Objective:To study the influence of different region of interest (ROI) sketch on measurement results in the diagnosis of breast cancer by imaging technology of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) .Methods:The clinical dataes of 84 patients with breast mass lesions from Apr. 2017 to Oct. 2021 were collected, all patients underwent IVIM-DWI. ROI was delineated at the maximum level of the mass by tumor contour method and fixed radius method. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), real diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion fraction (f) and pseudo diffusion coefficient (D *) were recorded. IVIM-DWI parameters of patients with benign and malignant breast tumors were compared. The influence of ROI delineation by tumor contour method and fixed radius method on the results of IVIM related parameters were compared. Results:Forty-six of 84 patients were malignant and 38 benign masses. The ADC and D values of patients in the malignant group were (0.98±0.24) ×10 -3 mm 2/s, (0.79±0.22) ×10 -3 mm 2/s in the malignant group, significantly lower than those in the benign group [ (1.65±0.43) ×10 -3 mm 2/s, (1.41±0.35) ×10 -3 mm 2/s], and the f value and D * value were (5.65±1.13) %, (43.89±8.05) ×10 -3 mm 2/s, significantly higher than those in the benign group [ (3.84±1.57) %, (37.77±9.3) ×10 -3 mm 2/s]. The differences were statistically significant ( t=9.01, 9.89, 6.13, 3.23; all P<0.05). The results obtained by using the tumor fixed radius method to delineate ROI showed that the ADC and D values of (0.96±0.27) ×10 -3 mm 2/s (0.81±0.23) ×10 -3 mm 2/s in the malignant group were significantly lower than those in the benign group [ (1.66±0.39) ×10 -3 mm 2/s, 1.39±0.37) ×10 -3 mm 2/s], and the f and D * values were (5.69±1.15) %, (43.94±7.98) ×10 -3 mm 2/s, which were significantly higher than those in the benign group [ (3.86±1.49) %, (38.01±8.46) ×10 -3 mm 2/s]. The differences were statistically significant ( t=9.69, 8.78, 6.35, 3.30; all P<0.05) .The 95% consistency interval range of ADC difference, D value difference, f value difference, and D * value difference obtained by using tumor contour method to delineate ROI was smaller than that of tumor fixed radius method. Conclusions:The IVIM has high accuracy in the diagnosis of breast cancer, the IVIM parameters obtained from ROI delineation by tumor contour method have good repeatability.

[Objective] To analyze factors influencing the postoperative progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), construct a nomogram model for predicting PFS, and compare it with other predictive models. [Methods] A retrospective analysis was conducted on the general and clinical data of 263 RCC patients who underwent surgery at the Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, during Apr.2014 and Nov.2021.Patients were divided into the progression group (n=34) and non-progression group (n=229). The data of the two groups were analyzed to identify prognostic variables associated with PFS, and a nomogram model was constructed.The performance of this model was compared with that of the University of California, Los Angeles Integrated Staging System (UISS) score, tumor staging, tumor size, tumor pathological grade, and tumor necrosis scoring system (SSIGN score), and Leibovich score by plotting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculating the area under the curve (AUC). Calibration curve of the nomogram was used to validate the model's performance, and K-fold cross-validation was employed to assess its external validity. [Results] Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age (HR=2.255, 95%CI: 1.032-4.926), T stage (HR=5.766, 95%CI: 2.351-14.142), pathological grade (HR=3.100, 95%CI: 1.445-6.651), and pathological necrosis (HR=2.656, 95%CI: 1.253-5.629) were independent risk factors of PFS (P<0.05). The nomogram model based on these four independent variables had AUCs (95%CI) of 0.750 (0.630-0.870), 0.803 (0.705-0.902), and 0.847 (0.757-0.937) for 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, which were higher than those of UISS score, SSIGN score, and Leibovich score.The calibration curve of the nomogram showed good consistency between predicted and actual probabilities.In K-fold cross-validation, the average AUCs of the nomogram at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.761, 0.808, and 0.842, indicating good external validity of the nomogram. [Conclusion] The nomogram based on age, T stage, pathological grade and pathological necrosis can accurately predict the risk of postoperative PFS in RCC patients at 1, 3, and 5 years, which can aid clinicians in the early identification of high-risk progression.

