Weiqun Ao

Dr. Weiqun Ao


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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16 September 2024 in Academic Radiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
XYXiuzhen Yao
Xiuzhen Yao
SDShuitang Deng
Shuitang Deng
XHXiaoyu Han
Xiaoyu Han
DHDanjiang Huang
Danjiang Huang
ZCZhengyu Cao
Zhengyu Cao
WAWeiqun Ao
Weiqun Ao

8 July 2023 in BMC Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SDShuitang Deng
Shuitang Deng
JDJingfeng Ding
Jingfeng Ding
HWHui Wang
Hui Wang
GMGuoqun Mao
Guoqun Mao
JSJing Sun
Jing Sun
WAWeiqun Ao
Weiqun Ao
Background: To explore the value of a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based deep learning model for the preoperative prediction of Ki67 expression in prostate cancer (PCa). Materials: The data of 229 patients with PCa from two centers were retrospectively analyzed and divided into training, internal validation, and external validation sets. Deep learning features were extracted and selected from each patient’s prostate multiparametric MRI (diffusion-weighted imaging, T2-weighted imaging, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging sequences) data to establish a deep radiomic signature and construct models for the preoperative prediction of Ki67 expression. Independent predictive risk factors were identified and incorporated into a clinical model, and the clinical and deep learning models were combined to obtain a joint model. The predictive performance of multiple deep-learning models was then evaluated. Results: Seven prediction models were constructed: one clinical model, three deep learning models (the DLRS-Resnet, DLRS-Inception, and DLRS-Densenet models), and three joint models (the Nomogram-Resnet, Nomogram-Inception, and Nomogram-Densenet models). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the clinical model in the testing, internal validation, and external validation sets were 0.794, 0.711, and 0.75, respectively. The AUCs of the deep models and joint models ranged from 0.939 to 0.993. The DeLong test revealed that the predictive performance of the deep learning models and the joint models was superior to that of the clinical model (p < 0.01). The predictive performance of the DLRS-Resnet model was inferior to that of the Nomogram-Resnet model (p < 0.01), whereas the predictive performance of the remaining deep learning models and joint models did not differ significantly. Conclusion: The multiple easy-to-use deep learning–based models for predicting Ki67 expression in PCa developed in this study can help physicians obtain more detailed prognostic data before a patient undergoes surgery.

26 February 2024 in Abdominal Radiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
XYXiuzhen Yao
Xiuzhen Yao
XZXiandi Zhu
Xiandi Zhu
SDShuitang Deng
Shuitang Deng
SZSizheng Zhu
Sizheng Zhu
GMGuoqun Mao
Guoqun Mao
WAWeiqun Ao
Weiqun Ao

25 January 2022 in European Journal of Medical Research
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HSHengfeng Shi
Hengfeng Shi
ZXZhihua Xu
Zhihua Xu
GCGuohua Cheng
Guohua Cheng
Hongli JiHongli Ji
Hongli Ji
LHLinyang He
Linyang He
JWJian Wang
Jian Wang
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic now, and the severity of COVID-19 determines the management, treatment, and even prognosis. We aim to develop and validate a radiomics nomogram for identifying patients with severe COVID-19. Methods: There were 156 and 104 patients with COVID-19 enrolled in primary and validation cohorts, respectively. Radiomics features were extracted from chest CT images. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was used for feature selection and radiomics signature building. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to develop a predictive model, and the radiomics signature, abnormal WBC counts, and comorbidity were incorporated and presented as a radiomics nomogram. The performance of the nomogram was assessed through its calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness. Results: The radiomics signature consisting of four selected features was significantly associated with clinical condition of patients with COVID-19 in the primary and validation cohorts (P < 0.001). The radiomics nomogram including radiomics signature, comorbidity and abnormal WBC counts showed good discrimination of severe COVID-19, with an AUC of 0.972, and good calibration in the primary cohort. Application of the nomogram in the validation cohort still gave good discrimination with an AUC of 0.978 and good calibration. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the radiomics nomogram was clinically useful to identify the severe COVID-19. Conclusion: We present an easy-to-use radiomics nomogram to identify the patients with severe COVID-19 for better guiding a prompt management and treatment.

28 November 2019 in World Journal of Gastroenterology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
JWJian Wang
Jian Wang
FYFang Yang
Fang Yang
WAWeiqun Ao
Weiqun Ao
CLChang Liu
Chang Liu
WZWenming Zhang
Wenming Zhang
FXFang-Yi Xu
Fang-Yi Xu
Most melanomas identified in the stomach are metastatic; primary gastric melanoma (PGM) is extremely rare, and the relevant studies are relatively scarce. PGM may be incorrectly diagnosed as other gastric malignant tumor types. We describe a rare case of PGM confirmed through long-term clinical observation and pathological diagnosis. A 67-year-old woman presented to our hospital with recurrent chest tightness and chest pain. Digital gastrointestinal radiography revealed a circular shadow in the gastric cardia. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a heterogeneous tumor with uneven enhancement. Enlarged lymph nodes were noted in the lesser curvature of the stomach. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T1- and T2-weighted imaging revealed hyperintensity in and hypointensity in the tumor, respectively, both of which increased substantially after uneven enhancement. Near total gastrectomy was performed, and the tumor was pathologically confirmed to be a gastric melanoma. Because no other possible primary site of malignant melanoma was suspected, a clinical diagnosis of PGM was made. The patient was followed for nearly 5 years, during which she received CT reexamination, but no recurrence or metastasis was observed. Certain imaging characteristics could be revealed in PGM. Imaging examination can be of great value in preoperative diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and follow-up of patients with PGM.

25 June 2021 in BMC Infectious Diseases
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZXZongyu Xie
Zongyu Xie
HSHaitao Sun
Haitao Sun
JWJian Wang
Jian Wang
HXHe Xu
He Xu
SLShuhua Li
Shuhua Li
WAWeiqun Ao
Weiqun Ao
Background Convenient and precise assessment of the severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) contributes to the timely patient treatment and prognosis improvement. We aimed to evaluate the ability of CT-based radiomics nomogram in discriminating the severity of patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia. Methods A total of 150 patients (training cohort n = 105; test cohort n = 45) with COVID-19 confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test were enrolled. Two feature selection methods, Max-Relevance and Min-Redundancy (mRMR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), were used to extract features from CT images and construct model. A total of 30 radiomic features were finally retained. Rad-score was calculated by summing the selected features weighted by their coefficients. The radiomics nomogram incorporating clinical-radiological features was eventually constructed by multivariate regression analysis. Nomogram, calibration, and decision-curve analysis were all assessed. Results In both cohorts, 40 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were severe and 110 patients were non-severe. By combining the 30 radiomic features extracted from CT images, the radiomics signature showed high discrimination between severe and non-severe patients in the training set [Area Under the Curve (AUC), 0.857; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.775–0.918] and the test set (AUC, 0.867; 95% CI, 0.732–949). The final combined model that integrated age, comorbidity, CT scores, number of lesions, ground glass opacity (GGO) with consolidation, and radiomics signature, improved the AUC to 0.952 in the training cohort and 0.98 in the test cohort. The nomogram based on the combined model similarly exhibited excellent discrimination performance in both training and test cohorts. Conclusions The developed model based on a radiomics signature derived from CT images can be a reliable marker for discriminating the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia.