ObjectiveTo explore the clinical potential of magnetic resonance elastography （MRE） for assessing the stiffness of common intracranial tumors. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 47 patients with brain tumors who underwent surgical treatment at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between April 2023 and September 2024. The cohort included 10 cases of glioma， 12 cases of vestibular schwannoma， and 25 cases of meningioma. All patients underwent multiparameter MRI and MRE preoperatively. After co-registering MRE images with contrast-enhanced 3D T1-weighted images， three regions of interest （ROIs） were placed in the areas of maximum and minimum tumor stiffness respectively to measure the shear stiffness values， and the mean was calculated as the average shear stiffness. Additionally， one ROI was placed in the white matter and one in the grey matter of the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle at the basal ganglia level to obtain normal reference values. A neurosurgeon， blind to the MRE results， graded the intraoperative tumor stiffness based on surgical videos using a 5-point scale （1： soft； 5： hard）. Intraclass correlation coefficient （ICC） was used to assess inter-observer consistency. Analysis of variance （ANOVA） and nonparametric tests were employed to compare the differences of shear stiffness values between groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between elasticity values and clinicopathological parameters. The discriminatory efficacy of shear stiffness values for tumor types was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves. ResultsThe ICCs for elasticity values measured by two physicians in the hardest and softest tumor areas were 0.868 and 0.831， respectively （both P＜ 0.01）. The maximum， minimum， and average shear stiffness values of meningiomas［（1.91±0.28） m/s， （1.66±0.25） m/s， （1.78±0.26） m/s， respectively］ were significantly higher than those of gliomas［（1.59±0.23） m/s， （1.42±0.23） m/s， （1.50±0.22） m/s， respectively （P＜0.05）］. The shear stiffness values of vestibular schwannomas［（1.70±0.30） m/s， （1.51±0.23） m/s， （1.61±0.26） m/s， respectively） were lower than those of meningiomas and higher than those of gliomas， but these differences were not statistically significant （both P＞0.05）. The shear stiffness values of white matter were significantly higher than that of grey matter［（1.63±0.08） m/s vs. （1.39±0.12） m/s， P＜0.05）］. In the overall sample， the maximum， minimum， and average shear stiffness values were significantly positively correlated with the intraoperative hardness grade （r_s = 0.591， r_s = 0.541， r_s = 0.571， respectively； all P＜0.001）， negatively correlated with WHO grade （r_s = -0.458， r_s = -0.458， r_s = -0.480， respectively； all P＜0.01）， but showed no correlation with Ki-67 （all P＞0.05）. ConclusionMRE can be used to assess the stiffness of intracranial tumors and to some extent differentiate between tumor types， which aids in formulating more individualized preoperative surgical plans.

Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

Objective To develop a Nomogram clinical prediction model for the pathological occurrence of extraprostatic extension(EPE)after radical prostatectomy in prostate cancer patients,using simplified site-specific magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)indicators and other clinical parameters.Methods A total of 181 prostate cancer patients[mean age(69.0±7.3)years]who underwent radical prostatectomy were included.These patients had received 3-Tesla multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging(3-T mpMRI)within 6 months prior to surgery.Based on mpMRI measurements[capsular contact length(CCL)>15 mm,capsular bulging/irregularities,diameter of index lesion(dIL),and evident extraprostatic extension(eEPE)],the dIL?sEPE grading system was derived.The optimal cut-off value of dIL(denoted as dIL)was determined using the Youden J index,and categorized it into a binary variable.A Logistic regression model was established based on the dIL?sEPE grading and clinical scores.The predictive performance of clinical indicators,MRI indicators,and combined clinical and MRI indicators were compared.Finally,a clinical prediction model integrating both clinical and MRI data was developed.Results Pathological EPE was found in 46 out of 181 cases(25.4% ).A Nomogram prediction model for EPE was established with a combination of the dIL?sEPE grading and clinical indicators.Conclusion The combination of dIL?sEPE grading with clinical indicators accurately predicts extracapsular extension in prostate cancer.The Nomogram model that established,based on MRI imaging characteristics and clinical indicators has good performance and is easy to use.It is beneficial to stratifying management for prostate cancer patients,and it provides valuable guidance for patients suitable for nerve-sparing surgery.

