Purpose To explore the reason which resulted in the flow-empty area in carotid artery, establishing a logistic regression model of carotid artery by power Doppler ultrasound, screening the risk factors of the occurrence of this phenomenon and analyzing their reasons. Materials and Methods Clinical data of 172 male subjects who had undergone power Doppler ultrasound were analyzed retrospectively, whether there was flow-empty area at the edge of carotid artery lumen during diastole was observed, brachial artery systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and pressure difference, carotid artery intima media thickness, and the existence of atherosclerotic plaques was measured, the age, body mass index (BMI), blood glucose, blood lipid, history of smoking and cerebrovascular accident situation was collected to establish the logistic model to analyze the risk factors resulted in flow-empty area. Results Among the 172 patients, intima media thickened in 89 cases, systolic blood pressure increased in 97 cases, diastolic blood pressure increased in 7 cases, the pulse pressure increased in 90 cases, with the age of 65 years or older in 92 cases, atherosclerotic plaque formation in 84 cases, long smoking history in 63 cases, cerebral vascular accident history in 11 cases, diabetes mellitus in 79 cases, hyperlipidemia in 101 cases, and abnormal BMI in 13 cases. Doppler energy imaging showed flow-empty area wave type in 98 cases, no flow-empty area wave type in 74 cases. 5 statistically significant variables for the occurrence of flow-empty area in carotid artery lumen during diastole were selected using logistic regression, which were carotid artery intima media thickness, BASP, the pressure difference of brachial artery, existence of atherosclerotic plaque, and the age of patients (OR=50.643, 47.248, 29.426, 32.667 and 20.514, P<0.05). Conclusion The risk factors resulted in flow-empty area in carotid artery are increased IMT, systolic BP and pressure difference, existence of atherosclerotic plaque and the age of 65 years or older. The flow-empty area provides hemodynamic information for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis, and it also plays a helping role in evaluating the degree of arteriosclerosis.

Tumor metastasis is a complicated process with multiple steps, and liver metastasis is the most common metastatic mode of colorectal cancer. Deep understanding and study of metastatic mechanism helps to find solutions for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Recent studies have shown that microRNA are involved in tumor metastasis and recurrence, and studies on microRNA associated with colorectal cancer liver metastasis can provide new thoughts for the development and progression, diagnosis and treatment, and prognosis of the disease. This article summarizes the research advances in microRNA associated with colorectal cancer liver metastasis and reviews the biological function and molecular mechanism of microRNA, which suggests that microRNA have a vital significance in the field of tumor metastasis, especially colorectal cancer liver metastasis.

Objective: To observe the hemodynamic change characteristics of left ventricle and evaluate left ventricular systolic function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) via vector flow mapping(VFM). Methods: Sixty-two patients with CHF(CHF group) were selected as case group and were divided into three groups (B, C, D) according to the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA ) recommended stages.Sixty healthy volunteers were selected as control group. The left ventricular circulation parameters (vortex quantity, vortex area, circulation) and energy loss (EL) of the apex, mid, and basal segments in different groups were compared in all the systolic phases. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated by biplane Simpson method, and the correlation was analyzed with the parameters of circulation and EL. Results: ①In the phase of isovolumetric contraction (IVC) and slow ejection (SE), compared with the control group, the levels of EL were increased in mid and basal segments (P<0.01 or P<0.05) in CHF group. The vortex area and circulation during IVC and rapid ejection (RE) were higher in CHF group than those in the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). As for SE, only vortex quantity was higher in CHF group than that in the control group (P<0.05). ②In CHF group, EL were increased at stage B and stage C than those in the control group (P<0.05), and EL were decreased at stage D than those in the control group ( P<0.05). Meanwhile, there was decreased tendency of EL in CHF group with the increase of ACC/AHA stages. ③The circulation during IVC of phase D was higher in CHF group than that in the control group (P<0.05), the vortex area during RE was greater in CHF group than that of the control group and stage B (P<0.05). ④EL was positively correlated with LVEF at basal segment of IVC(r=0.615, P<0.001). The vortex area during RE, circulation during IVC and RE were negtively correlated with LVEF (r=-0.598, -0.594, -0.623; all P<0.001). Conclusions VFM technology can quantify the left ventricular hemodynamic changes of patients with CHF in the systolic phase, and shows its relationship with left ventricular systolic function, to provide objective basis for grading of CHF and also provide objective quantitative indicators for clinical treatment and curative effect evaluation.

