Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver. MRI has become an important imaging method for non-invasive diagnosis and evaluation of HCC in clinics because of its advantageous aspects, such as its non-radiative nature, superior detection, and qualitative accuracy over CT and ultrasound. Various MRI techniques, including hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents, magnetic resonance elastography, diffusion-weighted imaging, and others, can diagnose HCC or evaluate its malignant biological behavior from different dimensions such as blood supply, cell function, tissue hardness, and water molecule diffusion. This article introduces the current status and prospects of various MRI techniques for HCC diagnosis and evaluation.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) at 36.5 Gy in 10 fractions for the chest wall and reginal lymph nodes following modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer.Methods:This was a prospective, single-arm, phase Ⅱ clinical study. A total of 85 patients who received HFRT at 36.5 Gy in 10 fractions to the chest wall ± supraclavicular region following modified radical mastectomy for locally advanced breast cancer from March 2014 to December 2015 were included. The primary endpoint was radiotherapy toxicities. The secondary endpoints were locoregional failure-free survival (LRFFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS).Results:The median follow-up period was 98 (94.0-109.0) months. Radiotherapy toxicities were mild. The incidence rates of grade 1 acute cutaneous and pulmonary toxicities were 52.9% and 40%, and those of grade 1 late cutaneous, pulmonary, and cardiac toxicities and upper extremity edema were 10.6%, 29.4%, 2.4%, and 21.2%, respectively. Only 1 (1.2%) patient suffered from grade 2 radiation-induced brachial plexus injury. Of the 85 patients, one patient had regional recurrence (supraclavicular lymph nodes), six patients had distant metastasis, and six patients died of breast cancer. The 9-year LRFFS, DFS, and OS were 97.7%, 91.8%, and 92.8%, respectively.Conclusions:HFRT at 36.5 Gy in 10 fractions following modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer is associated with mild toxicities. A phase Ⅲ study is necessary for validating HFRT's clinical efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between ultrasonic shear wave elastic imaging, blood flow quantitative parameters and expression levels of GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) and CD34 in breast cancer tissues.Methods:Ultrasound shear wave elastic imaging and blood flow parameter examination were performed with Resona R9 full-digital high-end color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic instrument of Shenzhen Mindray Biomedical Electronics Co., LTD., and maximum elasticity values (Emax), mean elasticity (Emean), minimum elasticity (Emin), pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) were recorded. The expression levels of GATA3 and CD34 in breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:Compared with adjacent normal tissues, the proportion of low expression of GATA3 in breast cancer tissues was significantly increased, the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.673, P=0.002), and the proportion of high expression of CD34 was significantly increased, the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=37.104, P<0.001). The Emax, Emin, PI and RI in breast cancer patients with high GATA3 expression were significantly lower than those with low GATA3 expression, and the difference was statistically significant ( t was 4.136, 4.005, 5.387 and 4.103, respectively, P<0.05). The Emax, Emean, Emin, PI and RI of breast cancer patients with high expression of CD34 were significantly higher than those with low expression, with statistical significance ( t was 4.553, 4.037, 5.491, 3.894 and 5.273, respectively, P<0.05). Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that Emax, PI and RI were independent risk factors for low expression of GATA3 in breast cancer tissues, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Emax, Emean, PI and RI were independent risk factors for high expression of CD34 in breast cancer tissues. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound shear wave elastography combined with blood flow quantitative parameters were 78.7% and 81.7% for evaluating the low expression of GATA3 in breast cancer tissue, and 81.5% and 76.6% for evaluating the high expression of CD34 in breast cancer tissue, respectively. Conclusion:Ultrasonic shear wave elastic imaging and blood flow quantitative parameters are related to the expression levels of GATA3 and CD34 in breast cancer tissue, and have certain evaluation value.