Both the androgen receptor pathway and PI3K/AKT pathway play pivotal roles in the progression of prostate cancer.There are intricate interactions between these two pathways,showing a negative regulatory relationship of mutual restriction between them.In view of the above,a combined inhibition strategy targeting these two pathways is expected to become a significant therapeutic approach for prostate cancer.This article aims to comprehensively review the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between the androgen receptor and PI3K/AKT pathways,to provide new perspectives and insights for research in the fields.

BACKGROUND:Ligament rupture and defect of the lateral or medial malleolus caused by high-energy injuries are common challenges in foot and ankle surgery.Their neighboring core tendons are often used as grafts to reconstruct the deficient ligaments.It is of paramount importance to investigate the mechanical properties of such tendons in the context of ligament defects to provide a suitable donor tendon.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the interactive dynamics and biomechanical alterations among their core tendons during ankle joint motions under varying degrees of lateral or medial malleolar ligament defect.METHODS:Based on CT imaging data of the left foot of a 50-year-old healthy male,a surface stereolithography model was extracted and constructed using MIMICS software.After Geomagic Wrap software was employed to fit the surfaces,a bone-cartilage-ligament-tendon ankle complex model incorporating varying degrees of ligament deficiencies was created within SOLIDWORKS software.Finite element analysis was then conducted using Ansys Workbench software,and the model's validity was verified through a simulated anterior drawer test.Following validation,the mechanical response of the ankle under the conditions of internal and external rotation,as well as inversion and eversion,was simulated.The variation and distribution patterns of the maximum Von-Mises stress in the peroneus brevis and longus tendons,as well as the anterior and posterior tibial tendons,were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the anterior drawer test,the maximum talar displacement reached 5.208 5 mm,which was similar to the data in the previous literature,thereby the effectiveness of the model was validated.(2)Under four loading conditions,the defect of unilateral single-bundle ligaments exerted minimal influence on the maximum stress of adjacent core tendons,whereas the defect of unilateral multi-bundle ligament significantly increased the maximum tendon stress.Except for the consistently high stress across segments of the anterior tibial tendon,the high-stress regions in the long and short peroneal tendons and posterior tibial tendon were concentrated at their distal ends near the insertions.(3)Regarding the defect of the lateral malleolar ligament,the maximum stress and its variation in the peroneus brevis tendon during inversion and internal rotation were higher than those in the peroneus longus tendon.During inversion under the condition of the defect of the anterior talofibular ligament,the maximum stress in the short peroneal tendon increased by 0.951 2 MPa compared to that of normal condition,while that in the long peroneal tendon decreased by 0.065 1 MPa.Under the condition of the defect of the calcaneofibular ligament during internal rotation,the maximum stress in the short peroneal tendon increased by 2.352 9 MPa,while the maximum stress in the long peroneal tendon decreased by 0.269 2 MPa.(4)During eversion and external rotation under the defect of medial malleolar ligament,the variations in the maximum stress of the anterior and posterior tibial tendons were complex and depended on the type of ligament defect.Notably,full-thickness ligament defect significantly augmented the maximum stress in both tendons.

