ObjectiveTo evaluate the public health governance capacity in Jiangsu Province and provide an optimized pathway for the construction of a “strong, rich, beautiful, and high-quality” new Jiangsu. MethodsA total of 806 policy documents, 658 public information reports, and 148 research literatures related to public health governance capacity in Jiangsu Province from January 1995 to December 2023 were collected. The status of current public health goverance was assessed based on the evaluation criteria suitable for public health systems, and the strengths and the weaknesses of the system were identified. ResultsThe public health governance capability of Jiangsu Province was scored at 738.3 points, ranking 3rd nationally. Maternal health care and emergency response capacities achieved leading positions nationwide, both ranking 2nd. Jiangsu had exhibited a standardized guidance in the strategic level, a well-established management mechanism, an extensive coverage in information collection, and a scientifically established health targets setting. However, bottlenecks remained, including an unclear division of responsibilities across organizational departments, an insufficient public-health workforce, the absence of a stable growth mechanism for government funding investment, and difficulties in promptly identifying public needs. ConclusionJiangsu’s public-health system demonstrates leading nationally, yet several components remain underdeveloped. Future efforts should consolidate advantages while addressing weaknesses, further diversify content and forms, establish a stable funding increase mechanism, and clarify departmental functions, thereby providing solid health support for realizing the developmental goals of a “strong, rich, beautiful and high-quality” new Jiangsu.

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of a clustered outbreak of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS)as well as the ecological tick monitoring results for Zibo City, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating prevention and control strategies. Methods A case definition was cited before epidemic investigations were performed. Epidemiological investigations were performed on the index cases and their close contacts. Blood samples were collected from cases and close contacts, and quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to detect SFTS virus(SFTSV)nucleic acid sequences. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze risk factors and develop prevention and control strategies. Results This clustered outbreak involved two index cases and six close contacts with no deaths. Case A exhibited symptom onset on July 26. SFTS was confirmed on August 2. Case B exhibited symptom onset on August 1, and SFTS was confirmed on August 3. Patient B reported a recent history of tick bites. In both index cases, the incubation period for SFTS was inferred to be 7-12 days. The time interval from symptom onset to clinical diagnosis in the two cases ranged from 2-8 days, with an average period of 5 days. SFTSV nucleic acid test result were positive for both patients, whereas all six close contacts tested negative. All captured ticks tested negative for SFTSV using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The densities of parasitic and free-living ticks in the emergency monitoring area around the cases were 12.60 and 4.65 ticks/(flag·100 m). In 2024, the average parasitic tick index and free-living tick density index were 4.21 and 2.43 ticks/(flag ·100 m)in Yiyuan County, respectively. Conclusions No evidence of human-to-human transmission was found in the assessed SFTS clusters. The infections were likely acquired through tick bites during fieldwork, and the risk of a subsequent outbreak spreading was low.

