Objective To evaluate common carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) and elasticity using ultrasound radio-frequency data (RF-data) technology, the normal values of the related parameters were determined in healthy adults for their potential clinical applications.Methods One hundred and sixty healthy adults were included and divided into 4 age groups with 20 males and 20 females in each group.The quantitative parameters of common carotid arterial IMT, common carotid arterial distensibility (CD),local pulse wave velocity(PWVβ) and stiffness(β) were calculated automatically.The correlations that the IMT, PWVβ and β were correlated positively with aging and CD was correlated negatively with between IMT and PWVβ or β, while no correlation between IMT and CD.The positive correlation was found correlation between IMT and age ( P＜0.05) ;In 30～39 and 40～49 years old groups,PWVβ increased and CD decreased with aging;In 50～59 years old group,PWVβ and β increased with aging;But in 60～69 years these parameters changed with aging in subjects＜60 years old.Conclusions RF-data technology could quantitativly evaluate common carotid arterial IMT and elasticity, the normal values of the related parameters were determined with aging,it may be a promising modality to assess the arterial condition.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of ultrasonographic elastography for identifying suspected malignant thyroid nodules. Methods Fifty-one patients with small single solid thyroid nodule underwent two-dimensional and color power Doppler ultrasonography. The size, shape, boundary, internal echo and halo, calcification of thyroid nodule were observed with two-dimensional ultrasound. Then color Doppler ultrasonography was used to detect blood signal and distribution in the nodules. Longitudinal scanning of elastography was performed, and the findings on elastography were classified into Ⅰ-Ⅴ grades. The ultrasonographic results were compared with pathologic findings. Results Six patients were found with grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ benign lesions;9 with grade Ⅲ ( 6 benign and 3 malignant), 36 with Ⅳ and Ⅴ (2 benign and 34 malignant) lesions on ultrasonographic elastography. Taking the elasticity grade Ⅳ or Ⅴ as malignant standard, the diagnostic sensitivity was 91.89%, specificity was 85.71%, accuracy was 90.20%, while the positive and negative predictive value was 94.44% and 80.00%, respectively. Conclusion Real-time ultrasound elastography is a promising imaging technique that can assist in the differential diagnosis of malignant thyroid small single solid nodule.

Objective To observe the imaging features of primary lymphoma of bone (PLB) on MRI and PET, and to assess the value of MRI combined with PET for PLB. Methods Sixteen patients with pathologically confirmed PLB were collected, and the MRI and PET appearances were analyzed retrospectively. Results Single bone infiltration was detected in 15 patients (5 in femurs, 3 in vertebro, 3 in right iliums, 2 in tibias, 1 in radius and 1 in maxillae), while multiple bones infiltration were noticed in 1 patient (lesion located in manubrium sterni and the 7th right rib). MRI demonstrated heterogeneous focal-lamellar or diffuse signal intensity within marrow, isointense or hypointense on T1WI and slightly hyperintense on T2WI with homogeneous or heterogeneous enhancement. Severe soft tissue mass was seen in all 16 patients, the range of soft tissue mass was larger than osseous lesion in 15 patients and equal to osseous lesion in 1. Most PLB were homogeneous isointense or slightly hypointense on T1WI and homogeneous or heterogeneous slight-hyperintense on T2WI with slightly or moderately homogeneous or heterogeneous enhancement, while in 3 patients showed single vertebral compression fracture with local epidural- and/or paravertebral-soft tissue, and the range of soft tissue larger than the pathologic vertebrae. PET was performed before operation in 13 patients, showing local increasement of glycometabolism and uptake of radioactive nuclide without abnormality for other sites. For three patients of primary lymphoma of vertebrae underwent PET after operation, and recurrence was detected in 1 patient after 2 months. Conclusion Large soft mass with small osseous destruction and relatively hypointensity on T2WI is somehow characteristic for PLB. PET features of PLB are not specific, but has some advantages in determining the nature of lesion, differentiating lesions and follow-up after operation. MRI combined with PET is an appropriate imaging method for PLB.