Objective To conduct basic research on the structure and function of the heart in cynomolgus monkeys older than 10 years to provide data for animal selection in elderly disease research.Methods A total of 144 cynomolgus monkeys＞10 years old were selected as research subjects,including 37 females and 66 males in the 10～15 years group,and 21 females and 20 males in the 16～20 years group.Basic data on cardiac structure and function in middle-aged and elderly cynomolgus monkeys were obtained through comparative analysis of general indicators(body mass index,blood pressure,and heart rate),blood biochemical indicators(blood glucose,blood lipids,and ion indicators),and cardiac structure and function indicators.Results General indicators for the 10～15 years and 16～20 years groups were compared.As age increased,the blood pressure and heart rate of female and male monkeys increased,and there was a significant difference in blood pressure changes between male monkeys.A comparison of two sets of blood biochemical indicators showed that,as age increased,blood glucose,triglycerides,total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,blood calcium,blood sodium,and blood potassium increased,while lactate dehydrogenase decreased,in female and male monkeys.Among these,blood glucose,triglycerides(males),total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(males),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(males),blood calcium,blood sodium,blood potassium,and lactate dehydrogenase showed significant changes.A comparison of cardiac contractile function between the two groups showed that,as age increased,the anterior and posterior diameters of the left atrium significantly decreased in both female and male monkeys.Female monkeys showed a significant decrease in the interventricular septal end systolic diameter,left ventricular end diastole and systolic diameters,left ventricular end diastolic and systolic volumes,and left ventricular mass index,while no significant changes were seen in male monkeys.A comparison of diastolic function between the two groups showed that,as age increased,the late diastolic velocity of the mitral valve decreased significantly in male monkeys,while the early diastolic velocity of the left ventricular sidewall increased significantly in female monkeys.Correlation analysis was conducted between the metabolic indicators and the cardiac structure and function indicators of female and male monkeys.The correlations between metabolic indicators and cardiac structure and function indicators were weak in female monkeys,for which the maximum absolute Γ value did not exceed 0.39.However,the correlations between metabolic indicators and cardiac structure and function indicators were relatively strong in male monkeys,for which the maximum absolute Γ value reached 0.66.Conclusions Based on ultrasound analysis combined with metabolic indicators,the heart function of cynomolgus monkeys was studied,and basic data related to the structure and function of the heart in middle-aged and elderly cynomolgus monkeys were obtained.As age increased,blood glucose and lipid indicators increased in cynomolgus monkeys,while cardiac systolic and diastolic functions show a downward trend,similar to changes in middle-aged and older adult human populations.These data provide support for animal selection in research on age-related diseases related to heart function.

Artificial vascular graft(AVG)fistula is widely used for hemodialysis treatment in patients with renal failure.However,it has poor elasticity and compliance,leading to stenosis and thrombosis.The ideal artificial blood vessel for dialysis should replicate the structure and components of a real artery,which is primarily maintained by collagen in the extracellular matrix(ECM)of arterial cells.Studies have revealed that in hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced liver fibrosis,hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)become hyperactive and produce excessive ECM fibers.Furthermore,mechanical stimulation can encourage ECM secretion and remodeling of a fiber structure.Based on the above factors,we transfected HSCs with the hepatitis B viral X(HBX)gene for simulating the process of HBV infection.Subsequently,these HBX-HSCs were implanted into a polycaprolactone-polyurethane(PCL-PU)bilayer scaffold in which the inner layer is dense and the outer layer consists of pores,which was mechanically stimulated to promote the secretion of collagen nanofiber from the HBX-HSCs and to facilitate crosslinking with the scaffold.We obtained an ECM-PCL-PU composite bionic blood vessel that could act as access for dialysis after decellularization.Then,the vessel scaffold was implanted into a rabbit's neck arteriovenous fistula model.It exhibited strong tensile strength and smooth blood flow and formed autologous blood vessels in the rabbit's body.Our study demonstrates the use of human cells to create biomimetic dialysis blood vessels,providing a novel approach for creating clinical vascular access for dialysis.

