ObjectiveDiscriminating atypical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other malignancies in liver nodules classified as Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category M (LR-M) remains a significant diagnostic challenge on conventional ultrasound examination. The LR-M category, originally intended to capture non-HCC malignancies, paradoxically contains up to 63% of atypical HCCs that deviate from classic enhancement patterns, leading to potential misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment planning. While deep learning has shown promise in HCC diagnosis, most existing models rely exclusively on single-modality ultrasound, overlooking the diagnostic benefits of integrating complementary information from multiple imaging sources. To address this gap, we propose a novel attention-weighted tri-modal ultrasound network (TUS-Net) that integrates contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), B-mode ultrasound (BUS), and time-intensity curves (TICs) to improve diagnostic accuracy for these clinically challenging lesions. MethodsOur framework incorporates a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (C3D) backbone to extract spatiotemporal features from CEUS videos, capturing dynamic vascular patterns critical for lesion characterization. To effectively fuse complementary modalities, we introduce a dual-channel feature fusion module (DCFFM) that adaptively combines features from CEUS and BUS through channel-wise attention mechanisms, allowing the model to dynamically weigh the contribution of each modality based on diagnostic relevance. Additionally, we propose a temporal intensity feature fusion module (TIFFM) that leverages quantitative hemodynamic information from TICs to guide the model’s attention toward diagnostically critical temporal phases, such as arterial wash-in and portal venous washout. The model is further enhanced by automated lesion localization using YOLOX and class activation mapping for interpretability, ensuring that predictions align with clinically meaningful imaging features. ResultsEvaluated on a tri-modal ultrasound dataset comprising 161 patients with pathologically confirmed LR-M nodules (131 atypical HCC and 30 non-HCC malignancies), our model achieved an accuracy of 86.83%, a sensitivity of 92.50%, a specificity of 75.50%, and an AUC of 89.32% in screening atypical HCC. Compared to single-modality baselines, TUS-Net demonstrated superior specificity, a clinically critical metric given the higher risk associated with misclassifying non-HCC malignancies. Ablation studies confirmed the contribution of each module, with the full model outperforming both standard C3D and 3D ResNet backbones integrated with attention mechanisms. A reader study involving junior and senior radiologists further validated the clinical utility of AI assistance, showing consistent improvements in specificity and inter-reader consistency, particularly for less experienced clinicians. ConclusionThese results surpass existing benchmark models and demonstrate the potential of our approach to enhance diagnostic precision in clinically specific cases. By intelligently fusing multi-modal ultrasound data with attention-guided mechanisms, TUS-Net offers a reliable and interpretable tool that holds promise for improving the non-invasive diagnosis of atypical HCC in challenging LR-M liver nodules.

ObjectiveDiscriminating atypical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other malignancies in liver nodules classified as Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category M (LR-M) remains a significant diagnostic challenge on conventional ultrasound examination. The LR-M category, originally intended to capture non-HCC malignancies, paradoxically contains up to 63% of atypical HCCs that deviate from classic enhancement patterns, leading to potential misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment planning. While deep learning has shown promise in HCC diagnosis, most existing models rely exclusively on single-modality ultrasound, overlooking the diagnostic benefits of integrating complementary information from multiple imaging sources. To address this gap, we propose a novel attention-weighted tri-modal ultrasound network (TUS-Net) that integrates contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), B-mode ultrasound (BUS), and time-intensity curves (TICs) to improve diagnostic accuracy for these clinically challenging lesions. MethodsOur framework incorporates a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (C3D) backbone to extract spatiotemporal features from CEUS videos, capturing dynamic vascular patterns critical for lesion characterization. To effectively fuse complementary modalities, we introduce a dual-channel feature fusion module (DCFFM) that adaptively combines features from CEUS and BUS through channel-wise attention mechanisms, allowing the model to dynamically weigh the contribution of each modality based on diagnostic relevance. Additionally, we propose a temporal intensity feature fusion module (TIFFM) that leverages quantitative hemodynamic information from TICs to guide the model’s attention toward diagnostically critical temporal phases, such as arterial wash-in and portal venous washout. The model is further enhanced by automated lesion localization using YOLOX and class activation mapping for interpretability, ensuring that predictions align with clinically meaningful imaging features. ResultsEvaluated on a tri-modal ultrasound dataset comprising 161 patients with pathologically confirmed LR-M nodules (131 atypical HCC and 30 non-HCC malignancies), our model achieved an accuracy of 86.83%, a sensitivity of 92.50%, a specificity of 75.50%, and an AUC of 89.32% in screening atypical HCC. Compared to single-modality baselines, TUS-Net demonstrated superior specificity, a clinically critical metric given the higher risk associated with misclassifying non-HCC malignancies. Ablation studies confirmed the contribution of each module, with the full model outperforming both standard C3D and 3D ResNet backbones integrated with attention mechanisms. A reader study involving junior and senior radiologists further validated the clinical utility of AI assistance, showing consistent improvements in specificity and inter-reader consistency, particularly for less experienced clinicians. ConclusionThese results surpass existing benchmark models and demonstrate the potential of our approach to enhance diagnostic precision in clinically specific cases. By intelligently fusing multi-modal ultrasound data with attention-guided mechanisms, TUS-Net offers a reliable and interpretable tool that holds promise for improving the non-invasive diagnosis of atypical HCC in challenging LR-M liver nodules.

Objective:To explore the mediating role of dietary health beliefs in the relationship between family functioning and the frequency of sugar-containing food intake among adolescents with dental caries, in order to clarify the underlying mechanism through which dietary health beliefs influence caries-related dietary behaviors via family factors.Methods:Using convenience sampling method, we selected adolescents patients diagnosed with dental caries and their parents who visited the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July to September 2023 as the research subjects. Conducted a cross-sectional survey using a general information questionnaire, Family Functioning Scale, Adolescent Dietary Health Belief Scale, and Sugar-Sweetened Diet Intake Frequency Scale. Mediation analysis was conducted.Results:A total of 475 questionnaires were distributed, and 460 valid responses were obtained, yielding a valid response rate of 96.84%. Among the 460 adolescent patients, 306 were female and 154 were male, with a mean age of (13.42 ± 1.17) years old. The mother's age was (40.28 ± 4.24) years old, and the father's age was (42.12 ± 4.48) years old. The score for the frequency of sugar-containing food intake was 15.95 ± 5.34, the dietary health belief score was 75.57 ± 18.62, and the family functioning score was 174.24 ± 25.39. Family functioning was positively correlated with dietary health beliefs ( r = 0.428, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the frequency of sugar-containing food intake ( r = -0.225, P<0.05). Dietary health beliefs were negatively correlated with the frequency of sugar-containing food intake ( r = -0.332, P<0.05). The mediating effect of dietary health beliefs on the relationship between family functioning and sugar-containing food intake frequency was -0.332, accounting for 43.92% of the total effect. Conclusions:Dietary health beliefs play a partial mediating role between family function and the frequency of sugary diet intake. It is suggested that family function construction should be strengthened to improve adolescents' health beliefs and reduce the incidence of dental caries.

Aim To investigate the effect of triptolide(TP)on corticosterone(CORT)-induced depression-like behaviors in mice and explore the antidepressant mechanism of TP based on the CREB/BDNF/TrkB sig-naling pathway.Methods Sixty 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups:control group,CORT group,TP groups of low and high doses(10,30 μg·kg-1),and fluoxetine(FLU)group(10 mg·kg-1).Except for the control group,the other groups received subcutaneous injec-tions of CORT for three consecutive weeks to establish the model of depression.During the last two weeks of modeling,normal saline,TP and FLU were adminis-tered via intraperitoneal injection respectively.After the administration,depression-like behaviors in mice were assessed using forced swimming test,tail suspen-sion test,and sucrose preference test.Biochemical methods were used to measure the levels of SOD and MDA in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex(PFC).Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL meth-od.Immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence,and Western blotting were employed to detect the expres-sion of apoptosis/autophagy-related proteins,synaptic structure markers,and proteins related to the CREB/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.Results TP signifi-cantly ameliorated CORT-induced depression-like be-haviors in mice,mainly manifested by reduced immo-bility time in the tail suspension test and forced swim-ming test,and increased sucrose preference rate.TP alleviated CORT-induced oxidative stress by increasing SOD levels and reducing MDA production in brain tis-sue.Additionally,TP also inhibited apoptosis and ex-cessive autophagy of neurons in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,maintained synaptic plasticity,and significantly upregulated the expression of p-CREB,BDNF,and TrkB.Conclusions TP exhibits potential antidepressant effect in mice by upregulating the CREB/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway,reducing oxida-tive stress,inhibiting excessive neuronal apoptosis and autophagy,and improving synaptic plasticity.