The incidence rate of thyroid cancer has been rising in recent years. How to accurately distinguish malignant and benign thyroid nodules before surgery has become an important research direction. Ultrasound, as a non-invasive and fast examination method, has been widely used in clinical practice. Some typical ultrasound features, such as calcification, unclear boundaries, multiple lesions, low echo, and aspect ratio>1, can indicate the occurrence of thyroid cancer before surgery. Further analysis of these ultrasound features is still a focus of current research. This article will review the expression and distribution of calcification, a typical ultrasound feature, in benign and malignant thyroid nodules, in order to provide a basis for predicting the malignancy of thyroid nodules based on the characteristics of calcification under preoperative ultrasound.

Objective To discuss the short-term efficacy and safety of primary percutaneous reduction combined with robotic-assisted screw placement for the treatment of Sanders type Ⅲ and Ⅳ calcaneal frac-tures.Methods A total of 52 patients(52 feet)with Sanders type Ⅲ and Ⅳ calcaneal fractures admitted to this hospital from August 2022 to October 2024 were selected as the study subjects.33 patients were treated with robot assisted screw placement(the observation group),including 23 cases of Sanders type Ⅲ patients(4 cases of AC type,16 cases of AB type,3 cases of BC type)and 10 cases of Sanders type Ⅳ patients;19 patients underwent manual screw placement under C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy(the control group),including 14 cases of Sanders type Ⅲ(5 cases of AC type,9 cases of AB type)and 5 cases of Sanders Ⅳ type.The B?hler angle,Gissane angle,calcaneal height,calcaneal width,and calcaneal length were compared between the two groups at 3 and 12 months after surgery.The differences in the time from injury to surgery,intraoperative blood loss,number of intraoperative fluoroscopies,total incision length,operation time,number of screws inserted,num-ber of punctures,hospital stay,fracture healing time,and proportion of tarsal sinus incision-assisted reduction between the two groups were evaluated and compared.The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)ankle and hindfoot function score,excellent rate of function and visual analog scale(VAS)pain score after surgery were also compared,and the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups were compared to evaluate safety.Results Both groups of patients were followed up for more than 12 months after surgery.At 3 and 12 months postoperatively,B?hler's angle,Gissane's angle,calcaneal length,calcaneal height,and calcaneal width in both groups showed significant improvements compared to preopera-tive measurements,but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The intraoperative blooding loss,number of intraoperative fluoroscopies,operation time,and number of punc-tures in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statisti-cally significant(P＜0.05);There was no statistically significant difference in the time from injury to surger-y,total incision length,number of screws inserted,hospital stay,fracture healing time,proportion of tarsal si-nus incision-assisted reduction,and excellent rate of function between the two groups of patients(P＞0.05).The AOFAS ankle and hindfoot function score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group at 3 months after surgery,and the VAS pain scores in the early postoperative period was lower than that of the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The incidence of complications such as lower ankle pain,traumatic arthritis,and plantar pain in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Com-pared with manual screw placement,primary percutaneous reduction combined with robotic-assisted screw placement for the treatment of Sanders type Ⅲ and Ⅳ calcaneal fractures is more effective,safe,precise,mini-mally invasive and efficient,with less intraoperative bleeding and lower incidence of complications.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) expresses abundant glycolytic enzymes and displays comprehensive glucose metabolism reprogramming. Aldolase A (ALDOA) plays a prominent role in glycolysis; however, little is known about its role in HCC development. In the present study, we aim to explore how ALDOA is involved in HCC proliferation. HCC proliferation was markedly suppressed both in vitro and in vivo following ALDOA knockout, which is consistent with ALDOA overexpression encouraging HCC proliferation. Mechanistically, ALDOA knockout partially limits the glycolytic flux in HCC cells. Meanwhile, ALDOA translocated to nuclei and directly interacted with c-Jun to facilitate its Thr93 phosphorylation by P21-activated protein kinase; ALDOA knockout markedly diminished c-Jun Thr93 phosphorylation and then dampened c-Jun transcription function. A crucial site Y364 mutation in ALDOA disrupted its interaction with c-Jun, and Y364S ALDOA expression failed to rescue cell proliferation in ALDOA deletion cells. In HCC patients, the expression level of ALDOA was correlated with the phosphorylation level of c-Jun (Thr93) and poor prognosis. Remarkably, hepatic ALDOA was significantly upregulated in the promotion and progression stages of diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC models, and the knockdown of A ldoa strikingly decreased HCC development in vivo. Our study demonstrated that ALDOA is a vital driver for HCC development by activating c-Jun-mediated oncogene transcription, opening additional avenues for anti-cancer therapies.

