Mechanism of Ki-67 in lung cancer and related progress in research on radiomics / 中国医科大学学报

Radiomics is a new diagnostic and treatment technology,which can be employed to extract high-throughput radiomics features from CT,MR,and PET images and screen features closely related to diagnostic and treatment purposes,so as to accurately predict tumor or disease classification,prognosis,or genomic changes.Ki-67 is a type of nuclear protein,which is present only in nuclei of proliferative and dividing cells but not in those of quiescent phase cells;hence,it can be used as a predictor of cell proliferation and has been proven to be closely related to prognosis of lung cancer.This article reviews the mechanism and progress in radiomics research related to Ki-67 in lung cancer.

Diagnostic Value of Texture Analysis Based on Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Parkinson's Disease / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose To explore the value of texture analysis in the diagnosis and course evaluation of Parkinson's disease(PD)by analyzing the texture features of gray matter nuclei and white matter on quantitative susceptibility mapping(QSM)sequences.Materials and Methods A total of 30 PD patients and 22 normal controls from July 2019 to November 2020 in Jiangyin People's Hospital were prospectively enrolled to perform enhanced gradient echo T2* weighted angiography(ESWAN)sequence scanning.All QSM images were obtained through post-processing.Region of interest was manually obtained,including bilateral caudate heads,globus pallidus,putamen,substantia nigra,red nucleus,cerebellar dentate nucleus and white matter at the center of the semicircle.The texture features of the region of interest were extracted.After dimension reduction and screening,a set of optimal texture parameters were obtained,and a random forest prediction model was constructed.The diagnostic efficiency of the model was analyzed and evaluated and the reliability of the model was evaluated.The correlation between the selected texture features and the clinical scale of PD patients was analyzed.Results A group(n=5)of the best texture feature parameters were obtained from QSM map.The area under curve range of independent prediction PD was 0.697-0.823,the area under curve of random forest model was 0.910,and the accuracy of cross validation was 0.888.Texture feature(r4_wavelet_LLL_firstorder_Energy)of PD group was negatively correlated with the scores of the mini mental state examination(r=-0.470,P=0.011).Conclusion The texture analysis based on QSM has a high diagnostic value for PD,and the texture features of the left putamen have a certain correlation with the cognitive function of PD patients.

Research status and prospect of tongue image diagnosis analysis based on machine learning / 数字中医药（英文）

@#Image-based intelligent diagnosis represents a trending research direction in the field of tongue diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In recent years, machine learning techniques, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and Transformers, have been widely used in the analysis of medical images, such as computed tomography (CT) and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These techniques have significantly enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of decision-making in TCM practices. Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have also provided new opportunities for the research and development of medical equipment and TCM tongue diagnosis, resulting in improved standardization and intelligence of the tongue diagnostic procedures. Although traditional image analysis methods could transform tongue images into scientific and analyzable data, recognizing and analyzing images that capture complicated tongue features such as tooth-marked tongue, tongue spots and prickles, fissured tongue, variations in coating thickness, tongue texture (curdy and greasy), and tongue presence (peeled coating) continues posing significant challenges in contemporary tongue diagnosis research. Therefore, the employment of machine learning techniques in the analysis of tongue shape and texture features as well as their applications in TCM diagnosis is the focus of this study. In the study, both traditional and deep learning image analysis techniques were summarized and analyzed to figure out their value in predicting disease risks by observing the tongue shapes and textures, aiming to open a new chapter for the development and application of AI in TCM tongue diagnosis research. In short, the combination of TCM tongue diagnosis and AI technologies, will not only enhance the scientific basis of tongue diagnosis but also improve its clinical applicability, thereby advancing the modernization of TCM diagnostic and therapeutic practices.

Application of MRI-based radiomics model in predicting the tumor response in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To develop a nomogram model based on the clinical features and the radiomics texture analysis of multimodal magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),so as to predict the tumor response in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)3 months after receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE).Methods A total of 105 patients with advanced HCC,whose diagnosis was pathologically-confirmed at the Suzhou Municipal Ninth People's Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021,were enrolled in this study.The patients were randomly divided into training group(n=63)and verification group(n=42).Before chemotherapy,T1WI,T2WI,dynamic contrast-enhanced(DCE)scan,and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)were performed by using a 3.0T MRI scanner.A.K.software was used to extract the texture.Three months after chemotherapy,according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(mRECIST)the patients were divided into response group(n=63)and non-response group(n=42).Results Compared with the response group,in the non-response group the percentage of Child-Pugh grade B and BCLC stage C was obviously higher and the serum alpha fetoprotein(AFP)level was remarkably elevated(P＜0.05).A.K.software extracted 396 MRI texture features,and LASSO regression analysis screened out 6 optimal predictors.The radiation score(Rad-score)was calculated by ROC.The AUC of Rad-score for predicting tumor non-response after TACE by ROC in the training group and verification group were 0.842 and 0.803 respectively.Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that AFP≥50 ng/mL(OR=1.568,95%CI=1.234-1.902,P=0.003),Child-Pugh grade B(OR=1.754,95%CI=1.326-2.021,P=0.001),BCLC stage C(OR=1.847,95%CI=1.412-2.232,P=0.001)and Rad-score(OR=2.023,95%CI=1.569-2.457,P＜0.001)were the independent risk factors for tumor non-response.Clinico-radiomics combination had the highest AUC value for predicting tumor non-response.The correction curve showed that the nomogram model had a good agreement.Conclusion The quantitative score of radiomics texture analysis of multimodal MRI has a certain value in predicting tumor non-response in advanced HCC patients 3 months after TACE,and the nomogram model,which is constructed if combined with clinical factors,carries good practical potential.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,32:63-68)

CT images texture analysis versus clinical scores in predicting hemorrhagic transformation of acute ischemic stroke / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To assess the value of CT image texture features in predicting the occurrence of hemorrhagic transformation(HT)in ischemic stroke,and to compare it with the traditional clinical prediction scores.Methods A total of 73 patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke were enrolled in this study.All patients received reperfusion treatment.The region of interesting(ROI)of the infarction area was outlined according to the diffusion restricted area displayed on the follow-up ADC images,which were matched to the corresponding ischemic region on computed tomographic angiography(CTA)and on plain CT scan(non-contrast CT,NCCT).Five patients with HT and 5 patients with non-HT were randomly selected and used as the test set,and the remaining patients were assigned to the train set.The 6 texture features that had the most predictive value were separately selected from the CTA sets and NCCT train set,then the training of classifiers was earried out by using the 5-fold cross-validation method.Finally,the test set was evaluated according to the trained classifier.Besides,the determination of four clinical scores(HAT,SEDAN,HIAT2,THRIVE-c)was performed for all patients in the train set.Results The trained classifiers model performed well in not only CTA but also NCCT.In the CTA prediction model,linear SVM was chosen as the final classifier with 0.816 validation accuracy and 0.890 AUC value;and with 0.800 test accuracy,0.600 sensitivity,and 1.000 specificity in external test set Logistic regression(LR)was the best-performing classifier in NCCT.The predicted performance of HT was slightly worse than that of CTA,which had 0.697 validation accuracy and 0.763 AUC value.The test set of NCCT achieved 0.700 accuracy with 0.600 sensitivity and 0.800 specificity.Compared to the texture analysis models,all the four clinical scores showed a modest prediction efficiency in HT and AUC values,which were no more than 0.700.Conclusion Texture analysis of cerebral ischemic area based on CT images(CTA and NCCT)has the ability to predict HT after reperfusion treatment in AIS patients,and it is superior to traditional clinical scoring methods.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:230-235)

Application of CT imaging texture analysis in predicting simplified pathological types of thymic epithelial tumors / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the value of CT imaging texture analysis in predicting simplified pathological types of thymic epithelial tumors(TETs).Methods The CT data from 114 patients with TETs confirmed by surgical or pathology were analyzed retrospectivel,and the types of TETs were divided into three groups,including low-risk thymoma(LRT)group,high-risk thymoma(HRT)group,and thymic carcinoma(TC)group.First,the texture parameters of CT images were extracted,and then the weighted Rad-score values were obtained,and the predictive performance of the texture features was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results There were 114 TETs patients,including 45 patients with LRT,44 patients with HRT,and 25 patients with TC.Based on CT imaging texture analysis,the area under the curve(AUC)in differentiating LRT and HRT or TC via CT plain scan,arterial phase,and venous phase were 0.776,0.885,and 0.761,respectively.In differentiating HRT from TC,the AUC of CT plain scan,arterial phase,and venous phase were 0.828,0.808,and 0.804,respectively.In differentiating thymoma from TC,the AUC of CT plain scan,arterial phase,and venous phase were 0.808,0.769,and 0.774,respectively.Conclusion CT imaging texture analysis can serve as an effective auxiliary tool for predicting the simplified pathological types of TETs,helping to develop personal-ized treatment plans for TETs patients.CT enhanced scanning of arterial phase texture parameters has the highest differential diag-nostic efficiency.