BACKGROUND:The decel ularized porcine smal intestinal submucosa is a kind of bioactive extracel ular matrix, which is mainly composed of col agen, glycoprotein, proteoglycan and rich in col agen, glycosaminoglycan and various growth factors, and these components play an important role in promoting the differentiation and proliferation of tissue cel s. OBJECTIVE:To prepare the injectable smal intestinal submucosa and to investigate its co-culture with rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cel s in vitro. METHODS:The injectable smal intestinal submucosa and rat adipose-derived stem cel s were prepared. Cel counting kit-8 test for cel proliferation:Passage 3 adipose-derived stem cel s were seeded onto the injectable smal intestinal submucosa (experimental group) and cel s cultured under normal condition as control group. The cel proliferation was observed at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of incubation. Live/dead staining test for the survival of cel s:Passage 3 adipose-derived stem cel s were respectively cultured in the injectable smal intestinal submucosa extracts (experimental group) and complete culture medium (control group). Cel survival was determined at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of culture. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Scanning electron microscope oval and strip adipose-derived stem cel s adhered onto the material. The absorbance values in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group at 1 and 5 days of incubation (P<0.05). Cel survival:The number of cel s appeared to be in a rising trend with time in both two groups;after 1-day co-culture, al cel s in the two groups survived. Then dead cel s appeared in both two groups, showing no significant difference. These results show that the injectable smal intestinal submucosa exhibits a good cytocompatibility.

Objective To evalute the combination of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl in sedation during awake nasotracheal fiberoptic intubation. Methods One hundred and twenty ASAⅠ or Ⅱ patients scheduled to receive general anesthesia were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 40 in each group). Patients in group L received an infusion of 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine,patients in group H received an infusion of 2 μg/kg dexmedeto-midine ,and patients in group DF received an infusion of 1 μ g/kg dexmedetomidine added to 1 μ g/kg fentanyl. Nasotracheal intubation was performed after complete topical anesthesia. HR and MAP were recorded before anes-thesia(baseline,T0),before intubation(T1)and immediately after intubation(T2),respectively. The intubation score(vocal cord movement,coughing and limb movement),fiberoptic intubation score,nasotracheal intubation score and airway obstraction score were assessed in all aptients. On the first post-operative day,recall,adverse events and satisfaction score were also assessed. Results HR and MAP at T1 in three groups were significantly lower than those at T0(P < 0.05,respectively ). HR and MAP at T2 in group L were significantly higher than those in group H and DF(P<0.05,respectively). More incidence of vocal cord closed,severe cough,severe limb movement,heavy grimacing,defensive movement of head and hands after nasotracheal intubation were observed in group L than those in the other two groups. The incidence of airway obstraction and bradycardia in group H were higher than those in group L and DF. Patients in group L had lower postoperative satisfaction scores. Conclusion Adding 1 μg/kg fentanyl to 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine is a good method for awake nasotracheal fiberoptic intuba-tion,which can prevent the risk of airway obstruction associated with the increase of dexmedetomidine dose,with the achievement of the same favorable sedation.

Objective:To evaluate the value of color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosing primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid(PSCCT).Methods:Ultrasound images of 13 patients from August 2010 to June 2019 in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University with PSCCT confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.The ultrasonographic features were summarized.Results:All of the cases were single lesion. 92.3%(12/13) of the lesions were hypoechoic on ultrasound, 69.2%(9/13) of the lesions were ≥5 cm in maximal dimension and occupied one lobe of the thyroid gland, 76.9%(10/13) of the lesions were irregular, 69.2%(9/13) of the lesions had unclear boundary, 61.5%(8/13) of the lesions broke through the thyroid capsule and showed invasive growth. Calcification was rare, 23.1%(3/13) of the lesions were accompanied by striated calcification, 7.7%(1/13) of the lesions were accompanied by eggshell calcification, 15.4%(2/13) of the lesions showed few blood flow, 53.8%(7/13) of the lesions showed moderate blood flow, 30.8%(4/13) of the lesions showed rich blood flow, 69.2%(9/13) of the lesions were detected higher vascular resistance spectrum, 53.8%(7/13) of the lesions exhibited cervical metastatic lymph nodes. The ultrasonographic features of metastatic lymph nodes were hypoechoic, the lymphatic hilum structures were absent, with cystic changes in the interior.Conclusions:The color Doppler ultrasound images of PSCCT have certain specific features, and the identification of its sonographic characteristics is helpful to improve the diagnosing level of PSCCT.

