Objective: To retrospectively characterize and analyze the thyroid ultrasound images of thyroid cancer patients, to classify thyroid nodules according to thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TI-RADS), and to evaluate the diagnostic value of TI-RADS. Methods:Clinical data of 160 thyroid cancer patients with 235 nodules from September 2008 to August 2011 were retro-spectively analyzed. All patients underwent conventional color Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate the size, number, shape, boundary, and extent of lesions and blood distribution of the nodules. All nodules were analyzed according to TI-RADS classification and scored to evaluate the diagnostic value of TI-RADS. Results:Among 176 malignant nodules, 144 (81.8%) had lesions showing a mass of irreg-ular boundary with no envelope and halo, 152 (86.4%) were inhomogeneous hypoechoic or slightly hypoechoic, or 144 (81.8%) exhibit-ed microcalcification. TI-RADS scores of 4 or 5 and 2 or 3 were obtained in 160 (90.91%) and 16 (9.09%) of the malignant nodules, re-spectively. Conclusion:Thyroid ultrasound sonogram of ill-defined, irregular shape, hypoechoic or slightly hypoechoic mass, microcal-cification within the mass, and rich blood flow is an important index for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Thyroid nodules with a TI-RADS score 4 or 5 have higher possibility for cancer. Therefore, TI-RADS has a significant diagnostic value for thyroid cancer be-fore operation.

Objective To verify whether miR-498 can inhibit A549 cell migration and invasion by down-regulating FOXM1.Methods miR-498 mimic and miR-NC were transfected into A549 cells.Wound healing and Transwell method were employed to test the migratory ability and invasion ability of A549 cells;Western blot was used to detect the expressions of COL1A1,COL1A5 and FOXM1 in A549 cells.Luciferase assay was used to confirm whether FOXM1 is the target gene of miR-498.Results Compared with those in the control group,the expressions of COL1A1,COL1A5 and FOXM1 were decreased,and the migration and invasion abilities of A549 cells were decreased in the miR-498 group (both P<0 .01 ).The luciferase activity of the FOXM1-3′-UTR plasmid was significantly suppressed by miR-498 (P<0 .05 );over-expression of FOXM1 could reverse the effect of miR-498 on A549 cells.Conclusion miR-498 inhibits A549 cell migration and invasion by down-regulating FOXM1.

Objective: To test the feasibility of drag-reducing polymers (DRP) for improving coronary microcirculation in a canine model in order to provide the experimental basis for treating myocardial microcirculation dysfunction. Methods: A total of 8 dogs received open-chest surgery and they had intravenous injections, in turn, with adenosine (ADN), DRP 250 mg/L and DRP+ADN. The function y=A × (1-e-βt) was used to calculate the myocardium capillary volume (A value), capillary velocity (β value) and myocardial blood lfow (A ? β value) by myocardial contrast echocardiography. Results: With DRP infusion, the A value in experimental canine was similar to the baseline condition,P>0.05; while theβ value and A ? β value were signiifcantly increased as (0.57 ± 0.10) 1/s vs (0.23 ± 0.03) 1/s,P<0.01 and (11.51 ± 1.96) VI/s vs (5.15 ± 0.86) VI/s,P <0.05 respectively. With combined infusion of DRP+ADN, the β value and A ? β value were similar to the baseline condition, bothP>0.05. Conclusion: DRP improved coronary microcirculation primarily by modulating the β value in experimental canine model, and hopefully, this unique hemodynamics could provide a new approach for treating myocardial microcirculation dysfunction.

Currently, the main treatments for nonfunctional parathyroid cysts (NFPC) are fluid aspiration,sclerosing injection and surgical removal. The choice of treatment method is controversial. Eight patients with NFPC who were treated by simple aspiration combined with parathyroid hormone (PTH) rapid determination in General Surgery Department of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital from Dec. 2020 to Oct. 2022 are reported to provide a reference for the choice of treatment, which can also reduce surgical pain and accidental sclerosing injury.

Objective To compare the long-term efficacy of a dose of 3 million units (MU) of r-IFN alpha 2a (IFN-α 2a) three times a week (t.i.w.) for 6 months with a starting dose 6 MU for 3 months and subsequent reduction to 3 MU t.i.w for further 3 months.Methods Sixty-eight serological and histological chronic hepatitis C patients with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were enrolled and randomized into two groups. Sixty-three patients were completed with full course of treatment. Five patients were withdrawn from trial (2 due to personal reasons and 3 due to adverse drug reactions during treatment). Thirty patients received 6 MU IFN-α 2a t.i.w., 3 months followed by 3 MU t.i.w. for another 3 months (Group A). Thirty-three patients received 3 MU IFN-α 2a t.i.w. for 6 months (Group B).Results The sex, age, baseline serum bilirubin, ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were matched in both groups. At the end of the 6th month, the complete and partial response rates in Group A were 60.0% and 16.7% respectively, and the clearance of serum HCV-RNA was 53.3%. In Group B, the complete and partial response rates were 72.7% and 6.1% respectively, and the clearance of HCV-RNA was 61.3%. The patients were followed up for 6,12, and 18 months after stopping treatment. In Group A, the rates of complete normalization of ALT and clearance of serum HCV-RNA at 24 months were 50.0% and 60.0% respectively. In Group B, the rates of normalization of ALT and clearance of HCV-RNA at 24 months were 54.4% and 41.9% respectively. The efficacy between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference. The response rates of treatment were similar to those in the patients with HCV genotype 1b and 2a. Six patients (10.8% of the study population) developed neutralization antibodies to IFN-α 2a during treatment, and four of them were responded to the treatment. Adverse drug reactions (ADR), were common, but most of them were tolerable, and the incidence of ADR was in both groups, but the severity was higher in Group A.Conclusions IFN-α 2a is effective in the treatment of Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C. The sustained response rates and adverse drug reactions among two dose schedule groups are similar.

Objective: Imaging parameters of Chiari malformation type I (CMI) development are not well established. This study aimed to collect evidence of general or specific imaging measurements in patients with CMI, analyze indicators that may assist in determining the severity of CMI, and guide its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase, covering the period from January 2002 to October 2023, following predefined inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan (ver. 5.4). We performed a quantitative summary and systematic analysis of the included studies. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) prior to initiation (CRD42023415454). Results: Thirty-three studies met our inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that out of the 14 parameters examined, 6 (clivus length, basal angle, Boogard’s angle, supraocciput lengths, posterior cranial fossa [PCF] height, and volume) exhibited significant differences between the CMI group and the control group. Furthermore, apart from certain anatomical parameters that hold prognostic value for CMI, functional parameters like tonsillar movement, obex displacement, and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics serve as valuable indicators for guiding the clinical management of the disease. Conclusion We collated and established a set of linear, angular, and area measurements deemed essential for diagnosing CMI. However, more indicators can only be analyzed descriptively for various reasons, particularly in prognostic prediction. We posit that the systematic assessment of patients’ PCF morphology, volume, and other parameters at a 3-dimensional level holds promising clinical application prospects.

Objective: Imaging parameters of Chiari malformation type I (CMI) development are not well established. This study aimed to collect evidence of general or specific imaging measurements in patients with CMI, analyze indicators that may assist in determining the severity of CMI, and guide its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase, covering the period from January 2002 to October 2023, following predefined inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan (ver. 5.4). We performed a quantitative summary and systematic analysis of the included studies. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) prior to initiation (CRD42023415454). Results: Thirty-three studies met our inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that out of the 14 parameters examined, 6 (clivus length, basal angle, Boogard’s angle, supraocciput lengths, posterior cranial fossa [PCF] height, and volume) exhibited significant differences between the CMI group and the control group. Furthermore, apart from certain anatomical parameters that hold prognostic value for CMI, functional parameters like tonsillar movement, obex displacement, and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics serve as valuable indicators for guiding the clinical management of the disease. Conclusion We collated and established a set of linear, angular, and area measurements deemed essential for diagnosing CMI. However, more indicators can only be analyzed descriptively for various reasons, particularly in prognostic prediction. We posit that the systematic assessment of patients’ PCF morphology, volume, and other parameters at a 3-dimensional level holds promising clinical application prospects.

Objective: Imaging parameters of Chiari malformation type I (CMI) development are not well established. This study aimed to collect evidence of general or specific imaging measurements in patients with CMI, analyze indicators that may assist in determining the severity of CMI, and guide its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase, covering the period from January 2002 to October 2023, following predefined inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan (ver. 5.4). We performed a quantitative summary and systematic analysis of the included studies. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) prior to initiation (CRD42023415454). Results: Thirty-three studies met our inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that out of the 14 parameters examined, 6 (clivus length, basal angle, Boogard’s angle, supraocciput lengths, posterior cranial fossa [PCF] height, and volume) exhibited significant differences between the CMI group and the control group. Furthermore, apart from certain anatomical parameters that hold prognostic value for CMI, functional parameters like tonsillar movement, obex displacement, and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics serve as valuable indicators for guiding the clinical management of the disease. Conclusion We collated and established a set of linear, angular, and area measurements deemed essential for diagnosing CMI. However, more indicators can only be analyzed descriptively for various reasons, particularly in prognostic prediction. We posit that the systematic assessment of patients’ PCF morphology, volume, and other parameters at a 3-dimensional level holds promising clinical application prospects.

Objective: Imaging parameters of Chiari malformation type I (CMI) development are not well established. This study aimed to collect evidence of general or specific imaging measurements in patients with CMI, analyze indicators that may assist in determining the severity of CMI, and guide its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across various databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase, covering the period from January 2002 to October 2023, following predefined inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan (ver. 5.4). We performed a quantitative summary and systematic analysis of the included studies. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) prior to initiation (CRD42023415454). Results: Thirty-three studies met our inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that out of the 14 parameters examined, 6 (clivus length, basal angle, Boogard’s angle, supraocciput lengths, posterior cranial fossa [PCF] height, and volume) exhibited significant differences between the CMI group and the control group. Furthermore, apart from certain anatomical parameters that hold prognostic value for CMI, functional parameters like tonsillar movement, obex displacement, and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics serve as valuable indicators for guiding the clinical management of the disease. Conclusion We collated and established a set of linear, angular, and area measurements deemed essential for diagnosing CMI. However, more indicators can only be analyzed descriptively for various reasons, particularly in prognostic prediction. We posit that the systematic assessment of patients’ PCF morphology, volume, and other parameters at a 3-dimensional level holds promising clinical application prospects.