CloudBrain-MRS: An intelligent cloud computing platform for in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy preprocessing, quantification, and analysis.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an important clinical imaging method for diagnosis of diseases. MRS spectrum is used to observe the signal intensity of metabolites or further infer their concentrations. Although the magnetic resonance vendors commonly provide basic functions of spectrum plots and metabolite quantification, the spread of clinical research of MRS is still limited due to the lack of easy-to-use processing software or platform. To address this issue, we have developed CloudBrain-MRS, a cloud-based online platform that provides powerful hardware and advanced algorithms. The platform can be accessed simply through a web browser, without the need of any program installation on the user side. CloudBrain-MRS also integrates the classic LCModel and advanced artificial intelligence algorithms and supports batch preprocessing, quantification, and analysis of MRS data from different vendors. Additionally, the platform offers useful functions: (1) Automatically statistical analysis to find biomarkers for diseases; (2) Consistency verification between the classic and artificial intelligence quantification algorithms; (3) Colorful three-dimensional visualization for easy observation of individual metabolite spectrum. Last, data of both healthy subjects and patients with mild cognitive impairment are used to demonstrate the functions of the platform. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first cloud computing platform for in vivo MRS with artificial intelligence processing. We have shared our cloud platform at MRSHub, providing at least two years of free access and service. If you are interested, please visit https://mrshub.org/software_all/#CloudBrain-MRS or https://csrc.xmu.edu.cn/CloudBrain.html.

Comparison of thromboelastography and routine coagulation tests for evaluation of blood coagulation function in patients / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation and consistency between thromboelastography(TEG) and routine coagulation tests, and to evaluate the value of the two methods in determining the blood coagulation of patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The TEG, routine coagulation tests and platelet counts of 182 patients from the Intensive Care Unit(ICU) and Department of Gastroenterology in our hospital from January to September 2014 were performed and analyzed retrospectively for their correlation, Kappa identity test analysis and chi-square test, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of both methods in the patients with bleeding were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The TEG R time and PT, R time and APTT showed a linear dependence (P<0.01). The relationship between the TEG K value, α-Angle, MA and Fibrinogen showed a linear dependence (P<0.001). And the relationship between the TEG K value, α-Angle, MA and the platelet count were in a linear dependent way (P<0.001). The Kappa values of the TEG R time with PT and APTT were 0.038 (P>0.05) and 0.061 (P>0.05), respectively. The chi-square test values of the TEG R time with PT and APTT were 35.309 (P<0.001) and 15.848 (P<0.001), respectively. The Fibrinogen and the TEG K value, α-Angle, MA value had statistical significance (P<0.001), with a Kappa value of 0.323, 0.288 and 0.427, respectively. The chi-square test values between Fibrinogen and the TEG K value, α-Angle, MA value were not statistically significant, with X2=1.091 (P=0.296), X2=1.361 (P=0.243), X2=0.108 (P=0.742). The Kappa values of the platelet count and the TEG K value, α-Angle, MA value were 0.379, 0.208 and 0.352, respectively, which were also statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The chi-square test values between the platelet count and the TEG K value, α-Angle, MA value showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001), with X2=37.5, X2=37.23, X2=26.630. The diagnostic sensitivity of the two methods for the patients with bleeding was less than 50%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There was a significant correlation between some TEG parameters and routine coagulation tests, but the consistency is weak. Moreover, the diagnostic sensitivity of two methods in the patients with bleeding is low. It was concluded that the TEG cannot replace the conventional coagulation tests, and the preferable method remains uncertain which could reflect the risk of bleeding.</p>

Features of Computed Tomography Perfusion of Mediastinal Lymphadenopathies: a Pathology-based Retrospective Study / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the features of various mediastinal lymphadenopathies using computed tomography perfusion (CTP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CTP parameters (CTPs) of the selected mediastinal nodes from 59 patients with pathology-proven malignant lymph nodes and of those from 29 patients with clinically diagnosed or pathology-proven inflammatory lymphadenopathies were collected. Patients were divided into subgroups by etiology and phase of primary disease, including different pathological malignant nodes and diverse inflammatory nodes. CTPs were defined as blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), permeability (PMB), and time to peak (TTP). Differences of CTPs were compared between malignant and benign nodes, and among subgroups, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the mediastinum, no significant differences of CTPs were found between malignant and benign groups (all P>0.05), the same for subgroups of malignant nodes (all P>0.05). Acute lymphadenitis had higher BF and BV than chronic inflammatory, lymphoid tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and malignant nodes. The BF of malignant nodes was markedly slower than that of acute lymphadenitis (P=0.01), but faster than chronic inflammatory nodes (P=0.04) and sarcoidosis (P=0.03), with no significant difference compared with lymphoid tuberculosis. Pneumonia-complicated lymphoid tuberculosis showed the longest MTT while sarcoidosis displayed the shortest MTT, and inflammatory nodes, lymphoid tuberculosis without complicated pneumonia and malignant nodes had moderate MTT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CTPs show promising potential in distinguishing various lymphadenopathies in the mediastinum, but more studies are needed to improve their specificity.</p>