Objective: To observe effects of exogenous high mobility group protein box 1 (HMGB1) on angiogenesis in ischemic zone of early scald wounds of rats. Methods: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into HMGB1 group and simple scald (SS) group according to the random number table, with 18 rats in each group. Comb-like copper mould was placed on the back of rats for 20 s after being immersed in 100 ℃ hot water for 3 to 5 min to make three ischemic zones of wound. Immediately after scald, rats in HMGB1 group were subcutaneously injected with 0.4 μg HMGB1 and 0.1 mL phosphate buffer solution (PBS), and rats in SS group were subcutaneously injected with 0.1 mL PBS from boarders of ischemic zone of scald wound. At post scald hour (PSH) 24, 48, and 72, 6 rats in each group were collected. Protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ischemic zone of wound at PSH 24, 48, and 72 and protein expressions of CD31 in ischemic zone of wound at PSH 48 and 72 were detected by immunohistochemistry. The number of microvessel in CD31 immunohistochemical sections of ischemic zone of wound at PSH 48 and 72 was calculated after observing by the microscope. The mRNA expressions of VEGF and CD31 in ischemic zone of wound were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction at PSH 24, 48, and 72. Data were processed with analysis of variance of factorial design, t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) At PSH 24, 48, and 72, protein expressions of VEGF in ischemic zone of wound of rats in HMGB1 group were significantly higher than those of rats in SS group (t=7.496, 4.437, 5.402, P<0.05 or P<0.01). At PSH 48 and 72, protein expressions of CD31 in ischemic zone of wound of rats in HMGB1 group were 0.038 8±0.007 9 and 0.057 7±0.001 2 respectively, significantly higher than 0.013 4±0.004 9 and 0.030 3±0.004 0 of rats in SS group (t=10.257, 15.055, P<0.01). (2) At PSH 48 and 72, the number of microvessel in ischemic zone of wound of rats in HMGB1 group was obviously more than that of rats in SS group (t=3.536, 4.000, P<0.05). (3) At PSH 24, 48, and 72, mRNA expressions of VEGF in ischemic zone of wound of rats in HMGB1 group were significantly higher than those of rats in SS group (t=4.406, 3.821, 3.356, P<0.05). At PSH 24 and 48, mRNA expressions of CD31 in ischemic zone of wound of rats in HMGB1 group were significantly higher than those of rats in SS group (t=4.113, 3.466, P<0.05). At PSH 72, mRNA expressions of CD31 in ischemic zone of wound of rats in 2 groups were close (t=0.010, P>0.05). Conclusions Exogenous HMGB1 can promote angiogenesis in ischemic zone of early scald wounds of rats by increasing expressions of VEGF and CD31.

Objective:To explore the clinical strategies for preservation of the exposed implant in chronic wounds and wound repair.Methods:From January 2016 to January 2019, totally 8 patients (4 males and 4 females, aged 10 to 73 years) sustaining postoperative chronic wounds with exposed implants were admitted to the Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital. There were 2 cases of abdominal patch exposure after abdominal trauma surgery, 2 cases of titanium plate exposure post craniocerebral surgery, 3 cases of internal fixator exposure post orthopedic surgery, and 1 case of cerebrospinal fluid drainage tube exposure after craniocerebral surgery. The wound exudate was collected for bacterial culture on admission. On the basis of glycemic control and correction of anemia and hypoproteinemia, thorough wound debridement was performed as soon as possible and the wound area after debridement ranged from 2.0 cm×0.5 cm to 6.0 cm×5.0 cm. The wounds of 4 patients were immediately closed after debridement, including 1 case by primary closure, 1 case by primary closure after local filling of platelet rich plasma gel, and 2 cases by local flap transplantation, with flap size of 10.0 cm×8.0 cm and 12.0 cm×8.0 cm, respectively. The donor sites of flaps were sutured directly and all the incisions were treated with continuous vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) after surgery. The other 4 patients were treated with continuous VSD after debridement to improve the wound bed. The wound of 1 case healed gradually, 1 case received direct wound suturing, and the wounds of 2 cases were repaired with thin split-thickness skin grafts from the thigh or the head. The results of bacterial culture of wound exudate on admission, wound healing post surgery, and follow-up were observed and recorded.Results:The bacterial culture of wound exudate on admission was positive in 6 patients, and 10 strains of bacteria were isolated with Staphylococcus epidermidis as the main pathogen. All the skin grafts or flaps of patients survived post surgery, with the incisions and wounds healed and all the implants preserved. After 1 to 3 years of follow-up, no recurrence of wound was found in any patient. Conclusions:The postoperative chronic wounds with exposed implants can be closed in primary stage by direct suturing or flap transplantation if it is clean enough on the basis of thorough debridement. The wounds with large defects or serious infection can be treated with continuous VSD firstly and then closed with direct suturing or skin grafting for delayed wound closure, thereby to reach the treatment goal of preserving the implants and repairing the wounds simultaneously.

