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: 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 relationship between body mass index(BMI)and blood pressure(BP),blood lipids,waist-to-hip ratio(WHR),and hemoglobin(Hb)in the elderly.Methods A total of 10 978 elderly individuals aged≥65 years old in a community in Baoshan District,Shanghai from February 2023 to October 2023 were selected as the research subjects.Height,body mass,waist circumference(WC),hip circumference(HC),systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein(HDL),low-density lipoprotein(LDL),Hb were measured,and BMI and WHR were calculated.According to the Chinese BMI reference standard,the elderly were divided into a lean group(BMI＜18.5 kg/m2,n= 310),a normal body mass group(18.5 kg/m2≤BMI＜24 kg/m2,n=4 692),a overweight group(24 kg/m2≤BMI＜28 kg/m2,n= 4 615),and an obese group(BMI≥28 kg/m2,n=1 361).The levels of BP,blood lipids,WHR,and Hb in the four groups were compared and correlation analysis was conducted.Results The levels of BMI,WC,HC,WHR,SBP,DBP,and Hb in elderly men were higher than those in elderly women(all P＜0.01),while the levels of TC,HDL,and LDL were lower than those in elderly women(all P＜0.01).The differences in SBP,DBP,TC,HDL,LDL,WHR,and Hb among the four groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05),and BMI was positively correlated with SBP,DBP,TC,LDL,WHR,and Hb(r=0.109,0.064,0.041,0.042,0.108,0.089,all P＜0.01),and negatively correlated with HDL(r=﹣0.106,P＜0.01).The BMI of elderly men in the normal body mass group was higher than that of elderly women,while the BMI of elderly women in the obesity group was higher than that of elderly men(both P＜0.01).In the normal body mass group,the BMI of elderly people aged＜75 years old was higher than that of elderly people aged≥75 years old(P＜0.05).Conclusions BMI is closely related to the health of the elderly,and maintaining an ideal BMI is the foundation for health management and prevention of chronic diseases in the elderly.

Objective:To explore the challenges in the implementation of drug centralized volume-based procurement policies in hospitals and propose corresponding optimization suggestions.Methods:From August to December 2023, a purposive sampling was conducted to select 11 pharmaceutical experts from tertiary hospitals in China for Delphi method. The survey content included " policy recommendations for promoting the acceleration and expansion of national drug centralized procurement and retaining surplus medical insurance funds for centralized procurement" .Results:Survey participants gave feedback on a set of existing problems found in the implementation of drug centralized procurement policies and proposed corresponding optimization methods. Kendall′s W coefficient of the specialist consultation was 0.332( P<0.05), demonstrating good consistency and concentration of the expert opinions. Among the problems, the score of drug supply guarantee was the highest(mean value of importance was 4.45). At the same time, the recommendation of strengthening monitoring and early warning, coordination and dispatch, and effectively ensuring the supply of centralized drug procurement had the highest score and concentration(mean value of importance was 4.91, coefficient of variation was 0.06). Conclusions:Through Delphi method, this study revealed issues and optimization methods in the implementation of drug centralized procurement policies in hospitals. The findings could provide valuable insights for improvements in the pharmaceutical sector and future policy adjustments.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical characteristics, differential diagnosis, and treatment methods of finger flexion contracture caused by three kinds of forearm flexor diseases. METHODS: Between December 2008 and August 2021, 17 patients with finger flexion contracture were treated, including 8 males and 9 females, aged 5-42 years, with a median of 16 years. The disease duration ranged from 1.5 months to 30 years, with a median of 13 years. The etiology included 6 cases of Volkmann's contracture, all of which were flexion deformity of the 2nd to 5th fingers, accompanied by limitation of thumb dorsiflexion in 3 cases and limitation of wrist dorsiflexion in 3 cases; 3 cases of pseudo-Volkmann's contracture, including 2 cases of flexion deformity of middle, ring, and little fingers, and 1 case of flexion deformity of ring and little fingers; 8 cases of ulnar finger flexion contracture caused by forearm flexor disease or anatomical variations, all of which were flexion deformity of middle, ring, and little fingers. Operations such as slide of flexor and pronator teres origin, excision of abnormal fibrous cord and bony prominence, and release of entrapped muscle (tendon) were performed. Hand function was evaluated according to WANG Haihua's hand function rating standard or modified Buck-Gramcko classification standard, and muscle strength was evaluated according to British Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle strength rating standard. RESULTS: All patients were followed up 1-10 years (median, 1.5 years). At last follow-up, 8 patients with contracture caused by forearm flexor disease or anatomical variations and 3 patients with pseudo-Volkmann's contracture achieved excellent hand function, with muscle strength of grade M5 in 6 cases and grade M4 in 5 cases. One patient with mild Volkmann's contracture and 3 patients with moderate Volkmann's contracture without severe nerve damage had excellent hand function in 2 cases and good in 2 cases, with muscle strength of grade M5 in 1 case and grade M4 in 3 cases. Two patients with moderate or severe Volkmann's contracture had poor hand function, with 1 case of muscle strength of grade M3 and 1 case of grade M2, which improved when compared with those before operation. The overall excellent and good rate of hand function and the proportion of patients with muscle strength of grade M4 and above were 88.2% (15/17), respectively. CONCLUSION The finger flexion contracture caused by different etiology can be differentiated by analyzing the history, physical examination, radiographs, and intraoperative findings. After different surgical treatments, such as resection of contracture band, release of compressed muscle (tendon), and downward movement of flexor origin, most patients have a good outcome.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Forearm/surgery* ; Contracture/surgery* ; Ischemic Contracture/surgery* ; Fingers/surgery* ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery*

