Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

Objective: The CT/MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) demonstrates high specificity with relatively limited sensitivity for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients. This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving sensitivity by combining CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018 with second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) LI-RADS v2017 using sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) or perfluorobutane (PFB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected multicenter data included high-risk patients with treatment-naive hepatic observations. The reference standard was pathological confirmation or a composite reference standard (only for benign lesions). Each participant underwent concurrent CT/MRI, SHF-enhanced US, and PFB-enhanced US examinations. The diagnostic performances for HCC of CT/MRI LI-RADS alone and three combination strategies (combining CT/ MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or a modified algorithm incorporating the Kupffer-phase findings for PFB [modified PFB]) were evaluated. For the three combination strategies, apart from the CT/MRI LR-5 criteria, HCC was diagnosed if CT/MRI LR-3 or LR-4 observations met the LR-5 criteria using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB. Results: In total, 281 participants (237 males; mean age, 55 ± 11 years) with 306 observations (227 HCCs, 40 non-HCC malignancies, and 39 benign lesions) were included. Using LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, and modified PFB, 20, 23, and 31 CT/MRI LR-3/4 observations, respectively, were reclassified as LR-5, and all were pathologically confirmed as HCCs. Compared to CT/MRI LI-RADS alone (74%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%–79%), the three combination strategies combining CT/MRI LI-RADS with either LI-RADS SHF, LI-RADS PFB, or modified PFB increased sensitivity (83% [95% CI: 77%–87%], 84% [95% CI: 79%–89%], 88% [95% CI: 83%–92%], respectively; all P < 0.001), while maintaining the specificity at 92% (95% CI: 84%–97%). Conclusion The combination of CT/MRI LI-RADS with second-line CEUS using SHF or PFB improved the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis without compromising specificity.

ObjectiveTo explore whether the mechanism of Shuangshen Ningxin capsules （SSNX） in alleviating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury （MIRI） in rats is related to the regulation of mitochondrial fission and fusion. MethodThis study focused on Sprague Dawley （SD） rats and ligated the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery to construct a rat model of MIRI. The rats were divided into the sham operation group， model group， SSNX group （90 mg·kg^-1） and trimetazidine group （5.4 mg·kg^-1）. The activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and the content of malondialdehyde （MDA） were detected by micro method. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential （△Ψm） and the degree of mitochondrial permeability transition pore （mPTP） opening were detected by the chemical fluorescence method. The intracellular adenosine triphosphate （ATP） level was detected by the luciferase assay. The messenger ribonucleic acid （mRNA） and protein expression levels of mitochondrial fission and fusion related factors dynamin-related protein 1 （DRP1）， mitochondrial fission 1 protein （FIS1）， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1）， mitochondrial outer membrane fusion protein 1 （MFN1）， and MFN2 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （real-time PCR） and Western blot. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the model group showed a decrease in serum SOD activity and an increase in MDA content. The opening level of mPTP， the level of △Ψm and ATP content decreased， the protein expressions of mitochondrial fission factors DRP1 and FIS1 increased， and the protein expressions and mRNA transcription levels of fusion related factors OPA1 and MFN1 decreased. Compared with the model group，SSNX significantly increased serum SOD activity， reduced MDA content， increased intracellular ATP level and △Ψm， reduced the opening level of mPTP， downregulated the protein expressions of mitochondrial fission factors DRP1 and FIS1， and increased the mRNA transcription levels and protein expressions of fusion related factors OPA1 and MFN1. ConclusionSSNX inhibits the expressions of mitochondrial fission factors DRP1 and FIS1， and increases the expressions of fusion related factors OPA1 and MFN1， inhibiting mitochondrial fission and increasing mitochondrial fusion， thereby alleviating MIRI.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury （MIRI） is a common injury in the treatment of ischemic heart diseases. MIRI can be categorized as chest impediment and palpitation in traditional Chinese medicine， with the pathogenesis related to Qi and blood disharmony. The simultaneous disorders of Qi and blood are the key mechanism of MIRI， and thus the differentiation of Qi and blood syndromes is the prerequisite for the treatment. The theory of Qi and blood interacting in vessels is proposed by our team based on Qi being the commander of blood and blood being the mother of Qi as well as previous pharmacological studies. Specifically， Qi marshals blood by vessels， and the blood carries Qi by vessels. Accordingly， Qi and blood interact in the vessels. MIRI is accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction， platelet function abnormality， and vascular endothelial damage， which are correlated with Qi deficiency， blood stasis， and vessel damage， respectively. Mitochondrial， platelet， and vascular endothelial structural and functional changes triggered by their interactions are one of the mechanisms by which Qi deficiency， blood stasis， and vessel damage lead to the occurrence and development of MIRI. By exploring the correlations between Qi and mitochondria， between blood and platelets， and between vessels and blood vessels， we can explain the modern scientific content of the theory of Qi and blood interacting in vessels in traditional Chinese medicine. According to the pathogenesis of Qi and blood disharmony in vessels， we discussed the pharmacological mechanisms of Qi-replenishing medicines， blood-activating medicines， and their combinations in the prevention and treatment of MIRI. On the basis of the research achievements in the prevention and treatment of MIRI by Qi-replenishing and blood-activating Chinese medicines based on the theory of Qi and blood interacting in vessels， we analyzed the effects of these medicines on Qi， blood， and vessels. According to the theory of Qi and blood， this article reveals the theoretical basis and scientific connotations of the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases， with the aim of providing new ideas and references for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with cryoglobulinemia.Methods:It is a cross-sectional study. The patients diagnosed with cryoglobulinemia in our hospital were enrolled from July 2017 to March 2023. The baseline information of patients, included age, gender, qualitative, and quantitative results of serum cryoglobulins, initial clinical manifestations, etiology, serum complement 3 and 4, and the renal pathological manifestations. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with different types of cryoglobulinemia were analyzed.Results:There were 62 patients (30.7%) with type Ⅰ cryoglobulinemia, 58 patients (28.7%) with type Ⅱ cryoglobulinemia, and 82 patients (40.6%) with type Ⅲ cryoglobulinemia enrolled in this study. Among these patients, 56 of primary cryoglobulinemia, 76 of autoimmune diseases, 29 of tumor-related diseases, and 52 of infectious diseases were observed. Clinical symptoms related to skin lesions (124 cases, 61.4%) and kidney damage (87 cases, 43.1%) were the most common initial clinical manifestations and arthralgia/arthritis (50 cases, 24.8%), peripheral neuropathy (33 cases, 16.3%), fatigue (28 cases, 13.9%), fever (23 cases, 11.4%) were also observed in some patients. The clinical symptoms varied in different types of cryoglobulinemia. 29.0% patients (18/62) with type Ⅰ had fatigue, which was higher than those with type Ⅱ (10.3%, 6/58) and type Ⅲ (4.9%, 4/82) ( P<0.05); Kidney damage occurred in 56.9% (33/58) patients with type Ⅱ and 52.4% (43/82) patients with type Ⅲ, which was higher than that in type Ⅰ patients (17.7%, 11/62) ( P<0.05); Only 4 patients (4.9%, 4/82) with type Ⅲ had peripheral neuropathy, which was lower than those with type Ⅰ (17.7%, 11/62) and type Ⅱ (31.0%, 18/58) ( P<0.05). The quantity of cryoglobulins in patients with type Ⅲ cryoglobulinemia [122 (82, 177) mg/L] was significantly lower than that in patients with type Ⅰ [695(229, 3 499) mg/L] ( P<0.001) and type Ⅱ cryoglobulinemia [350 (107, 1 874) mg/L] ( P<0.001). Complement 4 decreased in 49.0% (99/202) of patients and complement 3 decreased in 42.6% (86/202) of patients. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (36.0%, 9/25) and endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis (32.0%, 8/25) were the main renal pathological manifestations of cryoglobulin nephropathy. Conclusions:The most common clinical manifestations of cryoglobulinemia are skin and kidney damage. The clinical manifestations of patients with cryoglobulinemia vary in different types of cryoglobulins. Serum complement decreases in nearly half of cryoglobulinemia patients.

【Objective】 To investigate the anemia status of infants and toddlers aged 6 - 24 months in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, and to comprehensively evaluate the differences in feeding behaviors between anaemic and normal children through the infant and child feeding index (ICFI) and feeding knowledge scores, so as to provide reference for the guidance of infants and young children feeding in ethnic minority areas and the promotion of children′s growth and development. 【Methods】 Taking infants and young children aged 6 - 24 months in Linxia Prefecture as the study subjects, a multi-stage random sampling method was used to select children who met the requirements from 5 townships and 5 villages in 7 counties in 2019 and 2020.Periphral blood samples were collected to test the level of hemoglobin, so as to determine the anemia status.Meanwhile, physical examination was performed and a questionnaire survey of guardians was conducted to analyze the association betweenanaemia and feeding patterns 【Results】 A total of 3 901 infants and children were included in this study, of whom 729 (18.70%) were anaemic, with a mean ICFI score of 12.56±2.70 and a mean feeding knowledge score of 1.97±1.01.There was no statistically significant association of low feeding knowledge score and low ICFI with anaemia after adjusting for confounders (P>0.05), Unqualified meat addition in ICFI was a risk factor for anaemia (OR=1.355, P=0.042), while non-bottle feeding in the past 24 hours (OR=0.762, P=0.021), and breastfeeding in the past 24 hours of infants and toddlers aged 12 - 24 months (OR=0.228, P=0.018) were protective factor for anemia in infants and toddlers aged 12 - 24 months. 【Conclusions】 The average prevalence of anemia in infants and toddlers aged 6 - 24 months in Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province is high, but the level of infant feeding and the level of feeding knowledge of caregivers are low.Early adherence to breastfeeding, timely addition of supplementary food, and more comsumpution of meat for children are conducive to preventing anemia.

BACKGROUND:Bone grafting is one of the important steps in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures.Because the fracture involves the spinal canal or is accompanied by spinal cord nerve damage,severe fracture bleeding and other factors,minimally invasive bone grafting for thoracolumbar burst fractures is restricted.At present,the minimally invasive treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures is limited to percutaneous screw fixation under the tunnel.Minimally invasive percutaneous bone grafting of injured vertebrae is rarely reported,and percutaneous precise bone grafting under the endplate has not yet been reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical effect of subcutaneous endplate bone graft support reduction combined with percutaneous pedicle screw short-segment fixation in the treatment of A3+B2 thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS:From June 2017 to December 2021,90 patients with A3+B2 type asymptomatic thoracolumbar burst fracture were randomly divided into 3 groups according to admission time.In group A,33 patients received the bone graft funnel accurately placed through the pedicle channel by percutaneous puncture under C-arm fluoroscopy,bone graft support reduction under the fracture endplate,percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.In group B,30 patients received multifissure intermuscular approach through pedicle bone graft support reduction combined with pedicle screw fixation.In group C,27 patients received percutaneous pedicle screw short-segment fixation under postural reduction.All patients were followed up for at least 18 months after surgery.The clinical data of the three groups,including preoperative,postoperative and last follow-up Cobb angle,anterior edge height ratio and visual analog scale pain score,were compared and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There were no significant differences in age,sex,injury segment and causative factors among the three groups(P>0.05).(2)All patients at follow-up had no neurological impairment,no obvious lumbar posterior deformity or intractable low back pain.(3)The operation time of group C was less than that of group A and group B(P<0.05).Intraoperative blood loss was less in group A and group C than in group B(P<0.05).(4)There were no significant differences in the anterior edge height ratio and Cobb angle among the three groups(P>0.05).Postoperative data in groups A and B were better than that in group C.At last follow-up,group A and group B outperformed group C(P<0.05).The height and Cobb angle of the vertebral body lost in the three groups were smaller in groups A and B than those in group C(P<0.05).(5)Visual analog scale pain score was better in groups A and C than that in group B after surgery(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in visual analog scale pain score among the three groups at last follow-up(P>0.05).(6)In group C,there was one case of loose internal fixation and displacement in 1 month after surgery,and the vertebral height was lost again with back pain,and after strict bed rest for 6 weeks,the vertebral height loss was not aggravated,the pain was relieved,and the internal fixation was removed after 1 year,and the height loss at the last follow-up was not aggravated.There were no cases of failure of internal fixation in groups A and B.(7)It is indicated that subcutaneous endplate bone graft support reduction combined with percutaneous pedicle screw short-segment fixation in the treatment of A3+B2 thoracolumbar burst fracture has the advantages of less trauma,less bleeding and light postoperative pain symptoms,and the effect of injury vertebral reduction and height maintenance is the same as the reduction through pedicle bone grafting support and short segment fixation with pedicle screws through the multifidus space approach.