Objective To observe the value of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing pheochromocytoma(PCC)and paraganglioma(PGL).Methods Thirty-eight patients with suspected or confirmed PCC/PGL who underwent 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT were retrospectively enrolled,among them 20 cases underwent 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine(MIBG)SPECT/CT during the same period.The value of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing PCC/PGL at individual and lesion levels were analyzed and compared to the results of 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT.Results Among 38 cases,there were 20 cases of PCC,14 cases of PGL,1 case of adrenocortical carcinoma and 3 cases of benign adrenal hyperplasia.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy of 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing PCC/PGL in all 38 cases was 87.88％(29/33),60.00％(3/5),93.55％(29/31),42.86％(3/7)and 84.21％(32/38),respectively.Totally 188 lesions were detected in 34 cases,with detection rate of 89.95％(188/209).For 20 patients who underwent both 2 kinds examinations,the detection rate of bone,lymph node,liver,lung metastases and the overall lesions of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT were all higher than those of 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT(all P＜0.05).No significant difference of diagnostic accuracy of PCC/PGL was found between 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT and 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT(P＞0.05).Conclusion The value of 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing PCC/PGL was comparable to that of 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT,but the former showed higher detection rate of metastases,hence being helpful to staging and risk stratification of PCC/PGL.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of dual-low-dose CT energy spectral imaging combined with adaptive statis-tical iterative reconstruction-Veo(ASIR-V)in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods A total of 242 patients with thyroid nodules were included.In part Ⅰ,the initial 90 patients were randomly and equally assigned to the conventional scan group,the low radiation dose group,and the dual-low-dose group.Both subjective and objective image qualities,the radiation dose,and contrast agent dosage in these three groups were evaluated,respectively.In part Ⅱ,the remaining 152 patients underwent dual-low-dose CT energy spectral scanning.Radiographic features of thyroid nodules in benign and malinant groups were observed,fol-lowed by spectral imaging analysis.The iodine concentration(IC)value,normalized iodine concentration(NIC)value,effective atomic number(Eff-Z),and λHU value of benign and malignant nodules were measured and compared,respectively.Results There were significant differences in nodule morphology,sign of edge truncation,enhancement characteristics and nodule boundary enhancement between benign and malignant thyroid nodules(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in IC value,NIC value,and λHU value in the venous phase among the three groups(P<0.05).The sensitivity and specificity of IC,NIC,λHU were 81.6%and 60.0%,86.4%and 67.5%,88.8%and 65.0%,respectively.The area under the curve(AUC)of combining the three energy spectral parameters with radiographic fea-tures via binary logistic regression model was 0.905,and the sensitivity and specificity were 82.4%and 87.5%,respectively.The effective dose(ED)in the dual-low-dose group was reduced by 60.13%com-pared to the conventional scan group,and the contrast agent dos-age was reduced by 38.56%.Conclusion The dual-low-dose CT energy spectral imaging combined with ASIR-V significantly reduced the radiation dose and the contrast agent dosage,and might help in distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid nodules,demonstrating considerable clinical application value.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.

Background/Aims: Anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) is a promising endoscopic intervention for proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-dependent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the effect of ARMA on esophageal motility remains unclear. Methods: Twenty patients with PPI-dependent GERD receiving ARMA were prospectively enrolled. Comprehensive self-report symptom questionnaires, endoscopy, 24-hour impedance-pH monitoring, and high-resolution impedance manometry were performed and analyzed before and 3 months after ARMA. Results: All ARMA procedures were performed successfully. Symptom scores, including GerdQ (11.16 ± 2.67 to 9.11 ± 2.64, P = 0.026) and reflux symptom index (11.63 ± 5.62 to 6.11 ± 3.86, P = 0.001), improved significantly, while 13 patients (65%) reported discontinuation of PPI. Total acid exposure time (5.84 ± 4.63% to 2.83 ± 3.41%, P = 0.024) and number of reflux episodes (73.05 ± 19.34 to 37.55 ± 22.71, P < 0.001) decreased significantly after ARMA. Improved esophagogastric junction (EGJ) barrier function, including increased lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure (13.89 ± 10.78 mmHg to 21.68 ± 11.5 mmHg, P = 0.034), 4-second integrated relaxation pressure (5.75 ± 6.42 mmHg to 9.99 ± 5.89 mmHg, P = 0.020), and EGJ-contractile integral(16.42 ± 16.93 mmHg · cm to 31.95 ± 21.25 mmHg · cm, P = 0.016), were observed. Esophageal body contractility also increased significantly (distal contractile integral, 966.85 ± 845.84 mmHg · s · cm to 1198.8 ± 811.74 mmHg · s · cm, P = 0.023). Patients with symptom improvement had better pre-AMRA esophageal body contractility. Conclusions ARMA effectively improves symptoms and reflux burden, EGJ barrier function, and esophageal body contractility in patients with PPIdependent GERD during short-term evaluation. Longer follow-up to clarify the sustainability of ARMA is needed.