Objective To analyze the mutations of SLC12A1 gene in nine Chinese families with Bartter syndrome type I (BS1),and analyze the relationship between genotype and phenotype.Methods The next generation sequencing was used to detect mutations in nine BS1 patients including eight with antenatal BS (aBS) and one with classical BS (cBS).Clinical characteristics and biochemical findings at the first admission as well as follow-up were reviewed.Results 15 different mutations of SLC12A1 gene were identified,including 11 novel ones.Among nine probands,seven were compound heterozygotes,two were homozygotes.All patients presented with polydipsia and polyuria,and eight with growth retardation.All patients had lower than-normal serum chloride concentration,metabolic alkalosis,and elevated basal renin activity and aldosterone,and seven had hypokalemia.Through treatment of indomethacin and/or potassium chloride,biochemical indicators could roughly restored normal.Conclusion These findings will enrich the human gene mutation database (HGMD) and provide valuable references to the genetic counseling and diagnosis for Chinese population.

Objective To compare the diagnostic performances of two elastography techniques, virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ) and virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ), in differentiating between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Methods A total of 182 patients with 186 nodules evaluated by VTQ and VTIQ were enrolled in this study. Shear wave velocities (SWV) of benign and malignant nodules were measured and compared between different groups by t test . The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to assess the value of VTIQ and VTQ in differentiating benign and malignant nodules. And the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of VTIQ and VTQ were calculated. According to areas under the curve (AUC), the diagnostic values of these two elastography techniques for thyroid nodules′ qualitative diagnosis were compared by Z test. Results In pathology, 104 thyroid nodules were benign and 82 were malignant. AUC of VTIQ SWV mean, VTIQ SWV median, VTQ SWV mean, VTQ SWV median were 0.848, 0.790, 0.759, 0.717, respectively. In the VTIQ and VTQ techniques, the SWV mean had higher diagnostic efficacy than the SWV median (VTIQ techniques: Z=2.104, P=0.0354; VTQ techniques: Z=2.190, P=0.0285). There were statistical differences in the diagnosis performance between VTIQ SWV mean and VTQ SWV mean (Z =2.115, P=0.0344). The VTIQ SWV mean value in the nodule had the best diagnostic value in comparison with other SWV values. The cut-off value of VTIQ SWV mean was 2.91 m/s. According to ROC curve analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV for VTIQ SWV mean were 72.12%, 87.80%, 79.03%, 88.24%, 71.29%, respectively. Conclusions The results demonstrated that VTQ and VTIQ have good diagnostic performance on distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules. VTIQ SWV mean shows a better diagnostic performance than VTQ SWV mean.

