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 establish a risk prediction model for antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD)in intensive care unit(ICU)patients receiving mechanical ventilation so as to provide bases for early identification of high-risk population and formulation of corresponding individualized prevention strategies.METHODS A total of 1016 pa-tients who received mechanical ventilation and were treated with antibiotics in the ICU of The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from Jan.1,2020 to Jun.30,2022 were retrospectively enrolled in the study and were divided into the AAD group with 200 cases and the non-AA group according to the diagnostic criteria for AAD.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for risk factors for AAD in the ICU patients receiv-ing mechanical ventilation,and the nomogram prediction model was established with R software.The performance of the model was evaluated by means of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and calibration curves.RESULTS Among the 1016 patients who underwent mechanical ventilation,200 had AAD,and the incidence rate of AAD was 19.69％.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hemoglobulin[OR=0.990,95％CI(0.983 to 0.997)],C-reactive protein[OR=1.046,95％CI(1.009 to 1.085)],serum phosphorus[OR=0.498,95％CI(0.328 to 0.755)],serum lipase[OR=1.001,95％CI(1.000 to 1.002)],ceftriaxo ne sodium[OR=2.331,95％CI(1.253 to 4.334)],linezolid[OR=2.387,95％CI(1.329 to 4.289)],fluconazole[OR=2.083,95％CI(1.238 to 3.505)]and sedatives[OR=0.307,95％CI(0.160 to 0.590)]were the risk factors for the AAD in the ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation.The area under ROC curve(AUC)of the predic-tion model established based on the risk factors was 0.705 for the training set,0.751 for the validation set.Hos-mer-Lemeshow test indicated that the predicated probability of the model was consistent with the actual risk for the occurrence(x2=6.057,5.304,P=0.641,0.725).CONCLUSION The nomogram model that is established based on the above influencing factors can quantitatively predict the risk for AAD in the ICU patients undergo-ing mechanical ventilation,and it has certain clinical predictive efficiency.

Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of different minimally invasive operations[endoscopic re-trogradebiliary drainage(ERBD)、endoscopic nasobiliary drainage(ENBD)、percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage(PTCD)] for choledocholithiasis complicated with acute cholangitis to provide reference for clinical treatment retrospectively. Methods A total of 151 patients with choledocholithiasis complicated with acute cholangitis at Department of Emergency Surgery in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were included and divided into four groups based on the four treatment strategies, including non-surgical treatment. Changes in leukocyte count, bilirubin levels, and liver function before and after treatment, as well as postoperative recovery, complication rates, length of hospital stay, and prognosis were compared among patients who underwent different surgical treatments. Results There were significant improvements in leukocyte count, percentage of neutrophils, and liver function of the patients underwent ENBD or ERBD operation (P<0.05). The total bilirubin and direct bilirubin were significantly reduced after ERBD, ENBD, and PTCD operations (P<0.05). Patients undergoing ERBD, ENBD, or PTCD demonstrated faster recovery times, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and lower mortality rates compared to those managed conservatively. Conclusions ERBD and ENBD as minimally invasive therapeutic modalities for the management of choledocholithiasis complicated with acute cholangitis, exhibit remarkable clinical efficacy, coupled with a high degree of safety and reliability. These techniques significantly enhance the long-term minimally invasive cure rate, thereby establishing them as the preferred treatment strategies. Tailored to the patient's specific clinical conditions, such as the severity of infection, stone dimensions, and the use of oral anticoagulant therapy, clinicians can formulate individualized minimally invasive treatment strategies, facilitating the optimal attainment of therapeutic objectives.

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 establish a risk prediction model for antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD)in intensive care unit(ICU)patients receiving mechanical ventilation so as to provide bases for early identification of high-risk population and formulation of corresponding individualized prevention strategies.METHODS A total of 1016 pa-tients who received mechanical ventilation and were treated with antibiotics in the ICU of The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from Jan.1,2020 to Jun.30,2022 were retrospectively enrolled in the study and were divided into the AAD group with 200 cases and the non-AA group according to the diagnostic criteria for AAD.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for risk factors for AAD in the ICU patients receiv-ing mechanical ventilation,and the nomogram prediction model was established with R software.The performance of the model was evaluated by means of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and calibration curves.RESULTS Among the 1016 patients who underwent mechanical ventilation,200 had AAD,and the incidence rate of AAD was 19.69％.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hemoglobulin[OR=0.990,95％CI(0.983 to 0.997)],C-reactive protein[OR=1.046,95％CI(1.009 to 1.085)],serum phosphorus[OR=0.498,95％CI(0.328 to 0.755)],serum lipase[OR=1.001,95％CI(1.000 to 1.002)],ceftriaxo ne sodium[OR=2.331,95％CI(1.253 to 4.334)],linezolid[OR=2.387,95％CI(1.329 to 4.289)],fluconazole[OR=2.083,95％CI(1.238 to 3.505)]and sedatives[OR=0.307,95％CI(0.160 to 0.590)]were the risk factors for the AAD in the ICU patients receiving mechanical ventilation.The area under ROC curve(AUC)of the predic-tion model established based on the risk factors was 0.705 for the training set,0.751 for the validation set.Hos-mer-Lemeshow test indicated that the predicated probability of the model was consistent with the actual risk for the occurrence(x2=6.057,5.304,P=0.641,0.725).CONCLUSION The nomogram model that is established based on the above influencing factors can quantitatively predict the risk for AAD in the ICU patients undergo-ing mechanical ventilation,and it has certain clinical predictive efficiency.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of hypertension inducing erectile dysfunction(ED)using transcriptomics and network pharmacology.Methods:We randomly divided 12 male rats with spontaneous hypertension(SHT)into an L-arginine(LA)group(n=6)and an SHT model control(MC)group(n=6),took another 6 Wistar Kyoto male rats as normal controls(NC),and treated the animals in the LA group by intraperitoneal injection of LA at 400 mg/kg and those in the latter two groups with physio-logical saline,once a day,all for 7 days.Then we observed the blood pressure and penile erection of the rats,and determined the ex-pressions of the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway-related proteins and mRNAs in different groups using ELISA,Western blot and RT-qPCR.Results:Transcriptomics combined with network pharmacology showed that the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway played a key role in hypertension-induced ED.In vivo animal experiments revealed a significantly lower frequency of penile erections in the MC than in the NC group(1.33±0.52 vs 2.67±0.51,P＜0.05).The protein expressions of eNOS,PKG and sGC were markedly de-creased in the model controls compared with those the normal controls(P＜0.05),but remarkably upregulated in the LA group com-pared with those in the MC group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Hypertension decreases the expressions of eNOS,NO,sGC,cGMP and PKG proteins and the level of testosterone by inhibiting the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway,which consequently suppresses the relaxa-tion of the penile vascular smooth muscle and reduces erectile function.