ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of serum Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 （AKR1B10） in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） in northern China， and to provide a new and valuable biomarker for the clinical diagnosis of HCC. MethodsThis study was conducted among 102 patients with HCC， 119 patients with benign liver disease， and 132 patients with other malignant tumors who attended The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University and 148 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination from May 2020 to May 2024. ELISA and chemiluminescence were used to measure the serum levels of AKR1B10 and alpha-fetoprotein （AFP）. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between three groups and further comparison between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The area under the ROC curve （AUC） was used to assess diagnostic efficiency. ResultsThe expression level of AKR1B10 was 3 053.79 （1 475.67‍ ‍—‍ ‍4 605.86） pg/mL in the HCC group， 1 324.42 （659.68‍ ‍—‍ ‍2 023.88） pg/mL in the benign liver disease group， 660.68 （377.56‍ ‍—‍ ‍2 087.77） pg/mL in the other malignant tumor group， and 318.30 （82.73‍ ‍—‍ ‍478.82） pg/mL in the healthy group， with a significant difference between the four groups （H=240.86， P<0.001）， and further comparison between two groups showed that the HCC group had a significantly higher level than the other three groups （all P<0.001）. The ROC curve analysis of the HCC group and the other three groups showed that serum AKR1B10 had an optimal cut-off value of 1 584.97 pg/mL in the diagnosis of HCC， with an AUC of 0.86 （95% confidence interval ［CI］： 0.82‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.90）， a sensitivity of 74.3%， and a specificity of 85.2%. Compared with each indicator alone， a combination of AKR1B10 and AFP could improve the sensitivity （81.8%） and specificity （91.4%） of HCC diagnosis. AKR1B10 had an AUC of 0.84 （95%CI： 0.78‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.90） in the diagnosis of patients with early- or middle-stage HCC， with a sensitivity of 76.2% and a specificity of 81.2%. AKR1B10 had an AUC of 0.85 （95%CI： 0.77‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.92） in the diagnosis of patients with AFP-negative HCC， with a sensitivity of 81.6% and a specificity of 79.9%. ConclusionAKR1B10 is a promising serological marker for the diagnosis of HCC， and a combination of AKR1B10 and AFP can improve the detection rate of HCC patients in northern China， especially those with early- or middle-stage HCC and AFP-negative HCC.

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 investigate effect of Yiqi Huoxue Huazhuo Jiedu Prescription(YHHJP)on inflammatory factors of brain tissues,tight junction between brain and colon tissues,intestinal flora and bacterial metabolites in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury(CIRI)rats based on brain-gut axis.Methods:Fifty male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into sham-operation group(Sham),model group(MCAO),low,medium,high doses YHHJP groups(TCM-L/TCM-M/TCM-H).Middle cerebral artery occlusion model was established according to Zea Longa methods.Neurological function defects were detected 3 days after administra-tion.TTC staining was used to calculate infarct size of brain tissue.Pathological changes of brain tissue were observed by Nissl staining,and pathological changes of brain and colon tissues were observed by HE staining.IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α in brain tissue and LPS con-tent in serum were detected by ELISA,and D-LA content in serum was detected by biochemical method.Gene expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in brain tissue and gene expressions of ZO-1,Claudin-1 in colon tissue were studied by Real-time fluorescent quantita-tive PCR.Intestinal flora were detected by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing.Results:Compared with Sham group,pathological damage of brain and colon tissue were serious in MCAO group,intestinal flora structure was significantly different,neural function im-pairment was aggravated,infarct size was increased,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α contents in brain tissue,and LPS,D-LA contents in serum were increased,gene expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in brain tissue and gene expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-1 in colon tissue were decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with MCAO group,pathological damage of brain and colon tissue of rats were relieved in TCM-L,TCM-M,TCM-H groups,disturbance of intestinal microflora microecology was improved,neurological function impairment and infarct size were markedly decreased,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α contents in brain tissue were decreased,gene expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-1 in colon tissue were increased significantly(P<0.05);LPS and D-LA contents in serum were decreased in YH-HJP medium and high doses groups,while gene expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in brain tissue were increased significantly(P<0.05).Conclusion:YHHJP has a good effect on improving CIRI,whose mechanism may be related to regulating diversity of intestinal flora,reducing release of intestinal bacterial metabolites LPS and D-LA,increasing gene expressions of tight junction proteins ZO-1,Claudin-5 and Claudin-1,and down-regulating secretion of proinflammatory cytokine.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with esketamine mixed with hydromorphone on the postoperative sleep quality in pediatric patients.Methods:This was a prospective randomised controlled study. One hundred pediatric patients of both sexes, aged 4-12 yr, with a body mass index of 13-26 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, undergoing elective abdominal surgery with general anesthesia, who agreed to use postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia in our hospital from January to November 2023, were divided into esktamine mixed with hydromorphone group (EH group) and hydromorphone group (H group), with 50 patients in each group. PCIA solution contained esketamine 1 mg/kg and hydromorphon 0.1 mg/kg in 100 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride in EH group and hydromorphone 0.2 mg/kg in 100 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride in H group. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to evaluate the preoperative sleep quality by asking pediatric patients themselves or their guardians. On the morning of 1-3 days after surgery, the numeric rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate the sleep quality of the first 3 nights after surgery. At 24 and 48 h after surgery, the FLACC pain scale was used to evaluate the intensity of pain. The consumption of hydromorphone within 48 h after surgery and the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, itching and delirium were recorded. Results:Compared with group H, the NRS score was significantly increased on the 1st postoperative night, the ratio of poor sleep quality was decreased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the NRS score on the 2nd or 3rd postoperative night and ratio of poor sleep quality ( P>0.05), and the FLACC pain scale score at 24 and 48 h after surgery and consumption of hydromorphone within 48 h after surgery were decreased in group EH ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:PCIA with esketamine mixed with hydromorphone can improve the postoperative sleep quality in pediatric patients.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between inherited protein S deficiency (PSD) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) by phenotype and gene mutation analysis of 2 inherited PSD pedigrees with nonsense mutations.Methods:Retrospective analysis of clinical and imaging data of 2 patients diagnosed with CVST who were treated in the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in July and October 2023 was carried out. The peripheral blood samples were collected from proband 1 and her family members (3 subjects, 2 generations in total), and proband 2 and his family members (8 subjects of 3 generations in total). Their protein S (PS) activity (PS:A), the content of total PS antigen (TPS:Ag) and free PS antigen (FPS:Ag) were measured for definite diagnosis. Polymerase chain reaction was done in all 15 exons of the active PROS1 gene and its 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions and the amplification products were analyzed by direct sequencing. The results were compared with human PROS1 reference sequences, using Chromas software to find the mutation sites. Results:The proband 1 is a female, and the proband 2 is a male. Both of them had young onset and the clinical presentation of CVST. The PS:A level was reduced to 29% in the proband 1 and reduced to about 35% in her mother; PS:A was reduced to 21%-27% in the proband 2 and his 6 family members; a decline in the same proportion of TPS:Ag and FPS:Ag was found in the 2 probands and their family members, therefore they were primarily diagnosed as typeⅠPSD. Gene analysis showed that the proband 1 and her mother had a nonsense mutation of c.1680T>A in exon 14 (p.Tyr560 *) of the PROS1 gene; the proband 2 and his 6 family members had a nonsense mutation of c.1687C>T in exon 14 (p.Gln563 *) of the PROS1 gene. Conclusion:The reduced protein S levels in PSD patients and their family members may be associated with the p.Tyr560 * and p.Gln563 * nonsense mutations of the PROS1 gene, and the clinical manifestations of CVST in PSD patients may be related to these 2 nonsense mutations.

Objective To monitor heart-related parameters of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension(PH)mouse models induced by hypoxia alone and hypoxia combined with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor SU5416 using echocardiography,and to construct the prediction equation of right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP).Twenty-four C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into simple hypoxia group(group A),hypoxia combined with SU5416 group(group B),control group(group C),each group 8 mice.Hypoxic PH models were constructed with hypoxia alone and hypoxia combined with SU5416 in group A and group B,respectively.Echocardiography was performed before and during modeling(2,3,4 weeks after interventions),and the relevant parameters were obtained.RVSP was measured using right heart catheterization after the last echocardiography.The changes of ultrasonic parameters were observed,the correlations of ultrasonic parameters 4 weeks after intervention with RVSP were observed,and linear equations for predicting RVSP were established.Results With time going,during modeling,pulmonary artery diameter(PAD),PAD/aorta diameter(AOD)and right ventricle anterior wall thickness(RVAWT)increased,while heart rate,pulmonary artery acceleration time(PAAT),PAAT/pulmonary artery ejection time(PAET)and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE)decreased in group A and B(all P＜0.05).Three and 4 weeks after interventions,PAET,PAAT/PAET and TAPSE in group B decreased compared with those in group A(all P＜0.05).Four weeks after interventions,RVSP in group A and B were highly correlated with PAD/AOD,RVAWT,PAAT,PAAT/PAET and TAPSE(all P＜0.05).The linear regression equations of PAAT/PAET and TAPSE for predicting RVSP in simple hypoxic PH mice models included RVSP=-161.7 ×(PAAT/PAET)+63.85,as well as RVSP=-36.53 ×TAPSE+71.55,while of predicting RVSP in hypoxia combined with VEGFR-2 inhibitor PH mouse models were as follows:RVSP=-266.4 ×(PAAT/PAET)+91.59,RVSP=-69.14 × TAPSE+116.5.Conclusion Four weeks after inerventions,the phenotypes of hypoxic PH mouse models induced by hypoxia alone and hypoxia combined with SU5416 became obvious.Prediction equations of RVSP established based on PAAT/PAET and TAPSE obtained with echocardiography could provide references for relevant research.