Objective To observe the value of singular value decomposition(SVD)combined with block-matching and three-dimensional(BM3D)filtering for improving imaging quality of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS).Methods Three subject who would undergo liver,kidney and ovarian CEUS examination respectively were prospectively enrolled,and 250 images unaffected by respiratory movements were acquired in each one.SVD filtering was performed alone and combined with BM3D filtering,and contrast-to-tissue ratio(CTR),contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of the obtained CEUS images were calculated and compared.Results Compared with original CEUS images,CTR,CNR and SNR of SVD alone filtered CEUS images improved,which all further improved after combining with BM3D filtering.Conclusion SVD combined with BM3D filtering could significantly suppress the background tissue signals and remove noise,improving imaging quality of CEUS.

Objective To observe the value of singular value decomposition(SVD)combined with block-matching and three-dimensional(BM3D)filtering for improving imaging quality of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS).Methods Three subject who would undergo liver,kidney and ovarian CEUS examination respectively were prospectively enrolled,and 250 images unaffected by respiratory movements were acquired in each one.SVD filtering was performed alone and combined with BM3D filtering,and contrast-to-tissue ratio(CTR),contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of the obtained CEUS images were calculated and compared.Results Compared with original CEUS images,CTR,CNR and SNR of SVD alone filtered CEUS images improved,which all further improved after combining with BM3D filtering.Conclusion SVD combined with BM3D filtering could significantly suppress the background tissue signals and remove noise,improving imaging quality of CEUS.

Unlike chemosynthetic drugs designed for specific molecular and disease targets,active small-molecule natural products typically have a wide range of bioactivities and multiple targets,necessitating extensive screening and development.To address this issue,we propose a strategy for the direct in situ micro-dynamic examination of potential drug candidates to rapidly identify their effects and mechanisms of action.As a proof-of-concept,we investigated the behavior of mussel oligosaccharide(MOS-1)by tracking the subcellular dynamics of fluorescently labeled MOS-1 in cultured cells.We recorded the entire dynamic process of the localization of fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)-MOS-1 to the lysosomes and visualized the distribution of the drug within the cell.Remarkably,lysosomes containing FITC-MOS-1 actively recruited lipid droplets,leading to fusion events and increased cellular lipid consumption.These drug behaviors confirmed MOS-1 is a candidate for the treatment of lipid-related diseases.Furthermore,in a high-fat HepG2 cell model and in high-fat diet-fed apolipoprotein E(ApoE)-/-mice,MOS-1 significantly promoted triglyceride degradation,reduced lipid droplet accumulation,lowered serum triglyceride levels,and mitigated liver damage and steatosis.Overall,our work supports the prioritization of in situ visual monitoring of drug location and distribution in subcellular compartments during the drug development phase,as this methodology contributes to the rapid identification of drug indications.Collectively,this methodology is significant for the screening and development of selective small-molecule drugs,and is expected to expedite the identification of candidate molecules with me-dicinal effects.

Objective To study the clinical characteristics and related factors affecting the severity of acute tinnitus in patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 319 patients with acute tinni-tus.All patients had detailed case history,including basic patient information,tinnitus location,course of disease,acoustic characteristics of tinnitus,hearing loss,combined headache,dizziness,aural fallness,earache and other symptoms,as well as accompanying clinical diseases.All patients completed the tinnitus handicap inventory(THI),generalized anxiety disorder(GAD-7),patient health questionnaire(PHQ-9),pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),hyperacusis questionnaire(HQ),type D personality scale-14(DS-14),etc.The mild tinnitus group was determined based on a THI score of ≤36.The moderate tinnitus group was determined based on a THI score of 38～56.The severe to extremely severe tinnitus group was determinded based on THI 56～100.THI grouping was used as the dependent variable and the above factors as independent variables.The correlation between each factor and the severity of acute tinnitus was analyzed using ordered multinomial logistic regression.Results Among 319 patients with acute tinnitus,158(49.5％)were in the mild tinnitus group,and 72(22.6％)were in the moderate tinnitus group,and 89(27.9％)were in severe to extremely severe tinnitus group.Ordered multinomial logistic re-gression analysis found that hyperacusis(OR=3.921),anxiety(OR=2.495),depression(OR=2.921),and D-type personality(OR=0.349)were associated with the severity of acute tinnitus(P＜0.05),with more serere tin-nitus in these patients.Conclusion Hyperacusis,anxiety,depression,and D-type personality may be factors that affect the severity of acute tinnitus,so high attention should be paid when treating patients with acute tinnitus.

