Objective To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)liver imaging reporting and data system version 2017(LI-RADS v2017)in the differential diagnosis between hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and other hepatic malignancies(OM)less than or equal to 3 cm.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 163 liver lesions less than or equal to 3 cm in 126 patients with pathologically-confirmed liver malignancy were retrospectively analyzed.The patient underwent CEUS from Jan.2018 to Jun.2022 in our hospital,including 133 with HCC and 30 with OM.Nodules were classified based on the CEUS features according to the CEUS LI-RADS v2017.The evaluation of CEUS characteristics and CEUS LI-RADS v2017 in differential diagnosis of HCC and OM were calculated based on pathological findings.Results There were significant differences in the characteristics of arterial phase enhancement,timing of washout onset and washout degree between the HCC group and the OM group(all P＜0.001).The HCC group was mainly LR-3(20 lesions,15.04%),LR-4(25 lesions,18.80%)and LR-5(82 lesions,61.65%),and the OM group was mainly LR-M(28 lesions,93.33%).The specificity and positive predictive value of late washout for HCC were 93.33%(28/30)and 98.06%(101/103),respectively;and the sensitivity of early washout for OM was 93.33%(28/30).With LR-5 as the criterion to diagnose HCC,the sensitivity was 61.65%(82/133),the specificity was 93.33%(28/30),and the positive predictive value was 97.62%(82/84);with LR-4/5 as the criterion to diagnose HCC,the sensitivity was 80.45%(107/133),the specificity was 93.33%(28/30),and the positive predictive value was 98.17%(107/109),with the sensitivity of LR-4/5 being significantly higher than those of LR-5(P=0.001).With LR-M as the criterion to diagnose OM,the sensitivity was 93.33%(28/30)and the specificity was 95.49%(127/133).Conclusion The CEUS LI-RADS v2017 can effectively distinguish HCC from OM less than or equal to 3 cm.LR-5 has a low sensitivity for HCC,while LR-4/5 can improve the sensitivity for HCC.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in hypovascular renal tumors,and to explore the application value of combining the 2 methods in diagnosing benign and malignant hypovascular renal tumors.Methods The conventional ultrasound and CEUS data of 104 hypovascular renal tumors(76 benign lesions[benign group]and 28 malignant lesions[malignant group])from 99 patients,who were confirmed by postoperative pathology,biopsy pathology or computed tomography(CT)/magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)enhancement combined with long-term follow-up in Ruijin Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and its Wuxi Branch from Oct.13,2009 to Oct.26,2022,were retrospectively analyzed.The location,size,internal echo,morphology,internal and peripheral blood supply of the lesions were observed by conventional ultrasound,and the perfusion mode,regression pattern,perfusion uniformity and ring enhancement signs were observed by CEUS.Taking the pathological results or confirmed results of CT/MRI enhancement combined with long-term follow-up as the gold standard,the value of conventional ultrasound combined with CEUS in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant hypovascular renal tumors was analyzed.Results There were significant differences in gender,age of patients and internal echo,contrast agent regression and ring enhancement signs of lesions between the 2 groups(all P＜0.05).The malignant tumors were mostly found in males(78.6％,22/28)with an average age of(58.29±11.76)years old;the masses were mostly hypoechoic(64.3％,18/28),and rapid washout was predominant with CEUS(60.7％,17/28).In the benign group,most of the patients were female(55.3％,42/76),with an average age of(50.64±14.88)years old;the majority of the masses were hyperechoic(64.5％,49/76),and CEUS showed simultaneous washout as the main lesion(56.6％,43/76).Three patients(10.7％,3/28)with ring enhancement signs were all malignant.The diagnostic accuracy(82.7％)and specificity(88.2％)for benign and malignant hypovascular renal tumors were relatively high when combining the diagnostic indicators of ring enhancement signs and hypoechoic.The diagnostic sensitivity(85.7％)and negative predictive value(92.3％)were relatively high when combining the 3 diagnostic indicators of ring enhancement,hypoechoic,and rapid washout.Conclusion Conventional ultrasound combined with CEUS has significant clinical practical value in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant hypovascular renal tumors.The ring enhancement sign is highly specific in the diagnosis of malignant hypovascular renal tumors.However,if this sign is not significant and conventional ultrasound shows hypoechoic or CEUS exhibits rapid washout,there is a strong suggestion that the mass may be a malignant lesion.