Metastasis accounts for 90% of breast cancer deaths, where the lethality could be attributed to the poor drug accumulation at the metastatic loci. The tolerance to chemotherapy induced by breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and their particular redox microenvironment further aggravate the therapeutic dilemma. To be specific, therapy-resistant BCSCs can differentiate into heterogeneous tumor cells constantly, and simultaneously dynamic maintenance of redox homeostasis promote tumor cells to retro-differentiate into stem-like state in response to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Herein, we develop a specifically-designed biomimic platform employing neutrophil membrane as shell to inherit a neutrophil-like tumor-targeting capability, and anchored chemotherapeutic and BCSCs-differentiating reagents with nitroimidazole (NI) to yield two hypoxia-responsive prodrugs, which could be encapsulated into a polymeric nitroimidazole core. The platform can actively target the lung metastasis sites of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and release the escorted drugs upon being triggered by the hypoxia microenvironment. During the responsiveness, the differentiating agent could promote transferring BCSCs into non-BCSCs, and simultaneously the nitroimidazole moieties conjugated on the polymer and prodrugs could modulate the tumor microenvironment by depleting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) and amplifying intracellular oxidative stress to prevent tumor cells retro-differentiation into BCSCs. In combination, the BCSCs differentiation and tumor microenvironment modulation synergistically could enhance the chemotherapeutic cytotoxicity, and remarkably suppress tumor growth and lung metastasis. Hopefully, this work can provide a new insight in to comprehensively treat TNBC and lung metastasis using a versatile platform.

Objective:To investigate the surgical method and clinical effects of the modified proper digital artery island flap in repairing complex fingertip defects.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2017 to December 2021, 15 patients (15 fingers) with complex fingertip defects, involving the pulp, nail bed, and lateral wall of the nail, who met the inclusion criteria were admitted into General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, including 11 males and 4 females, aged from 18 to 55 years. The area of the post debridement wound was from 2.5 cm×2.0 cm to 3.5 cm×3.5 cm, and all the wounds were repaired by using modified proper digital artery island flap (including 3 parts: main flap, tongue-shaped flap, and triangular flap), of which the main flap was used to cover the finger pulp defect, the tongue-shaped flap was used to cover the nail bed and the nail lateral wall defect, and the triangular flap was inserted into the edge of the finger pulp wound to cover the vessel pedicle. The range of the flap ranged from 3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 4.5 cm×3.0 cm. The wound at the donor site was repaired with full-thickness skin graft of the groin, and the donor site of the skin graft was sutured directly. After operation, the survival of the flap and skin graft as well as and the appearance of the affected finger were observed. During the follow-up, the fingertip morphology of the affected finger was observed, two-point discrimination distance of the affected finger pulp was measured, and the patients' satisfaction with the efficacy (including very satisfied, satisfied, and dissatisfied) was asked, and the affected finger function was evaluated by the total active movement (TAM) system evaluation standard recommended by American Academy for Surgery of Hand.Results:After operation, the main flaps and skin grafts in 15 patients all survived; but the incision at the edge of tongue-shaped flap in one patient healed poorly, and one patient developed venous stasis at the distal end of the tongue-shaped flap; the triangular flap at the pedicle was slightly bloated in the early postoperative period and became smooth after 2 to 3 months. Overall, two patients developed subcutaneous hematoma in their flaps. All the complications were healed by appropriate dressing change, suture removal, or compression bandaging. After operation, the appearance of the flap was full and formed a prominent fingertip shape. During the follow-up of 6 months to 5 years, the fingertips of the affected fingers were prominent and full; the two-point discrimination distance of the affected finger pulp was (8.6±1.4) mm; 8 patients were very satisfied with the efficacy, 6 patients were satisfied, and one patient was dissatisfied; the functional assessment of the affected fingers were all excellent.Conclusions:The modified proper digital artery island flap can repair complex fingertip defects involving the pulp, nail bed, and lateral wall of the nail. The operation is simple, and the shape and function of the fingertip are good after surgery.

Objective:To prepare the control materials of point-of-care(POC) glucose testing and evaluate their homogeneity, stability and matrix effects.Methods:The high, medium and low concentration control materials were prepared from patient leftover whole blood, which was centrifuged, fixed, washed, filtered, and aliquoted. The homogeneity and stability of the control materials were evaluated according to CNAS (China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment, CNAS) GL29:2010"Reference materials-General and statistical principles for certification". The control materials were used to evaluate the matrix effects in POC glucose detection systems by Deming regression, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) EP14-A3. Meanwhile, these control materials were used as the internal quality control, and their coefficients of variation ( CV) were calculated. One-way ANOVA and t-Test were used to analyze the results. Results:The homemade materials at three concentrations showed good homogeneity[ F< F0.05(9, 20)]. When the control materials were stored at 2-8 ℃, the stable phases for the opened and closed bottles were 10 days and 15 days, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between the results of the first day( P>0.05). The control materials at three concentrations also showed good applicability and there were no matrix effects in 10 POC glucose systems. When the control materials were detected in the internal quality control, the CVs of the high, medium and low concentrations were 0.63%, 0.66% and 1.65%, respectively, which were all below 7.5%. Conclusions:The homemade human control materials of POC glucose testing showed good homogeneity, stability and applicability. They met the requirements of quality control in hospital settings, which provided a good application prospect of the quality management of POC glucose testing.