Objective To explore the value of the albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio(AAPR)with modified Glasgow prognostic score(mGPS)in assessing the response to and prognosis of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCG)therapy in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).Methods A total of 153 high-risk NMIBC patients treated with intravesical BCG in our hospital during Jan.2018 and Oct.2021 were enrolled.Patients were divided into response and non-response groups based on the treatment efficacy,and into good and poor prognosis groups based on the clinical outcomes.AAPR and mGPS were calculated.The relationship between AAPR,mGPS and BCG treatment non-response was analyzed with multivariate logistic regression.Clinical data and scores were compared between prognosis groups.The associations between AAPR,mGPS,and poor prognosis after BCG treatment were assessed with a Cox proportional hazards model.Patients were stratified into high-and low-A APR groups,and into mGPS 0,1,and 2 groups.Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted for progression-free survival(PFS)across different AAPR and mGPS strata.The diagnostic performance of AAPR combined with mGPS in predicting treatment non-response and poor prognosis was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results Among the 153 patients,the response rate to BCG treatment was 71.90％(110/153),the 3-year poor prognosis rate was 45.75％(70/153),and the 3-year PFS rate was 54.25％(83/153).Increased AAPR was identified as an independent protective factor for both treatment response and good prognosis,while higher mGPS was an independent risk factor(P＜0.05).The 3-year PFS rate was significantly higher in the high-AAPR group than in the low-A APR group(P＜0.001).Among the mGPS groups,the 3-year PFS rate was lowest in the mGPS 2 group,followed by mGPS 1 and mGPS 0 groups(P＜0.001).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for AAPR with mGPS in predicting BCG treatment non-response and poor prognosis was 0.864 and 0.901,respectively,significantly higher than using AAPR(0.774,0.781)or mGPS alone(0.798,0.809)(P＜0.05).Conclusion Lower AAPR and higher mGPS are associated with non-response and poor prognosis in NMIBC patients undergoing intravesical BCG therapy.The combination of AAPR and mGPS has high predictive value.

Objective:To evaluate the perioperative application effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) clinical pathway in percutaneous vertebro plasty (PVP).Methods:The clinical data of 274 patients who underwent PVP treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from May 2023 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the different numbers of surgical segments: the single-segment group ( n=211) and the multisegment group ( n=63). Patients in the single-segment group underwent single-segment surgery, while patients in the multisegment group underwent surgery on ≥2 segments. The core points of the ERAS clinical pathway adopted in this study include perioperative education, pain management, early mobilization, application of "outfast", and joint guidance from the departments of nutrition and rehabilitation. Comparison was made between the two groups of patients in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) scores for low back pain at preoperative, 2 h, 6 h, 24 h postoperatively, and on the day of discharge; Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores preoperatively and on the day of discharge; time to first ambulation postoperatively, total length of hospital stay, postoperative length of stay, perioperative complications, and perioperative application of Opioid consumption. Measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and the independent sample t-test was used for comparison between groups; count data were expressed as cases and percentage, and the Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. The VAS pain scores at each stage of the perioperative period were evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance or generalized estimating equations. Results:Compared with that before the operation [(6.17±0.93) points, (6.29±0.83) points], the VAS scores of low back pain of patients in the single-segment group and the multisegment group at 2 hours after surgery [(3.09±0.82) points, (3.27±0.65) points], 6 hours after surgery [(2.60±0.79) points, (2.62±0.55) points], and 24 hours after surgery [(1.89±0.77) points, (1.97±0.72) points] and on the day of discharge [(1.72±0.71) points, (1.81±0.64) points] were significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At the same stage, the VAS scores of low back pain in both groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The ODI scores of patients in the single-segment group and the multisegment group on the day of discharge [(24.21±2.35) points, (24.63±3.31) points] were significantly lower than those before the operation [(64.50±4.81) points, (65.52±4.08) points], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in perioperative complications and the proportion of Opioid drug application between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients with single-segment or multisegment OVCF, PVP surgical treatment under ERAS clinical pathway management can achieve immediate pain relief, early ambulation exercise, and satisfactory perioperative efficacy.

