Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients with peripheral lung masses (PLMs), and to assess the diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating benign and malignant PLMs. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 69 patients with PLM treated in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 2020 to December 2023. All patients underwent percutaneous biopsy, and were categorized into benign group (n＝36) and malignant group (n＝33). 25 patients were HIV-positive and 44 patients were HIV-negative. The clinical features and CEUS parameters in patients were compared across these groups. Results Patients with malignant masses were significantly older than those with benign masses (P＜0.05). In the malignant group, HIV-negative patients exhibited significantly larger tumor diameters compared to HIV-positive patients (P＜0.05); in the HIV-positive patients, no significant difference in tumor size was observed between benign and malignant masses. 19 patients underwent CEUS. 10 malignant masses, irrespective of HIV status (10 positive and 9 negative), commonly presented with indistinct margins, delayed enhancement, heterogeneous perfusion, and delayed peak enhancement on CEUS. 9 benign masses showed earlier peak enhancement compared to 10 malignant masses (P＜0.05); no significant differences were observed in the initiation and washout time of enhancement between benign and malignant masses. In HIV-positive patients, 5 benign masses frequently demonstrated discrepancies between CEUS findings and pathological results. Conclusions The clinical and CEUS characteristics were different between benign and malignant PLMs. However, CEUS shows limited accuracy in distinguishing benign and malignant PLMs, underscoring the need for pathological confirmation.

Objective:To explore the classification of bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted by color Doppler ultrasonography and its impact on their donor sites.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the data of 67 patients with large soft tissue defects who had been repaired with anterolateral thigh perforator flaps at Department of Orthopaedics, The Hospital Affiliated to The Second Medical University of Shandong, Department of Orthopaedics, The 80th Group Army Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, and Department of Orthopaedics, Weifang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their flaps used: a unilobar group and a bilobar group. In the unilobar group, 36 cases [25 males and 11 females with an age of (40.3±8.3) years] were repaired with a unilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flap from March 2015 to April 2019. In the bilobar group, 31 cases [22 males and 9 females with an age of (38.9±7.4) years] were repaired with a bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flap from May 2019 to August 2023. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to classify the bilobar flaps into 4 types according to the different distributions of perforating vessels: common trunk type, separate trunks type, fascia dependent type, and composite mixed type. The number of perforating vessels and type of perforator flap found by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound were compared with the intraoperative findings in the bilobar group. One year after operation, recovery rate of donor muscle strength, rate of skin paresthesia, scar length at the donor site, the widest scar width and motor function were compared between the 2 groups.Results:The number of perforating vessels and type of perforator flap found by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound were consistent with the intraoperative findings ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). One year after operation in the bilobar group, the recovery rate of donor muscle strength was 96.8% (30/31), significantly higher than that in the unilobar group [77.8% (28/36)], the rate of skin paresthesia 6.5% (2/31), significantly lower than that in the unilobar group [27.8% (10/36)], the scar length at the donor site (22.18±5.02) cm, significantly longer than that in unilobar group [(17.35±3.11) cm], the widest scar width (7.26±1.58) mm, significantly narrower than that in the unilobar group [(43.72±9.81) mm], and the scores of Vancouver Scar Assessment Scale and Fugl-Meyer lower limb motor function scale were (1.95±0.57) points and (8.39±2.17) points, respectively, significantly lower than those in the unilobar group [(6.38±1.72) points and (14.02±3.54) points] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Preoperative classification of bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted by color Doppler ultrasonography may provide guidance for flap harvesting and lobe layout of the flap. Compared to traditional unilobar flaps, bilobar ones may minimize tissue damage at a donor site.

