Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of the macrophage activation syndrome/systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis（MS）score in macrophage activation syndrome（MAS）associated with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis（sJIA），and to provide a reference for clinical work.Methods:This study was a retrospective case-control analysis，conducted on the patients initially diagnosed as sJIA-associated with MAS and admitted into the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xi 'an Jiaotong University from July 1st，2016 to June 30th，2023. All of the patients met the diagnostic criteria for patients with MAS associated with sJIA according to the 2016 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology（EULAR）/American College of Rheumatology（ACR）/Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization（PRINTO）standards. The basic information at baseline，clinical manifestations，and auxiliary examination results were collected. The MS score was applied to re-evaluate the children diagnosed as sJIA-associated with MAS. When the MS score ≥-2.1，the possibility of sJIA with MAS was high. Thirty cases of sJIA without MAS were randomly selected as the control group.Results:There were 28 cases in the MAS group，including 13 males（46.43%）and 15 females（53.57%），with an average age of（7.51±4.01）years. Compared with the control group，the MAS group were significantly more likely to have high fever（ χ2=8.539， P=0.003），hepatomegaly（ χ2=11.621， P<0.001），splenomegaly（ χ2=11.710， P<0.001）and neurological involvement（ χ2=27.619， P<0.001），with the differences being statistically significant. Meanwhile，there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of white blood cell count（ Z=-4.001， P<0.001），neutrophil count（ Z=-3.659， P<0.001），platelet count（ Z=-4.687， P<0.001），albumin level（ Z=-4.018， P<0.001），alanine aminotransferase（ Z=-3.846， P<0.001），aspartate aminotransferase（ Z=-5.932， P<0.001），lactate dehydrogenase（ Z=-6.150， P<0.001），triglycerides（ Z=-5.874， P<0.001），fibrinogen（ Z=-5.808， P<0.001），ferritin（ Z=-5.280， P<0.001），erythrocyte sedimentation rate（ Z=-3.971， P<0.001），ferritin/erythrocyte sedimentation rate（ Z=-5.433， P<0.001），reduction of two-line cells in blood（ χ2=11.408， P<0.001）and the presence of hemophagocytosis in bone marrow smears（ χ2=28.260， P<0.001）. Moreover，there was a statistically significant difference in MS scores between the two groups（ Z=-6.148， P<0.001），with higher MS scores in the MAS group. Nevertheless，this study showed the median MS scores of both groups ≥-2.1. Conclusion:The MS score was significant to a certain degree as reference for the diagnosis of MAS，and this study showed that the MS score in the MAS group was significantly higher than the control group. However，the median MS scores in both groups were no less than -2.1. This might be related to the influence of factors during the assessment，which made it necessary to optimize the cutoff values of the MS score. Therefore，prospective studies should be carried out on the role of MS score in early identification of MAS.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the levels of type Ⅲ procollagen(PCⅢ)and heme-binding protein(HPX)in peripheral blood,blood lipid and liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH).Methods Totally 126 patients with NASH admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected as NASH group,and they were divided into 3 subgroups according to the degree of liver fibrosis:no liver fibrosis group(22 cases),mild group(63 cases),moderate and severe group(41 cases).In addition,150 healthy subjects in the same period were selected as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect and compare the levels of PC Ⅲ and HPX in periph-eral blood of all groups,and Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between peripher-al blood PC Ⅲ and HPX levels and related indexes of blood lipids in NASH patients.The predictive value of peripheral blood PC Ⅲ and HPX for liver fibrosis in NASH patients was evaluated by receiver operating char-acteristic(ROC)curve.Results The levels of PC Ⅲ and HPX,as well as total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG)and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)in NASH group were higher than those in control group,and the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were lower than those in control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that the lev-els of PCⅢ and HPX in peripheral blood of NASH patients were positively correlated with TC,TG and LDL-C(P＜0.05),while negatively correlated with HDL-C(P＜0.05).The levels of PC Ⅲ and HPX in peripheral blood of the non-fibrosis group were lower than those of the mild and moderate severe groups,and the mild group was lower than that of the moderate and severe group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of peripheral blood PC Ⅲ and HPX in predicting liver fibrosis in NASH patients were 0.757 and 0.861,respectively,and the cut-off values were 135.51 ng/mL and 804.86 mg/L,respectively.The AUC of the combined prediction for liver fibrosis was 0.905,which was higher than that predicted by the two alone.Conclusion The level of PC Ⅲ and HPX in peripheral blood is closely related to the level of blood lipids and the degree of liver fibrosis in NASH patients,which can be used as potential bi-omarkers to predict liver fibrosis in NASH patients.