Objective To investigate the correlations of circulating miRNA-205 expression with systemic immune-inflammation index(SII)and systemic inflammation response index(SIRI)in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea(OSA). Methods The patients who attended the Hypertension Center of the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January to June 2023 and underwent complete overnight polysomnography were consecutively included in this study.Among them,30 patients had severe OSA,and 32 patients did not have OSA.Blood routine tests(white blood cells,neutrophils,monocytes,platelets,etc.)were performed and the expression of miRNA-205 was determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR.Simple regression was adopted to analyze the correlations among miRNA-205,SII,SIRI,and OSA parameters.The potential regulatory effects of miRNA-205 on OSA and inflammation indices were further evaluated. Results The patients with severe OSA showed lower expression of circulating miRNA-205[1.910(1.240,2.403)vs.3.650(2.148,5.109),z=-3.874,P<0.001]and higher SIRI[1.090(0.775,1.573)vs.0.870(0.650,1.240),z=-2.031,P=0.041]and SII[555.200(451.780,936.350)vs.448.685(380.823,646.073),z=-2.029,P=0.042]than non-OSA patients.In the whole population,apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)showed a negative correlation with circulating miRNA-205(r=-0.391,P=0.002).Among severe OSA patients,each 1-unit increase in AHI was associated with a reduction of 0.030 in miRNA-205 and increases of 10.046 and 0.037 in SII and SIRI,respectively(SII:P=0.003;SIRI:P=0.037).Conversely,each 1-unit rise in miRNA-205 predicted a decrease of 121.093 in SII(β=-0.40,P=0.046).The low expression of miRNA-205 might have a negative moderating effect on elevated SII(β=-0.40,P=0.004). Conclusions Compared with the patients without OSA,those with severe OSA showed elevated SII and SIRI and down-regulated expression of miRNA-205.The low expression of miRNA-205 might have a negative moderating effect on the systemic inflammatory state associated with severe OSA.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/blood* ; MicroRNAs/blood* ; Inflammation/blood* ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Adult

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-power,short-duration radiofrequency catheter ablation for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation.Methods This retrospective study included 392 patients diagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation who underwent catheter radiofrequency ablation at Suzhou Kowloon Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,from January 2019 to December 2023.Of these,256 patients were treated with high-power,short-duration ablation,and 136 patients with low-power,long-duration ablation.The following parameters were compared:radiofrequency ablation time,total procedure time,single-circle pulmonary vein isolation rate,immediate procedural success rate,number of ablation points,and perioperative complications(including pericardial tamponade,pseudoaneurysm,arteriovenous fistula,stroke,etc.).Follow-up assessments were conducted at 3,6,and 12 months post-surgery to evaluate the 12-month sinus rhythm maintenance rate.Results The ablation time in the high-power group was significantly shorter than that in the low-power group[(14.6±2.3)min vs.(30.3±4.2)min,P＜0.001],as was the total procedure time[(113.8±24.8)min vs.(128.5±26.7)min,P=0.001].There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of pulmonary vein isolation rate(97.7％vs.94.9％,P=0.823),number of ablation points[(71.2±8.0)vs.(74.3±14.3),P=0.168],or perioperative complications(3.1％vs.4.4％,P=0.571).Regarding the maintenance rate of sinus rhythm at 12 months post-operation,the high-power group showed a higher rate than the low-power group,but no statistically significant difference was observed(82.8％vs.79.4％,P=0.399).Conclusions High-power,short-duration radiofrequency catheter ablation can improve procedural efficiency in the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation.Its efficacy and safety are similar to those of the low-power,long-duration technique.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase(r-SAK)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who are expected to undergo PCI within 120 minutes.Methods From October 2021 to August 2022,a total of 200 STEMI patients in eight centers were included and randomly assigned in a 1﹕1 ratio to either r-SAK group or control group.Patients received loading doses of aspirin and ticagrelor and intravenous heparin and were randomized to receive an intravenous bolus of either 5 mg r-SAK or normal saline prior to PCI.The outcomes were set as ST-segment resolution(STR)at 60-90 minutes after PCI,the proportion and transition of pathological Q waves on the 5th day after PCI,and the proportion of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T(hs-cTnT)peaking within 12 hours of onset.The safety outcome was major bleeding events defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium(BARC)≥type 3 bleeding during hospitalization.Results Compared with the control group,the r-SAK group had a higher proportion of STR≥70%within 60-90 minutes after PCI(58.3%vs.40.3%,P=0.009);a lower proportion of pathological Q waves(59.1%vs.74.1%,P=0.040);a lower rate of Q wave progression(14.8%vs.43.2%,P＜0.001);a higher rate of Q wave disappearance(12.5%vs.3.7%,P=0.027);and a higher proportion of hs-cTnT peaking within 12 hours of symptom onset[31/40(77.5%)vs.17/33(51.5%),P=0.027].Regarding the safety outcome,no significant difference in BARC≥type 3 bleeding was found between the two groups during hospitalization(P＞0.05).Conclusions For STEMI patients who were expected to undergo primary PCI within 120 minutes of symptom onset,the facilitated PCI with half-dose r-SAK significantly increased the proportion of STR≥70%at 60-90 minutes after PCI,reduced the formation of pathological Q waves,and shortened the time to peak hs-cTnT,without increasing the risk of bleeding,which should be an alternative reperfusion strategy worthy of further study.

