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.

Background: Visceral white adipose tissue (vWAT) inflammation is a critical pathology of obesity-caused heart damage and is closely associated with adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction. Serine (or cysteine) peptidase inhibitor, clade A, member 3C (Serpina3c) has been identified as an adipokine with anti-vWAT inflammatory effects. However, it remains unclear whether Serpina3c deficiency promotion of vWAT inflammation involves adipocyte ER dysfunction and whether it further contributes to heart damage in obesity. Methods: Wild type and Serpina3c knockout (Serpina3c–/–) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. An adeno-associated virus (AAV) was injected locally into epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) of Serpina3c–/– mice to induce eWAT-adipocyte- specific overexpression of Serpina3c (AAV-Serpina3c) or knockdown of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (AAV-shHIF1α). In vitro experiments were performed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results: Serpina3c–/– mice exhibited more severe eWAT, serum and heart inflammation after HFD feeding. Consistently, these adverse phenotypes were mitigated in AAV-Serpina3c and AAV-shHIF1α mice. Mechanistically, ER oxidoreductase 1α (Ero1α) and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members PDIA3 and PDIA4 were found to be target genes of HIF1α. In the obese mice, Serpina3c deficiency caused adipocyte more hypertrophy, and activated HIF1α-Ero1α/PDI mediated ER overoxidation and ER stress in eWAT. Subsequently, this led to increased adipocyte apoptosis and chemokine production and decreased adiponectin expression, which promoted macrophage infiltration and M1 polarization in eWAT, thus exacerbating eWAT inflammation and ultimately facilitating serum and distal heart inflammation. Conclusion These findings indicate that Serpina3c is a significant regulator of adipocyte ER redox homeostasis, thus highlighting Serpina3c as a potential therapeutic target for obesity-related eWAT inflammation and heart damage.

Malignant tumors represent a major threat to global health. Conventional anti-tumor pharmacotherapy often encounters challenges such as drug resistance, highlighting an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Fatty acid synthase (FASN), the key enzyme catalyzing de novo fatty acid synthesis, is subject to precise regulation at multiple levels, including transcriptional control, various post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination and phosphorylation, as well as modulation by diverse signaling pathways. Recent studies have revealed that FASN is aberrantly overexpressed in various malignant tumors and is closely associated with tumor progression and poor patient prognosis. FASN is a homodimer composed of seven functional domains that catalyzes the NADPH-dependent condensation of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA to generate saturated fatty acids, primarily palmitic acid. Its stability is regulated by multiple ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes. Additionally, FASN is subject to upstream regulation via neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated 8 (Nedd8) modification and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, thereby establishing a metabolic-signaling positive feedback loop. As a core executor of metabolic reprogramming, FASN promotes tumorigenesis through dual mechanisms. First, its fatty acid synthesis product, palmitate, participates in membrane phospholipid synthesis, lipid raft formation, and protein palmitoylation, thereby activating several key oncogenic signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, wingless-type MMTV integration site family member (Wnt)/β‑catenin, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), leading to tumor development and progression. Second, FASN plays a pivotal role in modulating the anti-tumor functions of immune cells and remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment. Specifically, FASN enhances immune checkpoint inhibition by inducing programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) palmitoylation, suppresses the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, and promotes the polarization of M2-type macrophages, consequently facilitating tumor immune evasion and malignant progression. Precisely due to its significant overexpression in tumor cells, its critical functional role, and its differential expression compared to normal cells, FASN has emerged as a highly promising target for anti-tumor drug development. Highly selective small-molecule inhibitors, notably represented by TVB-2640, have advanced to clinical trial stages and demonstrated favorable anti-tumor activity. Furthermore, the combination of FASN inhibitors with other chemotherapeutic agents or targeted drugs can overcome the limitations of monotherapy through synergistic effects or by resensitizing tumor cells to conventional drugs, achieving a “1+1>2” therapeutic outcome. With the advancement of modern traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), numerous active ingredients derived from TCM have been confirmed to exert anti-tumor effects by modulating FASN-related pathways. This integrated approach leverages the precision of Western medicine while simultaneously harnessing the holistic regulatory benefits of TCM to alleviate the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite the promising prospects of FASN-targeted therapies, challenges remain, including tumor cell metabolic plasticity, tumor context-dependent responses, and heterogeneity. This review systematically summarizes the molecular structure, physiological functions, and mechanisms of FASN in tumorigenesis, as well as recent advances in targeted therapies. Future directions—including the precise identification of responsive patient populations using spatial transcriptomics, the development of novel combination regimens, and the active exploration of integrative strategies combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine—will facilitate the clinical translation of FASN-targeted therapies and open new avenues for improving the quality of life and prognosis of cancer patients.