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 clinical characteristics and related factors of cognition disorders in elderly hypertensive patients.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 612 hypertensive patients with the age of (69.06±6.58) years (median 68.00 years) admitted in the Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of Chinese People′s Liberation Army from October 2022 to April 2024 were enrolled. The demographic and clinical data were collected, the cognition status was assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at admission. The related factors of cognition disorders were analyzed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results:The results showed that female hypertensive patients and those with older age, lower education, higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) and diabetes mellitus, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) and more cardiovascular comorbidities were likely to have cognition disorders (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking history, elevated SBP, elevated heart rate, elevated FBG, and elevated LDL-C were independent risk factors for cognition disorders in elderly hypertensive patients,while higher education level was an independent protective factor (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Smoking, increased SBP, increased heart rate, increased FBG, increased LDL-C and lower education level are independently associated with cognition disorders in elderly hypertensive patients.

Objective:To explore the potential risk factors of recurrence in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA).Methods:We enrolled patients with sJIA admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xi′an Children′s Hospital affiliated to Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2018 to June 2024. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify clinical features associated with risk of recurrence.Results:This study included a total of 108 children with sJIA, with a median onset age of 79.5 (53.0, 121.5) months. Among them, 52 were male (48.1%) and 56 were female (51.9%). The median time from disease onset to diagnosis was 29.5 (19.0, 57.0) days, and 105 children achieved clinical remission during follow-up. Out of 108 patients with sJIA, 105 patients who achieved clinical remission were enrolled with a median follow-up of 38.0 months. Among them, 28 (26.7%) patients had at least once recurrence. According to the multivariate analysis, macrophage activation syndrome [HR(95% CI)=2.375(1.096, 5.149), P=0.028] and alkaline phosphatase [HR(95% CI)=1.006(1.001, 1.010), P=0.017] were associated with increased risk of recurrence. Conclusion:Our study indicated that recurrence could appear in at least 26.7% patients with sJIA. The high alkaline phosphatase and MAS at initial attack may be independent risk factors of recurrence in patients with systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Objective: To compare and analyze the antibacterial effects of platelets against five common clinical pathogenic bacteria including MRSA, SE, SA, E. coli, and CRKP, and to preliminarily explore the role of DCD sensitivity in the observed variations of antibacterial effects. Methods: The same number of platelets were used to establish co-culture systems of platelets and platelet lysates with the five pathogenic bacteria. The antibacterial effects of platelets and platelet lysates on the five pathogenic bacteria were evaluated by observing the turbidity of the bacterial solution, measuring the OD value of the bacterial solution and counting the colonies. The supernatant protein of platelets co-cultured with MRSA was collected for quantitative proteomics analysis to explore the important antibacterial proteins of platelets. The content of DCD in the supernatant after co-culture of platelets and platelet lysates with the five pathogenic bacteria was detected by ELISA to preliminarily analyze the reasons for the different antibacterial effects of platelets on the five pathogenic bacteria. Results: Compared with the control group of MRSA, SA, and SE, the turbidity of the bacterial solution decreased after co-culture of platelets and platelet lysates with MRSA, SA, and SE for 12 h, and the OD value and colony count were significantly reduced (P<0.05). The turbidity of the bacterial solution did not change significantly after co-culture of platelets and platelet lysates with E. coli for 24 h, but the OD value decreased (P<0.05), and the colony count decreased to 10 CFU/mL but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with the control group of CRKP, the turbidity, OD value, and colony count of the bacterial solution did not change significantly after co-culture of platelets and platelet lysates with CRKP (P>0.05). Proteomics results showed that after co-culture with MRSA, important proteins related to platelet activation, including collagen, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, integrin αIIbβ3, platelet glycoprotein V and IV were significantly up-regulated. ELISA results showed that after co-culture with the five pathogenic bacteria, platelets could secrete a large amount of DCD, with the content around 3 μg/mL. Conclusion: The antibacterial effect of platelets on Gram-positive bacteria MRSA, SA, and SE is better than that on Gram-negative bacteria E. coli and CRKP, and platelets have the best antibacterial effect on MRSA. The differences in antibacterial effects of platelets on the five pathogenic bacteria may be related to the sensitivity of DCD antibacterial peptides to the five pathogenic bacteria.