Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Pancreatic cancer has a concealed onset and poor prognosis,and surgical resection is the main treatment method.Neoadjuvant therapy may improve the rate of negative resection margin and prolong overall survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.Functional and quantitative imaging can non-invasively reflect tumor microenvironment characteristics related to chemotherapy resistance,providing a new perspective for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer.The research progresses in functional and quantitative imaging for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy of pancreatic cancer were reviewed in this article.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of aggressive angiomyxoma(AAM).Methods Four patients with newly diagnosed AAM and 3 with recurrent AAM confirmed by pathology were retrospectively enrolled,and the ultrasonic manifestations were analyzed.Results Among 7 cases of AAM,the lesions located in subcutaneous regions of perineum in 3 cases,in both perineum and pelvic cavity in 2 cases,in pelvic cavity and in cervix each 1 case,with a median maximum diameter of 7.6 cm.The lesions mainly manifested as heterogeneous hypoechoic,scattered cord-like moderate/moderate-hyperechoic inside,regular or lobulated shape with finger-like protrusions,with clear boundary or unclear boundary with adjacent vagina/rectum.Layered structure could be observed with gray-scale ultrasound and CDFI.Conclusion AAM mainly affected pelvis and perineal region,often manifested as large lesion tended to infiltrate surrounding areas and form finger-like protrusions,most with clear boundaries and interior heterogeneous hypoechoic regions,also the characteristic stratified structures.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of non-ablative vaginal erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet(Er:YAG)laser therapy in improving symptoms in women with mild-to-moderate stress urinary incontinence(SUI).Methods A prospective,multicenter,randomized controlled trial was conducted.A total of 126 female SUI patients were enrolled and randomized in a 2∶1 ratio to the treatment group(n=84,receiving Er:YAG laser therapy)and the sham control group(n=42,undergoing non-energized laser device with shielded beam).Efficacy outcomes were compared between the two groups,including the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form(ICI-Q-SF)scores at baseline and 1,3,6 months after treatment,response rate 3 month after treatment,urine leakage volume,daily incontinence episodes and visual analog scale(VAS).Results One month and 3 months after treatment,the ICI-Q-SF scores in the treatment group(8.07±3.33 and 7.04±3.04,respectively)were significantly lower than those in the control group(9.57±4.03 and 9.65±3.27,respectively;both P＜0.05).The 3-month response rate was significantly higher in the treatment group(71.43％)compared to the control group(35.71％,P＜0.05).Improvements in urine leakage volume 1 and 3 months after treatment were significantly greater in the treatment group versus the control group(both P＜0.05).A statistically significant reduction in daily incontinence episodes was observed in the treatment group 1 month after treatment compared to the control group[2(0,5)times vs.4(2,8)times,P＜0.05].VAS score in the treatment group markedly decreased 1 month after treatment,comparable to the level observed in the control group[0(0,2.45)vs.0(0,0),P＜0.05].Conclusion Non-ablative vaginal Er:YAG laser therapy significantly alleviates symptoms in women with mild-to-moderate SUI and represents a viable treatment option for this condition.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of aggressive angiomyxoma(AAM).Methods Four patients with newly diagnosed AAM and 3 with recurrent AAM confirmed by pathology were retrospectively enrolled,and the ultrasonic manifestations were analyzed.Results Among 7 cases of AAM,the lesions located in subcutaneous regions of perineum in 3 cases,in both perineum and pelvic cavity in 2 cases,in pelvic cavity and in cervix each 1 case,with a median maximum diameter of 7.6 cm.The lesions mainly manifested as heterogeneous hypoechoic,scattered cord-like moderate/moderate-hyperechoic inside,regular or lobulated shape with finger-like protrusions,with clear boundary or unclear boundary with adjacent vagina/rectum.Layered structure could be observed with gray-scale ultrasound and CDFI.Conclusion AAM mainly affected pelvis and perineal region,often manifested as large lesion tended to infiltrate surrounding areas and form finger-like protrusions,most with clear boundaries and interior heterogeneous hypoechoic regions,also the characteristic stratified structures.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of non-ablative vaginal erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet(Er:YAG)laser therapy in improving symptoms in women with mild-to-moderate stress urinary incontinence(SUI).Methods A prospective,multicenter,randomized controlled trial was conducted.A total of 126 female SUI patients were enrolled and randomized in a 2∶1 ratio to the treatment group(n=84,receiving Er:YAG laser therapy)and the sham control group(n=42,undergoing non-energized laser device with shielded beam).Efficacy outcomes were compared between the two groups,including the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form(ICI-Q-SF)scores at baseline and 1,3,6 months after treatment,response rate 3 month after treatment,urine leakage volume,daily incontinence episodes and visual analog scale(VAS).Results One month and 3 months after treatment,the ICI-Q-SF scores in the treatment group(8.07±3.33 and 7.04±3.04,respectively)were significantly lower than those in the control group(9.57±4.03 and 9.65±3.27,respectively;both P＜0.05).The 3-month response rate was significantly higher in the treatment group(71.43％)compared to the control group(35.71％,P＜0.05).Improvements in urine leakage volume 1 and 3 months after treatment were significantly greater in the treatment group versus the control group(both P＜0.05).A statistically significant reduction in daily incontinence episodes was observed in the treatment group 1 month after treatment compared to the control group[2(0,5)times vs.4(2,8)times,P＜0.05].VAS score in the treatment group markedly decreased 1 month after treatment,comparable to the level observed in the control group[0(0,2.45)vs.0(0,0),P＜0.05].Conclusion Non-ablative vaginal Er:YAG laser therapy significantly alleviates symptoms in women with mild-to-moderate SUI and represents a viable treatment option for this condition.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Pancreatic cancer has a concealed onset and poor prognosis,and surgical resection is the main treatment method.Neoadjuvant therapy may improve the rate of negative resection margin and prolong overall survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.Functional and quantitative imaging can non-invasively reflect tumor microenvironment characteristics related to chemotherapy resistance,providing a new perspective for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer.The research progresses in functional and quantitative imaging for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy of pancreatic cancer were reviewed in this article.