Objective::To report a fetus with ARCN1-related syndrome caused by a novel de novo heterozygous variant, highlighting the importance of early genetic diagnosis in prenatal care. Methods::The clinical and genetic data of a fetus with a complex combination of clinical signs and a novel de novo heterozygous variant were collected and have been summarized in this study. The potential pathogenic variant was identified throughout the whole exome sequencing and the effects of candidate variants were further validated by a minigene splicing assay. Results::Prenatal systematic ultrasound detected fetal growth restriction. Genetic analysis identified a novel de novo heterozygous variant within the ARCN1 gene—c.1241 +5G>A-located in intron 8. In vitro minigene splicing assays demonstrated that the variant led to two abnormal transcripts. The longer transcript retained 189 base pairs of intron 8, resulting in a truncated protein of 414 amino acids (p.Ser415*). The shorter transcript involved exon 8 skippings, producing a truncated protein of 407 amino acids (p.Ile378Serfs*31). Conclusion::A novel de novo heterozygous variant of the ARCN1 gene, namely NM_001655.5: c.1241 +5G>A, was discovered and identified in a fetus with rhizomelic short stature, microretrognathia, and developmental delays.

Objective::To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and clinical application of the Obstetrical Chinese Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Scoring System (OCDSS).Methods::This study is a retrospective study that collected 1063 cases from Wuhan Union Hospital, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, and the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture between July 2017 and June 2024. These cases were divided into DIC and non-DIC groups based on score standard. Diagnosis of DIC, the rate of hysterectomy, neonatal mortality, and severe asphyxia are the main outcome measures. All the laboratory indicators are all determined by clinical laboratory department of the hospital. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) and frequencies. Independent sample t-test or non-parametric test were used to compare measurement data, while the chi-square test was used for count data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to test the predictive accuracy. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to study the high-risk factors. P < 0.050 indicates a statistical significance. Results::Of 1063 participants in this study, 29 participants (2.73%) were diagnosed with obstetrical DIC by OCDSS score standard, and all the participants were diagnosed as DIC with underlying disease. When the Takao, Clark, and Erez score standard is the "gold standard", the OCDSS score standard always shows good sensitivity and specificity, with all the AUC over 0.75. OCDSS score standard also has better predictive of hysterectomy (68.18%, 91.07%, 0.872), severe neonatal asphyxia and death (79.17%, 75.07%, 0.842) than the other three score standards. All the indicators included in the OCDSS score standard contributed to the DIC diagnosis (all the P < 0.001). The indicators in the DIC group were more abnormal than the non-DIC group (all the P < 0.001). Conclusion::OCDSS is a first score standard, especially for pregnancies, it considers the underlying disease, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results. This score system shared a good diagnosis performance for DIC in the Chinese population and may help clinicians make timely decisions.

Objective::To report a fetus with ARCN1-related syndrome caused by a novel de novo heterozygous variant, highlighting the importance of early genetic diagnosis in prenatal care. Methods::The clinical and genetic data of a fetus with a complex combination of clinical signs and a novel de novo heterozygous variant were collected and have been summarized in this study. The potential pathogenic variant was identified throughout the whole exome sequencing and the effects of candidate variants were further validated by a minigene splicing assay. Results::Prenatal systematic ultrasound detected fetal growth restriction. Genetic analysis identified a novel de novo heterozygous variant within the ARCN1 gene—c.1241 +5G>A-located in intron 8. In vitro minigene splicing assays demonstrated that the variant led to two abnormal transcripts. The longer transcript retained 189 base pairs of intron 8, resulting in a truncated protein of 414 amino acids (p.Ser415*). The shorter transcript involved exon 8 skippings, producing a truncated protein of 407 amino acids (p.Ile378Serfs*31). Conclusion::A novel de novo heterozygous variant of the ARCN1 gene, namely NM_001655.5: c.1241 +5G>A, was discovered and identified in a fetus with rhizomelic short stature, microretrognathia, and developmental delays.