The radial force of the degradable esophageal stent before and after degradation is one of the important indicators for effective treatment of esophageal stricture. Based on a combination of in vitro experiments and finite element analysis, this paper studies and verifies the biomechanical properties of a new type of degradable esophageal stent under different esophageal stricture conditions. Under radial extrusion conditions, the maximum stress at the port of the stent is 65.25 MPa, and the maximum strain is 1.98%; The peak values of stress and strain under local extrusion and plane extrusion conditions both appear in the extrusion area and the compression expansion area at both ends, which are respectively 48.68 MPa, 46.40 MPa, 0.49%, 1.13%. The maximum radial force of the undegraded stent was 11.22 N, and 97% and 51% of the maximum radial force were maintained after 3 months and 6 months of degradation, respectively. The research results verify the safety and effectiveness of the radial force of the new degradable esophageal stent, and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of esophageal stricture.
Esophageal Stenosis/surgery* ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Mechanical Phenomena ; Stents

Objective:To observation the application of multimedia combined with health education manuals in asthma children.Methods:A total of 192 asthma children who were admitted to Haikou Hospital of the Maternal and Child Health between January and December 2019 were enrolled. They were divided into observation group and control group by random number table method, 96 cases in each group. The control group was given routine health education based on oral education, while observation group was additionally given multimedia intervention. Both groups were continuously intervened for 4 weeks. After intervention, treatment compliance was evaluated. The health behaviors and quality of life before and after intervention in both groups were recorded. Both groups were followed up after 6 months of intervention. The number of cases with acute asthma attacks, and number of re-admission and hospitalization cases due to asthma in both groups were statistically analyzed.Results:The compliance of observation group was significantly better than that of control group in terms of quantitative medication on time, inhaler usage and recording asthma diary ( Z values were 9.809, 10.082, 10.287, P<0.05). After intervention, health behaviors such as keeping away from allergens, medication following doctor's advice, paying attention to keep warm, diet control, exercise training and inhaler usage in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group ( χ 2 values were 5.169-19.006, P<0.05). After intervention, scores of symptoms, activities and emotion, and total score of Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) in observation group were (48.52±7.46), (25.16±4.83) (110.32±20.64) and (36.57±5.64) points, significantly higher than (42.17±7.12), (18.65±3.72), (29.86±5.48) and (85.06±16.23) points in control group ( t values were 6.146-10.463, P<0.05). During follow-up, the incidence rates of acute asthma attack, re-admission and re-hospitalization due to asthma in observation group were 21.89% (20/91), 15.38% (14/91), 9.89% (9/91), which were lower than 39.33% (35/89), 23.58% (29/89), 25.84% (23/89) in control group ( χ 2 values were 6.381, 7.321, 7.833, P<0.05). Conclusion:The multimedia combined health education manuals can effectively improve treatment compliance, health behaviors and quality of life in asthma children, and reduce incidence of asthma related events.

Objective:To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the Geriatric Depression Scale-3-Apathy Subscale (GDS-3A) in the assessment of apathy in the aged by taking the Apathy Evaluation Scale-Clinician (AES-C) as a reference.Methods:From May 2019 to October 2020, convenience sampling was used to select 475 elderly patients who attended the Outpatient Department of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital and Hepingli Community Health Service Center in Dongcheng District, Beijing as the research object. The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) , GDS-12-Depression Subscale (GDS-12D) and the AES-C were used for investigation. The statistical analysis was conducted by using the correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve comparison analysis.Results:When GDS-3A selected 2 points as the boundary value, the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 70.99% and 87.54%, respectively, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.77. GDS-3A was positively correlated with AES-C ( r=0.46, P<0.001) , GDS-12D ( r=0.67, P<0.001) , and GDS-15 ( r=0.87, P<0.001) . Conclusions:GDS-3A has high sensitivity and specificity, and can be used as a screening tool for large-scale epidemiological investigations or community elderly apathy manifestations.