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.

Objective:To analyze the effect of panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)on mTORC1-HIF1α signaling pathway,and to explore its effect and mechanisms on the differentiation balance of Th17/Treg cells in CD4+T cells.Methods:Isolate the spleens of C57BL/6 mice,then select CD4+T cells by magnetic beads and cultured in vitro.The optimal concentration of PNS was screened by the CCK-8,and then these cells were divided into control group and PNS treatment group(5,10 and 20 μg/ml),each gives correspond-ing drug treatment after 48 h.Afterwards,flow cytometry was used to detect differentiation of Th17/Treg cells.Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR was used to detect the expressions of RORγt,Foxp3,mTOR,Raptor,HIF1α mRNA.ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-17A and IL-10 in the supernatant of cell culture.Western blot was used to detect the expressions and phosphorylation levels of 4EBP1,S6K and HIF1α proteins.Results:5,10,20 μg/ml PNS could significantly inhibit Th17 cells differentiation and promote Treg cells differentiation;5,10,20 μg/ml PNS could significantly reduce the expression of RORγt mRNA,and then reduce the level of IL-17A;20 μg/ml PNS could significantly promote the expression of Foxp3 mRNA and increase the level of IL-10;10,20 μg/ml PNS could significantly decrease the phosphorylation of 4EBP1 and S6K;5,10,20 μg/ml PNS could significantly reduce the expression of HIF1α mRNA and inhibit the expression of HIF1α protein.Conclusion:Certain concentrations of PNS can inhibit the differentiation of Th17 cells in CD4+T cells,and promote the differentiation of Treg cells,which is related with modulating mTORC1-HIF1α signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in lymphoma patients with different infection status of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).Methods:A retrospective cohort study. A total of 333 lymphoma patients newly diagnosed from November 2012 to August 2023 in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were included in the study, including 185 patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), 100 patients with Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma (NKTCL), and 48 patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL). Clinical data and laboratory indicators of patients were collected, including lymphocyte subset ratios detected by flow cytometry and EBV-DNA levels measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The survival status of patients was recorded through referring to medical records and telephone follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves and compare the survival rates among different groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was applied to analyze factors related to overall survival in lymphoma patients.Results:In the NKTCL group, 73.0% (73/100) were positive for EBV-DNA, which was higher than 43.8% (81/185) in the DLBCL group and 35.4% (17/48) in the HL group ( P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that lower overall survival rates in the DLBCL group with abnormal levels of CD19 +B cells and CD16 +CD56 +NK cells (defined as either high or low referring to the reference intervals), with EBV-DNA negative and abnormal levels of CD19 +B cells, or with EBV-DNA positive and abnormal levels of CD16 +CD56 +NK cells, compared with the normal level group ( P<0.05). Multivariable analysis suggested that the abnormal level of CD19 +B cells was an independent adverse prognostic factor for DLBCL patients ( HR=2.098, 95% CI 1.181-3.727, P=0.011). EBV-DNA positivity ( HR=17.623, 95% CI 2.397-129.565, P=0.048) and Ann Arbor stage (Ⅲ/Ⅳ) ( HR=2.770, 95% CI 1.335-5.750, P=0.006) were adverse prognostic factors for NKTCL patients. Conclusion:There are differences in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets among lymphoma patients with different EBV infection status, and CD19 +B cell levels may serve as an independent prognostic factor for DLBCL patients.

Objective:To analyze the disease-causing genes of families affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP).Methods:A pedigree investigation study was performed.The clinical data of 51 Chinese families with RP treated at the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from June 2019 to December 2022 were collected, including patient history, family history and clinical data of ophthalmic examination.Ophthalmic examination including best corrected visual acuity, slit lamp microscopy, color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, macular optical coherence tomography, visual field and electroretinogram.Peripheral blood samples from patients and their family members were collected for DNA extraction and whole exome sequencing.The mutation sites found were analyzed by bioinformatics and verified by Sanger sequencing.The pathogenicity of the missense mutations was predicted using SIFT, Polyphen and other online software.Conservation of the missense mutation site was evaluated using Mutation Taster.The shear mutation was predicted using varSEAK and spliceAI.The amino acid sequences of the newly discovered mutation sites were compared using Clustalw software.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (No.WDRY2019-K032).Results:Among the 51 families, two proband patients had hearing impairment and were diagnosed as Usher syndrome.In addition to typical RP features, the two proband patients also showed yellow-white crystalline substance deposits in fundus imaging, while the other proband patients showed typical RP.A total of 38 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and 3 copy number variants were detected in 15 pathogenic genes in 29 of 51 families, including PRPF6, PRPF31, RHO, CYP4V2, USH2A, EYS, MERTK, PCDH15, ABCA4, BBS2, PROM1, SPATA7, RPE65, RPGR and OFD1 genes.There were 6 of the 38 SNVs that were novel variants that had not been reported, which were USH2A gene c.12523T>C(p.Trp4175Arg), c.1723T>C(p.Cys575Arg), c.1875C>G(p.Phe625Leu), CYP4V2 gene c.1441C>T(p.Leu481Phe), MERTK gene c.2487-8A>G and PCDH15 gene c. 5183del(p.Arg1728LysfsTer116).SIFT and Polyphen prediction software predicted that amino acid changes caused by the 4 missense variants, USH2A gene p. Trp4175Arg, p.Cys575Arg, p.Phe625Leu and CYP4V2 gene p. Leu481Phe, are all pathogenic or harmful.Conservation analysis showed that they are conserved in multiple species.The prediction software spliceAI and varSEAK suggested that MERTK gene c.2487-8A>G may lead to abnormal shear and affect protein function. PCDH15 gene c. 5183del(p.Arg1728LysfsTer116) is a frameshift variant that alters the downstream amino acid sequence and terminates translation early. CYP4V2, USH2A, and RPGR were frequently mutated genes in RP patients, accounting for more than 50% of the families with pathogenic genes detected.The proband with CYP4V2 variants had late onset, but severe visual impairment and retinal degeneration. Conclusions:Six previously unreported variants may be novel pathogenic variants of RP. CYP4V2, USH2A, and RPGR may be the most common pathogenic genes in Chinese RP patients.Patients with CYP4V2 variants have late onset, but faster disease progression.