Application value of CT texture analysis for evaluating Ki-67 expression in patient with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To explore the application value of CT texture analysis for evaluating Ki-67 expression in patient with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods Sixty-one cases of pathologically confirmed esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were selected to obtain the Ki-67 protein expression status of the patients'pathological tissues,and the patients were divided into a high-expression group and a low-expression group.All patients underwent plain and enhanced chest CT within two weeks before surgery.Lesions delineation and texture feature extraction of esophageal cancer were obtained via Omni-Kinetics software.The texture parameters included Min Intensity,Max Intensity,Median Intensity,Mean Intensity,Deviation,Skewness,Kurtosis,Entropy,Energy,Correlation,Haralick,short run high grey level emphasis(SRHGLE),short run low grey level emphasis(SRLGLE),long run high grey level emphasis(LRHGLE),long run low grey level emphasis(LRLGLE),Grey Level Nonuniformity,Run Length Nonuniformity.The differences of texture features among different Ki-67 expression groups were compared,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of Ki-67 expression in patient with esophageal cancer.Results In plain CT images,the SRHGLE and Grey Level Nonuniformity of the high expression group were significantly higher than those of the low expression group(P=0.010,0.002,respectively).In enhanced CT images,the Mean Intensity,Entropy and Grey Level Nonuniformity of the high expression group were significantly higher than those of the low expression group(P=0.026,0.037,0.001,respectively),and SRHGLE and LRHGLE of the high expression group were significantly lower than those of the low expression group(P=0.016,0.010,respectively).The area under the curve(AUC)of texture features in plain CT were 0.676-0.740,and the AUC of combined diagnosis reached 0.770[95%confidence interval(CI):0.645,0.868],and sensitivity and specificity was 0.921,0.565,respectively.In enhanced CT,the AUC of texture features were 0.629-0.750,the AUC of combined diagnosis increased to 0.903(95%CI:0.799,0.964),and sensitivity and specificity was 0.816,0.826,respectively.Conclusion CT texture analysis can early and non-invasively predict Ki-67 expression in patient with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,it can be used as an imaging marker to evaluate the proliferative activity of esophageal cancer cells,and may provide diagnosis and treatment information for clinical decision-making of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

In vitro oral simulation evaluation of palatability and chewability of chewable tablets / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the palatability and chewability of chewable tablets， and provide reference for the quality evaluation of various types of chewable tablets. METHODS Using self-made Glucosamine hydrochloride chewable tablets as the model drug， the quality test was conducted. The in vitro simulation system for chewable tablets was established by using a texture analyzer and rheometer， and an oral simulation experiment was conducted on chewable tablets. The texture analyzer was used to measure the force required for chewing and simulate the static disintegration process of chewable tablets； the rheometer was adopted to measure the viscoelasticity， thixotropy， and deformability of chewable tablets during the chewing process. RESULTS The disintegration time limit， principal component content， and dissolution of self-made Glucosamine hydrochloride chewable tablets all met the limit requirements. The in vitro simulation results of the texture analyzer showed that self-made chewable tablets were easy to chew in both axial and radial directions， and the force required for chewing was within the range of the chewing force of the teeth； chewable tablets could disintegrate at an appropriate time without being chewed and only taken in the oral cavity. The in vitro simulation results of the rheometer showed that the chewable tablets in the oral cavity exhibited a behavior of elasticity as the main factor and viscosity as the secondary factor through the continuous stirring of the tongue， and the viscosity of the chewable tablets gradually decreased with tongue stirring or tooth chewing； when chewing with teeth， the internal force of the chewing tablets decreased， causing plastic deformation and crushing. After being crushed， the shape couldn’t be restored， making it easy to chew and swallow. CONCLUSIONS The combination of texture analyzer and rheometer can be used to simulate the oral chewing process and evaluate the palatability and chewability of self-made Glucosamine hydrochloride chewable tablets. This model can provide reference for the evaluation of various chewable tablets.