Objective:To explore the changes in entero-insular axis function and its role in mice with severe burns.Methods:This study was an experimental study. Ninety C57BL/6J male mice aged 8-10 weeks were divided into sham injury group and burn group (with 45 mice in each group) according to the random number table. A full-thickness scald (hereinafter referred to as burn) wound of 30% of the total body surface area was created on the back of mice in burn group, and the mice in sham injury group were simulated to cause a sham injury. Twenty-four hours after injury, the fasting blood glucose was measured ( n=12), followed by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and oral glucose tolerance test; the curve of blood glucose concentration changes over time was plotted, and the area under the curve was calculated ( n=6); the blood was taken from the heart before intraperitoneal injection or gavage of glucose solution and at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after intraperitoneal injection or gavage of glucose solution for measuring the plasma insulin and glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), with a sample number of 3; the ileal tissue was taken from 3 mice in each group for detecting the GLP-1 expression and apoptosis levels of intestinal L cells by immunofluorescence staining and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining; the pancreatic islets were collected from 6 mice in each group for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion experiments. After incubation with low glucose (2.8 mmol/L glucose) and high glucose (16.7 mmol/L glucose), the supernatant was taken and the insulin level was detected using ELISA. Thirty-six C57BL/6J male mice aged 8-10 weeks were divided into sham injury group, burn group, and burn+exendin-4 (Ex-4) group (with 12 mice in each group) according to the random number table. The mice in sham injury group and burn group were subjected to the same corresponding treatment as before. The mice in burn+Ex-4 group were injured in the same way as the burn group mice followed by treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonist Ex-4. Twenty-four hours after injury, mouse pancreatic islets were collected, the protein expressions of heavy-chain binding protein (BIP), protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), phosphorylated PERK (p-PERK), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), phosphorylated eIF2α (p-eIF2α), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) were detected using Western blotting, and the p-PERK/PERK and p-eIF2α/eIF2α ratios were calculated ( n=3), the apoptosis rate of pancreatic islet cells was detected using flow cytometry ( n=3), the glucose stimulated insulin secretion experiment was conducted as before to detect insulin levels in the supernatant ( n=6). Results:Twenty-four hours after injury, the fasting blood glucose of mice in burn group was (7.3±1.0) mmol/L, which was significantly higher than (5.1±0.6) mmol/L in sham injury group ( t=6.36, P<0.05). Twenty-four hours after injury, in the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and oral glucose tolerance test, the areas under the curve of blood glucose concentration changes over time of mice in burn group were significantly larger than those in sham injury group (with t values of 4.32 and 6.03, respectively, P<0.05); compared with those in sham injury group, the plasma insulin levels of mice before intraperitoneal injection of glucose solution and the plasma GLP-1 levels of mice before intraperitoneal injection or gavage of glucose solution in burn group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the plasma levels of insulin of mice at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after intraperitoneal injection or gavage of glucose solution, as well as the plasma levels of GLP-1 of mice at 30 and 60 minutes after gavage of glucose solution were significantly decreased in burn group ( P<0.05). Twenty-four hours after injury, compared with those in sham injury group, the GLP-1 expression level of intestinal L cells of mice in burn group was significantly decreased ( t=7.74, P<0.05), and the apoptosis level was significantly increased ( t=14.28, P<0.05). Twenty-four hours after injury, the insulin level in the supernatant of mice pancreatic islet incubated with high glucose in burn group was (8.5±0.4) ng/mg, which was significantly lower than (15.7±0.3) ng/mg in sham injury group ( t=18.68, P<0.05). Twenty-four hours after injury, compared with those in sham injury group, the protein expression levels of BIP, p-PERK/PERK, p-eIF2α/eIF2α, and CHOP in the pancreatic islets of mice in burn group were significantly increased ( P<0.05); compared with those in burn group, the protein expression levels of BIP, p-PERK/PERK, p-eIF2α/eIF2α, and CHOP in the pancreatic islets of mice in burn+Ex-4 group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Twenty-four hours after injury, the apoptosis rate of pancreatic islet cells of mice in burn group was (32.0±3.0)%, which was significantly higher than (10.3±2.5)% in sham injury group ( P<0.05); the apoptosis rate of pancreatic islet cells of mice in burn+Ex-4 group was (20.0±3.6)%, which was significantly lower than that in burn group ( P<0.05). Twenty-four hours after injury, the insulin level in the supernatant of mice pancreatic islet incubated with high glucose in