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan pathogen with a global distribution,and dogs are considered a potential risk factor for human toxoplasmosis.This study was aimed at systematically analyzing the epidemiological characteris-tics of canine T.gondii infection in China from 1987 to 2023,to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of T.gondii in the country.Epidemiological data on canine T.gondii infections in China from 1987 to 2023 were retrieved from PubMed,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Database,and Baidu Scholar.A database was established with Excel,and the data were visualized with ArcGIS 10.2 software.Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 26.0 software,and group differences were analyzed with the X2 test.A P-value of＜0.05 was considered statistically significant.From 1987 to 2023,the overall seroprevalence of T.gondii antibodies in dogs in China remained stable,and the overall sero-prevalence rate was 13.97％.Yunnan Province had the highest seroprevalence,at 27.65％,whereas Shaanxi Province had the lowest seroprevalence,at 0.56％.Significant differences were observed among provinces(P＜0.05).Epidemiological data on canine T.gondii infections were not available for some regions.The seroprevalence in southwestern China was significantly higher than that in other regions(P＜0.05).A comparison of the seroprevalence between 1987-2004 and 2005-2023 revealed significant differences(P＜0.05).Canine T.gondii infection is widespread in China and shows a stable epidemic cycle.Appro-priate prevention and control measures should be implemented,along with strengthened surveillance of T.gondii outbreaks.Public education on the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis should be enhanced to decrease transmission risk and safeguard public health.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of Gualou Guizhi granules(GLGZG)on neuronal injury induced by LPS-activated microglia based on Notch signaling pathway.Methods LPS-activated microglia were co-cultured with neurons to construct neuron inju-ry models,and the cells were divided into the control group,model group,Notch inhibitor(DAPT)group,GLGZG(50,100,200 mg·L-1)group,DAPT+100 mg·L-1GLGZG group.After intervention,the activity of HT22 cells was detected by CCK-8 method,and rel-ative mRNA expression was detected by real-time PCR.The relative protein expression was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the model group,after GLGZG intervention,the cell activity was significantly improved,GLGZG decreased IL-6,IL-12,Bax,Notch 1,caspase-3,Delta-1,NICD,RBPSUH,HES1 expression,and increased Bcl-2 expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the NICD,RBPSUH and HES1 mRNA and protein expressions significantly decreased after DAPT treatment(P＜0.05),and there was no superposition effect with GLG-ZG.Conclusion GLGZG may play a neuroprotective role by inhibiting inflammatory factors and apoptosis,and inhibiting Notch signaling pathway.

Objective:This study aims to compare the efficacy on patients with severe coronary artery calcification(CAC)coronary heart disease(CHD)between common balloon predilation and spinous process balloon predilation and their effect on short-term incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE).Methods:This retro-spective study enrolled 110 severe CAC patients with CHD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in Beijing Pinggu District Hospital between January 2017 and January 2022.According to therapeutic pro-gram,they were divided into spinous process balloon group(n=55)and common balloon group(n=55),each group received corresponding balloon predilation before PCI.Application effect,perioperative complications and incidence of MACE within 6 months were compared between two groups.Results:Immediate surgical success rate in spinous process balloon group was significantly higher than that of common ballon group(92.73％vs.78.18％,P=0.031).Compared with patients in common balloon group,those in spinous process balloon group had signifi-cant lower times of balloon predilation[(2.79±0.14)times vs.(7.29±2.24)times],operation time[(1.24±0.29)h vs.(1.59±0.34)h]and incidence of perioperative complications(3.64％vs.14.55％),and significant larger lumen diameter after PCI[(3.79±0.26)mm vs.(3.29±0.24)mm](P＜0.05 or＜0.01).There was no significant difference in incidence of MACE within 6 months between two groups(P=0.428).Conclusion:The ap-plication of spinous process balloon predilation could significantly reduce times of balloon predilation,operation time,improve surgical success rate and reduce risk of short-term MACE in severe CAC patients with CHD.