Application value of magnetic resonance imaging intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging and texture analysis in differential diagnosis and staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To investigate the application value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)-diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) metrics and texture analysis in the differential diagnosis and staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods:The clinical data of 125 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (the research group) in Tangshan People's Hospital from October 2019 to October 2021 and 76 patients with nasopharyngeal hyperplasia during the same period (the control group) were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent MRI T2WI and IVIM-DWI sequence scanning, and then the plain T2WI images, DWI, and IVIM-DWI quantitative parameter pseudo-color maps including pure diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) were obtained. The texture analysis metrics like apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), D, D* and f were recorded. IVIM-DWI and texture analysis metrics were compared among patients in both groups and patients in different clinical stages; and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the efficacy of IVIM sequence parameters and texture analysis metrics in the differential diagnosis and staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Results:Compared with the control group, a marked reduction in D value [(0.80±0.13)×10 -3 mm 2/s vs. (1.19±0.27)×10 -3 mm 2/s], f value [(11.3±2.2)% vs. (15.6±3.3)%], mean ADC value [(0.92±0.17)×10 -3 mm 2/s vs. (1.16±0.19)×10 -3 mm 2/s] and variance (2 189±862 vs. 3 563±925) (all P < 0.05); a notable increase in skewness (0.50±0.17 vs. 0.31±0.12), kurtosis (0.56±0.13 vs. -0.21±0.06) and entropy (10.5±2.3 vs. 7.1±2.1) (all P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of IVIM sequence parameters and texture analysis metrics in the differential diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was 0.763 and 0.803, respectively; the AUC, sensitivity and specificity of the combination of IVIM sequence parameters and texture analysis metrics for the differential diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was 0.868, 89.6% and 86.8%, respectively. Compared with patients in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ nasopharyngeal carcinoma, patients in stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ reported the lower D value [(0.75±0.13)×10 -3 mm 2/s vs. (0.89±0.16)×10 -3 mm 2/s], f value [(10.8±2.8)% vs. (12.1±3.0)%] (all P < 0.05), and the lower mean ADC value [(0.90±0.14)×10 -3 mm 2/s vs. (0.96±0.16)×10 -3 mm 2/s], and variance (2 063±831 vs. 2 431±846) (all P < 0.05), skewness (0.56±0.15 vs. 0.39±0.16), kurtosis (0.62±0.15 vs. 0.44±0.13) and entropy (11.0±2.1 vs. 9.1±2.4) (all P < 0.05). The AUC of IVIM sequence parameters and texture analysis metrics in differentiating nasopharyngeal carcinoma with different stages was 0.863 and 0.796, respectively; the AUC, sensitivity and specificity of the combination of IVIM sequence parameters and texture analysis metrics in differentiating nasopharyngeal carcinoma with different stages was 0.894, 85.4% and 90.7%, respectively. Conclusions:MRI texture analysis and IVIM quantitative analysis are of high value in the differential diagnosis and staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma; and the texture analysis achieves higher sensitivity and specificity in the differential diagnosis and staging of nasopharyngeal carcinoma compared with IVIM quantitative analysis; the combined application of both has the highest overall efficacy.

Prediction of lymph node metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma by CT texture analysis combined with baseline data / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To explore and analyze the value of CT texture combined with baseline data in lymph node metastasis of cN0 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), in order to provide evidence for the evaluation of lymph node metastasis of PTMC.Methods:106 patients with single stage cN0 papillary PTMC confirmed by operation and pathology in Department of Radiology and Hernia Department of Huzhou First People’s Hospital from Aug. 2020 to Aug. 2022 were selected for retrospective analysis. Metastatic lymph nodes and non-metastatic lymph nodes were delineated in CT images, and they were divided into a lymph node metastasis group (22 cases) and a group without lymph node metastasis (84 cases). At the same time, lymph node CT texture feature images were obtained in both groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between CT texture and lymph node metastasis, and ROC curve was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of CT texture for lymph node metastasis in cN0 stage PTMC patients. The patients were divided into<1/4 group (51 cases), 1/4-<1/2 group (36 cases), and ≥1/2 group (19 cases) according to the different contact range between tumor and thyroid margin in CT signs. The baseline data and lymph metastasis distribution of each group were analyzed.Results:The results of single factor analysis showed that there were no differences in tumor location, tumor calcification or thyroglobulin in CT texture between LNM group and non-LNM group ( P>0.05). The incidence of tumor contact with thyroid margin, tumor diameter ≥7 mm, age<45 and male ratio of sex in LNM group were higher than those in non-LNM group ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor was in contact with thyroid margin ( OR=6.080, 95% CI: 1.738-21.273), tumor diameter ≥7 mm ( OR=2.779, 95% CI: 1.135-6.805), age<45 years old ( OR=6.074, 95%CI: 1.980-18.636) and gender male ( OR=12.642, 95% CI: 3.125-51.136) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in cN0 stage PTMC patients ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in gender, age, tumor diameter, tumor location, tumor calcification or thyroglobulin among<1/4 group, 1/4-1/2 group and ≥1/2 group ( P>0.05). The incidence of LNM in ≥1/2 group was higher than that in<1/4 group and 1/4-1/2 group, and pairwise comparison between groups had statistical significance ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:It is an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis in cN0 stage PTMC patients with tumor and thyroid boundary contact, tumor diameter ≥7 mm, age<45 years old, male, and the wider the tumor and thyroid boundary contact, the higher the risk of lymph node metastasis. CT texture analysis combined with baseline data has important reference value in predicting lymph node metastasis of cN0 TMPC.

Prediction of myometrial invasion of bladder cancer based on texture analysis of the bladder wall at tumor base / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To identify the value of ultrasound radiomic features extracted from the bladder wall at tumor base in predicting myometrial invasion of bladder cancer.Methods:A total of 175 cases with bladder cancer confirmed by pathology from January 2017 to February 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into training set and testing set in a ratio of 7∶3. The MaZda texture analysis software was used to draw the region of interest (ROI) of the bladder wall and the tumor region for extracting texture features. The minimum absolute reduction and variable selection operator (LASSO) regression and 10-fold cross-validation were used to screen the features of training set for establishing the models. And the ROC curve was used to evaluate the efficiency of the models.Results:A total of 279 texture features were extracted from the ROI of the bladder wall and the tumor region, and 5 texture features were screened out for constructing omics scoring models by LASSO regression and 10-fold cross-test. The area under ROC curve (AUC)s used in training set and testing set of the bladder wall were 0.921 and 0.856, while the AUCs applied in training set and testing set of the tumor region were 0.849 and 0.704. Both in the training set and test set, the AUCs of the model of the bladder wall were higher than those of the model of the tumor region (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The omics scoring model based on the texture features of the bladder wall at tumor base can effectively identify muscle-invasive bladder cancer(MIBC) and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC), and has better performance than the model based on the texture feature of the tumor region.

Nomogram based on CT texture analysis and morphological characteristics for differentiating Borrmann Ⅳ type gastric cancer from gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the value in differentiating Borrmann Ⅳ type gastric cancer (BT4-GC) from gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) using a nomogram based on CT texture analysis (CTTA) and morphological characteristics.Methods:From June 2011 to December 2020, a total of 60 patients with BT4-GC and 24 patients with DLBCL were retrospectively collected in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University. Morphological characteristics were evaluated, including major location, long axis range, circumferential range, mucosal line status, and perigastric enlarged lymph nodes. CTTA parameters were calculated using venous CT images with a manual region of interest. The morphological characteristics and CTTA parameters between BT4-GC and DLBCL were compared by χ 2 test, Fisher exact test or Mann-Whitney U test. The multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to filter factors into the diagnostic model and construct a nomogram. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CTTA parameters and the diagnostic model in differentiating BT4-GC from DLBCL. Results:For morphological characteristics, mucosal line status showed a significant difference between BT4-GC and DLBCL (χ 2=12.99, P<0.001). For CTTA parameters, 16 parameters showed significant differences between BT4-GC and DLBCL (all P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 16 CTTA parameters in differentiating BT4-GC from DLBCL was 0.662-0.833. Percentile 90 showed the highest AUC of 0.833 (95%CI 0.736-0.906). The mucosal line status (OR 4.82, 95%CI 1.21-19.25, P=0.026) and percentile 90 (OR 1.09, 95%CI 1.04-1.15, P=0.001) were brought into the diagnostic model and constructed a nomogram. The AUC of the model in differentiating BT4-GC from DLBCL was 0.898 (95%CI 0.813-0.953), sensitivity was 0.833, and specificity was 0.817. Conclusions:The nomogram based on CTTA percentile 90 and morphological characteristics mucosal line status can effectively distinguish BT4-GC from DLBCL and shows high diagnostic efficacy.

Study on the effect of virtual grid on chest X-ray image quality / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the image quality and its evaluation method using virtual grid under different tube voltages in the clinical chest X-ray exam.Methods:According to the conditions of chest X-ray photography commonly used in clinical practice, the corresponding thickness of plexiglass (20 cm, including CDRAD phantom) was determined as the experimental object. With a fixed tube loading of 4 mAs and the tube voltage from 60 to 125 kV, the experimental object was imaged in three ways: physical grid, none grid and virtual grid. The common physical parameters (CNR, σ, C, SNR), texture analysis (Angular second moment, texture Contrast, Correlation, Inverse difference moment, Entropy) and CDRAD phantom score (IQF inv) were evaluated. Two-way ANOVA test was used for each group of common physical parameters, and further pairwise comparisons were made. At the same time, applying virtual grids on the obtained images with chest anthropomorphic model and texture indexing the images with and without virtual grids, then rank sum test of paired sample can be conducted. Results:There were differences in image quality among the three groups of grid mode( P<0.05), and the physical grid delivered the best image quality. The tube voltage had an impact on all image quality evaluation indexes ( P<0.05). The tube voltage was positively correlated with CNR, SNR, angular second moment, inverse difference moment and IQF inv ( P<0.05), and negatively correlated with σ, C, texture contrast and entropy ( P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the tube voltage and Correlation ( P>0.05). The chest anthropomorphic model images were used to evaluate the virtual grids, and the texture indexes (Angle second moment, Contrast, Correlation, Inverse difference moment, Entropy) were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions:The virtual grid can improve the image quality of chest X-ray photography, and the image texture analysis method can be a useful supplement to the image quality evaluation parameters.