Objective To investigate the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block combined with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia after lower abdominal surgery.Methods A total of 134 patients who underwent lower abdominal surgery in General Hospital of Central Theater Command from April 2021 to April 2024 were prospectively selected and randomly divided into the observation group and the control group,with 67 patients in each group.Patients in the observation group received ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block combined with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia.Patients in the control group underwent only patient-controlled intravenous analgesia.The number of analgesic pump compressions and the cumulative sufentanil consumption 4 hours,6 hours,12 hours,and 24 hours after surgery,the visual analogue score(VAS)of pain at rest and exercise,and the incidence of adverse reactions during postoperative analgesia were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with the control group,the number of analgesic pump compressions and the cumulative sufentanil consumption of patients were fewer/less at 6 hours,12 hours and 24 hours after surgery in the observation group(P<0.05).The VAS scores of patients at exercise 4 hours,6 hours,12 hours and 24 hours after surgery in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of nausea,vomiting and vertigo in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia,ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block combined with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia can significantly reduce the number of analgesia pump compressions and the cumulative sufentanil consumption in postoperative analgesia of lower abdominal surgery,and has a better effect in relieving exercise pain,it can also reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting.

The time-sensitive medical treatment advantages of unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)in casualty evacuation were described,along with their typical application scenarios and the principles of casualty evacuation.The development status of UAV-based casualty evacuation,both domestically and internationally,was reviewed.Key life-support technologies,such as intelligent injury recognition,fully automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)and auto cruise-based mecha-nical ventilation,were examined as important research directions of casualty evacuation UAVs.Finally,future development trends in UAV casualty evacuation and transport system were envisioned from four dimensions of autonomous flight technology,life support systems,information interaction and policy regulations.

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)expresses abundant glycolytic enzymes and displays comprehensive glucose metabolism reprogramming.Aldolase A(ALDOA)plays a prominent role in glycolysis;however,little is known about its role in HCC development.In the present study,we aim to explore how ALDOA is involved in HCC proliferation.HCC proliferation was markedly suppressed both in vitro and in vivo following ALDOA knockout,which is consistent with ALDOA overexpression encouraging HCC prolifera-tion.Mechanistically,ALDOA knockout partially limits the glycolytic flux in HCC cells.Meanwhile,ALDOA translocated to nuclei and directly interacted with c-Jun to facilitate its Thr93 phosphorylation by P21-activated protein kinase;ALDOA knockout markedly diminished c-Jun Thr93 phosphorylation and then dampened c-Jun transcription function.A crucial site Y364 mutation in ALDOA disrupted its interaction with c-Jun,and Y364S ALDOA expression failed to rescue cell proliferation in ALDOA deletion cells.In HCC patients,the expression level of ALDOA was correlated with the phosphorylation level of c-Jun(Thr93)and poor prognosis.Remarkably,hepatic ALDOA was significantly upregulated in the promotion and progression stages of diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC models,and the knockdown of Aldoa strikingly decreased HCC development in vivo.Our study demonstrated that ALDOA is a vital driver for HCC development by activating c-Jun-mediated oncogene transcription,opening additional avenues for anti-cancer therapies.

ObjectiveFat infiltration has been shown to be closely related to muscle mass loss and a variety of muscle diseases. This study proposes a method based on phase-angle electrical impedance tomography (ΦEIT) to visualize the electrical characteristic response caused by muscle fat infiltration, aiming to provide a new technical means for early non-invasive detection of muscle mass deterioration. MethodsThis study was divided into two parts. First, a laboratory pork model was constructed to simulate different degrees of fat infiltration by injecting1 ml or 2 ml of emulsified fat solution into different muscle compartments, and the phase angle images were reconstructed using ΦEIT. Second, a human experiment was conducted to recruit healthy subjects (n=8) from two age groups (20-25 years old and 26-30 years old). The fat content percentage η_fat of the left and right legs was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and the phase angle images of the left and right calves were reconstructed using ΦEIT. The relationship between the global average phase angle Φ_M and the spatial average phase angle Φ_Mi of each muscle compartment and fat infiltration was further analyzed. ResultsIn the laboratory pork model, the grayscale value of the image increased with the increase of η_fat and Φ_M showed a downward trend. The results of human experiments showed that at the same fat content percentage, the Φ_M of the 26-30-year-old group was about 20%-35% lower than that of the 20-25-year-old group. The fat content percentage was significantly negatively correlated with Φ_M. In addition, the M₂ (soleus) compartment was most sensitive to fat infiltration, and the spatial average phase angles of the M₂ (soleus), M₃ (tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus), and M₄ (tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus longus) compartments all showed significant inter-group differences. ConclusionΦEIT imaging can effectively distinguish different degrees of fat infiltration, especially in deep, small or specially located muscles, showing high sensitivity, demonstrating the potential application of this method in local muscle mass monitoring and early non-invasive diagnosis.