Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

This study investigates the mechanism by which Xintong Granules improve myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI) through the regulation of gut microbiota and their metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs). Rats were randomly divided based on body weight into the sham operation group, model group, low-dose Xintong Granules group(1.43 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), medium-dose Xintong Granules group(2.86 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose Xintong Granules group(5.72 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and metoprolol group(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 14 days of pre-administration, the MIRI rat model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The myocardial infarction area was assessed using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining method. Apoptosis in tissue cells was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Pathological changes in myocardial cells and colonic tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), creatine kinase MB isoenzyme(CK-MB), and cardiac troponin T(cTnT) in rat serum were quantitatively measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kits. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in myocardial tissue, as well as the level of malondialdehyde(MDA), were determined using colorimetric assays. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing, and fecal SCFAs were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). The results show that Xintong Granules significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), myocardial injury markers(CK-MB, cTnT, LDH, and CK), and oxidative stress marker MDA. Additionally, Xintong Granules significantly improved intestinal inflammation in MIRI rats, regulated gut microbiota composition and diversity, and increased the levels of SCFAs(acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, etc.). In summary, Xintong Granules effectively alleviate MIRI symptoms. This study preliminarily confirms that Xintong Granules exert their inhibitory effects on MIRI by regulating gut microbiota imbalance and increasing SCFA levels.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

Protein phosphorylation modification is an important mechanism of physiological regulation that is closely related to protein biological functions. In particular, protein kinases are responsible for catalyzing the phosphorylation process of proteins, and phosphatases are responsible for catalyzing the dephosphorylation process of phosphorylation-modified proteins, which together mediate the achievement of dynamic and reversible phosphorylation modifications of proteins. Abnormal phosphorylation levels of proteins contribute to the development of many diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic diseases. Therefore, rational design of small molecules to regulate protein phosphorylation is an important approach for disease treatment. Based on the mechanism of protein phosphorylation regulation, small molecule drug design strategies can be classified into three types, protein kinase modulators, phosphatase modulators, and bifunctional molecules with proximity-mediated mechanism. This review emphasizes the above three small molecule design strategies for targeting protein phosphorylation regulation, including molecular design ideas, research progress and current challenges, and provides an outlook on small molecule modulators targeting protein phosphorylation modification.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of translocation of pedicled buccal fat pad in the treatment of the temporomandibular joint ankylosis(TMJA)by measuring the diameter of buccal fat pad and related anatomical structures of the transverse blood vessels,nerves and temporomandibular joint.Methods A total of 40 adult head and neck specimens were randomly divided into group A and group B,with 20 cases in each group.The morphology of the buccal fat pad in group A was observed,and its size and compression diameter through blood vessels and nerves were measured.The anatomical structures of the temporomandibular joint in group B were observed and measured.Results The volume of buccal fat pad in group A was(10.10±1.10)mL on the left side and(9.70±1.50)mL on the right side.The longitudinal axis length of buccal fat pad was(28.18±1.35)mm on the left side and(29.47±1.12)mm on the right side;Transverse axis length of buccal fat pad was(18.56±1.67)mm on the left side and(18.97±1.73)mm on the right side;There are facial artery,facial vein,maxillary artery branch,facial nerve buccal branch and so on through the buccal fat pad.In group B,the sagittal section of the temporomandibular joint disc presented S-type in 15 cases(75.0%),L-type in 3 cases(15.0%),and transitional type in 2 cases(10.0%).Anterior and posterior diameter of the articular disc was(14.42±1.94)mm on the left side and(15.34±1.37)mm on the right side;inside and outside diameter of the articular disc was(20.18±1.77)mm on the left side and(19.57±1.32)mm on the right side.Branches of maxillary artery and superficial temporal artery were respectively distributed within and outside the joint.Conclusion The pedicled buccal fat pad has a constant anatomical position,abundant blood supply,strong tissue repair,anti-infection ability and"buffer pad"function,which can reduce the formation of scar after surgery for TMJA,reduce the postoperative recurrence rate,and contribute to the recovery of joint function after surgery.

Objective:To explore the application value of reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent(Ret-He)for diagnosing latent iron deficiency in female plateletpheresis donors.Methods:A total of 230 female plateletpheresis donors in Fujian Blood Center from January to February 2022 were selected as the research group and divided into three groups:normal group,iron depletion(ID)group and iron deficient erythropoiesis(IDE)group,according to the severity of iron deficiency.The level of hemoglobin(HGB),mean corpuscular volume(MCV),mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH),coefficient of variation of red cell distribution width(RDW-CV)and Ret-He were measured by using the Sysmex XN automated hematology analyzer.Chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to detect iron biochemical indexes.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnosic value of relevant indicators in female blood donors with latent iron deficiency.Results:Ret-He in ID group was 32.55(31.15,33.10)pg,which was significantly lower than that in the normal group[33.80(32.73,34.70)pg](P＜0.05),and significantly higher than that in IDE group[30.40(28.70,31.50)pg](P＜0.05).ROC analysis in diagnosis of IDE demonstrated that the area under the curves(AUCs)of HGB,MCV,MCH,RDW-CV and Ret-He were 0.892,0.843,0.909,0.890,0.931,respectively.When the critical value of Ret-He was 32.05 pg,its sensitivity and specificity were 85.90％and 92.60％,respectively.However,all red blood cell parameters had poor diagnostic value for ID.Conclusion:Ret-He is a perfect predictor for latent iron deficiency in female blood donors.Detection of Ret-He can advance the diagnosis of iron deficiency in female blood donors to the IDE stage.

AIM To optimize the extraction process for uracil,hypoxanthine,xanthine,uridine,thymine,inosine,guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine from Pheretima guillelmi(Michaelsen),and to determine their contents.METHODS With solid-liquid ratio,ultrasonic time and ultrasonic temperature as influencing factors,contents of hypoxanthine and total nucleosides as evaluation indices,the extraction process was optimized by orthogonal test.HPLC was adopted in the content determination of varioud nucleosides,the analysis was performed on a 30℃thermostatic Agilent C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of methanol-water flowing at 1 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 260 nm.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 1∶250 for solid-liquid ratio,60 min for ultrasonic time,and 60℃for ultrasonic temperature.Eight nucleosides showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R2＞0.999 0),whose average recoveries were 99.11%-103.27%with the RSDs of 0.85%-2.89%.CONCLUSION This stable and reliable method can be used for the extraction and content determination of nucleosides from P.guillelmi.