burn group was significantly lower than that in sham injury group ( P<0.05), while the insulin level in the supernatant of mice pancreatic islet incubated with high glucose in burn+Ex-4 group was significantly higher than that in burn group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:After severe burns, the mice display dysfunction of the entero-insular axis, increased apoptosis of intestinal L cells, decreased synthesis and secretion of GLP-1, endoplasmic reticulum stress and increased apoptosis in pancreatic islet cells and a decrease in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The GLP-1 receptor agonist Ex-4 can protect the function of pancreatic islet cells of mice with severe burns, reducing the apoptosis level of pancreatic islet cells and promoting insulin secretion possibly via the alleviation of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

[Objective]To introduce Professor CUI Yun's experience in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia with the methods of regulating Qi.[Methods]Through collecting and sorting out the medical records and clinical statements of Professor CUI in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with the methods of regulating Qi,it summarized his clinical experience comprehensively,and cited a typical medical case for demonstration.[Results]Professor CUI believes that this disease belongs to the root deficiency and branch excess,its root deficiency mainly lies in the deficiency of the spleen and kidney,and its branch excess mainly lies in phlegm,stasis and dampness blocking,and closely related to lung and liver abnormalities.The treatment pays special attention to the regulation of Qi,forming the treatment features of"invigorating the spleen and kidney,tonifying deficiency to recover gasification""eliminating phlegm and removing stasis,unblocking the lower-Jiao Qi movement""ventilating the lung and opening the orifices,promoting the circulation of Qi movement""soothing the liver and regulating Qi,promoting the smooth flow of Qi and blood".In the medical case cited,the patient nearly 70 years old suffered from this disease,was distinguished as syndrome of mixed phlegm and blood stasis damaging Yin combined with the tongue and pulse with symptoms differention,with"Zimaiwu"combined with Danggui Beimu Kushen Pill for nourishing Yin and moistening dryness,resolving phlegm and eliminating blood stasis,and dispersing the lung and diffusing impediment,the symptoms were controlled smoothly for more than 2 months after treatment.[Conclusion]Professor CUI has rich experience in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia,and he has an unique understanding in adjusting the methods of regulating Qi,and the prescription is precise,the drug is peaceful but not severe,which has inspired the clinical treatment of this disease.

Background: Biofilms, such as those from Staphylococcus epidermidis, are generally insensitive to traditional antimicrobial agents, making it difficult to inhibit their formation. Although quercetin has excellent antibiofilm effects, its clinical applications are limited by the lack of sustained and targeted release at the site of S. epidermidis infection. Objectives: Polyethylene glycol-quercetin nanoparticles (PQ-NPs)-loaded gelatin-N,Ocarboxymethyl chitosan (N,O-CMCS) composite nanogels were prepared and assessed for the on-demand release potential for reducing S. epidermidis biofilm formation. Methods: The formation mechanism, physicochemical characterization, and antibiofilm activity of PQ-nanogels against S. epidermidis were studied. Results: Physicochemical characterization confirmed that PQ-nanogels had been prepared by the electrostatic interactions between gelatin and N,O-CMCS with sodium tripolyphosphate. The PQ-nanogels exhibited obvious pH and gelatinase-responsive to achieve on-demand release in the micro-environment (pH 5.5 and gelatinase) of S. epidermidis.In addition, PQ-nanogels had excellent antibiofilm activity, and the potential antibiofilm mechanism may enhance its antibiofilm activity by reducing its relative biofilm formation, surface hydrophobicity, exopolysaccharides production, and eDNA production. Conclusions This study will guide the development of the dual responsiveness (pH and gelatinase) of nanogels to achieve on-demand release for reducing S. epidermidis biofilm formation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with the impairment of white matter (WM) tracts. The current study aimed to verify the utility of WM as the neuroimaging marker of AD with multisite diffusion tensor imaging datasets [321 patients with AD, 265 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 279 normal controls (NC)], a unified pipeline, and independent site cross-validation. Automated fiber quantification was used to extract diffusion profiles along tracts. Random-effects meta-analyses showed a reproducible degeneration pattern in which fractional anisotropy significantly decreased in the AD and MCI groups compared with NC. Machine learning models using tract-based features showed good generalizability among independent site cross-validation. The diffusion metrics of the altered regions and the AD probability predicted by the models were highly correlated with cognitive ability in the AD and MCI groups. We highlighted the reproducibility and generalizability of the degeneration pattern of WM tracts in AD.