Objective To observe the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)for evaluating blood supply pattern of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC).Methods A total of 210 single PDAC patients proved by pathology who underwent CEUS and contrast enhanced CT(CECT)examination were retrospectively enrolled.Blood supply patterns of PDAC,i.e.deficient or rich blood supply were evaluated based on findings of CEUS 25 s(CEUS-25 s)and 35 s(CEUS-35 s)after contrast agents injection and CECT,respectively.The evaluation results were compared among different methods.Disease free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)of patients with deficient and rich blood supply PDAC shown on CEUS-25 s were followed up and compared.Results CEUS-25 s found 60.00％(126/210)PDAC with deficient blood supply(poor blood supply group),while 40.00％(84/210)with rich blood supply(rich blood supply group).CEUS-35 s showed that the proportion deficient blood supply PDAC increased to 70.48％(148/210,P＜0.05),22 lesions changed from rich blood supply pattern on CEUS-25 s to deficient blood supply pattern.CECT displayed deficient blood supply in 91.90％(193/210)PDAC but rich blood supply in 8.10％(17/210)PDAC,both being significant different compared with results of CEUS-25 s and CEUS-35 s(both P＜0.05).Fifteen-five cases in deficient blood supply group and 39 in rich blood supply group completed 12(8,25)months'follow-up,and the median DFS of patients in deficient blood supply group and rich blood supply group was 8(6,10)and 12(7,17)months,respectively,with the median OS of 14(9,17)and 19(16,24)months,respectively.The median DFS and OS in poor blood supply group were both shorter than those in rich blood supply group(x2=17.227,27.166,both P＜0.001).Conclusion CEUS had important clinical value for evaluating blood supply pattern of PDAC.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effects of Ginkgo biloba extract （GBE） on renal inflammation in diabetic nephropathy （DN） model mice， and its potential mechanism. METHODS KK/Ay mice were fed with high fat and high sugar to induce DN model. They were divided into model group， positive control group [metformin 200 mg/（kg·d）]， GBE low-dose and high-dose groups [100， 200 mg/（kg·d）]， with 6 mice in each group. Six C57BL/6J mice were fed with a regular diet as the control group. Administration groups were given relevant liquid intragastrically， control group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. The body weight， fasting blood glucose， 24-hour food intake， 24-hour urine output， monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）， interleukin-12 （IL-12）， IL-10， advanced glycation end products （AGEs）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN） and serum creatinine （Scr） of mice were measured， and the ratio of bilateral kidneys to body weight was also calculated. The pathological injury and fibrotic changes of the renal cortex were observed， and the expressions of macrophage polarization marker proteins [type M1： inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）； type M2： arginase-1 （Arg-1）] and AGEs-the receptor of advanced glycation end products （RAGE）/Ras homolog gene pharm_chenjing@163.com family member A （RhoA）/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase （ROCK） signaling pathway-related proteins were determined in renal cortex. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the symptoms such as renal cortical hyperplasia， vacuoles， infiltration of inflammatory cells， and renal cortical fibrosis had been improved in GBE low-dose and high-dose groups； body weight， serum level of IL-10， the expression of Arg-1 in the renal cortex were significantly higher than model group （P＜ 0.01）； fasting blood glucose， 24-hour food intake， 24-hour urine output， serum levels of MCP-1， IL-12， BUN， Scr and AGEs， the ratio of bilateral kidneys to body weight， renal injury score， the proportion of renal interstitial fibrosis， the protein expressions of iNOS， RAGE， RhoA and ROCK1 （except for GBE low-dose group） in renal cortex were significantly lower than model group （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS GBE could improve kidney damage and alleviate inflammatory response in DN model mice， the mechanism of which may be related to inhibiting the AGEs-RAGE/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway and regulating macrophage polarization.