Deep Segmentation Feature-Based Radiomics Improves Recurrence Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective and Impact Statement.This study developed and validated a deep semantic segmentation feature-based radiomics(DSFR)model based on preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CECT)combined with clinical information to predict early recurrence(ER)of single hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after curative resection.ER prediction is of great significance to the therapeutic decision-making and surveillance strategy of HCC.Introduction.ER prediction is important for HCC.However,it cannot currently be adequately determined.Methods.Totally,208 patients with single HCC after curative resection were retrospectively recruited into a model-development cohort(n=180)and an independent validation cohort(n=28).DSFR models based on different CT phases were developed.The optimal DSFR model was incorporated with clinical information to establish a DSFR-C model.An integrated nomogram based on the Cox regression was established.The DSFR signature was used to stratify high-and low-risk ER groups.Results.A portal phase-based DSFR model was selected as the optimal model(area under receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC):development cohort,0.740;validation cohort,0.717).The DSFR-C model achieved AUCs of 0.782 and 0.744 in the development and validation cohorts,respectively.In the development and validation cohorts,the integrated nomogram achieved C-index of 0.748 and 0.741 and time-dependent AUCs of 0.823 and 0.822,respectively,for recurrence-free survival(RFS)prediction.The RFS difference between the risk groups was statistically significant(P<0.0001 and P=0.045 in the development and validation cohorts,respectively).Conclusion.CECT-based DSFR can predict ER in single HCC after curative resection,and its combination with clinical information further improved the performance for ER prediction.

Aerodynamic configuration integration design of hypersonic cruise aircraft with inward-turning inlets

In this work, a novel airframe/propulsion integration design method of the wing-body configuration for hypersonic cruise aircraft is proposed, where the configuration is integrated with inward-turning inlets. With the help of this method, the major design concern of balancing the aerodynamic performance against the requirements for efficient propulsion can be well addressed. A novel geometric parametrically modelling method based on a combination of patched class and shape transition（CST） and COONs surface is proposed to represent the configuration, especially a complex configuration with an irregular inlet lip shape. The modelling method enlarges the design space of components on the premise of guaranteeing the configuration integrity via special constraints imposed on the interface across adjacent surfaces. A basic flow inside a cone shaped by a dual-inflection-point generatrix is optimized to generate the inward-turning inlet with improvements of both compression efficiency and flow uniformity. The performance improvement mechanism of this basic flow is the compression velocity variation induced by the variation of the generatrix slope along the flow path. At the design point, numerical simulation results show that the lift-to-drag ratio of the configuration is as high as 5.2 and the inlet works well with a high level of compression efficiency and flow uniformity. The design result also has a good performance on off-design conditions. The achievement of all the design targets turns out that the integration design method proposed in this paper is efficient and practical.

Relationship of Microchannels and Plaque Erosion in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study

Objective:Microchannels are associated with the progression of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques.However,in patients with culprit optical coherence tomography(OCT)-defined plaque erosion,the knowledge of microchannels and culprit lesion vulnerability is limited.The aim of this study was to investigate culprit lesion characteristics in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction(STEMI)caused by plaque erosion with and without microchannels using OCT.Methods:In all,348 STEMI patients with plaque erosion who underwent OCT of the culprit lesion at the 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University(Harbin,China)from August 2014 to December 2017 were included and divided into the microchannel group(n=116,33.3%)and no-microchannel group(n=232,66.7%).The clinical characteristics and OCT-derived plaque features were compared between both groups.Results:Among the 348 STEMI patients with plaque erosion,culprit lesions with microchannels had higher incidence of lipid plaque(59.5%vs.45.3%,P=0.012);calcification(41.4%vs.24.6%,P=0.002);spotty calcification(30.2%vs.18.1%,P=0.014);macrophages accumulation(72.4%vs.45.7%,P<0.001);and cholesterol crystals(32.8%vs.14.2%,P<0.001)than those without microchannels.In addition,minimal lumen area was smaller((1.9±0.9)mm2 vs.(2.8±2.3)mm2,P<0.001)and lumen area stenosis was greater((71.3%±13.4%)vs.(65.3%±19.3%),P=0.001)in the microchannel group than in the no-microchannel group.Conclusion:In patients with STEMI caused by plaque erosion,one-third manifested typical microchannel characteristics,and those with microchannels were associated with more severe luminal stenosis and more vulnerable plaque features than those without microchannels.