Objective:The transjugular or transfemoral approach is used as a common method for hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement in current practice. This study aims to confirm the safety and effectiveness of measuring HVPG via the forearm venous approach.Methods:Prospective recruitment was conducted for patients with cirrhosis who underwent HVPG measurement via the forearm venous approach at six hospitals in China and Japan from September 2020 to December 2020. Patients' clinical baseline information and HVPG measurement data were collected. The right median cubital vein or basilic vein approach for all enrolled patients was selected. The HVPG standard process was used to measure pressure. Research data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software. Quantitative data were used to represent medians (interquartile ranges), while qualitative data were used to represent frequency and rates. The correlation between two sets of data was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results:A total of 43 cases were enrolled in this study. Of these, 41 (95.3%) successfully underwent HVPG measurement via the forearm venous approach. None of the patients had any serious complications. The median operation time for HVPG detection via forearm vein was 18.0 minutes (12.3~38.8 minutes). This study confirmed that HVPG was positively closely related to Child-Pugh score ( r = 0.47, P = 0.002), albumin-bilirubin score ( r = 0.37, P = 0.001), Lok index ( r = 0.36, P = 0.02), liver stiffness ( r = 0.58, P = 0.01), and spleen stiffness ( r = 0.77, P = 0.01), while negatively correlated with albumin ( r = -0.42, P = 0.006). Conclusion:The results of this multi-centre retrospective study suggest that HVPG measurement via the forearm venous approach is safe and feasible.

Objective:To investigate and analyze the current situation, screening, clinical characteristics, prevention and treatment of bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension in Tibet region.Methods:Clinical data of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension through March 2017 to February 2020 from Tibet region were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Results:511 cases with liver cirrhosis were included in the study, of which 185 cases (36.20%) had compensated cirrhosis and 326 cases (63.80%) had decompensated cirrhosis. Further analysis of the etiological data of liver cirrhosis showed that 306 cases (59.88%) were of chronic hepatitis B, 113 cases (22.11%) of alcoholic liver disease, and 68 cases (13.31%) of chronic hepatitis B combined with alcoholic liver disease. Among patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, 48 cases (25.95%) underwent endoscopic examination of which 33 diagnosed as high-risk variceal bleeding. However, none of these 33 cases had received non-selective β-blocker therapy, and only four patients had received endoscopic variceal banding therapy. Among patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, 83 cases (25.46%) had a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 297 cases (91.10%) had ascites, 23 cases (7.05%) had hepatic encephalopathy, and 3 cases (0.92%) had hepatorenal syndrome. Among the patients with a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 42 cases (50.60%) had received secondary preventive treatment for bleeding esophageal varices, including 39 cases of endoscopic treatment, 1 case of endoscopic combined drug treatment, 3 cases of interventional treatment, and 2 cases of surgical treatment.Conclusion:Chronic hepatitis B and alcoholic liver diseases are the main causes of liver cirrhosis in Tibet region. Moreover, this region lacks screening, prevention and treatment for bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the screening of high-risk groups to prevent and improve the first-time bleeding, and promote multidisciplinary team to prevent and treat re-bleeding.