Radiomics models of contrast-enhanced computed tomography for predicting the activity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The modified pancreatitis activity scoring system (mPASS) was proposed to assess the activity of acute pancreatitis (AP) while it doesn't include indicators that directly reflect pathophysiology processes and imaging characteristics. OBJECTIVES: To determine the threshold of admission mPASS and investigate radiomics and laboratory parameters to construct a model to predict the activity of AP. METHODS: AP inpatients at institution 1 were randomly divided into training and validation groups based on a 5:5 ratio. AP inpatients at Institution 2 were served as test group. The cutoff value of admission mPASS scores in predicting severe AP was selected to divide patients into high and low level of disease activity group. LASSO was used in screening features. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop radiomics model. Meaningful laboratory parameters were used to construct combined model. RESULTS: There were 234 (48 years ± 10, 155 men) and 101 (48 years ± 11, 69 men) patients in two institutions. The threshold of admission mPASS score was 112.5 in severe AP prediction. The AUC of the radiomics model was 0.79, 0.72, and 0.76 and that of the combined model incorporating rad-score and white blood cell were 0.84, 0.77, and 0.80 in three groups for activity prediction. The AUC of the combined model in predicting disease without remission was 0.74. CONCLUSIONS: The threshold of admission mPASS was 112.5 in predicting severe AP. The model based on CECT radiomics has the ability to predict AP activity. Its ability to predict disease without remission is comparable to mPASS. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This work is the first attempt to assess the activity of acute pancreatitis using contrast-enhanced CT radiomics and laboratory parameters. The model provides a new method to predict the activity and prognosis of AP, which could contribute to further management. KEY POINTS: Radiomics features and laboratory parameters are associated with the activity of acute pancreatitis. The combined model provides a new method to predict the activity and prognosis of AP. The ability of the combined model is comparable to the modified Pancreatitis Activity Scoring System.

Comparison of the imaging and clinical characteristics between Initial and Recurrent Alcoholic Acute Pancreatitis: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

MATERIALS: Patients with alcoholic acute pancreatitis in our hospital were recruited from Jan 2019 to July 2022 and divided into IAAP and RAAP groups. All patients underwent Contrast-Enhanced Computerized Tomography (CECT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) after administration. Imaging manifestations, local complications, severity scores on the Modified CT/MR Severity Index (MCTSI/MMRSI), Extrapancreatic Inflammation on CT/MR (EPIC/M), clinical severity [Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE-II)], and clinical prognosis were compared between the two groups.Results: 166 patients were recruited for this study, including 134 IAAP (male sex 94%) and 32 RAAP patients (male sex 100%). On CECT or MRI, IAAP patients were more likely to develop ascites and Acute Necrosis collection (ANC) than RAAP patients (ascites:87.3%vs56.2%; P = .01; ANC:38%vs18.7%; P < .05). MCTSI/MMRSI and EPIC/M scores were higher in IAAP than in RAAP patients(MCTSI/MMRSI:6.2vs5.2; P < .05; EPIC/M:5.4vs3.8; P < .05).Clinical severity scores (APACHE-II and BISAP), length of stay, and systemic complications [Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), respiratory failure] were higher in the IAAP group than in the RAAP group (P < .05). No mortality outcomes were reported in either group while hospitalized.Conclusions: Patients with IAAP had more severe disease than those with RAAP. These results may be helpful for differentiating care paths for IAAP and RAAP, which are essential for management and timely treatment in clinical practice.

Limbal niche cells can reduce the angiogenic potential of cultivated oral mucosal epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET) is an important treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency. However, peripheral corneal neovascularization after surgery hinders its application. This study aims to employ a culture system using allogenic limbal niche cells (LNCs) instead of mouse-derived 3T3 cells as a feeder layer that could relieve postoperative neovascularization. METHODS: Rat oral mucosal epithelial cells (OMECs) were co-cultured with rat LNCs or 3T3 cells. Cultivated oral mucosal epithelial cells (COMECs) of different culture systems were identified by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunocytochemistry. The expression levels of the angiogenesis-related factors were analyzed by RT-qPCR and western blotting/ELISA. Angiogenic potential was reconfirmed by cell viability and tube formation assays with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS: COMECs were obtained from both culture systems successfully. Immunocytochemistry showed approximately equal percentages of positive staining cells for p63α (p = 0.9177), ABCG2 (p = 0.526), Ki67 (p = 0.0987), and CK3 (p = 0.4000) in COMECs of different groups. RT-qPCR and western blotting/ELISA showed that COMECs of the LNC group expressed a significantly lower amount of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (p = 0.0038 for RT-qPCR, p = 0.0026 for western blotting) but more pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) (p = 0.0172 for RT-qPCR, p = 0.0253 for western blotting) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) (p < 0.0001 for RT-qPCR, p = 0.0064 for ELISA) than the COMECs of the 3T3 group. Furthermore, compared with COMECs of the 3T3 group, COMECs of the LNC group could reduce the viability (p = 0.0002) and tube formation (p = 0.0002) of HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS: LNCs could substitute 3T3 cells for expanding OMECs in vitro, and the COMECs obtained in this system are less likely to induce postsurgical neovascularization, which provides an alternative option for an ex vivo culture system and promotes the application of COMET.

[Prevalence and molecular characterization of Giardia lamblia isolates from goats in Anhui Province].

Five hundred and six fresh fecal samples were collected from Lu'an, Fuyang, Suzhou, Chizhou, Wuhu, Chuzhou and Bozhou in Anhui Province, and detected firstly by direct smear microscopy. The microscopy-positive samples were amplified by nested PCR targeting the triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) and glutamate dehydrogenase(GDH) genes. The positive PCR products were sequenced in both directions. The sequences were analyzed by ClustalX 1.81 for sequence alignment and the neighbor-joining trees were constructed by Mega 5.05. Thirty-two out of 506 fecal specimens were diagnosed as Giardia-positive by microscopy with an infection rate of 6.3%. 23 and 16 of the samples were typed as assemblage E by the TPI (530 bp) and GDH (450 bp) genes, respectively. These findings indicated that there was a different distribution of subtypes of assemblage E in different areas. The zoonosis genotypes such as assemblage A or B was not found in the present study.

[Power view of transmission of channels and collaterals].

OBJECTIVE: To describe physiology of channels and circulation of qi and blood from the point of view of mechanics. METHODS: The equation of no compressive normal Newtonian fluid electric osmotic motion are solved by using numerical value method. RESULTS: The results of numerical value calculation show that the flow rate of fluid of channel lines is confirm to the migration velocity of middle-small molecules in literature. When the osmotic coefficient of blood vessel wall and blood pressure of the end of artery changes, the flow rate of qi will correspondingly change, which is confirm with the physiologic reaction at acupuncture. If the static pressure of the channel lines and the inflow condition are changed, it can explain the theory of qi stagnation and blood stasis, and flow of qi inducing blood circulation. CONCLUSION: By using the equation of electric osmotic flow, the theory of traditional Chinese medicine can be explained, which is conducive to understanding the conduction phenomena of electric wave and electric current of channels and collaterals.