BACKGROUND:Ligament rupture and defect of the lateral or medial malleolus caused by high-energy injuries are common challenges in foot and ankle surgery.Their neighboring core tendons are often used as grafts to reconstruct the deficient ligaments.It is of paramount importance to investigate the mechanical properties of such tendons in the context of ligament defects to provide a suitable donor tendon.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the interactive dynamics and biomechanical alterations among their core tendons during ankle joint motions under varying degrees of lateral or medial malleolar ligament defect.METHODS:Based on CT imaging data of the left foot of a 50-year-old healthy male,a surface stereolithography model was extracted and constructed using MIMICS software.After Geomagic Wrap software was employed to fit the surfaces,a bone-cartilage-ligament-tendon ankle complex model incorporating varying degrees of ligament deficiencies was created within SOLIDWORKS software.Finite element analysis was then conducted using Ansys Workbench software,and the model's validity was verified through a simulated anterior drawer test.Following validation,the mechanical response of the ankle under the conditions of internal and external rotation,as well as inversion and eversion,was simulated.The variation and distribution patterns of the maximum Von-Mises stress in the peroneus brevis and longus tendons,as well as the anterior and posterior tibial tendons,were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the anterior drawer test,the maximum talar displacement reached 5.208 5 mm,which was similar to the data in the previous literature,thereby the effectiveness of the model was validated.(2)Under four loading conditions,the defect of unilateral single-bundle ligaments exerted minimal influence on the maximum stress of adjacent core tendons,whereas the defect of unilateral multi-bundle ligament significantly increased the maximum tendon stress.Except for the consistently high stress across segments of the anterior tibial tendon,the high-stress regions in the long and short peroneal tendons and posterior tibial tendon were concentrated at their distal ends near the insertions.(3)Regarding the defect of the lateral malleolar ligament,the maximum stress and its variation in the peroneus brevis tendon during inversion and internal rotation were higher than those in the peroneus longus tendon.During inversion under the condition of the defect of the anterior talofibular ligament,the maximum stress in the short peroneal tendon increased by 0.951 2 MPa compared to that of normal condition,while that in the long peroneal tendon decreased by 0.065 1 MPa.Under the condition of the defect of the calcaneofibular ligament during internal rotation,the maximum stress in the short peroneal tendon increased by 2.352 9 MPa,while the maximum stress in the long peroneal tendon decreased by 0.269 2 MPa.(4)During eversion and external rotation under the defect of medial malleolar ligament,the variations in the maximum stress of the anterior and posterior tibial tendons were complex and depended on the type of ligament defect.Notably,full-thickness ligament defect significantly augmented the maximum stress in both tendons.

Purpose To investigate the incidence and risk of malignancy(ROM)of the Bethesda class Ⅰ/Ⅲ di-agnosis of thyroid nodules due to insufficient number of follicular cells,and to analyze the correlation between their in-sufficient cell volume and the characteristics of the nodules themselves from the perspective of ultrasound and histology.Methods Clinical data were collected from fine needle aspiration cytology(FNAC)of the thyroid gland.Review and statistical analysis was performed on cases with the Bethesda class Ⅰ/Ⅲ diagnosis due to insufficient cell volume.The incidence and the ROM of Bethesda class Ⅰ/Ⅲ diagnosis were calculated.BRAF V600E(+)or postoperative patho-logical indicating papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)was used as the criterion for malignancy.Then,we matched the Bethesda class Ⅱ/Ⅵ cases with sufficient cell volume as the control group.The ultrasound characteristics and histo-logical images of the two groups were compared and analyzed in order to reveal the correlation between the insufficient amount of penetrating cells and the objective characteristics of the nodule itself.Results There were 39 solid thyroid nodules with the Bethesda class Ⅰ diagnosis,with an incidence of 3.3％and a ROM of 38.5％,and 160 nodules with the Bethesda class Ⅲ diagnosis,with an incidence of 13.5％and a ROM of 59.4％.The incidence and ROM of nod-ules with C-TIRADS ≥4b(22.4％,67.6％)were higher than those of C-TIRADS ≤4a(12.7％,39.8％),and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).Compared to the Bethesda class Ⅱ/Ⅵ nodules with sufficient cell volume,occurrence of the Bethesda class Ⅰ/Ⅲ nodules were significantly correlated with small nodules(maximal diameter＜5 mm),vertical growth(aspect ratio ≥ 1)and poor blood supply(no or little blood flow signals)(r=0.131,-0.230,0.237,P=0.008,＜0.001,＜0.001).They were also significantly correlated with the pathologic histologic structure of diffuse significant fibrosis of the interstitium and low parenchyma/interstitium composition ratio(about 1:1)(r=-0.269,-0.396,P=0.019,＜0.001).Conclusion Thyroid Bethesda class Ⅰ/Ⅲ nodules have a high ROM,and BRAF V600E detection is recommended as a tool of tiered management.Bethesda class Ⅰ/Ⅲ diagnosis of insufficient cell volume is more likely when the nodules are too small,grow vertically and lack blood sup-ply,presumably associated with extensive interstitial fibrosis and sparse parenchymal cells.

Objective:To assess the predictive value of the percentage of Gleason pattern 4 (G4%) in prostate biopsy for adverse pathology and biochemical recurrence.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy in our institution between January 2019 and December 2023, and included those who were diagnosed with ISUP 2-3 cancer at biopsy. A total of 109 patients were included in this study. The average age of patients was (67.40±6.11) years, and the average BMI of patients was (25.36±2.97) kg/m 2. 49 Cases (45.0%) had a PI-RADS score of 5, and the median prostate volume was 32.60 (24.57, 45.63) ml. The median of most recent tPSA before biopsy was 9.76 (6.89, 12.95) ng/ml, the median PSAD was 0.28 (0.17, 0.44) ng/ml 2, and the median f/tPSA was 0.11 (0.08, 0.16). Clinical T 2b or higher stage was found in 84 cases (77.1%). The total biopsy core length was (22.91±5.18) cm, with a median of 24 (20, 24) biopsy cores and a median of 6 (4, 9) positive cores. Gleason score 3+ 4 was found in 52 cases (47.7%), and Gleason score 4+ 3 in 57 cases (52.3%). Cribriform was present in 30 cases (27.5%). G4% was calculated based on the proportion of Gleason grade 4 tumor relative to total tumor, tumor proportion relative to total tissue, and tissue length. Patients were divided into high-G4% (≥2.45%) and low-G4% (<2.45%) groups based on the median G4% value, with 55 and 54 cases, respectively. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the two groups ( P>0.05). The main risk factor of adverse pathology was analyzed by logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were performed. Patients were further stratified by the G4% cutoff value from ROC, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to compare biochemical recurrence free survival (BCRFS) between groups. The main risk factor affecting BCRFS was analyzed by Cox regression. Adverse pathology was defined as postoperative Gleason score ≥4+ 3 or pathological stage ≥T 3a. Results:Adverse pathology occurred in 44 (80.0%) high-G4% and 16 (29.6%) low-G4% patients ( P<0.01). Multivariate analysis identified G4% as an independent risk factor for adverse pathology ( OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.02-1.50, P=0.033). The highest ROC AUC value was seen for G4% (0.799), significantly outperforming Gleason score (0.799 vs. 0.641, P=0.003), tPSA (0.799 vs. 0.615, P=0.003), PSAD (0.799 vs. 0.679, P=0.038), positive cores (0.799 vs. 0.677, P=0.009), clinical T stage (0.799 vs. 0.607, P=0.001) and cribriform (0.799 vs. 0.639, P=0.001). The G4% cutoff value for predicting biochemical recurrence was 10.97%. The median BCRFS was significantly higher in the low G4% (<10.97%) group than that in the high G4% (≥10.97%) group (55 vs. 28 months, P=0.002). Cumulative recurrence free survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 94.6% vs. 74.1% and 78.0% vs. 47.6%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicates that G4% was an independent risk factor affecting BCRFS ( HR=1.11, 95% CI 1.00-1.23, P=0.041). Conclusions:For patients with ISUP 2-3 nmPCa, a higher G4% in biopsy specimens demonstrates strong predictive ability for adverse pathology and biochemical recurrence, outperforming traditional clinical indicators such as Gleason score and PSA.