CT texture analysis for predicting pseudoprogression in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma during PD-1 inhibitor therapy / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of enhanced CT texture feature analysis in predicting pseudoprogression in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) undergoing programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor therapy.Methods:A cross-sectional study. Data from 32 patients with mccRCC were retrospectively collected who received monotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors after standard treatment failure at Henan Cancer Hospital, from June 2015 to January 2021. Clinical information and enhanced CT images were analyzed to assess target lesion response. The lesions were divided into pseudoprogression and non-pseudoprogression groups. Manual segmentation of target lesions was performed using ITK-Snap software on baseline enhanced CT, and texture analysis was conducted using A.K. software to extract feature parameters. Differences in texture features between the pseudoprogression and non-pseudoprogression groups were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. A predictive model for pseudoprogression was constructed, and its performance was evaluated using ROC curve analysis.Results:A total of 32 patients with 89 lesions were included in the study. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in seven texture features between the pseudoprogression and non-pseudoprogression groups. These features included“original_ngtdm_Strength”(0.49 vs. -0.61, P=0.006), “wavelet-HLH_glszm_ZonePercentage”(0.67 vs. -0.22, P=0.024),“wavelet-LHL_ngtdm_Strength”(1.20 vs. -0.51, P=0.002), “wavelet-HLL_gldm_LargeDependenceEmphasis”(-0.84 vs. 0.19, P=0.002), “wavelet-HLH_glcm_Id” (-0.30 vs. 0.43, P=0.037),“wavelet- HLH_glrlm_RunPercentage”(0.45 vs. -0.01, P=0.032),“wavelet-LHH_firstorder_Skewness”(0.25 vs. -0.27, P=0.011). Based on these features, a pseudoprogression prediction model was developed with a P-value of 0.000 2 and an odds ratio of 0.045 (95% CI 0.009-0.227). The model exhibited a high predictive performance with an AUC of 0.907 (95% CI 0.817-0.997) according to ROC curve analysis. Conclusions:Enhanced CT texture feature analysis shows promise in predicting lesion pseudoprogression in patients with metastatic ccRCC undergoing PD-1 inhibitor therapy. The developed predictive model based on texture features demonstrates good performance and may assist in evaluating treatment response in these patients.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Self-reported practices Questionnaire on Pureed Diet Preparation (KAP DYS Puree) among Food Handlers in Malaysian Hospitals for Dysphagia Management: Development, Validity, and Reliability Testing

@#Introduction: This methodological research study aimed to measure content validity and reliability of a newly developed questionnaire of knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices towards pureed diet preparation (KAP DYS Puree) among hospital food handlers for dysphagia management. Methods: The study was conducted through face validation, content validation, content reliability and construct validation. A cross-sectional design with convenience sampling was carried out involving 4 panels for face validation, 10 raters for content validity and 161 food handlers participated for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), while 30 food handlers were involved for test-retest reliability. The questionnaire which consisted of 40 items distributed into 3 domains and was assessed and analyzed using modified kappa (k*) for reliability. Results: Content Validity Index revealed the following I-CVI values: knowledge = 0.915, attitudes = 0.922 and self-reported practices = 0.900 and modified kappa values (k*) knowledge = 0.983, attitudes = 0.9214 and self-reported practices = 0.899. The EFA was employed for two dimensions which were self-reported practices and attitudes based on principal axis of factoring with varimax rotation. The factor analysis yielded two factors with a total of 10 items in the attitudes domain and two factors with a total of 9 items in the self-reported practices domain that had satisfactory factor loading (> 0.3). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) values for attitudes = 0.816 and self-reported practices = 0.776. Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant at p < 0.0001 for attitudes and self-reported practices indicating the suitability of this data for factor analysis. Interclass Correlation Index (ICC) values for attitudes = 0.739 and self-reported practices = 0.789. Conclusion: This instrument can be used as a need assessment tool in the development of a comprehensive training module for pureed diet preparations in dysphagia management.

Value of CT texture analysis parameters in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective:To study the value of CT texture analysis (CTTA) parameters in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.Methods:From May. 2020 to Oct. 2021, 110 patients with thyroid nodules in the background of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in the Radiology Department of Nanjing Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine were selected, and CTTA was performed. CTTA parameters (entropy value, peak state and skewness) were counted. The pathological diagnosis results were taken as the "gold standard". Statistical pathological examination results were used to compare the general clinical characteristics and CTTA parameters of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was used to analyze the diagnostic value of CTTA parameters for thyroid nodules.Results:According to the clinicopathological examination, 43 of 110 patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis were malignant, accounting for 39.09%. Among them, 22 were papillary carcinoma, 13 were follicular carcinoma, 6 were medullary carcinoma, and 2 were malignant lymphoma; 67 cases were benign, accounting for 60.91%, including 32 nodular goiters, 20 Hashimoto’s nodules, 8 thyroid adenomas, and 7 focal inflammation. The levels of TSH, irregular shape, blurry border and calcification in patients with malignant thyroid nodules were higher than those in patients with benign thyroid nodules ( t/ χ2=13.167, 18.364, 20.180,17.621, P<0.001). In the background of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, there was no significant difference in the peak and skewness of CTTA parameters between benign and malignant thyroid nodules ( t=1.633, 1.382, P=0.105, 0.170). The entropy value of patients with malignant thyroid nodules was higher than that of patients with benign thyroid nodules, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=9.862, P<0.001). ROC analysis showed that the cut-off value of entropy value for diagnosing benign and malignant thyroid nodules was 6.28, AUC value was 0.909, 95% CI was 0.839-0.955, sensitivity was 86.05% (37/43), and specificity was 88.06% (69/67) . Conclusion:CTTA parameters in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients with benign and malignant thyroid nodules are different, and CTTA parameters have certain diagnostic value for benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Additifs alimentaires: inventaire des substances ajoutées aux denrées alimentaires de large consommation dans l'Ouest algérien / Food additives : inventory of substances added to consumer foods in Western Algeria

Introduction- Les additifs alimentaires sont utilisés pour prolonger la durée de conservation des denrées préparées ou édulcorer une boisson par exemple. Dans cette étude, nous dressons un état des lieux des additifs alimentaires utilisés dans quelques denrées alimentaires de large consommation commercialisées dans la ville d'Oran (Ouest Algérien). Matériels et méthodes- Une étude transversale descriptive a été réalisée au niveau des superettes et magasins d'alimentation générale de la ville d'Oran pour lister les additifs alimentaires incorporés à quelques aliments de large consommation Dans un premier temps, une étude descriptive transversale a été réalisée pendant trois mois au sein de trois structures hospitalières de l'Ouest algérien. Résultats-Au total, 114 additifs alimentaires ont été répertoriés. Tous les additifs inventoriés sont listés dans le journal officiel Algérien N°30 du 16 Mai 2012.Les additifs répertoriés ne sont pas sans risques pour la santé du consommateur. Certains additifs comme le colorant caramel ou SIN150d est retrouvé dans 3 marques locales de biscuits et 4 marques de boissons locales (17,5%) ; le benzoate de sodium ou SIN211 dans 12 marques de boissons et 2 marques de confiture (16,09%) ; le butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) ou SIN320 dans une marque de chocolat, de margarine et de chips (1,67%). Globalement, les étiquettes des produits sont conformes à la réglementation Algérienne à l'exception de quelques manquements comme la nature de l'arôme qui ne fut pas toujours spécifiée Conclusion-L'étude a révélé une importante utilisation des additifs alimentaires. Le niveau de risque pour la santé du consommateur que pourraient présenter ces substances nécessite une large sensibilisation du consommateur, notamment une consommation modérée des denrées alimentaires industriellement préparées.

Features of lumbar spine texture extracted from routine MRI correlate with bone mineral density and can potentially differentiate patients with and without fragility fractures in the spine

The use of routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to potentially assess skeletal fragility has been widely studied in osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone texture attributes (TA) from routine lumbar spine (LS) MRI and their correlation with vertebral fragility fractures (VFF) and bone mineral density (BMD). Sixty-four post-menopausal women were submitted to LS densitometry, total spine radiographs, and routine T2-weighted LS MRI. Twenty-two TA were extracted with the platform IBEX from L3 vertebra. The statistical difference was evaluated using ANOVA and Duncan's post-test. Correlation analyses were performed using Spearman's coefficient. Statistical significance was considered when P<0.05. The results did not show a significant difference in BMD between the women with and without fractures. Two bone TA (cluster tendency and variance) were significantly lower in the fracture group. Cluster tendency with VFF in osteopenia was 1.54±1.37 and in osteoporosis was 1.11±58. Cluster tendency without VFF in osteopenia was 2.23±1.38 and in osteoporosis was 1.88±1.14). Variance with VFF in osteopenia was 1.44±1.37 and in osteoporosis was 1.13±59. Variance without VFF in osteopenia was 2.34±1.38 and in osteoporosis was 1.89±1.14. There was a significant correlation between BMD and cluster prominence (r=0.409), cluster tendency (r=0.345), correlation (r=0.570), entropy (r=0.364), information measure corr1 (r=0.378), inverse variance (r=0.449), sum entropy (r=0.320), variance (r=0.338), sum average (r=-0.274), and sum variance (r=-0.266). Our results demonstrated the potential use of TA extracted from routine MRI as a biomarker to assess osteoporosis and identify the tendency of skeletal fragility vertebral fractures.