Objective To investigate the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the perioperative period of patients with fracture distal to the knee,so that clinicians have a better understanding of the occurrence of DVT in the perioperative period of the fracture distal to the knee.Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 365 patients with distal knee fractures who underwent surgery in the Department of Orthopaedics Trauma,Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College Red Cross Hospital from June 2014 to March 2018 was conducted.There were 213 males and 152 females,aged (45.05 ± 15.24) years,with an age range of 17-83 years.Classification of fracture sites:177 cases of tibiofibular shaft fracture,130 cases of ankle fracture,and 58 cases of foot fracture.According to whether thrombosis occurred or not,the patients were divided into thrombotic group and non-thrombotic group before and after operation.There were 66 patients with thrombosis before operation,299 patients without thrombosis before operation,88 patients with thrombosis after operation,and 277 patients without thrombosis after operation.The incidence of thrombosis and the location of the thrombus were recorded.The sex,age,fracture site,ASA score,operation time,the time from injury to admission,the time from injury to surgery,intraoperative tourniquet time,intraoperative blood transfusion volume,intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative transfusion volume,hemoglobin volume at admission and 1 day after operation,D-dimer level at admission and 1 day after operation,multiple injuries,chronic hepatitis and medical diseases were analyzed.The measuremernt data of normal distribution and homogeneity of variance were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (Mean ± SD),the t test was used for comparison between two groups.The comparison of count data was performed by x2 test or Fisher exact probability method,and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the risk factors affecting the occurrence of DVT in both lower extremities.Results The preoperative DVT rate was 18.1％ (66/365).In patients with thrombosis,distal thrombosis accounted for 93.94％ (62/66),and mixed thrombosis accounted for 6.06％ (4/66).The incidence of postoperative DVT was 24.1％ (88/365).In patients with thrombosis,distal thrombosis accounted for 94.32％ (83/88),proximal thrombosis accounted for 1.14％ (1/88),and mixed thrombus accounted for 4.55％ (4/88).Fracture site,ASA score,operation time,intraoperative tourniquet time,intraoperative blood transfusion volume,intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative transfusion volume were not statistically significant(P ＞0.05).Age ≥ 40 years (OR =2.691,95％ CI:1.422-5.093,P =0.002),the time from injury to admission ＞ 3 days (OR =1.927,95 ％ CI:1.072-3.463,P =0.028)were independent risk factors for DVT formation in fracture distal to the knee before operation.Age ≥ 40 years (OR =3.925,95 ％ CI:2.161-7.129,P =0.000),the time from injury to surgery ＞ 5 days (OR =1.835,95 ％ CI:1.080-3.119,P =0.025),D-dimer level at 1 day after operation (OR =1.191,95％ CI:1.096-1.293,P =0.000),combined with multiple injuries (OR =1.981,95％ CI:1.006-3.902,P =0.048),combined with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (OR =2.692,95％ CI:1.112-6.517,P =0.028) were independent risk factor for DVT formation after operation for fracture distal to the knee.Conclusions The occurrence of DVT before and after the fracture of the knee is mainly caused by distal thrombosis,and proximal thrombosis also occurs.Those patients aged≥40 years,combined with multiple injuries and coronary heart disease,should focus on preventing the occurrence of DVT.After the injury,the patient is immediately admitted to the hospital for DVT screening,and when the general condition allowed,shortening the preoperative waiting time can reduce the occurrence of DVT.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and safety of long-distance urological nephrotomy with the support of 5G communication technology by using the domestic robot.Methods:Clinical data of the patients with remote robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, which were completed from March to April 2021 by the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (as the host hospital where the main operating system located) were retrospectively analyzed. There were 3 patients, including 2 males and 1 female.The average age was 61 (49-73) years, and the average body mass index was 23.73 (20.00-27.76) kg/m 2. One patient had a ASA classification of grade 2, and the other 2 patients had grade 3. All patients met the surgical criteria for non-functional nephrectomy. The chief surgeon who performing the telesurgery was located at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. The surgeon remotely controlled the bedside operating system (slave system) in 3 local hospitals located in other cities in Shandong Province (network communication distances of 82.5, 141 and 229 km, respectively) by manipulating the master system located in Qingdao. Images and operating instructions during surgery were transmitted using 5G wireless communication technology. Intraoperative network conditions, robot operation, and patient perioperative data were summarized. Results:All 3 tele-nephrectomies were successfully completed. The average network signal latency time was 27.3 (23-30) ms, with no packet loss, and the average total latency time was 177.3(173-180) ms. The mean resection time was 79.3 (52-111) min, and the average intraoperative blood loss was 31.1 (15.6-41.9) ml. There were no network related adverse events occurred during the operation, and the robot-related adverse events occured 3 times, all three of which were characterized by inconsistent master and slave movements of the manipulator arm and the bedside robotic arm. None of these adverse events affected the successful performance of the telesurgery. The mean postoperative exhaust time was 60.5 (38.5-78.0) h. The mean postoperative VAS score at 24 hours was 3.7 (3-4). The Clavien-Dindo classification were all grade I. No significant abnormality was found on the 30th day after surgery, and the patients recovered well at the follow-up until 6 months postoperatively.Conclusions:It is safe and feasible to perform remote robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy based on 5G communication technology with no serious adverse events or surgical complications.However, the conclusion needs to be further verified by large sample and multi-center prospective study.