The treatment of head and neck cancer is dominated by surgery and radiochemotherapy.For elderly patients,however,the rationality of invasive treatment is questioned in clinical practice.Although the proportion of geriatric patients with head and neck canc-er is increasing,there are few consistent standards in the literature and guidelines.From the perspective of evidence-based medicine,this paper presents current evidence for treatment so as to provide specific recommendations for treating head and neck cancer in the elderly.Furthermore,based on a systematic literature review,a clinical algorithm is proposed to evaluate the treatment risk of elderly patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect and safety of fire needle therapy combined with bladder function training on neurogenic bladder (NB) caused by spinal cord injury. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with NB caused by spinal cord injury were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group , with 30 cases in each group. On the basis of conventional treatment with western medicine, the bladder function training was adopted in the control group, once a day and for 4 weeks. In the observation group, on the basis of the interventions as the control group, fire needling was operated at bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zhongji (CV 3), once every two days and for 4 weeks (14 interventions in total). Separately, at the baseline and in 2 and 4 weeks of interventions, the urination conditions (average daily urination frequency, average daily leakage frequency, average daily single urination volume) were recorded in the two groups; the urodynamic parameters (maximum flow rate [Qmax], maximum detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate [PdetQmax], residual urine volume [RUA], maximum cystometric capacity [MCC], and bladder pressure) were detected; the neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS), urinary symptom distress score (USDS) were observed. Before and after treatment, the score of World Health Organization quality of life assessment scale-brief (WHOQOL-BREF) was observed in the two groups. The therapeutic effect, the incidence of urinary infection, and the safety were evaluated. RESULTS: In 2 and 4 weeks of interventions, the average daily urination frequency, the average daily leakage frequency, RUA, and the scores of NBSS and USDS decreased in the two groups when compared with the baseline (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of interventions, the above-mention outcomes were lower than those in 2 weeks of interventions (P<0.05); and the results in the observation group were lower in 2 and 4 weeks of interventions when compared with the control group (P<0.05). In 2 and 4 weeks of interventions, the average daily single urination volume, Qmax, PdetQmax, MCC, and bladder pressure increased in the two groups compared with the baseline (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of interventions, the above-mention outcomes were elevated in comparison with those in 2 weeks of interventions (P<0.05); and except for bladder pressure, the results in the observation group in 2 and 4 weeks of interventions were higher when compared with the control group (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of interventions, the scores of each dimension and the total scores of WHOQOL-BREF increased in comparison with the baseline in the two groups (P<0.05), and the scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of urinary infection was 0% (0/30) in the observation group and 10.0% (3/30) in the control group, without significant difference (P>0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was higher than that (73.3%, 22/30) of the control group (P<0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred in the patients of the observation group. CONCLUSION Fire needle therapy combined with bladder function training can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms, ameliorate urination, restore bladder function and improve the quality of life in the patients with NB caused by spinal cord injury. This therapeutic regimen presents a high safety in practice.
Humans ; Spinal Cord Injuries/therapy* ; Female ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic/etiology* ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology* ; Urination ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Combined Modality Therapy

Objective To observe the value of tissue motion mitral annular displacement(TMAD)technique to assess left ventricular function in patients with cardiac amyloidosis.Methods A total of 34 adult patients with cardiac amyloidosis diagnosed by pathology were retrospectively included as the observation group,and 32 healthy adults were collected as the control group for the same period.Basic data of the subjects were collected,and data of routine ultrasonic parameters of left ventricular function and TMAD parameters were obtained,and then compared between groups.The correlation of TMAD parameters with left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)or mitral annular plane systolic excursion(MAPSE)were assessed.Results Compared with the control group,the observation group had higher levels of body surface area(BSA),systolic blood pressure,N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),creatinine and urea(all P＜0.05).The observation group had increased values of ascending aorta(AO),left atrium(LA),interventricular septum(IVS),left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole(LVPWD),pulmonary artery(PA),and early diastolic peark velocity of mitral inflow(peak E),while smaller values of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD),LVEF,fractional shortening(FS),early diastolic tissue