Background Dentists are a high-risk population of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), where the body part with the highest prevalence is the neck. Objective To analyze potential influencing factors of neck pain among dentists, and explore a prediction model of neck pain in dentists. Methods Dentists from different hospitals in Fuzhou were selected as study subjects by stratified cluster sampling according to hospital characteristics (dental hospitals, general hospitals, and dental clinics). The basic information, presentation of WMSDs, and its influencing factors were investigated by using the Chinese version of Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire and the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique. A total of 655 questionnaires were collected, of which 603 were valid, with an effective rate of 92.1%. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze potential influencing factors of neck pain in dentists. A prediction model of neck pain of dentists was constructed by using neural network model, and the prediction efficiency of the model was evaluated. Results The neck was the body part with the highest prevalence (43.8%, 264/603) of WMSDs among dentists. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that female (OR=2.709, 95%CI: 1.852-3.962, P <0.001), working age of 10-<20 years (versus <10 years, OR=3.836, 95%CI: 2.471-5.957, P<0.001), keeping head up or down for a long time (OR=8.492, 95%CI: 2.203-32.731, P=0.002), holding head sideways for a long time (OR=2.210, 95%CI: 1.376-3.550, P<0.001), maintaining the same sitting spot for a long time (OR=4.336, 95%CI: 2.192-8.579, P<0.001), and psychological load value ≥70 (versus <40, OR=1.901, 95%CI: 1.038-3.480, P=0.037) increased the risk of neck pain in dentists. Sufficient operating space (OR=0.507, 95%CI: 0.302-0.850, P=0.010) and doing some exercise during work break (OR=0.670, 95%CI: 0.453-0.991, P=0.045) reduced the risk of reporting neck pain among dentists. A neural network prediction model of dentists' neck pain was constructed with 1 hidden layer and 6 hidden layer neurons. The percentage of correct prediction of training set was 89.6%, and the percentage of correct prediction of test set was 83.9%. The order of importance of the independent variables included in the model were working age, holding head sideways for a long time, psychological load, etc. The result of neural network model of neck pain among dentists showed that the area under the curve of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) was 0.940 (95%CI: 0.922-0.958, P<0.001). When the maximum diagnostic value was determined by the ROC curve, the sensitivity was 84.8%, the specificity was 91.2%, and the Youden Index was 0.760. Conclusion Neck pain of dentists is affected by many factors, such as individual factors (gender and working age), ergonomic factors (keeping various postures and operations for a long time, operating space, etc.), psychological factors (different levels of psychological load) and so on. The neural network model can be used as a prediction tool to explore the risk of reporting neck pain among dentists.

OBJECTIVE: Bo investigate the regulatory relationship between NKD1 and YWHAE and the mechanism of NKD1 for promoting tumor cell proliferation. METHODS: HCT116 cells transfected with pcDNA3.0-NKD1 plasmid, SW620 cells transfected with NKD1 siRNA, HCT116 cells with stable NKD1 overexpression (HCT116-NKD1 cells), SW620 cells with nkd1knockout (SW620-nkd1^-/- cells), and SW620-nkd1^-/- cells transfected with pcDNA3.0-YWHAE plasmid were examined for changes in mRNA and protein expression levels of YWHAE using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to detect the binding of NKD1 to the promoter region of YWHAE gene. The regulatory effect of NKD1 on YWHAE gene promoter activity was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, and the interaction between NKD1 and YWHAE was analyzed with immunofluorescence assay. The regulatory effect of NKD1 on glucose uptake was examined in the tumor cells. RESULTS: In HCT116 cells, overexpression of NKD1 significantly enhanced the expression of YWHAE at both the mRNA and protein levels, while NKD1 knockout decreased its expression in SW620 cells (P < 0.001). ChIP assay showed that NKD1 protein was capable of binding to the YWHAE promoter sequence; dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that NKD1 overexpression (or knockdown) in the colon cancer cells significantly enhanced (or reduced) the transcriptional activity of YWHAE promoter (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated the binding of NKD1 and YWHAE proteins in colon cancer cells. NKD1 knockout significantly reduced glucose uptake in colon cancer cells (P < 0.01), while YWHAE overexpression restored the glucose uptake in NKD1-knockout cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION NKD1 protein activates the transcriptional activity of YWHAE gene to promote glucose uptake in colon cancer cells.
Humans ; Colonic Neoplasms ; HCT116 Cells ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; RNA, Messenger ; Glucose ; Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism* ; 14-3-3 Proteins/metabolism*