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of early thromboembolism after pancreaticoduodenectomy with vein reconstruction.Methods The results of bedside ultrasonography and clinical data of 90 patients from Ruijin Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with vein reconstruction within 7 days after operation between Janurary 2018 and September 2021 were analyzed retrospectively.According to the results of bedside ultrasound examination of the patency of portal vein,the postoperative patients were divided into portal vein pa-tency group and portal vein embolization group.The hemodynamic differences of bedside ultrasound and the influencing factors of postoperative portal vein thromboembolism were compared.Results Among 90 patients underwent bedside ultra-sound,8 patients had portal vein thromboembolism after pancreaticoduodenectomy with vein reconstruction,and the inci-dence rate was 8.89％.Bedside ultrasound showed that the velocity and flow of portal vein in patients with portal vein thromboembolism decreased significantly(P＜0.0O1).Among the perioperative related risk factors,there was a statistically significant difference in the smoking history and alcohol abuse history between the portal vein patency group and portal vein thromboembolism group.Further,previous smoking history was an independent risk factor for portal vein thromboem-bolism(P=0.003).The outcomes showed that the pancreaticoduodenectomy with vein reconstruction was safe and feasible,however early portal vein thromboembolism with severe complications indicated a poor prognosis.Conclusions The history of smoking and alcohol abuse are the high risk factors of portal vein thromboembolism after pancreaticoduodenectomy with vein reconstruction,which should be prevented by preoperative education.Bedside ultrasound can effectively and safely evaluate the patency of portal vein after pancreaticoduodenectomy with vein reconstruction,which contributes to early clini-cal intervention.

Objective To compare the size discrepancy between ultrasonic and pathological measurement of solitary cN0M0 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC),and to explore their correlation with lymph node metastasis.Methods From April 2021 to January 2022,234 patients with solitary cN0M0 PTMC who received thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy in the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine,Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine were analyzed retrospectively.The size discrepancy between ultrasonic and pathological measurement were compared,and the risk factors of central lymph node metastasis were analyzed.Results The mean of maximum diameter of PTMC measured by ultrasound was 6.8(range 5.6 to 8.4)mm,which was significantly bigger than that measured by pathology 5.0(range 4.0 to 7.0)mm(P=0.000).Of them,37.2%of the tumor size measured by ultrasound is consistent with pathology,61.1%of the tumor size measured by ultrasound is bigger than that measured by pathology,and only 1.7%of the tumor size measured by ultrasound is smaller than that measured by pathology.There was a linear correlation between the diameter measured by ultrasound and pathology.And the regression equation can be expressed as:pathological diameter=0.799×ultrasonic diameter-0.221.In addition,28.6%patients had central lymph node metastasis.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the diameter measured by pathology is a risk factor for central lymph node metastasis in patients(OR=17.845,95%CI:2.507-127.025,P=0.004),and the cutoff value is 5.5 mm which corresponded to the diameter measured by ultrasound as 7.2 mm.Conclusions The sizes of solitary cN0M0 PTMC measured by ultrasound and pathology are different but also correlated.PMTC with pathological diameter>5.5 mm with its corresponding ultrasonic diameter as 7.2 mm indicated an increased risk of central lymph node metastasis.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant gallbladder lesions which diameter more than 1 cm.Methods A retrospective analysis included CEUS data of 142 cases with gallbladder lesions diameter more than 1 cm.All lesions were confirmed by surgical pathology,enhanced CT/MRI or clinical diagnosis with following up more than 2 years.To summarize the CEUS characteristics of benign and malignant gallbladder lesions over 1 cm in diameter,the CEUS characteristics of benign and malignant gallbladder lesions diameter more than 1 cm were analyzed,referring to the gallbladder CEUS guidelines.The contrast medium washout before 35 s and 60 s were used as the combined diagnosis with CEUS standard to identify gallbladder cancer,and the diagnostic efficiency was calculated respectively.Results There were statistical differences between the malignant group and the benign group in terms of CEUS enhancement pattern,contrast arrival time,washout time,and gallbladder wall continuity,as well as enhancement levels(P<0.001).The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy in the diagnosis of gallbladder malignant lesions were 93.0%,83.8%,and 86.6%based on CEUS standard.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of diagnosis gallbladder malignant lesions were increased to 93.0%,92.9%and 93.0%when combined with washout before 35 s of contrast medium.Conclusions CEUS is highly valuable in differentiating benign and malignant gallbladder lesions diameter more than 1 cm.Combined with contrast medium washout before 35 s is helpful to improve the ability of differentiating benign and malignant gallbladder lesions.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a class of functional RNAs that play critical roles in different diseases. NcRNAs include microRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs. They are highly expressed in the brain and are involved in the regulation of physiological and pathophysiological processes of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Mounting evidence indicates that ncRNAs play key roles in CNS diseases. Further elucidating the mechanisms of ncRNA underlying the process of regulating glial function that may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for CNS diseases.