Objective To investigate the utility of dual-energy CT combined with musculoskeletal ultraso-nography in differentiating between calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease and gouty arthritis.Methods A retro-spective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 102 patients diagnosed with gouty arthritis and 102 patients diagnosed with calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.These patients were categorized into the Gout group and Calcium Deposition group,respectively,based on their respective diagnoses.All patients underwent dual-energy CT and musculoskeletal ultrasonography examinations,while joint fluid aspiration results or intra-articular crystal material served as the gold standard for diagnosis.The diagnostic efficacy of dual-energy CT and musculoskeletal ultrasonography in discriminating between calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease and gouty arthritis was evalu-ated.Results In the gout group,the proportion of male patients and serum uric acid levels were significantly higher compared to those in the calcium deposition group(P<0.05).The prevalence rates of knee joint,first metatarsopha-langeal joint,and ankle joint involvement were higher in the gout group,while knee joint,wrist joint,and shoulder joint involvement rates were higher in the calcium deposition group.The proportions of irregular bone cortex,carti-lage injury,and degenerative meniscus changes were lower in the gout group compared to the calcium deposition group(P<0.05).The proportions of double contour sign,tophus formation,hyperechoic band within ligaments or tendons,and bone erosion were higher in the gout group compared to the calcium deposition group(P<0.05),whereas cartilage calcification was lower in the gout group(P<0.05).The sensitivities for diagnosing calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease and gouty arthritis using dual-energy CT scan alone,musculoskeletal ultrasound alone,and their combined use were 86.27%,83.33%,and 94.12%respectively.The specificities for diagnosing these conditions using dual-energy CT scan alone,musculoskeletal ultrasound alone,and their combined use were 89.22%,88.24%,and 86.27%respectively.The positive predictive values were 88.89%,87.63%,and 87.27%,respectively.The negative predictive values were 86.67%,84.11%,and 93.63%,respectively.The accuracies were 87.75%,85.78%,and 90.20%respectively.The agreement Kappa values were 0.755,0.716,and 0.804 respectively.Conclusions The integration of dual-energy CT and musculoskeletal ultrasonography exhibits promising diagnostic efficacy in discriminating between calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease and gouty arthritis.This combined approach serves as a valuable adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of both conditions.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of 16 patients with connective tissue diseases associated interstitial lung disease(CTD-ILD)complicated with lung cancer,and to improve the cognition of the disease.Methods Clinical data of 16 patients diagnosed as CTD-ILD associated with lung cancer,who were admitted to our center,were retrospectively analyzed,including general conditions,clinical characteristics,auxiliary examinations,pathological classification of lung cancer,TNM type,treatment and clinical outcome.Results Among the 16 CTD-ILD patients with lung cancer,there were 12 males and 4 females.The mean age at diagnosis of CTD-ILD was(64.7±9.2)years,and the mean age at diagnosis of lung cancer was(66.6±8.7)years.Lung occupying space on imaging(62.5%)was the most common initial symptom in lung cancer patients,followed by cough and phlegm(12.5%)and chest pain(12.5%).Of patients with lung cancer,adenocarcinoma(8 cases,50.0%)was the most common pathological type,followed by small cell lung cancer(4 cases,25.0%).The diagnosis time of CTD-ILD was earlier than that of lung cancer in 8 cases(50.0%),with a median time of 36.0(11.3,57.0)months,followed by 7 cases(43.8%)of CTD-ILD diagnosed with lung cancer at the same time.The diagnosis time of lung cancer was earlier than that of CTD-ILD in 1 case(6.3%).The most common TNM stage for lung cancer was stage Ⅳ(9 cases,56.25%).Sixteen patients were followed up from 1 to 64 months,with a median of 8.5(1.5,14.3)months.Eleven patients(68.8%)died,including 8 patients(72.7%)died of infection and 3 patients(27.3%)died of end-stage lung cancer.Conclusion For CTD-ILD patients,close follow-up and regular imaging monitoring are necessary to help early detection of lung cancer and improve prognosis.