Computed tomography colonography (CTC) is a well-established technique for evaluation of colorectal cancer (CRC). Signiifcant advances have been made in the technique of CTC since its inception. Besides being an excellent tool for detection of CRC, it is minimally invasive, less time-consuming and well tolerated by patients. Furthermore, it has fewer complications than conventional colonoscopy (CC) or barium enema (BE). The application of new technologies, such as electronic cleansing (EC) and dual-energy CT (DECT), enriches the examination of CTC. In 2005, a standardized reporting scheme, CT colonography reporting and data system (C-RADS), was put forward by the working group on virtual colonoscopy. They proposed that the report should include lesion size, number, morphology, location, attenuation and recommendations for lesion surveillance. New research progress and clinical applications of CTC in CRC are reviewed in this article. In addition, the paper also brielfy touches upon technique, indications, contraindications, safety and risk of CTC.

Background and purpose:Tumor microenvironment plays an important role in the introduction of foreign factors that mediate tumor acquired resistance. The antitumor effects of many chemotherapeutic agents depend on the level of oxygen pressure (pO2) in tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to evaluate electron paramagnetic reso-nance (EPR)-based monitoring on an oxygen-enriched tumor microenvironment to increase chemotherapeutic sensitivity. Methods:MCF-7 cells were used to establish human breast cancer in nude mice. EPR was used to directly measure pO2 levelin vivo. Tumor tissues were collected, and mitochondrial activity was assayed on the basis of the kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. A laser Doppler monitor was used to detect regional blood flow. Tumor apoptotic rate was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results:The tumor volume decreased more evidently in the chemotherapy group with oxy-gen-enriched environment than that in the conventional chemotherapy group after the treatment was administered (P<0.01). After chemotherapy was completed, the apoptotic rate of tumor cells was significantly higher in the chemotherapy group with oxygen-enriched environment than that in the conventional chemotherapy group (P<0.001). This study examined the mechanism ofpO2 changes in tumor microenvironment: This was related to the change of the balance between the oxygen consumption and the regional blood flow in the tumor tissues after chemotherapy.Conclusion:Based on the characteristics ofpO2 changes in the tumor microenvironment after chemotherapy was completed, the selection of chemotherapy mode forthe treatment inpO2 peak time window improves the sensitivity of chemotherapy, which provides a new idea for individual-ized chemotherapy in clinical applications.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),and to establish a preoperative prediction model for MVI.Methods The clinical data of 159 patients with HCC from the First Hospital of Jilin University treated from January 2012 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 128 males and 31 females.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of factors influencing the presence of MVI in HCC patients were carried out.Independent risk factors were scored based on the β values of multivariate analysis.Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of the scores for the risk factor for MVI.Results Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age ≥ 60 years (OR=0.263,95％ CI:0.112 ～ 0.614),tumor diameter ≥5 cm (OR=3.902,95％ CI:1.784 ～ 8.583),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥ 1.83 (OR=2.414,95％ CI:1.065～5.472) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) ≥ 72.30 (OR =2.578,95％ CI:1.068～ 6.223) were the influencing factors of MVI in patients with HCC (P＜0.05).The preoperative prediction model of MVI was established using the MVI independent risk factor scores.The area under the ROC curve was 0.793 (95％ CI:0.723～ 0.862).The optimal cutoff value for the presence of MVI was 2.75 points,and the sensitivity was 0.72 and the specificity was 0.78.The MVI positive rates of patients with risk scores of 0 to 1.5,2.0 to 3.5,and 4.0 to 5.0 were 18.6％,42.9％,and 78.3％,respectively.Conclusion Age,tumor diameter,NLR,and PLR were independent factors influencing MVI in patients with HCC.The preoperative model based on the independent risk factor scores can be used to predict the presence of MVI in HCC patients.

The current focus of materials science and biomedical science research lies in two-dimensional(2D)MXenes materials,which possess an array of distinctive material attributes.These include superior optical characteristics,a high specific surface area,remarkable hydrophilicity,facile surface functionalization modification and impressive electrochemical properties.These features endow MXenes with vast application potential across multiple domains,particularly in the biomedical realm where advancements in tumor diagnosis and therapy have garnered significant research interest.These advancements primarily center on the enhancement of imaging technology and treatment methodologies.Notably,MXenes exhibit an array of unique physical and chemical properties,including remarkable fluorescence quenching capabilities,superior X-ray attenuation performance and highly efficient photothermal conversion.In the realm of diagnostic technologies,MXenes materials have emerged as a promising candidate for multimodal imaging,encompassing fluorescence imaging,photoacoustic imaging,computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).These materials,through their composite design,offer the potential to transcend the limitations of single-mode diagnostic techniques,thereby fostering innovative approaches in tumor imaging.Furthermore,MXenes exhibit exceptional characteristics as combination therapy materials,particularly in targeted drug delivery and optical therapy for tumor treatment.By harnessing the diverse physical and chemical properties of MXenes,personalized treatment strategies can be realized through precise drug delivery,thereby mitigating the toxic side effects associated with systemic chemotherapy.Currently,a pressing challenge in cancer research lies in the rational design and modification of MXenes probes that possess both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities.This article aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the latest advancements,opportunities and challenges associated with two-dimensional MXenes materials and their derivatives in the context of tumor diagnosis and treatment.Additionally,it delved into the material synthesis,surface modification and tumor imaging research conducted in this field.Furthermore,it examined the obstacles and limitations encountered in the utilization of MXenes in the present context.The research and development of MXenes materials were integral to nanotherapy,and their novel properties,biological effects and oncological application value were thoroughly analyzed,in order to offer more effective and safer therapeutic options for cancer patients.

Objective:To evaluate the value of ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of cystic biliary atresia (CBA) and choledochal cyst (CC) in infants.Methods:CBA or CC children <3 months of age diagnosed by surgery in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from 2015 to 2023 were collected, and the differences in general conditions and ultrasound manifestations between CBA group and CC group were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 55 children, 30 were in CBA group and 25 were in CC group. The mean length diameter and width diameter of cysts in the CBA group were about (1.45±1.05)cm and (1.04±0.73)cm, respectively, which were significantly smaller than those in the CC group (5.41±2.98)cm and (3.21±2.90)cm ( P<0.001). The incidence of fibrous plaque (50.0%, 15/30) and abnormal gallbladder morphology (73.3%, 22/30) in the CBA group was significantly higher than that in the CC group [4.0%(1/25) and 16.0%(4/25), respectively]. The incidence of intrahepatic biliary mud deposition (52.0%, 13/25) and intrahepatic biliary duct dilation (64.0%, 16/25) in the CC group was significantly higher than that in the CBA group [0, 3.3%(1/30), respectively]. Conclusions:There are some differences in ultrasonography between CBA and CC children. The length and width of cysts in children with CC are significantly larger than those in children with CBA, and biliary mud deposits or intrahepatic bile duct dilatation are seen in the cysts. The incidence of fibrous plaque and abnormal gallbladder morphology in CBA children is significantly higher than that in CC children.