Doppler velocity E'septal(IVS E')and lateral(LW E')and MAPSE(all P＜0.05),and the LVEF in observation group was(58.18±7.09)％.For TMAD patameters,the observation group had smaller values of the following parameters on apical four chamber(A4C)view as medial displacement of mitral valve annulus(A4C MV1),displacement of lateral mitral valve annulus(A4C MV2),displacement of the midpoint of the mitral valve annulus(A4C Midpt)and the corresponding percentage(A4C Midpt％),as well as smaller values of the following paramets on apical two chamber(A2C)view as A2C MV1,A2C MV2,A2C Midpt and A2C Midpt％(all P＜0.05).In the observation group,A4C Midpt％showed a moderate positive correlation with LVEF(r=0.488,P＜0.05),and A2C Midpt showed a high positive correlation with M APSE(r=0.712,P＜0.05),and A4C MV2,A4C Midpt,A4C Midpt％,A2C MV1,A2C MV2,A2C Midpt％all showed a moderate positive correlation with MAPSE(r=0.420 to 0.691,all P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared with LVEF,the TMAD parameters might reflect the changes in left ventricular systolic function more sensitively in patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Objective To construct and validate a risk prediction model for delayed healing of venous leg ulcer(VLU),so as to provide a reference basis for early identification of people at high risk of delayed healing.Methods Using a convenience sampling method,331 VLU patients attending vascular surgery departments in 2 tertiary A hospitals in Sichuan Province from January 2018 to December 2022 were selected as a modeling group and an internal validation group,and 112 patients admitted to another tertiary A hospital were selected as an external validation group.Risk factors for delayed healing in VLU patients were screened using univariate analysis,LASSO regression,and multivariate logistic regression analysis,and a risk prediction model was constructed using R software,and the predictive effects of the models were examined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve,the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,decision curve,and the bootstrap resampling for internal validation and spatial external validation were performed,respectively.Results The predictors that ultimately entered the prediction model were diabetes(OR=4.752),deep vein thrombosis(OR=4.104),lipodermatosclerosis(OR=5.405),ulcer recurrence(OR=3.239),and ankle mobility(OR=5.520).The model had good discrimination(AUC:0.819 for internal validation and 0.858 for external validation),calibration(Hosmer-Lemeshow test:χ2=13.517,P=0.095 for internal validation and χ2=3.375,P=0.909 for external validation)and clinical validity.Conclusion The model constructed in this study has good differentiation and calibration,and it can effectively predict people at high risk of delayed healing of VLU,which facilitates targeted clinical interventions to improve ulcer outcomes and reduce the risk of delayed ulcer healing.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of preoperative gadolinium ethoxy-benzyldiethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) and intratumoral tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 304 HCC patients who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University and 10 HCC patients who were admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2021 to June 2023 were collected. There were 272 males and 42 females, aged (56±11)years. Using a random number table method, patients were divided into a training set including 220 cases and a validation set including 94 cases in a 7:3 ratio. Among the 314 patients, 106 cases had MVI and TLSs-positive HCC (MT-HCC), and 208 cases had non-MT-HCC. All patients underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and radical resection. Observation indicators: (1) clinicopathological characteristics of MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients; (2) imaging characteristics of MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients; (3) imaging features associated with MT-HCC diagnosis; (4) nomogram predictive model construction and evaluation for MT-HCC. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was analyzed using the t test. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution between groups was analyzed using the nonpara-meter rank sum test. Univariate analysis was conducted using the corresponding statistical methods based on data type. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the logistic regression model. A nomo-gram predictive model was constructed based on results of multivariate analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the model's performance with the area under curve (AUC). Calibration curve and decision curve analyses were used to assess the calibration and clinical validity of nomogram predictive model. Results:(1) Clinicopathological characteristics of MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients. In the training set, there were significant differences between MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients in terms of age, white blood cell count, and alpha fetoprotein level ( t=2.488, Z=-2.515, χ2=4.014, P<0.05). (2) Imaging characteristics of MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients. In the training set, there were significant differences in tumor morphology, intratumoral hemorrhage, peritumoral abnormal enhancement in arterial phase, capsule presence, intratumoral necrosis or ischemia >20%, intratumoral necrosis or ischemia >50%, peritumoral hypointensity in the hepatobiliary phase, intravascular tumor thrombus, arterial phase rim-like hyperenhancement, and mosaic architecture between MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients ( χ2=8.811, 5.586, 13.962, 31.616, 10.154, 4.835, 5.111, 