Objective To analyze the infection status and epidemic trends of soil-borne nematode infections in Yubei, Chongqing City, in 2010,2021, and 2022. Methods The local populations from four survey sites of four towns in 2010 and five sites of five towns in 2021 and 2022 were surveyed regarding their basic information using a unified form. Fecal samples of the participants were collected and tested for soil-borne nematode infections using the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method. Results In 2010, 2 049 participants were surveyed, followed by 1 000 participants in 2021 and 2022. The overall prevalence of parasitic infections declined significantly from 3.86% to 0.20%. In 2010, soil-transmitted nematode included hookworms(3.81%) and roundworms(0.29%). In 2021, the infection rates of roundworms and hookworms were 1.70% and 0.10% respectively. Notably, only Ascaris was identified in 2022(0.20%). The≥60 age group consistently exhibited the highest infection rates across all surveys, followed by the 40-59 age group. The infection rates of males in the three surveys were 3.31%,1.92%, and 0.20% respectively, and those of females were 4.37%, 1.46%, and 0.20% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the infection rates between males and females. Educational attainment was inversely associated with infection; in 2010, the highest prevalence was observed among those with primary education or below, whereas in 2021, illiterate or semi-literate individuals showed the highest susceptibility. The occupational distribution of infections in 2010 indicated that retirees (8.33%), farmers(4.86%), and homemakers or unemployed individuals(3.45%)were the most affected. However, in 2021 and 2022, farmers emerged as the predominant occupational group with soil-transmitted nematode infections. Conclusions The infection rate of soil-borne nematodes showed a decreasing trend in Yubei, and the infection species changed from hookworms in 2010 to Ascaris in 2022. Farmers, the elderly, and people with low education levels should continue to be the focus of preventive and control efforts.

This study reports a new species of Culicoides(Avaritia)isolated from Xunke County, Heilongjiang Province, China. The new species, Culicoides(Avaritia)dongshanensis Liu et Wang, sp. nov., was identified and illustrated based on female adults. Its diagnostic characteristics are as follows: eyes contiguous over a short distance, with short interfacetal hair, antennal ratio(AR)of 1.20, palpal ratio(PR)of 2.16, wing length of 0.83 mm, mandible with 15 teeth, one pale spot in base cell M1, one pale spot in cell M4, two pale spots in cell A, and two unequal spermathecae. Type specimens were deposited at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Northern Theater Command.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between Ig class switch recombination(CSR)and mismatch repair(MMR)protein,microsatellite phenotype in extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT lymphoma).Methods:Forty cases of MALT lymphoma archived in the Department of Pathology,Jiading District Central Hospital,Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences were selected as the observation group,and twenty cases of benign lymphoid tissue hyperplasia were as the control group.The expressions of IgG,IgM,IgD,and IgA in both groups were detected by immunohistochemical double staining,and MMR proteins including MLH1,MSH2,MSH6,and PMS2 in both groups were detected by immunohistochemistry.Multiplex fluorescence PCR capillary electrophoresis was used to detect microsatellite phenotype in tumor and adjacent tissues of the experimental group.Results:In the observation group,the proportions of single Ig heavy chain expression(mode Ⅰ),negative expression(mode Ⅱ),and multiple expression(mode Ⅲ)were 65％(26/40),27.5％(11/40),and 7.5％(3/40),respectively,while in the control group were 0(0/20),5％(1/20),and 95％(19/20).The proportion of Ig heavy chain expression mode Ⅰ+Ⅱ in the observation group was 92.5％,which was significantly higher than 5％in the control group(P＜0.0 1).In the observation group,partial deletion of MMR protein was observed in 3 cases(7.5％),including 2 cases of MSH6 deletion and 1 case of both MSH6 and PMS2 deletion.In the control group,there was 1 case(5％)with PMS2 deletion.There was no significant difference in the deletion rate of MMR protein between the two groups(P＞0.05).A total of 5 cases of microsatellite instability(MSI)were detected in the observation group,including 1 case of low-frequency MSI(MSI-L),4 cases of high-frequency MSI(MSI-H),and 2 cases of MSI-H with MSH6 deletion.When the loss expression of MSI-H or MMR protein was counted as a positive result,the MSI-H rate detected by PCR capillary electrophoresis was 10％(4/40),which was slightly higher than the MMR protein deletion rate detected by immunohistochemistry(7.5％,3/40),but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The MMR protein deletion rates among the Ig heavy chain protein expression mode Ⅰ,mode Ⅱ,and mode Ⅲ groups were 0(0/26),18.2％(2/11),and 33.3％(1/3),respectively.There was a statistically significant difference in the constituent ratios among the three groups(P＜0.05).The MMR protein deletion rates among the MSS,MSI-L,and MSI-H groups were 2.9％(1/35),0(0/1),and 50％(2/4),respectively.There was a statistically significant difference in the constituent ratios among the three groups(P＜0.05).MMR protein deficiency was positively correlated with Ig heavy chain expression pattern and MSI(r=0.41,P＜0.05;r=0.48,P＜0.05),but Ig heavy chain expression pattern was not correlated with MSI(r=0.02,P＞0.05).Conclusion:Ig heavy chain CSR detection is helpful for the differential diagnosis of MALT lymphoma.Low frequency MMR protein deletion and MSI-H phenotype exist in MALT lymphoma,which may be of certain value for the study of its occurrence,development and clinical treatment.

Objective To screen the differentially expressed circular RNA(circRNA)in peripheral blood of patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy(T2DN)and study the correlation between the expression of circAKT3 level and renal fibrosis.Methods A retrospectively study was conducted on 176 T2DM patients admitted to Mianyang 404 Hospital from December 2022 to December 2023 based on whether the patients developed DN,they were divided into a simple T2DM group(n=60)and DN group(n=116).At the same time,30 healthy subjects who underwent physical examination in Mianyang 404 Hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.Clinical data of all subjects were collected.DN patients were divided into microalbuminuria group(M-DN group,n=66)and macroalbuminuria group(MS-DN group,n=50)according to Mogensen classification criteria.Twenty samples were randomly selected from the control group,M-DN group,T2DM group and MS-DN group,and 2 ml peripheral venous blood was extracted for RNA extraction and circRNA microarray scanning analysis to screen the differentially expressed circRNA.The correlation between the most significant differential circRNA expression level and renal fibrosis markers and renal function indicators was statistically analyzed.Receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of circAKT3 for DN.Results Compared with the control group,the level of circAKT3 in MS-DN patients was down-regulated by 9.72 times,which was the most significantly down-regulated circRNA.qRT-PCR showed that compared with the control group,the relative expression of circAKT3 in the T2DM group,M-DN group and MS-DN group was 0.85±0.23,0.54±0.13 and 0.12±0.09,respectively,with the progression of DN,the relative expression level of circAKT3 in peripheral blood of patients gradually decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(t=5.100,8.568,10.960,all P＜0.001).Spearman correlation test showed that the level of circAKT3 in peripheral blood of DN patients was correlated with the duration of diabetes,serum Creatinine,BUN,cystatin C,TGF-β,CIV,PCIII and Alb were negatively,correlated(r=-0.756～-0.621,all P＜0.05).Glomerular filtration rate was positively correlated(r=0.695,P=0.010).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of circAKT3 in the diagnosis of DM were 75.3%and 71.1%,respectively,and the AUC was 0.792.The sensitivity,specificity and AUC for M-DN were 90.3%,85.7%and 0.875,respectively,and the sensitivity,specificity and the AUC for MS-DN were 88.2%,87.6%and 0.916,respectively.Conclusion The level of serum circAKT3 is significantly down-regulated in DN patients,which can be used as a potential auxiliary diagnostic marker of DN.

Persistent atrial fibrillation and other factors can cause mitral and tricuspid annular dilation and leaflet regurgitation,leading to severe functional mitral and tricuspid regurgitation.Patients often experience significant heart failure symptoms and poor prognosis.For patients with severe mitral or tricuspid regurgitation who are at high risk or contraindicated for surgical procedures,transbronchial repair(TEER)is an important alternative therapy that can effectively reduce valve regurgitation and improve cardiac function;Although there is a lack of large-scale data on atrial functional reflux,existing experience still shows that TEER can significantly reduce reflux and improve patients'quality of life.However,double valve intervention therapy poses challenges,especially when combined with TEER repair,which is technically more complex,time-consuming,and carries higher risks.Foreign data shows that simultaneous or staged double valve intervention can safely improve cardiac function and increase survival rates,but the optimal intervention strategy still needs further research.Due to the fact that tricuspid TEER devices have not yet been launched in China,only staged treatment can be adopted at present.This case report shows a patient with severe atrial functional mitral and tricuspid regurgitation who underwent staged transcatheter edge to edge repair surgery successfully.During a 1-year follow-up,bilateral valve regurgitation continued to improve,indicating that staged repair of bilateral atrioventricular valve regurgitation through the catheter margin is a feasible and effective treatment option.

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of total glucosides of paeony(TGP)on intestinal ischemia reperfusion(IIR)injury in rats based on Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA)/Rho-related coiled-coil protein kinase 1(Rock1)pathway.Method:The IIR rat models were established by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 1 h,and the rats were randomly divided into Sham group,Model group,TGP group,TGP+Rhosin(RhoA inhibi-tor)group and TGP+LPA(RhoA agonistor)group,with 8 rats in each group.After 4 weeks of continuous administration once a day,the activity or level of intestinal barrier indexes[diamine oxidase(DAO),d-lactic acid(D-LA)and endotoxin(ET)]in plasma were detected by ELISA method,the wet/dry weight(W/D)ratio was calculated to evaluate the intestinal water content.The intestinal histopathological changes was observed by HE stainning,and the the degree of intestinal injury was evaluated by Chiu's score.The intestinal cells apoptosis was observed by TUNEL method.The inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-18(IL-18)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)]in serum were detected by ELISA method.The oxidative stress indexes[malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)]in serum were measured by spectrophotometry method.The expression of RhoA,ROCK1,nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65),hypoxia induciblefactor-1α(HIF-1α),zonula occludens protein-1(ZO-1),Occludin proteins were detected by Western blot method.Result:Compared with Model group,the activity of DAO and the content of D-LA,ET in plasma of TGP group and TGP+Rhosin group were significantly decreased,the W/D of intestinal were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The intestinal histopathological changes were significantly improved,the Chiu's score and cell poptosis index were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The content of TNF-α,IL-18,IL-1β,MDA in serum were significantly decreased,the activity of SOD,CAT were significantly increased(P<0.05).The expression of RhoA,ROCK1,NF-κB p65 proteins in in-testine tissue were significantly decreased,the expression of HIF-1α,ZO-1,Occludin proteins were significantly in-creased(P<0.05).Compared with TGP group,Rhosin significantly enhanced the effects of TGP on various detection indi-cators in IIR rats(P<0.05),while LPA significantly weakened the aforementioned effects of TGP(P<0.05).Conclusion:TGP could inhibiting inflammation,oxidative stress and improving intestinal barrier function by down-regulating RhoA/ROCK1 pathway,thus playing protective role against IIR injury in rats.