Objectives: To investigate the impact of deep learning (DL) on radiologists’ detection accuracy and reading efficiency of rib fractures on CT. Methods: Blunt chest trauma patients (n = 198) undergoing thin-slice CT were enrolled. Images were read by two radiologists (R1, R2) in three sessions: S1, unassisted reading; S2, assisted by DL as the concurrent reader; S3, DL as the second reader. The fractures detected by the readers and total reading time were documented. The reference standard for rib fractures was established by an expert panel. The sensitivity and false-positives per scan were calculated and compared among S1, S2, and S3. Results: The reference standard identified 865 fractures on 713 ribs (102 patients) The sensitivity of S1, S2, and S3 was 82.8, 88.9, and 88.7% for R1, and 83.9, 88.7, and 88.8% for R2, respectively. The sensitivity of S2 and S3 was significantly higher compared to S1 for both readers (all p < 0.05). The sensitivity between S2 and S3 did not differ significantly (both p > 0.9). The false-positive per scan had no difference between sessions for R1 (p = 0.24) but was lower for S2 and S3 than S1 for R2 (both p < 0.05). Reading time decreased by 36% (R1) and 34% (R2) in S2 compared to S1. Conclusions: Using DL as a concurrent reader can improve the detection accuracy and reading efficiency for rib fracture. Advances in knowledge: DL can be integrated into the radiology workflow to improve the accuracy and reading efficiency of CT rib fracture detection.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most peculiar head and neck cancer given that its geographic and ethnic distribution varies distinctly. The dynamic interplay of multifactorial aetiology, including Epstein-Barr virus infection, environmental carcinogens and genetic predisposition are considered as the major players in its aetiology. 1,2 Although to a large degree, more precise approaches of imaging and radiotherapy aid in achieving the successful local control of NPC, however, distant metastases remained challenging for NPC treatment. 3 Various long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) involve in regulating apoptosis of NPC 4 revealing lncRNAs as promising diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets of NPC. Moreover, LncRNAs have been widely reported to modulate the tumour initiation, growth and metastasis as they can regulate the chromatin organization, transcription and post-transcription by interacting with protein molecules, DNA and RNA. 5 Particularly, lncRNA maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) has been reported as an imprinted

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Background: Spinal cord ischaemia animal models were established by selective ligation of the lumbar artery in a craniocaudal direction between the renal artery and the aortic bifurcation. Transcranial electrical stimulation motorevoked potentials were measured to enable their use in future studies on spinal cord ischaemia protection. Methods: Thirty-three New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups. Transcranial electrical stimulation motor-evoked potentials were recorded before vascular ligation, 30 min after vascular ligation, and 2 days after vascular ligation. Motor functions were assessed after surgery and 2 days after vascular ligation. The specimens were taken 2 days after ligation for histopathologic observation.Results: With increased numbers of ligations, a transient extension of the latency became clear, but there were no significant differences in the statistical analysis. Analysis of variance after ligation at the same time in each group and t tests before and after ligation (P > 0.05) were not significant. One or 2 ligations did not cause spinal cord ischaemic damage. There were no significant differences before and after ligation for the amplitude (P > 0.05). With increased numbers of ligations, the amplitude before and after ligation was gradually reduced in the 3-5 ligation groups (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Ligation of segmental spinal cord vessels on 1 or 2 levels did not cause ischaemic damage. Spinal cord ischaemia was observed after 3, 4, or 5 ligations. The amplitude was more sensitive to spinal cord ischaemia than latency. Spinal cord function can be predicted by early changes in the amplitude.