Objective::To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and clinical application of the Obstetrical Chinese Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Scoring System (OCDSS).Methods::This study is a retrospective study that collected 1063 cases from Wuhan Union Hospital, Yichang Central People’s Hospital, and the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture between July 2017 and June 2024. These cases were divided into DIC and non-DIC groups based on score standard. Diagnosis of DIC, the rate of hysterectomy, neonatal mortality, and severe asphyxia are the main outcome measures. All the laboratory indicators are all determined by clinical laboratory department of the hospital. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or median (interquartile range) and frequencies. Independent sample t-test or non-parametric test were used to compare measurement data, while the chi-square test was used for count data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to test the predictive accuracy. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to study the high-risk factors. P < 0.050 indicates a statistical significance. Results::Of 1063 participants in this study, 29 participants (2.73%) were diagnosed with obstetrical DIC by OCDSS score standard, and all the participants were diagnosed as DIC with underlying disease. When the Takao, Clark, and Erez score standard is the "gold standard", the OCDSS score standard always shows good sensitivity and specificity, with all the AUC over 0.75. OCDSS score standard also has better predictive of hysterectomy (68.18%, 91.07%, 0.872), severe neonatal asphyxia and death (79.17%, 75.07%, 0.842) than the other three score standards. All the indicators included in the OCDSS score standard contributed to the DIC diagnosis (all the P < 0.001). The indicators in the DIC group were more abnormal than the non-DIC group (all the P < 0.001). Conclusion::OCDSS is a first score standard, especially for pregnancies, it considers the underlying disease, clinical symptoms, and laboratory results. This score system shared a good diagnosis performance for DIC in the Chinese population and may help clinicians make timely decisions.

Objective:To explore the classification of bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted by color Doppler ultrasonography and its impact on their donor sites.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the data of 67 patients with large soft tissue defects who had been repaired with anterolateral thigh perforator flaps at Department of Orthopaedics, The Hospital Affiliated to The Second Medical University of Shandong, Department of Orthopaedics, The 80th Group Army Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, and Department of Orthopaedics, Weifang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their flaps used: a unilobar group and a bilobar group. In the unilobar group, 36 cases [25 males and 11 females with an age of (40.3±8.3) years] were repaired with a unilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flap from March 2015 to April 2019. In the bilobar group, 31 cases [22 males and 9 females with an age of (38.9±7.4) years] were repaired with a bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flap from May 2019 to August 2023. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to classify the bilobar flaps into 4 types according to the different distributions of perforating vessels: common trunk type, separate trunks type, fascia dependent type, and composite mixed type. The number of perforating vessels and type of perforator flap found by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound were compared with the intraoperative findings in the bilobar group. One year after operation, recovery rate of donor muscle strength, rate of skin paresthesia, scar length at the donor site, the widest scar width and motor function were compared between the 2 groups.Results:The number of perforating vessels and type of perforator flap found by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound were consistent with the intraoperative findings ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). One year after operation in the bilobar group, the recovery rate of donor muscle strength was 96.8% (30/31), significantly higher than that in the unilobar group [77.8% (28/36)], the rate of skin paresthesia 6.5% (2/31), significantly lower than that in the unilobar group [27.8% (10/36)], the scar length at the donor site (22.18±5.02) cm, significantly longer than that in unilobar group [(17.35±3.11) cm], the widest scar width (7.26±1.58) mm, significantly narrower than that in the unilobar group [(43.72±9.81) mm], and the scores of Vancouver Scar Assessment Scale and Fugl-Meyer lower limb motor function scale were (1.95±0.57) points and (8.39±2.17) points, respectively, significantly lower than those in the unilobar group [(6.38±1.72) points and (14.02±3.54) points] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Preoperative classification of bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted by color Doppler ultrasonography may provide guidance for flap harvesting and lobe layout of the flap. Compared to traditional unilobar flaps, bilobar ones may minimize tissue damage at a donor site.

Objective·To measure the parameters of the uterine artery,umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery in a rat model of preeclampsia(PE)by Doppler ultrasound,and compare the pathological changes in placental blood vessels and pregnancy outcomes,in order to provide an effective method and reference for evaluating placental function in PE animal models.Methods·PE(n=8)and normal pregnancy(NP,n=8)groups in Sprague-Dawley(SD)rat models were established by intraperitoneal injections of N'-nitro-L-arginine methylesterhydrochloride(L-NAME)and 0.9%sodium chloride solution.Blood pressure and proteinuria indexes were detected to evaluate whether the model was successfully established.On gestational day 19(GD19),Doppler ultrasound was utilized to measure the parameters of the uterine artery,umbilical artery and the fetal middle cerebral artery in both the PE and NP groups.After termination of the pregnancies,placental function was evaluated through the pathology of placental blood vessels and the quality of the fetuses and placentas.Results·In the PE group,both blood pressure(GD15:P=0.001;GD19:P=0.001)and proteinuria(GD15:P=0.001;GD19:P=0.001)were significantly higher than those in the NP group.The pulsatility index(PI)of the umbilical artery and uterine artery was notably elevated in the PE group compared to the NP group(both P=0.000).Furthermore,the resistance index(RI)of the fetal middle cerebral artery was significantly lower than that in the PE group(P=0.000).While the number of fetal rats did not differ significantly,the quality of placental and fetal rats was notably lower in the PE group(P=0.006 and P=0.000,respectively).Immunohistochemical staining of placental tissue revealed that the number of placental micro vessel densities in the PE group was less than that in the NP group(P=0.001).Correlation analysis revealed that placental micro vessel density,fetal quality and placental quality were inversely related with the RI of the umbilical artery and the PI and RI of the uterine artery,and positively correlated with the S/D,PI and RI of the fetal middle cerebral artery(all P<0.05).Conculsion·Doppler ultrasound assessment of the uterine artery,umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery indices in L-NAME-induced PE rat models effectively reflects pregnancy outcomes and placental vascular pathology.This method is valuable for evaluating placental vascular perfusion in PE rat models,offering practicality and convenience for research involving animal models.

To promote the development of extracellular vesicles of herbal medicine especially the establishment of standardization, led by the National Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, research experts in the field of herbal medicine and extracellular vesicles were invited nationwide with the support of the Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, Professional Committee on Extracellular Vesicle Research and Application, Chinese Society of Research Hospitals and the Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Herbal Vesicles. Based on the collation of relevant literature, we have adopted the Delphi method, the consensus meeting method combined with the nominal group method to form a discussion draft of "Consensus statement on research and application of Chinese herbal medicine derived extracellular vesicles-like particles (2023)". The first draft was discussed in online and offline meetings on October 12, 14, November 2, 2022 and April and May 2023 on the current status of research, nomenclature, isolation methods, quality standards and research applications of extracellular vesicles of Chinese herbal medicines, and 13 consensus opinions were finally formed. At the Third Academic Conference on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles, held on May 26, 2023, Kewei Zhao, convenor of the consensus, presented and read the consensus to the experts of the Expert Committee on Research and Application of Chinese Herbal Vesicles. The consensus highlights the characteristics and advantages of Chinese medicine, inherits the essence, and keeps the righteousness and innovation, aiming to provide a reference for colleagues engaged in research and application of Chinese herbal vesicles at home and abroad, decode the mystery behind Chinese herbal vesicles together, establish a safe, effective and controllable accurate Chinese herbal vesicle prevention and treatment system, and build a bridge for Chinese medicine to the world.

This paper summarized professor WANG Shouchuan's experience in differentiating and treating children epistaxis from the perspective of "four excess and three deficiency". It is believed that the pathogenesis of children epistaxis is concluded as "four excess and three deficiency"， of which the four excess syndromes are exuberant heat in the lung channel， intense stomach fire， heart fire hyperactivity， and liver fire flaming upward， while the three deficiency syndromes include qi， yin and yang deficiency. Seven methods for treating children epistaxis are summarized. For exuberant heat in the lung channel syndrome， it is recommended to clear lung and direct qi downward， using self-made Xiebai Zhiniu Decoction （泻白止衄汤）. For intense stomach fire syndrome， the method of clearing stomach and draining fire can be used with self-made Qingwei Zhiniu Decoction （清胃止衄汤）. In terms of heart fire hyperactivity syndrome， it is better to clear heart and drain fire， using self-made Daochi Zhiniu Decoction （导赤止衄汤）. For liver fire flaming upward syndrome， it is advised to clear liver and drain fire， using self-made Yimu Zhiniu Decoction （抑木止衄汤）. In terms of qi deficiency syndrome， the method of fortifying spleen and boosting qi and containing blood should be used with self-made Futu Zhiniu Decoction （扶土止衄汤）. If there is yin deficiency syndrome， it is advised to supplement kidney， enrich yin and clear heat， using self-made Zishui Zhiniu Decoction （滋水止衄汤）. If there is yang deficiency syndrome， the method of boosting qi， warming yang and nourishing blood can be used， using self-made Wenpi Zhiniu Decoction （温脾止衄汤）.