is a high incidence of esophageal cancer. In this paper, a method is described for quantitative analysis of Roussin red methyl ester in pickled vegetables by gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry single-ion monitoring. The content of Roussin red methyl ester in pickled vegetables from Linxian has been found to be 0.1 to 4.5 mg/kg, and that from Beijing is below 0.005 mg/kg, which is the detection limit of the analytical method used. The marked difference between the contents might be one of the possible reasons for the difference in esophageal cancer incidence between the two regions.