14.425, 7.112, 5.526, P<0.05). (3) Imaging features associated with MT-HCC diagnosis. Results of multivariate analysis identified the absence of intratumoral hemorrhage, incom-plete capsule, and mosaic architecture as independent risk factors for diagnosing MT-HCC ( hazard ratio=3.846, 7.827, 2.345, P<0.05). (4) Nomogram predictive model construction and evaluation for MT-HCC. A nomogram predictive model for MT-HCC was constructed based on the independent risk factors (absence of intratumoral hemorrhage, incomplete capsule, and mosaic architecture) iden-tified in the multivariate analysis. The ROC curve analysis showed that AUC of nomogram predictive model was 0.778 (95% confidence interval as 0.714-0.843), with sensitivity and specificity of 0.857 and 0.573 in the training set. In the validation set, the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specifi-city were 0.825 (95% confidence interval as 0.745-0.926), 0.655, and 0.877, respectively. The calibra-tion curves for both the training set and the validation set closely aligned with the standard curve, indicating high calibration accuracy. The decision curve analysis demonstrated net clinical benefits at thresholds of 0.130-0.690 in the training set and 0.060-0.750 in the validation set. Conclusions:The absence of intratumoral hemorrhage, incomplete capsule, and mosaic architecture are independent risk factors for diagnosing MT-HCC. A nomogram model based on imaging features can predict MT-HCC in HCC patients.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of preoperative gadolinium ethoxy-benzyldiethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) and intratumoral tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 304 HCC patients who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University and 10 HCC patients who were admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from June 2021 to June 2023 were collected. There were 272 males and 42 females, aged (56±11)years. Using a random number table method, patients were divided into a training set including 220 cases and a validation set including 94 cases in a 7:3 ratio. Among the 314 patients, 106 cases had MVI and TLSs-positive HCC (MT-HCC), and 208 cases had non-MT-HCC. All patients underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and radical resection. Observation indicators: (1) clinicopathological characteristics of MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients; (2) imaging characteristics of MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients; (3) imaging features associated with MT-HCC diagnosis; (4) nomogram predictive model construction and evaluation for MT-HCC. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was analyzed using the t test. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution between groups was analyzed using the nonpara-meter rank sum test. Univariate analysis was conducted using the corresponding statistical methods based on data type. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the logistic regression model. A nomo-gram predictive model was constructed based on results of multivariate analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the model's performance with the area under curve (AUC). Calibration curve and decision curve analyses were used to assess the calibration and clinical validity of nomogram predictive model. Results:(1) Clinicopathological characteristics of MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients. In the training set, there were significant differences between MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients in terms of age, white blood cell count, and alpha fetoprotein level ( t=2.488, Z=-2.515, χ2=4.014, P<0.05). (2) Imaging characteristics of MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients. In the training set, there were significant differences in tumor morphology, intratumoral hemorrhage, peritumoral abnormal enhancement in arterial phase, capsule presence, intratumoral necrosis or ischemia >20%, intratumoral necrosis or ischemia >50%, peritumoral hypointensity in the hepatobiliary phase, intravascular tumor thrombus, arterial phase rim-like hyperenhancement, and mosaic architecture between MT-HCC and non-MT-HCC patients ( χ2=8.811, 5.586, 13.962, 31.616, 10.154, 4.835, 5.111, 14.425, 7.112, 5.526, P<0.05). (3) Imaging features associated with MT-HCC diagnosis. Results of multivariate analysis identified the absence of intratumoral hemorrhage, incom-plete capsule, and mosaic architecture as independent risk factors for diagnosing MT-HCC ( hazard ratio=3.846, 7.827, 2.345, P<0.05). (4) Nomogram predictive model construction and evaluation for MT-HCC. A nomogram predictive model for MT-HCC was constructed based on the independent risk factors (absence of intratumoral hemorrhage, incomplete capsule, and mosaic architecture) iden-tified in the multivariate analysis. The ROC curve analysis showed that AUC of nomogram predictive model was 0.778 (95% confidence interval as 0.714-0.843), with sensitivity and specificity of 0.857 and 0.573 in the training set. In the validation set, the area under the curve, sensitivity, and specifi-city were 0.825 (95% confidence interval as 0.745-0.926), 0.655, and 0.877, respectively. The calibra-tion curves for both the training set and the validation set closely aligned with the standard curve, indicating high calibration accuracy. The decision curve analysis demonstrated net clinical benefits at thresholds of 0.130-0.690 in the training set and 0.060-0.750 in the validation set. Conclusions:The absence of intratumoral hemorrhage, incomplete capsule, and mosaic architecture are independent risk factors for diagnosing MT-HCC. A nomogram model based on imaging features can predict MT-HCC in HCC patients.