Background/Aims: Anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) is a promising endoscopic intervention for proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-dependent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the effect of ARMA on esophageal motility remains unclear. Methods: Twenty patients with PPI-dependent GERD receiving ARMA were prospectively enrolled. Comprehensive self-report symptom questionnaires, endoscopy, 24-hour impedance-pH monitoring, and high-resolution impedance manometry were performed and analyzed before and 3 months after ARMA. Results: All ARMA procedures were performed successfully. Symptom scores, including GerdQ (11.16 ± 2.67 to 9.11 ± 2.64, P = 0.026) and reflux symptom index (11.63 ± 5.62 to 6.11 ± 3.86, P = 0.001), improved significantly, while 13 patients (65%) reported discontinuation of PPI. Total acid exposure time (5.84 ± 4.63% to 2.83 ± 3.41%, P = 0.024) and number of reflux episodes (73.05 ± 19.34 to 37.55 ± 22.71, P < 0.001) decreased significantly after ARMA. Improved esophagogastric junction (EGJ) barrier function, including increased lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure (13.89 ± 10.78 mmHg to 21.68 ± 11.5 mmHg, P = 0.034), 4-second integrated relaxation pressure (5.75 ± 6.42 mmHg to 9.99 ± 5.89 mmHg, P = 0.020), and EGJ-contractile integral(16.42 ± 16.93 mmHg · cm to 31.95 ± 21.25 mmHg · cm, P = 0.016), were observed. Esophageal body contractility also increased significantly (distal contractile integral, 966.85 ± 845.84 mmHg · s · cm to 1198.8 ± 811.74 mmHg · s · cm, P = 0.023). Patients with symptom improvement had better pre-AMRA esophageal body contractility. Conclusions ARMA effectively improves symptoms and reflux burden, EGJ barrier function, and esophageal body contractility in patients with PPIdependent GERD during short-term evaluation. Longer follow-up to clarify the sustainability of ARMA is needed.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-associated death globally. Liver transplantation (LT) has emerged as a key treatment for patients with HCC, and the Milan criteria have been adopted as the cornerstone of the selection policy. To allow more patients to benefit from LT, a number of expanded criteria have been proposed, many of which use radiologic morphological characteristics with larger and more tumors as surrogates to predict outcomes. Other groups developed indices incorporating biological variables and dynamic markers of response to locoregional treatment. These expanded selection criteria achieved satisfactory results with limited liver supplies. In addition, a number of prognostic models have been developed using clinicopathological characteristics, imaging radiomics features, genetic data, and advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence. These models could improve prognostic estimation, establish surveillance strategies, and bolster long-term outcomes in patients with HCC. In this study, we reviewed the latest findings and achievements regarding the selection criteria and post-transplant prognostic models for LT in patients with HCC.

Objective To observe the value of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing pheochromocytoma(PCC)and paraganglioma(PGL).Methods Thirty-eight patients with suspected or confirmed PCC/PGL who underwent 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT were retrospectively enrolled,among them 20 cases underwent 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine(MIBG)SPECT/CT during the same period.The value of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing PCC/PGL at individual and lesion levels were analyzed and compared to the results of 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT.Results Among 38 cases,there were 20 cases of PCC,14 cases of PGL,1 case of adrenocortical carcinoma and 3 cases of benign adrenal hyperplasia.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accuracy of 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing PCC/PGL in all 38 cases was 87.88％(29/33),60.00％(3/5),93.55％(29/31),42.86％(3/7)and 84.21％(32/38),respectively.Totally 188 lesions were detected in 34 cases,with detection rate of 89.95％(188/209).For 20 patients who underwent both 2 kinds examinations,the detection rate of bone,lymph node,liver,lung metastases and the overall lesions of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT were all higher than those of 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT(all P＜0.05).No significant difference of diagnostic accuracy of PCC/PGL was found between 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT and 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT(P＞0.05).Conclusion The value of 68 Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for diagnosing PCC/PGL was comparable to that of 131I-MIBG SPECT/CT,but the former showed higher detection rate of metastases,hence being helpful to staging and risk stratification of PCC/PGL.