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: 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 investigate the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of connective tissue diseases (CTD) complicated with pulmonary hypertension in Shanxi province from 2018 to 2021.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Data of CTD patients with pulmonary hypertension from 2018 to 2021 were collected from the Shanxi Provincial Health Statistics Direct Reporting System based on inpatient medical records. The demographic and clinical data of patients with different CTD types were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 697 CTD patients with pulmonary hypertension were included, among whom there were 451 cases (26.58%) of Sj?gren′s syndrome, 392 cases (23.10%) of systemic lupus erythematosus, 289 cases(17.03%) of systemic sclerosis, 109 cases (6.42%) of mixed CTD, 69 cases (4.07%) of Takayasu arteritis, and 387 cases (22.80%) of other CTD. The majority of patients were female (1 410 (83.09%)), and 783 cases (46.14%) were aged between 41 and 65 years, and 6 cases (0.35%) were performed right heart catheterization. The prevalence of CTD with pulmonary hypertension increased from 0.06/10 4 in 2018 to 0.20/10 4 in 2021. There were significant differences in the severity of pulmonary hypertension, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, length of hospital stay, medical costs, and clinical outcomes among patients with different CTD subtypes (all P<0.001). Patients with systemic sclerosis had the highest proportion of NYHA functional class Ⅲ/Ⅳ(65.1%(188/289)), the longest length of hospital stays (13 (9, 18) days), the highest average medical costs (13 622.67 (8 636.38, 20 597.75) ￥(RMB)), and the lowest rate of improvement and discharge (51.90%(150/289)). Conclusions:Between 2018 and 2021, Shanxi province, where CTD is more common in Sj?gren′s syndrome, has a high proportion of women, a high proportion of people aged 41-65 years, and a low prevalence of right ventricular catheterization in patients with CTD complicated with pulmonary hypertension. The prevalence of CTD complicated with pulmonary hypertension shows a rising trend in Shanxi province from 2018 to 2021, while patients with systemic sclerosis exhibit the most severe cardiac impairment and poorer clinical outcomes compared to other subtypes.

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 explore the association between walking exercise guided by 6 minute walking test(6MWT)and the incidences of 3-year major adverse cardiovascular event(MACE)in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 628 elderly ACS patients who undergoing PCI and obtaining success-ful coronary revascularization in our department from November 2018 to April 2019 were enrolled,and divided into 6MWT group(n=147)and control group(n=481)based on participa-ting in walking exercise guided by 6MWT or not.All of them were followed up for 3 years.The incidences of MACE[including coronary target vascular restenosis,acute myocardial infarction,heart failure,ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke]and all-cause death were observed.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional analyses and Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis were employed for data statistical analyses.Results At the end of follow-up,the incidences of target vascular restenosis(6.9％vs 2.0％,P=0.028),heart failure(3.7％vs 0％,P=0.036),stroke(3.7％vs 0％,P=0.036),and total MACE incidence(15.0％vs 4.1％,P=0.000)were statistically higher in the control group than the 6MWT group.Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly lower in the 6MWT group than the control group(Plog rank=0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that not participating in walking exercise guided by 6MWT was an independent risk factor for occurrence of 3-year MACE(HR=3.102,95％CI:1.327-7.250,P=0.009).Conclusion Walking exercise guided by 6MWT reduces the incidence of 3-year MACE and improves the long-term prognosis of elderly ACS patients after PCI.

Objective To explore the association between walking exercise guided by 6 minute walking test(6MWT)and the incidences of 3-year major adverse cardiovascular event(MACE)in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 628 elderly ACS patients who undergoing PCI and obtaining success-ful coronary revascularization in our department from November 2018 to April 2019 were enrolled,and divided into 6MWT group(n=147)and control group(n=481)based on participa-ting in walking exercise guided by 6MWT or not.All of them were followed up for 3 years.The incidences of MACE[including coronary target vascular restenosis,acute myocardial infarction,heart failure,ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke]and all-cause death were observed.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional analyses and Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis were employed for data statistical analyses.Results At the end of follow-up,the incidences of target vascular restenosis(6.9％vs 2.0％,P=0.028),heart failure(3.7％vs 0％,P=0.036),stroke(3.7％vs 0％,P=0.036),and total MACE incidence(15.0％vs 4.1％,P=0.000)were statistically higher in the control group than the 6MWT group.Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly lower in the 6MWT group than the control group(Plog rank=0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that not participating in walking exercise guided by 6MWT was an independent risk factor for occurrence of 3-year MACE(HR=3.102,95％CI:1.327-7.250,P=0.009).Conclusion Walking exercise guided by 6MWT reduces the incidence of 3-year MACE and improves the long-term prognosis of elderly ACS patients after PCI.

Objective:To investigate the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of connective tissue diseases (CTD) complicated with pulmonary hypertension in Shanxi province from 2018 to 2021.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Data of CTD patients with pulmonary hypertension from 2018 to 2021 were collected from the Shanxi Provincial Health Statistics Direct Reporting System based on inpatient medical records. The demographic and clinical data of patients with different CTD types were analyzed.Results:A total of 1 697 CTD patients with pulmonary hypertension were included, among whom there were 451 cases (26.58%) of Sj?gren′s syndrome, 392 cases (23.10%) of systemic lupus erythematosus, 289 cases(17.03%) of systemic sclerosis, 109 cases (6.42%) of mixed CTD, 69 cases (4.07%) of Takayasu arteritis, and 387 cases (22.80%) of other CTD. The majority of patients were female (1 410 (83.09%)), and 783 cases (46.14%) were aged between 41 and 65 years, and 6 cases (0.35%) were performed right heart catheterization. The prevalence of CTD with pulmonary hypertension increased from 0.06/10 4 in 2018 to 0.20/10 4 in 2021. There were significant differences in the severity of pulmonary hypertension, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, length of hospital stay, medical costs, and clinical outcomes among patients with different CTD subtypes (all P<0.001). Patients with systemic sclerosis had the highest proportion of NYHA functional class Ⅲ/Ⅳ(65.1%(188/289)), the longest length of hospital stays (13 (9, 18) days), the highest average medical costs (13 622.67 (8 636.38, 20 597.75) ￥(RMB)), and the lowest rate of improvement and discharge (51.90%(150/289)). Conclusions:Between 2018 and 2021, Shanxi province, where CTD is more common in Sj?gren′s syndrome, has a high proportion of women, a high proportion of people aged 41-65 years, and a low prevalence of right ventricular catheterization in patients with CTD complicated with pulmonary hypertension. The prevalence of CTD complicated with pulmonary hypertension shows a rising trend in Shanxi province from 2018 to 2021, while patients with systemic sclerosis exhibit the most severe cardiac impairment and poorer clinical outcomes compared to other subtypes.

Objective:To construct a fall risk prediction model for patients with hematologic malignancies and to provide a reference for the risk assessment and accurate management of falls.Methods:The prospective study design was adopted to facilitate the selection of 510 patients with hematologic malignant in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University for investigation, and relevant data such as patient demographic characteristics, disease treatment and drugs were collected. The LASSO-Logistic regression was used to screen the risk factors of falls in patients with hematologic malignancies, to construct a nomogram risk prediction model. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the model. Bootstrap resampling were used to validate internal validation of the model.Results:Among 510 patients with hematological malignancies, there were 273 males and 237 females, aged 53.0 (41.0, 63.0) years old. A total of 6 risk factors were included in the fall risk prediction model for patients with hematological malignancies, which were disease type ( OR = 0.185, 95% CI 0.061 - 0.562), body temperature ≥38 ℃ ( OR = 2.239, 95% CI 1.128 - 4.445), pain ( OR = 15.581, 95% CI 6.592 - 36.829), anemia ( OR = 4.097, 95% CI 1.536 - 10.927), days of bone marrow suppression ( OR = 3.341, 95% CI 1.619 - 6.893), and assessment of daily self-care ability ( OR = 3.160, 95% CI 1.051 - 9.506)(all P<0.05). The ROC curve of the fall risk prediction model was 0.884 (95% CI 0.841-0.927). The optimal threshold, sensitivity, and specificity of the risk prediction model were 0.248, 87.4% and 75.6%. The internal validation C statistic was 0.873. The Calibration curve was almost coincides with the ideal curve, and the model Brier score was 0.080. Conclusions:The constructed fall risk prediction model has good predictive performance, which can efficiently and objectively quantify the risk of falls, and provide a reference for the early assessment and effective prevention of falls in patients with hematological malignancies.