Humans ; RNA, Untranslated/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; RNA, Circular ; Central Nervous System Diseases/genetics*

Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab (H) and pertuzumab (P) combined with different chemotherapy regiments in neoadjuvant therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who received HP combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy and completed surgery. The primary endpoint was total pathologic complete response (tpCR) (ypT0/isypN0), the secondary endpoints were breast pathologic complete response(bpCR) (ypT0/is) and axillary pathologic complete response (apCR) (ypN0), and the factors influencing pCR were analyzed. Results A total of 63 patients were included, of whom 23 were treated with TCbHP, 27 were treated with THP regimen, and 13 were treated with AC-THP. The overall tpCR rate was 65.1%, of which TCbHP was 73.9%, THP was 55.6%, and AC-THP was 69.2%. The tpCR rate of HR-negative patients was 79.2%, higher than that of HR-positive 56.4%. The overall bpCR rate was 69.8%, and apCR rate was 81.0%. Univariate analysis showed that HER2 status was a related factor affecting tpCR (P=0.023). The total effective rate by MRI was 87.3%. The level 3 and 4 toxicity of the TCbHP regimen was slightly higher than those of the THP and the AC-THP regimens. Conclusion HP combined with chemotherapy have achieved relatively high pCR. HER2 status is a related factor that affects tpCR. The adverse reactions are controllable.

Objective:To compare the predictive value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) Liver Imaging Reporting and Date System(LI-RADS) version 2017 with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) LI-RADS version 2018 applied alone or in combination for focal liver lesions in high-risk patients.Methods:From January 2018 to October 2021, the clinical and imaging datas of 212 patients with 300 nodules underwent CEUS and contrast-enhanced MRI(CEMRI) within 4 weeks in Ruijin Hospital and its Wuxi branch were retrospectively analyzed. Each nodule was categorized according to the CEUS LI-RADS v2017 and CT/MRI LI-RADS v2018. Inter-modalities agreement was assessed with Cohen′s Kappa. The diagnostic performances of the two classification criteria applied alone and in combination for the predictive value of malignant risk of focal liver lesions were compared using histopathology or follow-up as gold standard.Results:The inter-modalities agreement of CEUS LI-RADS v2017 and MRI LI-RADS v2018 was moderate (Kappa=0.441). The specificity of CEUS LR-5, MRI LR-5 and CEUS LR-5+ MRI LR-5 in the diagnosis of HCC was 93.66%, 95.07% and 88.73% ( P>0.05), respectively, positive predictive values of them were 93.13%, 93.81% and 89.81%( P>0.05), respectively. The sensitivity of CEUS LR-M, MRI LR-M and CEUS LR-M+ MRI LR-M in the diagnosis of non-HCC malignancy was 85.71%, 82.86% and 100%, respectively. CEUS LR-M+ MRI LR-M had higher sensitivity than MRI LR-M( P=0.033), whereas no difference was found between CEUS LR-M+ MRI LR-M and CEUS LR-M( P=0.063). Conclusions:The inter-modalities agreement of the LI-RADS category between CEUS and MRI is moderate. The specificity and positive predictive values of HCC in LR-5 of the CEUS and MRI LI-RADS are comparable. In addition, the sensitivity of non-HCC malignancy in LR-M of the CEUS and MRI LI-RADS are comparable. The combined application of CEUS and MRI LR-M can improve the diagnostic sensitivity of non-HCC malignancy.

Standardized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening is very important for early diagnosis. Chinese and international HCC clinical guidelines recommend regular ultrasound screening for high-risk patients. Noninvasive dynamic enhanced imaging technology should be selected for the positive screenin population to get the further diagnosis, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), dynamic contrast-enhanced CT, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI (EOB MRI). In clinical practice, early diagnose of HCC relies on accurate identification and stratification of high-risk patients, and systematic approach based on dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging.