Objective To investigate the value of split-bolus dual-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in preoperative staging of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and to analyze its effect on radiation dose. Methods From June 2021 to July 2024, 118 patients with suspected renal space occupying lesions admitted to Changsha Fourth Hospital were initially selected. Using a random number table, these patients were assigned to a single-bolus group (single-bolus three-phase enhancement program) and a split-bolus group (split-bolus dual-phase enhancement program), with 59 patients in each group. According to the postoperative pathological results, 100 patients with ccRCC were selected as the study subjects, including 48 patients in the single-bolus group and 52 patients in the split-bolus group. The CT values of ccRCC tissues in various phases were compared between the two groups. The accuracy of preoperative ccRCC staging was analyzed using postoperative pathological staging as the gold standard, and the effective dose (ED) was compared between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference in ccRCC staging between the two groups (P > 0.05). The CT value in the parenchyma-excretion phase of the split-bolus group was (88.24 ± 18.34) HU, which was lower than that of the single-bolus group in the parenchyma phase [(102.43 ± 20.66) HU, P < 0.05]. The accuracy of preoperative staging of ccRCC was 86.54% in the split-bolus group, which was not significantly different from 87.50% in the single-bolus group (P > 0.05). The mean ED was (14.54 ± 1.42) mSv in the split-bolus group, which was lower than (20.43 ± 1.18) mSv in the single-bolus group (P < 0.05). Compared with the single-bolus group, the ED of the split-bolus group decreased by 28.83%. Conclusion Split-bolus dual-phase contrast-enhanced CT provides similar accuracy compared to single-bolus CT in evaluating the preoperative staging of ccRCC, and can reduce the radiation dose.

Objective:To explore the effects of the LAmbre device and mitral annulus(MA), as well as left atrium(LA) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF) after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) using real-time-three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE).Methods:Fity-six consecutive patients who underwent LAAC with the LAmbre device in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from June 2019 to March 2023 were retrospectively enrolled, with no or less than moderate mitral regurgitation (MR). All patients underwent pre-operative and follow-up two-and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE, 3D TEE) at 60 days after the operation. The quantitative parameters of MA and LA were obtained by offline analysis using QLab 13.0 (Philips Healthcare, Andover, MA). Importantly, mitral annular measurements were made at seven time points throughout the cardiac cycle: early diastole, mid-diastole, late diastole, mitral valve closure, early systole, mid-systole, and late systole, which facilitates constructing the dynamic model of MA to assess the annular morphology and dynamics.Results:The values of AP diameter (APD), AL-PM diameter (ALPMD), 3D annulus circumference (3DAC), 3D annulus area (3DAA) decreased significantly compared with pre-operative values at all time points of the cardiac cycle (all P<0.05), while non-planar angle (NPA) and AH/CD were not apparently changed (all P>0.05 ). Throughout the cardiac cycle, MA showed regular changes, gradually increased in systole with the saddle shape deepened, and gradually decreased in diastole with the saddle shape shallowed.During systole, there was an increase in the rate of change of AP in MA [pre-operative (3.01±2.64)%, post-operative (3.81±3.51)%, P=0.037] after LAAC, with no significant difference in the rate of change of ALPM, 3DAC, and 3DAA.Meanwhile, we observed an evident reduction in LA minimal volume (LAVmin) [pre-operative (78.36±25.16)ml, post-operative (70.73±22.78)ml, P=0.004] and an obvious increase in LA ejection function [pre-operative (22.88±10.09)%, post-operative (31.41±12.28)%, P<0.05] during follow-up. Conclusions:3D TEE can accurately assess the impact of LAAC on the MA and LA. The LAmbre device can affect the morphology of MA, as well as the structure and function of LA, while the change of the dynamics of MA is not so prominent.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of myocardial work related parameters in coronary ischemia patients with coronary artery disease(CAD)coronary ischemia using non-invasive left ventricular pressure strain loop(PSL),taking fraction flow reservation(FFR)as the gold standard.Methods From December 2020 to December 2021,53 clinically suspected CAD patients were prospectively enrolled.All patients underwent echocardiography,invasive coronary angiography and FFR measurement.According to the results of coronary angiography,patients were divided into myocardial ischemia group(n=24,FFR≤0.80)and non-myocardial ischemia group(n=29,FFR＞0.80).PSL was used for off-line analysis to obtain the global work index(GWI),global constructive work(GCW),global wasted work(GWW),global work efficiency(GWE),global positive work(GPW),and global systolic constructive work(GSCW)and other myocardial work parameters.The differences of parameter values between the two groups were compared.The diagnostic efficacy of work parameters in myocardial ischemia was analyzed by ROC curve.Results Compared with the non-myocardial ischemia group,GWI,GCW,GPW and GSCW were significantly decreased in the myocardial ischemia group at the 18-,16-,and 12-segment levels(P＜0.001).The ROC curve showed that the AUC results of GWI,GCW,GPW,GSCW at the 18-segment level were 0.803(95％CI 0.679-0.927),0.807(95％CI 0.687-0.928),0.822(95％CI 0.708-0.936),0.819(95％CI 0.703-0.935).The optimal cut-off value of GWI was 1 676.3 mmHg％,and the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of predicting myocardial ischemia were 70.8％,86.2％and 79.2％,respectively.The optimal cut-off value of GCW was 1 999.4 mmHg％,and the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of predicting myocardial ischemia were 75.0％,82.8％and 79.2％,respectively.Conclusions Analyzing myocardial work using PSL has good significance for screening suspected myocardial ischemia in CAD patients.

Objective: To explore the correlation between Diabetes Complication Severity Index(DCSI), C-reactive protein/albumin ratio(CAR) and death in patients with diabetic foot ulcer(DFU) and to clarify their predictive value for all-cause death in DFU patients. Methods: Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 354 DFU patients who were treated in the Endocrinology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from July 2019 to December 2022. Based on survival status during follow-up, patients were divided into a survival group(n=268) and a death group(n=86). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for all-cause death in DFU patients. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive value of DCSI, CAR, and their combination for all-cause death in DFU patients. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to explore the impact of different DCSI and CAR levels on survival in DFU patients. Results: Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that older age, history of hypertension, higher Wagner classification levels, and elevated levels of CRP, Scr, FDP, DCSI score, and CAR were associated with a higher risk of death in DFU patients(P<0.05). Higher levels of HGB, HCT, ALB, or eGFR were associated with a lower risk of death. Patients receiving combined insulin and oral hypoglycemic medication had a lower risk of death compared to those receiving only insulin therapy(P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that older age, higher levels of Scr, DCSI, and CAR were independent risk factors for all-cause death in DFU patients, while higher levels of ALB and combined insulin and oral hypoglycemic therapy were protective factors. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC values for DCSI, CAR, and their combination were 0.652, 0.633, and 0.686, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed that patients with high DCSI scores(≥4.5) had a lower survival rate compared to those with lower DCSI scores(<4.5). Similarly, patients with high CAR levels(≥0.124) had a lower survival rate compared to those with lower CAR levels(<0.124). Conclusion High levels of DCSI and CAR are independent risk factors for all-cause death in DFU patients. DCSI, CAR, and their combination have predictive value for all-cause mortality in DFU patients.

Objective:We aimed to develop a novel visualized model based on nomogram to predict postoperative overall survival.Methods:This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study, including participants with histologically confirmed gastric and colorectal cancer who underwent radical surgery from 11 medical centers in China from August 1, 2015 to June 30, 2018. Baseline characteristics, histopathological data and nutritional status, as assessed using Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) score and the scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, were collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and Cox regression were used to identify variables to be included in the predictive model. Internal and external validations were performed.Results:There were 681 and 127 patients in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. A total of 188 deaths were observed over a median follow-up period of 59 (range: 58 to 60) months. Two independent predictors of NRS 2002 and Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) stage were identified and incorporated into the prediction nomogram model together with the factor of age. The model's concordance index for 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival was 0.696, 0.724, and 0.738 in the training cohort and 0.801, 0.812, and 0.793 in the validation cohort, respectively.Conclusions:In this study, a new nomogram prediction model based on NRS 2002 score was developed and validated for predicting the overall postoperative survival of patients with gastric colorectal cancer. This model has good differentiation, calibration and clinical practicability in predicting the long-term survival rate of patients with gastrointestinal cancer after radical surgery.

Dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM)has a concealed onset with left or even whole heart enlargement as the main imaging manifestation.It is a common primary disease of heart failure and arrhythmia.With the continuous deepening of research in recent years,the intrinsic molecular mechanism of regulatory cell death(RCD)has gradually become clear.Researchers have found that the RCD mode plays a very important role in the occurrence and development of DCM.At present,the RCD modes involved in DCM mainly include apoptosis,necrotic apoptosis,pyroptosis,iron death,autophagy,and cuproptosis,and a certain correlation exists among them,which interact and regulate each other.This article provides an overview of the current research status on the mechanisms of the six RCD modes involved in DCM to provide a reference for future basic research and clinical applications.

Objective To investigate the effect of nicotine on coagulation in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury rats.Methods 32 male Sprague-dawley rats,weighing 250-300g,were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=8):sham operation group(S),intestinal ischemia-reperfusion(IR)group,nicotine(NIC)group,α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(α7nAchR)antagonist group α-bungarotoxin(α-BGT)group.Intestinal IR was induced by clamping superior mesenteric artery for 45min and 120min of reperfusion.In group NIC nicotine 400μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 30min before superior mesenteric artery occlusion.In group α-BGT 1μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 15min before superior mesenteric artery occlusion.Plasma tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),tissue factor(TF),antithrombin(AT),tissue plasminogen activator(tPA),fiber plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1),D-dimer levels and platelet count(PLT)were measured after 120min reperfusion.Chiu's count was used to assess the changes in intestinal mucosal pathlolgical morphology.Results Compared with group S and group NIC,the plasma TNF-α,TF,tPA,PAI-1 and D-dimer levels were significantly increased,and plasma AT level and platelet count were significantly decreased,in group IR and group α-BGT(P<0.05),Chiu's scores were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Nicotine can inhibit the excessive activation of coagulation function in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury rats.Its mechanism may be related to activation of cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway,reducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines thereby reducing endothelial cell injury.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention is the new frontier of interventional cardiology. The LuX-Valve is a radial force-independent orthotopic tricuspid valve replacement device developed in China. The LuX-Valve Plus transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system is changed from the trans-atrial to the transjugular approach, which further reduces trauma and pulmonary complications compared with the first generation LuX-Valve. The first-in-human study has been completed at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and an exploratory multicentre clinical study is underway. Echocardiography plays an important role in pre-TTVR screening, intraoperative guidance and postoperative evaluation and follow-up, especially two-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) and three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE). However, there is a lack of appropriate intraoperative guidance and assessment protocols. In this study, we briefly described the protocols and imaging considerations for intraoperative 2D-TEE and 3D-TEE to ensure the successful implantation of TTVR.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) interventions are under rapid development. The K-Clip? system is the first domestic transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty system with unique clamping procedure to achieve annular reduction.Intraoperative echocardiographic monitoring procedures for transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty have not been reported yet in China. Thus, this review aimed to propose the standard two-dimensional and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic workplanes and procedures to guide and monitor the implantation of K-Clip system based on our experience in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University to provide a reference point for the intraoperative echocardiographic monitoring of future transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty devices in China.

Objective:To explore the features the gait of elderly persons with type 2 diabetes and peri-pheral neuropathy.Methods:Twenty patients no less than 60 years old with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (DPN) formed a DPN group, while 20 counterparts with type 2 diabetes but without peripheral neuropathy composed the DM group, and another 20 healthy counterparts served as a control group. The three groups were tested using the Swedish Qualisys motion capture system and their walking speed, step length, step width, stride frequency and stride length, bipedal foot support phase time, single foot support phase time, peak plantar pressure, and regional-holding time were collected and compared.Results:The average walking speed, stride length and stepping frequency of the DPN group were all significantly lower than the other 2 groups′ averages. Their bipedal support phase was significantly longer, but their single foot support phase time was significantly shorter. And in the DPN group the average first and second peak plantar pressures and the second peak pressure time were significantly greater than the other groups′ averages.Conclusions:Elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy have significant gait abnormalities, decreased walking stability, as well as increased plantar pressure and plantar compression time.