Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic value of an abbreviated protocol MRI(AP-MRI)based on first post-contrast subtracted(FAST)images for breast cancer detection.Materials and Methods This study included imaging data from 160 female patients with solid breast lesions who underwent breast MRI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from April 2021 to January 2024.Two AP-MRI protocols were extracted from the full diagnostic protocol(FDP),including:dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI(DCE-MRI)A protocol:FAST and maximum-intensity projection(MIP)images,and DCE-MRI B protocol:FAST+MIP+diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI).Lesions categorized as breast imaging reporting and data system(BI-RADS)1-3 were classified as negative,and those categorized as BI-RADS 4-5 were classified as positive.Pathological findings served as the diagnostic gold standard.Two radiologists independently evaluated the lesions as negative/positive and compared with the gold standard.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the three protocols were compared.Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for each protocol,and the area under the curve(AUC)was compared.Results The accuracy of the three protocols showed statistically significant differences(Cochran's Qreader1=6.000,P=0.050;Cochran's Qreader2=10.909,P=0.012).The accuracy of the DCE-MRI A protocol was significantly lower than that of the FDP protocol(Z=2.449,Preader1=0.043;Z=2.858,Preader2=0.013).There were no statistically significant differences in sensitivity(Cochran's Qreader1=3.000,P=0.223;Cochran's Qreader2=2.667,P=0.264)or specificity(Cochran's Qreader1=3.000,P=0.223;Cochran's Qreader2=2.800,P=0.247)between the two AP-MRI protocols and the FDP protocol.There were no statistically significant differences in AUC between the DCE-MRI B protocol and the FDP protocol(Z=1.390-1.719,all P>0.05),while the AUC of the DCE-MRI A protocol had lower AUCs than the FDP protocol(Z=1.980,2.441;both P<0.05).Conclusion The AP-MRI protocol combining FAST,MIP and DWI shows diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of the FDP and greatly saves time and cost,suggesting its potential as an alternative imaging strategy for women with dense breasts and as a new diagnostic approach for high-risk populations.

Background and aims:Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)is a common chronic condition that can lead to cancer due to its complex pathogenesis.Therapeutic agents targeting AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)activation have been suggested as potential treatments for metabolic disorders such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis(MASH).Rhizoma Atractylodis Mac-rocephalae(RAM)has been clinically used to treat obesity-related health problems,but its therapeutic effects on MAFLD and the underlying mechanism remain unclear.Therefore,this study was conducted to evaluate the function and underlying mechanism of RAM in the treatment of MAFLD.Methods:The effect of RAM decoction on MAFLD was evaluated using a high-fat diet(HFD)-induced MAFLD mouse model.In vitro studies were conducted using a palmitic acid/oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation model in the alpha mouse liver 12 cells and RAM-containing serum.The underlying mechanisms were elucidated through a combination of network pharmacology analysis,immunohis-tochemistry,western blotting,and polymerase chain reaction analysis.Results:Administration of RAM decoction significantly reduced body weight gain in MAFLD mice without changing food intake.The weights of the liver and inguinal adipose tissues were also reduced after RAM treatment.Additionally,RAM administration decreased serum levels of alanine aminotrans-ferase,aspartate transaminase,total cholesterol,triglyceride,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and glucose,while reducing lipid droplet accumulation in the liver tissues of MAFLD mice.The underlying mechanisms included the activation of the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC),and inhibition of the expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1(SREBP1).However,RAM did not alter the protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1α.Furthermore,the RAM-induced upregulation of phosphorylated AMPK,phos-phorylated ACC,and SREBP1 expression,as well as the downregulation of fatty acid synthase expression,were reversed by using an AMPK inhibitor.Conclusions:Through a combination of network pharmacology and experimental validation,we demonstrated that RAM may exert therapeutic effects on MAFLD by inhibiting lipid synthesis and activating phosphorylated AMPK pathways.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (TU-LESS) for abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) lesion resection.Methods:A total of 11 patients who underwent AWE lesion resection via TU-LESS at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2022 to May 2024 were enrolled. The size, invasion depth of the lesion, horizontal distance from the lesion center to the original surgical scar, vertical distance from the lesion to the skin, body mass index (BMI), the thickness of abdominal wall fat, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, perioperative complications, postoperative pathology, postoperative incision healing and recurrence were recorded and analyzed.Results:All 11 patients in this study had a history of cesarean section, 10 of whom had transverse incision and 1 had longitudinal incision. The age was (35.0±6.2) years old. BMI was (25.0±4.0) kg/m 2, with the highest being 33.9 kg/m 2. The lesion size was (24.7±12.1) mm, with an average horizontal distance from the lesion center to the original surgical scar of (11.6±6.0) mm. The abdominal wall fat thickness was (21.4±5.8) mm, and the vertical distance from the lesion to the skin was (14.5±7.9) mm. There were a total of 12 lesions in the 11 patients. Among them, 1 lesion extended to the peritoneum inferiorly, 5 lesions extended to the rectus abdominis inferiorly, 5 lesions reached the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis inferiorly, and 1 lesion was completely located within the abdominal wall fat. The operative time was (84.2±35.4) minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was (9.0±4.2) ml. The postoperative incision healing of all patients was grade A. The anatomical structure of their umbilical region remained normal, free from any scarring, which contributed to the high satisfaction levels expressed by the patients. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed endometriosis with negative surgical margins, and no recurrence had been observed during follow-up. Conclusion:TU-LESS for AWE lesion resection is safe and feasible, particularly suitable for patients with lesions located far from the original surgical scar, deep lesion location, thick abdominal wall fat, and multiple focal leisons.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of anatomical resection (AR) in the early stages of treating solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with liver cirrhosis with a diameter of ≤5 cm in comparison to different surgical methods of preferential hepatic parenchymal preservation (non-anatomical liver resection, NAR).Methods:The clinical data of 1 390 cases with solitary HCC combined with liver cirrhosis at an early stage who underwent liver resection at Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University and six other medical centers from September 2013 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the AR group (486 cases) and the NAR group (904 cases) and the wide surgical margin (WSM) group (745 cases) and the narrow surgical margin (NSM) group (645 cases) according to whether they received AR and the width of the surgical margin (1 cm). The basic information of the patients, preoperative evaluation index data, and postoperative follow-up (follow-up every 3 months) were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curve.The log-rank test was used to compare the difference in survival between the two groups. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce intergroup bias.Results:The overall survival (OS) rates for all patients at 1, 3, and 5 years were 95.5%, 79.9%, and 63.5%, respectively. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 81.5%, 59.0%, and 43.7%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in RFS rate between the AR group and the NAR group prior to PSM, but no statistically significant difference in OS rate (RFS rate: 47.0% vs. 41.9%, P<0.05; OS rate: 64.4% vs. 62.9%, P>0.05). The postoperative RFS rate and OS rate were significantly superior in the WSM group than those of the NSM group (RFS rate: 47.8% vs. 37.2%, P<0.001; OS rate: 69.0% vs. 57.3%, P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in OS rate and RFS rate between the AR group and the NAR group following PSM (RFS: 46.3% vs. 45.1%, P>0.05; OS rate: 64.0% vs. 64.3%, P>0.05).The 5-year OS and RFS rates in the WSM group were 66.8% and 60.2%, respectively. The 5-year OS and RFS rates for the NSM group were 48.7% and 41.4%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis indicated that serum albumin, tumor diameter, microvascular invasion, and surgical margin were independent prognostic factors affecting OS and RFS. The Child-Pugh grade and satellite lesions were independent prognostic factors affecting OS. Conclusion:Anatomical liver resection is not an independent risk factor for prognosis, but the state of the resection margin determines the prognosis of patients with solitary HCC combined with cirrhosis. Therefore, hepatic resection margins should be prioritized in such patients.

Purpose To investigate the independent risk factors for early recurrence of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation based on gadoxetic acid disodium(Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI combined with clinical features.Materials and Methods Clinical and imaging data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected.All patients underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and were followed up for up to two years post-surgery.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were performed to identify independent risk factors for recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.Results A total of 58 patients were finally included,including early recurrence group(n=22)and non-early recurrence group(n=36).Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)levels(HR=1.103,95%CI 1.008-1.206,P=0.033),arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement(HR=4.647,95%CI 1.527-14.110,P=0.007),peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement(HR=11.575,95%CI 3.575-37.478,P=0.001)and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity(HR=5.058,95%CI 1.129-22.668,P=0.034)were independent risk factors for early recurrence.The area under the curve for AFP combined with arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement,peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity were 0.896,0.842 and 0.860,with accuracy rates of 81.0%,84.5%and 82.8%,respectively.Conclusion Preoperative serum AFP levels,arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement,peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity are independent risk factors for early recurrence after radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.The combination of AFP and any of these MRI features significantly improves predictive efficacy.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of brain functional networks in patients with post-stroke aphasia(PSA)during a Chinese word-picture matching task.Methods A total of 18 PSA patients in Dongzhimen Hospital from January,2018 to December,2021 were enrolled as PSA group,and nine healthy controls matched for sex,age and education were included as the control group.The Chinese Rehabilitation Research Center Aphasia Examination(CRRCAE)and task-state electroencephalogram(EEG)data based on a Chinese word-picture matching paradigm were collected.Source-space reconstruction was applied to EEG signals to construct functional connectivity matrices.Graph-theoretical analysis was used to com-pute global network properties,and network-based statistics were used to identify subnetwork differences be-tween groups.Correlations between global network properties and CRRCAE subscales were further analyzed.Results The global properties of each frequency band were higher in the control group(unmatched)than in PSA group and the control group(matched)(P<0.01).Subnetworks connections enhanced in the alpha band in the frontal,temporal,parietal,occipital lobes and limbic system(23 nodes,31 edges,P<0.05),and weakened connections in the frontal,temporal,limbic system and basal ganglia(20 nodes,26 edges,P<0.01)in PSA group;in the beta band,subnetwork connections enhanced in the frontal,temporal lobes,basal ganglia and limbic system(15 nodes,23 edges,P<0.01);in the theta band,subnetwork connections weakened in the left frontal and temporal lobes(10 nodes,11 edges,P<0.05),and enhanced in the right frontal and temporal lobes(7 nodes,7 edges,P<0.05).Under the matched condition,the global properties of the alpha and beta bands in PSA group were positive-ly correlated with reading(r=0.511 to 0.650,all P<0.05),and the local efficiency and average clustering coeffi-cient of the theta band were negatively correlated with repetition(r=-0.500 to-0.505,all P<0.05);under the unmatched condition,the local efficiency and average clustering coefficient of the alpha and beta bands in PSA group were positively correlated with reading(r=0.522 to 0.642,all P<0.05),and the global efficiency and lo-cal efficiency of the alpha band were positively correlated with auditory comprehension(r=0.486 to 0.496,all P<0.05).The comparison between the task state and the resting state further revealed that compensatory connec-tion enhanced in the alpha band in the frontal lobe and limbic system(6 nodes,5 edges,P<0.05)and in the beta band in the frontal,temporal,parietal,occipital lobes and limbic system(38 nodes,52 edges,P<0.01)in PSA pa-tients.Conclusion The core network damage characteristics of PSA patients are abnormally decreased global properties across multiple frequency bands and frequency-specific abnormal network reorganization,suggesting the overall brain network efficiency decline coexists with local compensation.This provides an objective basis for the neuroelec-trophysiological evaluation and targeted intervention of PSA.