The incidence rate of kidney diseases in China has always remained high.At present,the clinical treat-ment mainly focuses on symptomatic treatment to delay the progression of the disease,and there is a lack of eco-nomical and effective treatment methods.MicroRNA plays an important regulatory role in the occurrence and devel-opment of diseases.This study aims to explore the role and regulatory mechanism of miR-142a-3p in adriamycin(ADR)-induced renal tubular epithelial cell(TCMK-1)injury,with a focus on its potential as a therapeutic target for ADR nephropathy.First,cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 kit,and a mouse renal tubular epithelial cell model induced by ADR was established.Subsequently,alterations in miR-142a-3p and its target gene ATG16L1 mRNA levels were quantified using RT-qPCR.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of autophagy marker proteins and pyroptosis marker proteins.Monodansylcadaverin(MDC)staining was performed and the autophagy of cells was detected by flow cytometry.The results showed that the relative expression of miR-142a-3p in TCMK-1 cells induced by ADR was increased and the relative expression of its target gene ATG16L1 was decreased(P＜0.0001).Western blotting results showed that the levels of p62(P＜0.001)and pyroptosis-related proteins(P＜0.001)were increased,while the protein levels of autophagy-related proteins were decreased(P＜0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that there was no difference in the mean fluorescence intensity of autoph-agosomes between the ADR group and the autophagosome inhibitor group(3-MA group)(P＞0.05),indicating that after ADR induction,cell autophagy was inhibited and pyroptosis was enhanced.When the expression of miR-142a-3p was inhibited by transfecting miR-142a-3p inhibitor,the relative expression level of the target gene ATG16L1 was restored(P＜0.001).Western blotting showed that the protein level of p62(P＜0.01)and pyropto-sis-related proteins(P＜0.01)were decreased,and the protein level of autophagy-related proteins was restored(P＜0.001).Flow cytometry results further indicated that cell autophagy was restored(P＜0.0001).In conclusion,ADR targets A TG1 6L1 through miR-142a-3p to reduce the autophagy level of TCMK-1,and simultaneously activates GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) combined with rehabilitation training in recovery of upper limb function in patients with ischemic stroke (IS) through Meta-analysis.Methods:Randomized controlled trials on upper limb motor dysfunction in IS patients accepted VNS published in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were retrieved. The retrieval period was from establishment of the databases to April 2025. Quality of the trials was assessed according to Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions (version 5.1). Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the risk of bias of the included articles; and then, Meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.4 software.Results:Eleven articles of randomized controlled trails were chosen, including 495 patients. Three articles were rated as A-level in terms of quality, and 8 were rated as B-level. Overall bias risk of the included studies was low. Results of Meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group (rehabilitation training alone), the intervention group (VNS combined with rehabilitation training) had significantly improved upper limb motor function (Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper limb motor function: standardized mean difference [ SMD]=0.77, 95% CI: 0.24-1.30, P<0.001) and activities of daily living (modified Barthel index: SMD=0.86, 95% CI: 0.56-1.16, P<0.001). Meanwhile, compared with those in the control group, incidence of adverse events ( RR=1.12, 95% CI: 0.95-1.33, P=0.170) and incidence of severe adverse events ( RR=1.67, 95% CI: 0.51-5.50, P=0.400) in the intervention group did not significantly increase. Results of subgroup analysis showed that compared with that in the control group, more significantly improved upper limb motor function was noted in patients from the non-invasive VNS intervention sub-group ( SMD=1.09, 95% CI: 0.46-1.72, P<0.001), intervention sub-group with a frequency of 5 times per week ( SMD=1.73, 95% CI: 0.58-2.87, P<0.001), and intervention sub-group with a duration of 4 weeks ( SMD=1.09, 95%CI: 0.72-1.47, P<0.001). Conclusion:VNS combined with rehabilitation training has good safety and efficacy in upper limb motor dysfunction after IS.

Aim To investigate the effect of triptolide(TP)on corticosterone(CORT)-induced depression-like behaviors in mice and explore the antidepressant mechanism of TP based on the CREB/BDNF/TrkB sig-naling pathway.Methods Sixty 8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups:control group,CORT group,TP groups of low and high doses(10,30 μg·kg-1),and fluoxetine(FLU)group(10 mg·kg-1).Except for the control group,the other groups received subcutaneous injec-tions of CORT for three consecutive weeks to establish the model of depression.During the last two weeks of modeling,normal saline,TP and FLU were adminis-tered via intraperitoneal injection respectively.After the administration,depression-like behaviors in mice were assessed using forced swimming test,tail suspen-sion test,and sucrose preference test.Biochemical methods were used to measure the levels of SOD and MDA in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex(PFC).Cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL meth-od.Immunohistochemistry,immunofluorescence,and Western blotting were employed to detect the expres-sion of apoptosis/autophagy-related proteins,synaptic structure markers,and proteins related to the CREB/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.Results TP signifi-cantly ameliorated CORT-induced depression-like be-haviors in mice,mainly manifested by reduced immo-bility time in the tail suspension test and forced swim-ming test,and increased sucrose preference rate.TP alleviated CORT-induced oxidative stress by increasing SOD levels and reducing MDA production in brain tis-sue.Additionally,TP also inhibited apoptosis and ex-cessive autophagy of neurons in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex,maintained synaptic plasticity,and significantly upregulated the expression of p-CREB,BDNF,and TrkB.Conclusions TP exhibits potential antidepressant effect in mice by upregulating the CREB/BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway,reducing oxida-tive stress,inhibiting excessive neuronal apoptosis and autophagy,and improving synaptic plasticity.