Mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) is a condition indicated by biochemical testing for autonomous cortisol secretion, yet it lacks the classical signs of Cushing's Syndrome, such as moon face, buffalo hump, plethoric appearance, and purple striae. It is predominantly observed in middle-aged women and is commonly associated with adrenal incidentalomas. Due to the lack of significant clinical signs, the diagnosis of MACS primarily relies on hormonal testing. Patients with MACS often present with comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis. For those with comorbid conditions, surgical treatment is the principal therapeutic approach. This article summarizes recent national and international guidelines and research to elucidate the updates to the diagnostic criteria for MACS, with a particular focus on the interpretation of the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test results. It also details the treatment and follow-up strategies for MACS. Furthermore, the article highlights the urgent need for more extensive prospective studies to refine the existing diagnostic criteria and to develop surgical guidelines for a wider range of patients with MACS.

Objective:To explore the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on interleukin-33 (IL-33)/growth stimulation expressed gene 2 (ST2) signaling pathway in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of rats modeling hyperalgesia (HP).Methods:This study consisted of two experiments. In the first, 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a Sham-HP group, an HP group, an antibody group and an inhibitor group, each of 6. HP was induced in all except the rats of the blank and Sham-HP groups by injecting carrageenan (Car) and prostaglandin E2 subcutaneously at the bottom of the left hind feet. The antibody and inhibitor groups were then given intrathecal injections of anti-ST2 antibody and a tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-specific inhibitor, respectively. In the second experiment, 42 SD rats were randomly divided into a Sham-HP group, an HP group, a TENSⅠgroup, a TENS II group, a TENS I inhibitor group, a TENS II inhibitor group, and a Sham-TENS group, each of 6. All of the groups had HP induced as in experiment one. All of the rats except those in the Sham-HP, HP and Sham-TENS groups were then given TENS, and the TENS I and II inhibitor groups were offered intrathecal injection of TNF-α-specific inhibitors. Mechanical pain thresholds (MPTs) were documented 4h, 24h, 48h, 72h, 6d, 7d 4h, 7d 1h, and 7d after the Car injections. Western blotting was used to measure the protein expressions of IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α 6d after the Car injection in both experiments.Results:In experiment one, the average MPTs of the HP, antibody and inhibitor groups had decreased significantly 4 hours after the Car injection compared with the blank and Sham-HP groups. However, 7d 1h after the Car injection the value had increased significantly in the Sham-HP, antibody and inhibitor groups compared with the HP group, while the expressions of IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α had decreased significantly. In experiment two, by 4 hours after the Car injection, the average MPT of all the other groups had decreased significantly compared with the Sham-HP group. Moreover, by 7d 1h after the Car injection, the average MPTs of the groups receiving TENS had increased significantly, with significantly lower MPT in the TENS Ⅱ group than in group Ⅰ, on average. There was also significantly higher expression of IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α in group II. Compared with the TENS Ⅰ and Ⅱ groups, the average MPT was significantly higher in the TENS I and Ⅱ inhibitor groups, but IL-33, ST2 and TNF-α expression was lower.Conclusions:TENS can inhibit TNF-α expression, which influences the signals of the DRG IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway to reverse hyperalgesia. TENS combined with anti-TNF-α treatment is superior to TENS alone in treating hyperalgesia.

Iron homeostasis is essential for normal physiological metabolism in the human body, and disorders of iron metabolism are associated with the development of several diseases. Ferroptosis is mainly manifested by the accumulation of intracellular iron and lipid peroxides, with the antioxidant system as its main defense mechanism. Current studies have demonstrated that ferroptosis is closely related to oxidative stress and male infertility, and inhibiting the accumulation of iron and lipid peroxides may be a potential strategy for the treatment of ferroptosis-associated male reproductive diseases. Recently, the study of ferroptosis, a novel cell death mode, and male reproductive disorders has attracted extensive attention and continuous exploration by scholars. Therefore, this article combines the latest research progress, mainly elaborates on the effect of ferroptosis on testicular spermatogenesis, from the mechanism of iron death, the role of ferroptosis in testicular function, the relationship with male infertility, and the potential therapeutic strategies for related male reproductive diseases, to expand the ideas for the prevention and treatment of male reproductive diseases.

Iron homeostasis is essential for normal physiological metabolism in the human body, and disorders of iron metabolism are associated with the development of several diseases. Ferroptosis is mainly manifested by the accumulation of intracellular iron and lipid peroxides, with the antioxidant system as its main defense mechanism. Current studies have demonstrated that ferroptosis is closely related to oxidative stress and male infertility, and inhibiting the accumulation of iron and lipid peroxides may be a potential strategy for the treatment of ferroptosis-associated male reproductive diseases. Recently, the study of ferroptosis, a novel cell death mode, and male reproductive disorders has attracted extensive attention and continuous exploration by scholars. Therefore, this article combines the latest research progress, mainly elaborates on the effect of ferroptosis on testicular spermatogenesis, from the mechanism of iron death, the role of ferroptosis in testicular function, the relationship with male infertility, and the potential therapeutic strategies for related male reproductive diseases, to expand the ideas for the prevention and treatment of male reproductive diseases.

Objective:To study the application value of practical demonstration of actual X-ray film images in the experimental teaching of radiography technology courses in medical imaging undergraduates.Methods:A total of 63 medical imaging undergraduates of Grade 2015 were randomly divided into three groups to receive part of the experimental courses about chest and abdomen radiography examination. Their pre-class work and machine were the same. As the experimental group, group A and group B added demonstration with X ray film images, while group C (control group) did not. The different teaching effects of the two methods were evaluated by simulate practical assessment and quiz. The accepting degree of demonstration method was evaluated in accordance with questionnaire survey.Results:The scores of simulated practical assessment (7.36±1.39) and quiz (4.24±2.01) in experimental group were significantly higher than those of (6.05±1.28) and (3.10±1.48) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.01, P=0.024). Questionnaire survey showed that the experimental group were 100% accepted practical demonstration of X ray film images. Conclusion:The application of practical demonstration of X-ray film images in radiology technology experimental courses can help undergraduates to accept new knowledge, deepen impression on knowledge and improve teaching effect, which is worth developing and popularizing.

Objective To evaluate and compare the 3 common inspection techniques for acute atlantoaxial trauma:tomosynthesis(DTS),digital radiology(DR) and computed tomography(CT).Methods The imaging data from March 2013 through December 2017 were retrieved from the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems(PACS) of The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University concerning the patients with acute atlantoaxial trauma.Selected for this study were 50 DTS images(DTS group),50 CT images(CT group) and 50 DR images(DR group).The image diagnoses for the 3 groups were conducted by 2 senior radiologists and their judgments were compared with the definite clinical diagnoses.The 3 groups were compared in terms of diagnostic accuracy,diagnostic rate of acute atlantoaxial trauma,image quality and effective radiation dosage.Results DR was insignificantly different from DTS or CT in diagnostic accuracy for the acute atlantoaxial Irauma which had been caused by mild violence like spraining and falling(P>0.05),but significantly inferior to both DTS and CT in diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic rate of the acute atlantoaxial trauma which had been caused by severe violence like traffic accident(P<0.05).In detection of atlas/axial fracture and atlantoaxial dislocation,DTS was slightly weaker than CT but significantly better than DR(P<0.05).The image quality scores for CT group(4.60±0.11) and DTS group(4.16±0.15) were significantly higher than that for DR group(2.80±0.18)(P<0.05).In average effective radiation dosage,CT group(2.33±0.020 mSv/time) was the highest,followed by DTS group(0.61±0.076 mSv/time) and DR group(0.025±0.003 mSv/time),showing significant differences between any two(P<0.05).Conclusions DR technique may be used for inspection of the atlantoaxial acute trauma caused by mild violence like spraining and falling,but has little value for inspection of most cases of atlantoaxial acute trauma.DTS technique may be the first choice for inspection of most atlantoaxial acute trauma.CT should be applied as a further inspection for complex cases because of its highest diagnostic accuracy and highest effective radiation dosage.

Objective To explore the long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of gastric GISTs.Methods Data of 25 patients with gastric stromal tumors,who underwent ESD,were reviewed in terms of clinical characteristics,histopathologic results,complications and long-term outcomes.Results Twenty-five patients underwent one-time complete removal of lesion, with a average tumor size of 3.0 cm (range,0.6 to 7.6 cm).The average time of operation was 65 minutes (range,15 to 154 minutes).one case was observed with intraoperative hemor-rhage of 200 mL blood,which was successfully managed by hemostatic forceps.Perforation with incidence rate of 16%occurred in 4 cases and was closed well with clips.Mucosal mechanical laceration of esophagus occurred in 1 case when the big tumor was taken out.The average length of hospi-talization was 7.3 days (range,4 to 21 days).A follow-up for 30 months (range,13 to 54 months) showed no tumor recurrence or metastasis. Conclusion ESD is an effective and safe endoscopic procedure to remove gastric GISTs for long-term outcomes in patients with no metastasis.

Objective investigate the correlation between plasma soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) and arterial stiffness in patients with different types of metabolic syndrome (MS).Methods A total of 180 subjects were drawn from a epidemiologic follow-up study,including 60 cases non-metabolic syndrome (NMS),60 cases metabolic syndrome without diabetes mellitus (NDMMS),60 cases metabolic syndrome with diabetes mellitus (DMMS).Carotid femoral arterial pulse wave velocity (CFPWV) was assessed by the French KangPuLe atherosclerosis measurement instrument,and plasma sRAGE levels were measured by ELISA.Comparison of mean in multiple groups was conducted by analysis of variance.Multivariate analysis was done with multiple linear stepwise regression analysis.P ＜ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference.Results Compared with NMS group,plasma sRAGE levels were significantly lower in DMMS and NDMMS groups [(635.07 ± 229.20) pg/mL vs.(671.17 ± 358.16) pg/mL vs.(992.99 ± 427.83) pg/mL,P =0.001].CFPWV of DMMS group was significantly higher than that of NMDMS and NMS groups (14.22 ±3.14) m/s vs.(12.15 ±2.79) m/s vs.(11.66 ± 2.52) m/s,P =0.002).Plasma sRAGE level was negatively correlated with CFPWV (r =-0.278,P =0.005).(3) Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that age (β =-0.091,95％ CI-0.096 ～-0.095,P =0.031),HDL-C (β =1.295,95％ CI 1.231 ～ 1.360,P =0.022) and sRAGE (β =0.119,95％ CI 0.118 ～ 0.130,P =0.032) had a significant effect on CFPWV.Conclusions The increased arterial stiffness is closely related to the discreased plasma sRAGE levels in MS.Plasma sRAGE maybe a novel target for vascular disease prevention and treatment in patients with metabolic syndrome.

AIM:To study the correlation of serum uric acid ( UA) level with carotid plaques and arterial stiff-ness in the patients with essential hypertension ( EH) , and to explore the predictive value of serum UA for evaluating EH preclinically .METHODS:A total of 92 patients with EH and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled .The value of UA and other indicators were detected .B-mode ultrasound examination was performed to measure the common carotid artery intima -media thickness ( IMT) and the sites of plaque in the internal carotid-artery, external carotid artery and carotid bifurca-tions.Carotid-femoral arterial pulse wave velocity ( CFPWV) was assessed by Complior?atherosclerosis measurement in-strument.RESULTS:The serum level of UA in the patients with EH was higher than that in control group [(361.51 ± 83.81) μmol/L vs (317.03 ±62.22) μmol/L, P<0.05].The mean value and abnormal rate of IMT between hyperten-sion group and control group were significant difference [(0.69 ±0.14) mm vs (0.60 ±0.12) mm, 42.39%vs 10.00%, P<0.05].In 92 EH patients, 45 cases had carotid plaques .These 45 cases were divided into 3 groups according to the plaque severity, among which the serum UA level had statistically significant differences [(285.25 ±78.41) μmol/L, (341.19 ±63.99) μmol/L and (401.33 ±88.49) μmol/L, P<0.05].Compared with rigid plaque group ( n=34), the serum UA level in soft plaque group (n=11) was significantly higher [(389.00 ±69.45) μmol/L vs (323.03 ± 72.71) μmol/L, P<0.05].A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that age ( r=0.414), systolic blood pressure (r=0.224), pulse pressure (r=0.270) and uric acid (r=0.219) were predisposed factors for higher CFP-WV (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:UA is one of the risk factors causing hypertension .Serum UA level may reflect the sever-ity and stability of carotid plaques .The increased arterial stiffness is closely related to the increased serum UA level in EH .

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy of a wrist worn Watch PAT 200 in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) by comparing with the standard polysomnography (PSG). METHOD: Twenty-eight adults with suspected OSAHS underwent a standard in-lab PSG while wearing a Watch PAT 200. PSG events were manually scored according to standard criteria (AASM). Watch PAT data were collected including changes of apnea hypopnea, sleep stages, peripheral arterial volume, signal oxygen saturation and heart rate, and then apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was analyzed by an automatic algorithm. RESULT: For PSG, the mean score of AHI was (23.00 +/- 21.55)/h, and for Watch PAT, a mean score of AHI was (25.99 +/- 19.09)/h. There is a statistically positive correlation between PSG-AHI and PAT-AHI (r = 0.92, P < 0.01). The Coincidence rate of the sleep-wake assessment based on 30-second bins between the PSG and Watch PAT 200 was (89 +/- 6)%. CONCLUSION Watch PAT 200 could detected OSAHS based on AHI with comparable accuracy with standard PSG. And it would provide a reasonably accurate estimation of sleep and wakefulness stages in patients with OSAHS.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Polysomnography ; instrumentation ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Sleep Stages