Humans ; White Matter/diagnostic imaging* ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging/methods* ; Alzheimer Disease/complications* ; Reproducibility of Results ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction/complications* ; Brain/diagnostic imaging*

This study aimed to explore key quality control factors that affected the prognosis of intensive care unit (ICU) patients in Chinese mainland over six years (2015-2020). The data for this study were from 31 provincial and municipal hospitals (3425 hospital ICUs) and included 2 110 685 ICU patients, for a total of 27 607 376 ICU hospitalization days. We found that 15 initially established quality control indicators were good predictors of patient prognosis, including percentage of ICU patients out of all inpatients (%), percentage of ICU bed occupancy of total inpatient bed occupancy (%), percentage of all ICU inpatients with an APACHE II score ⩾15 (%), three-hour (surviving sepsis campaign) SSC bundle compliance (%), six-hour SSC bundle compliance (%), rate of microbe detection before antibiotics (%), percentage of drug deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis (%), percentage of unplanned endotracheal extubations (%), percentage of patients reintubated within 48 hours (%), unplanned transfers to the ICU (%), 48-h ICU readmission rate (%), ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) (per 1000 ventilator days), catheter related blood stream infection (CRBSI) (per 1000 catheter days), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) (per 1000 catheter days), in-hospital mortality (%). When exploratory factor analysis was applied, the 15 indicators were divided into 6 core elements that varied in weight regarding quality evaluation: nosocomial infection management (21.35%), compliance with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines (17.97%), ICU resources (17.46%), airway management (15.53%), prevention of deep-vein thrombosis (14.07%), and severity of patient condition (13.61%). Based on the different weights of the core elements associated with the 15 indicators, we developed an integrated quality scoring system defined as F score=21.35%xnosocomial infection management + 17.97%xcompliance with SSC guidelines + 17.46%×ICU resources + 15.53%×airway management + 14.07%×DVT prevention + 13.61%×severity of patient condition. This evidence-based quality scoring system will help in assessing the key elements of quality management and establish a foundation for further optimization of the quality control indicator system.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross Infection/epidemiology* ; Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data* ; Quality Control ; Quality Indicators, Health Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Sepsis/therapy* ; East Asian People/statistics & numerical data*

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of liver transplantation for intra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinico-pathological data of 22 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent liver trans-plantation in the 5 medical centers, including First Hospital of Jilin University, et al, from September 2005 to December 2021 were collected. There were 18 males and 4 females, aged 57(range, 38?71)years. Observing indicators: (1) clinicopathological characteristics of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; (2) follow-up; (3) prognosis. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves. The Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Clinicopathological characteristics of patients with intrahepatic cholangio-carcinoma. Of the 22 patients, 20 cases were diagnosed as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma before liver transplantation, 7 cases had viral hepatitis type B, 1 case had primary sclerosing cholangitis, 7 cases had tumor treatment before liver transplantation, 7 cases, 6 cases and 9 cases were classified as grade A, grade B and grade C of the Child-Pugh classification, 16 cases had preoperative CA19-9 >40 U/mL, 14 cases had single tumor, 11 cases with tumor located at right lobe of liver, 6 cases with tumor located at both left and right lobe of liver, 5 cases with tumor located at left lobe of liver, 9 cases with tumor vascular invasion. All 22 patients were diagnosed as moderate-poor differentiated tumor. There were 9 cases with liver cirrhosis, 4 cases with tumor lymph node metastasis, 10 cases with tumor burden within Milan criteria. The tumor diameter of 22 patients was 4.5(range, 1.5?8.0)cm. (2) Follow-up. All 22 patients were followed up for 15(range, 3?207)months. Of the 22 patients, 9 cases had tumor recurrence and 8 cases died. (3) Prognosis. The 1-year overall survival rate and 1-year disease-free survival rate of the 22 patients was 72.73% and 68.18%, respectively. Results of subgroup analysis showed there were significant differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between the 10 patients with tumor burden within Milan criteria and the 12 patients with tumor burden beyond Milan criteria who underwent liver transplantation ( hazard ratio=0.13, 0.26, 95% confidence interval as 0.03?0.53, 0.08?0.82, P<0.05). Results of further analysis of the 12 patients with tumor burden beyond Milan criteria showed there were significant differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between the 5 patients with preoperative tumor down-staging treatment and the 7 patients without preoperative tumor down-staging treatment ( hazard ratio=0.18, 0.14, 95% confidence interval as 0.04?0.76, 0.04?0.58, P<0.05). Conclusions:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients with tumor burden within Milan criteria have a better prognosis than patients with tumor burden beyond Milan criteria after liver transplantation. For patients with tumor burden beyond Milan criteria, active tumor down-staging treatment before liver transplantation can improve the prognosis.

This paper reviewed the clinical data of a patient with primary abdominal cocoon syndrome, situs inversus totalis and bilateral cryptorchidism admitted to our hospital in March 2021, and discussed the clinical characteristics of the disease based on the literature. This case is relatively rare, and all three diseases involve congenital abnormalities that may lead to developmental disorders in the embryo. The clinical manifestations of abdominal cocoon syndrome lack of specificity, preoperative diagnosis is difficult, often accompanied by partial dysplasia, so it is necessary to improve the awareness of preoperative differential diagnosis.