Objective:To investigate the prognosis of postoperative adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma after conversion therapy of combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy followed by sequential hepatectomy.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 103 patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who were admitted to 11 medical centers in China, including Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University et al, from November 2019 to May 2023 were collected. There were 83 males and 20 females, aged (54±12)years. All 103 patients underwent conversion therapy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) successfully followed by sequential hepatectomy, of which 72 patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant therapy were divided into the adjuvant therapy group, and 31 patients undergoing postoperative follow-up monitoring were divided into the follow-up monitoring group. Observation indicators: (1) follow-up and postoperative condi-tions; (2) analysis of factors influencing recurrence-free survival time of patients; (3) stratified ana-lysis. Comparison of count data between group was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. The R software was used to draw survival curves, and the Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results:(1) Follow-up and postoperative conditions. All 103 patients were followed up for 21.0(range, 1.9?47.2)months, with the median recurrence-free survival time of 28.7 months and the 1-, 2-, 3-year recurrence-free survival rates of 68.6%, 55.6%, 41.2%. The median overall survival time of 103 patients was unreached, and the 1-, 2-, 3-year overall survival rates were 90.9%, 82.1%, 69.6%, respectively. The median recurrence-free survival time was 33.1 months in patients of the adjuvant therapy group, with the 1-, 2-year recurrence-free survival rates as 77.2%, 61.5%. The median recurrence-free survival time was 11.1 months in patients of the follow-up monitoring group, with the 1-, 2-year recurrence-free survival rates as 46.6%, 40.8%. There was a significant difference in recurrence-free survival between the two groups of patients ( χ2=5.492, P<0.05). (2) Analysis of factors influencing recurrence-free survival time of patients. Results of multivariate analy-sis showed that pathologic complete response and postoperative adjuvant therapy were independent factors influencing recurrence-free survival time of HCC patients undergoing conversion therapy of combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy followed by sequential hepatectomy ( hazard ratio=0.297, 0.492, 95% confidence interval as 0.137?0.647, 0.268?0.903, P<0.05). (3) Stratified analysis. Of the 71 patients with non-pathologic complete response, the median recurrence-free survival time of 48 patients in the adjuvant therapy group was 24.0 months, with the 1-, 2-year recurrence-free survival rates as 67.4%, 48.8%. The median recurrence-free survival time of 23 patients with non-pathological complete response in the follow-up monitoring group was 7.4 months, with the 1-, 2-year recurrence-free survival rates as 35.0%, 26.3%. There was a significant difference in recurrence-free survival between the 48 patients with non-pathologic complete response in the adjuvant therapy group and the 23 patients with non-pathologic complete response in the follow-up monitoring group ( χ2=5.241, P<0.05). Conclusion:For HCC patients with conversion therapy of TKIs and ICIs followed by sequential hepatectomy, postoperative adjuvant therapy, compared to postoperative follow-up monitoring, can prolong the recurrence-free survival time of patients, of whom cases with non-pathologic complete response can benefit from adjuvant therapy.

Objective:To establish a chain management model for blood glucose in critically ill patients after cardiac surgery and analyze its clinical effectiveness, and to provide a reference for related clinical nursing practices.Methods:A quasi-experimental study design was adopted. Using convenience sampling, 120 critically ill patients after cardiac surgery admitted to Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were selected as study subjects. They were divided into groups based on the time of admission to the intensive care unit after surgery. Sixty patients admitted from March to May 2024 were assigned to the control group and received conventional blood glucose management. Another 60 patients admitted from June to August 2024 were assigned to the observation group and received the chain management model for blood glucose control in addition to the conventional approach. Blood glucose levels and quality indicators of blood glucose management (including maximum blood glucose fluctuation, time in target glucose range, duration of insulin use, incidence of hypoglycemia, etc.) were compared between the two groups.Results:The control group included 27 males and 33 females, with an age of 63.00(59.00, 69.25) years; the observation group included 28 males and 32 females, with an age of 66.00(60.00, 70.00) years. The blood glucose levels of the observation group on postoperative days 2, 3, 4 were 9.10(8.68, 9.90), 8.90(8.40, 10.00), 8.75(7.38, 9.03) mmol/L, respectively, which were lower than those of the control group [10.30(9.80, 11.00), 9.95(9.40, 11.05), 9.30(8.10, 10.02) mmol/L], with a statistically significant difference ( Z=-5.85, -4.95, -3.50, all P<0.05). The maximum blood glucose fluctuation in the observation group was (4.09 ± 2.45) mmol/L, lower than that of the control group [(5.19 ± 2.47) mmol/L], with a statistically significant difference ( t=2.46, P<0.05). The time in the target glucose range was 67.00(60.00, 75.00)% in the observation group, higher than that of the control group 52.00(45.00, 60.00)%, with a statistically significant difference ( Z=-6.57, P<0.05). The duration of insulin use was 6.00(5.00, 7.00) h in the observation group, shorter than that of the control group [13.00(9.75, 15.32) h], with a statistically significant difference ( Z=-8.68, P<0.05). The incidence of hypoglycemia was 3.33%(2/60) in the observation group and 15.00%(9/60) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=4.90, P<0.05). The mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay, and total hospital stay in the observation group were 42.00(37.00, 89.25) h, 6.00(5.00, 7.00) d, and 12.00(11.75, 13.00) d, respectively, which were shorter than those of the control group [96.00(86.25, 98.00) h, 7.00(7.00, 10.00) d, and 13.00(11.75, 15.00) d], with a statistically significant difference ( Z=8.67, 17.57, 4.73, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The implemented chain management model for blood glucose control meets the comprehensive requirements of blood glucose management. It not only reduces blood glucose fluctuations and decreases the incidence of hypoglycemia but also effectively improves the quality of blood glucose management in critically ill patients after cardiac surgery, enhances the safety of blood glucose control, and promotes patient recovery.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (TU-LESS) for abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) lesion resection.Methods:A total of 11 patients who underwent AWE lesion resection via TU-LESS at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2022 to May 2024 were enrolled. The size, invasion depth of the lesion, horizontal distance from the lesion center to the original surgical scar, vertical distance from the lesion to the skin, body mass index (BMI), the thickness of abdominal wall fat, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, perioperative complications, postoperative pathology, postoperative incision healing and recurrence were recorded and analyzed.Results:All 11 patients in this study had a history of cesarean section, 10 of whom had transverse incision and 1 had longitudinal incision. The age was (35.0±6.2) years old. BMI was (25.0±4.0) kg/m 2, with the highest being 33.9 kg/m 2. The lesion size was (24.7±12.1) mm, with an average horizontal distance from the lesion center to the original surgical scar of (11.6±6.0) mm. The abdominal wall fat thickness was (21.4±5.8) mm, and the vertical distance from the lesion to the skin was (14.5±7.9) mm. There were a total of 12 lesions in the 11 patients. Among them, 1 lesion extended to the peritoneum inferiorly, 5 lesions extended to the rectus abdominis inferiorly, 5 lesions reached the anterior sheath of the rectus abdominis inferiorly, and 1 lesion was completely located within the abdominal wall fat. The operative time was (84.2±35.4) minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was (9.0±4.2) ml. The postoperative incision healing of all patients was grade A. The anatomical structure of their umbilical region remained normal, free from any scarring, which contributed to the high satisfaction levels expressed by the patients. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed endometriosis with negative surgical margins, and no recurrence had been observed during follow-up. Conclusion:TU-LESS for AWE lesion resection is safe and feasible, particularly suitable for patients with lesions located far from the original surgical scar, deep lesion location, thick abdominal wall fat, and multiple focal leisons.

Purpose To investigate the independent risk factors for early recurrence of solitary hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation based on gadoxetic acid disodium(Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI combined with clinical features.Materials and Methods Clinical and imaging data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected.All patients underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and were followed up for up to two years post-surgery.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were performed to identify independent risk factors for recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.Results A total of 58 patients were finally included,including early recurrence group(n=22)and non-early recurrence group(n=36).Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)levels(HR=1.103,95%CI 1.008-1.206,P=0.033),arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement(HR=4.647,95%CI 1.527-14.110,P=0.007),peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement(HR=11.575,95%CI 3.575-37.478,P=0.001)and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity(HR=5.058,95%CI 1.129-22.668,P=0.034)were independent risk factors for early recurrence.The area under the curve for AFP combined with arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement,peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity were 0.896,0.842 and 0.860,with accuracy rates of 81.0%,84.5%and 82.8%,respectively.Conclusion Preoperative serum AFP levels,arterial-phase irregular margin enhancement,peritumoral arterial-phase enhancement and peritumoral hepatobiliary phase hypointensity are independent risk factors for early recurrence after radiofrequency ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.The combination of AFP and any of these MRI features significantly improves predictive efficacy.