Magnetic resonance imaging texture analysis of the temporomandibular joint for changes in the articular disc in individuals with migraine headache / Análise de textura por ressonância magnética da articulação temporomanbibular com alterações no disco articular em individuos com cefaleia migranea

Objective: the aim of this study was to analyse the performance of the technique of texture analysis (TA) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) as a tool for identification of possible changes in individuals with migraine headache (MH) by relating the findings to the presence of internal derangements. Material and Methods: thirty MRI scans of the TMJ were selected for study, of which 15 were from individuals without MH or any other type of headache (control group) and 15 from those diagnosed with migraine. T2-weighted MRI scans of the articular joints taken in closed-mouth position were used for TA. The co-occurrence matrix was used to calculate the texture parameters. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the groups for gender, disc function and disc position, whereas Mann-Whitney's test was used for other parameters. The relationship of TA with disc position and function was assessed by using logistic regression adjusted for side and group. Results: the results indicated that the MRI texture analysis of articular discs in individuals with migraine headache has the potential to determine the behaviour of disc derangements, in which high values of contrast, low values of entropy and their correlation can correspond to displacements and tendency for non-reduction of the disc in these individuals. Conclusion: the TA of articular discs in individuals with MH has the potential to determine the behaviour of disc derangements based on high values of contrast and low values of entropy (AU)

Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o desempenho da técnica de análise de textura (AT) em exames de ressonância magnética (RM) das articulações temporomandibulares (ATM) como ferramenta para identificação de possíveis alterações em indivíduos com cefaléia migrânea (CM) relacionando os achados com a presença de desarranjos internos. Material e Métodos: trinta exames de RM das ATM foram selecionados para estudo, sendo 15 de indivíduos sem cefaleia migrânea ou qualquer outro tipo de cefaléia (grupo controle) e 15 diagnosticados com CM. As imagens de RM ponderadas em T2 das articulações realizadas na posição de boca fechada foram usadas para AT. A matriz de co-ocorrência foi usada para calcular os parâmetros de textura. O teste exato de Fisher foi usado para comparar os grupos quanto ao sexo, função do disco e posição do disco, enquanto o teste de Mann-Whitney foi usado para os demais parâmetros. A relação da AT com a posição e função do disco foi avaliada por meio de regressão logística ajustada para lado e grupo. Resultados: a AT por RM dos discos articulares em indivíduos com cefaleia migrânea tem o potencial de determinar o comportamento dos desarranjos discais, em que altos valores de contraste, baixos valores de entropia e sua correlação podem corresponder a deslocamentos e tendência a não redução do disco nesses indivíduos. Conclusão: a análise de textura dos discos articulares em indivíduos com CM tem potencial para determinar o comportamento dos desarranjos do disco com base em altos valores de contraste e baixos valores de entropia. (AU)

Identificação de Características e Propriedades Morfológicas em Texturas Táteis: Estudo sobre Gráficos Educativos e Cartografias para Crianças com Deficiência Visual / Identification of Properties and Morphological Characteristics in Tactile Textures: a Study on Educational Graphics and Cartographies for Visual Impaired Children

RESUMO: Este artigo explora as texturas táteis que têm sido utilizadas na confecção de mapas e imagens temáticas para crianças com deficiência visual no Chile nos últimos 20 anos. De um grupo representativo composto por mais de 300 lâminas de conteúdo educacional inclusivo, foram selecionadas 14 texturas para identificar sua natureza, propriedades psicofísicas e características morfológicas a partir de sua composição geométrica. O objetivo foi gerar as bases teóricas e tecnológicas relacionadas ao design e à produção digital de mapas, imagens e gráficos táteis. O trabalho buscou tipificar as formas de relevo e suas possíveis aplicações pelo uso de padrões de repetição que permitam melhorar a linguagem e o reconhecimento das texturas envolvidas com o intuito de expandir e diversificar seu uso em material educativo inclusivo no ensino e na disseminação do conhecimento por meio do toque.

ABSTRACT: This article explores the textures that have been used in the development of thematic maps and images for children with visual impairment in Chile over the last 20 years. From a representative group of more than 300 sheets of inclusive educational content, 14 textures were selected to identify their nature, psychophysical properties and morphological characteristics based on their geometric composition. The aim was to generate the theoretical and technological grounds related to the design and digital production of tactile maps, images, and graphics. The work sought to typify the embossed shapes and their possible applications by using repetition patterns that allow to improve the language and recognition of the textures involved, with the intention of expanding and diversifying their use in inclusive educational material in the teaching and dissemination of knowledge through tact.