Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

To investigate the associations of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its subtypes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jiangsu Province.Methods:The participants were enrolled in the Comprehensive Research project regarding 'Prevention and Control of Diabetes' in Jiangsu Province. The baseline survey was conducted from 2013 to 2014, and follow-up until December 31, 2021. After excluding the participants who self-reported with chronic liver disease/stroke/coronary heart disease at baseline survey and those with incomplete information on GGT, a total of 16 147 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate the hazard ratio ( HR) and their 95% CI of GGT for CVD, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Restricted cubic spline models were applied to analyze the dose-response relationship between GGT and the risk of CVD and its subtypes. Results:During the median follow-up time of 8.02 years, 2 860 CVD cases were registered, including 196 cases of myocardial infarction and 2 730 cases of stroke. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model indicated that compared to the lowest serum GGT level group, the highest GGT level group had a 24% increased risk of CVD ( HR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.09-1.41) and a 23% increased risk of stroke ( HR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.40). The restricted cubic spline model showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between GGT and the risk of CVD, myocardial infarction, and stroke in T2DM patients. Conclusions:High levels of GGT may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in T2DM patients, which needs further exploration and validation in future clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of endothelin-1(ET-1)on atrial fibrosis in Atrial fibrillation(AF)rats.Methods Fourteen adult male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control(NC)group and Atrial fibrillation(AF)group.The rat model of Atrial fibrillation was established by injecting 0.1 ml/100g CaCl2-Ach mixture into the tail vein once a day for one week.The control group was injected with the same dose of normal saline.An electrocardiogram of normal or atrial fibrillation was recorded on the first day and the eighth day in each group,and echocardiography was used to monitor atrial size and cardiac function.The fibrosis of atrial was observed using Masson and HE staining.The expression of endothelin-1(ET-1),collagen-I(Col-I),transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)and the store operated calcium channel(SOCC)protein Orai1,stromal in-teraction molecule 1(STIM1)in atrial tissue were detected by Western blot.HL-1 cells were cultured and treated with gradient concentration of ET-1 for 24 hours.Western blot was used to observe changes in the expression of TGF-β,Orai1 and STIM1 proteins in ET-1/SOCC/TGF-β signaling pathway of HL-1 cells.Small interfering RNA(siRNA)transfection method was used to knock down the expression of Orai1 in HL-1 cells,then the cells were treated with appropriate concentrations of ET-1 for 24 hours,and the expression of TGF-β protein in HL-1 cells was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,echocardiography showed a significant in-crease in left atrial diameter(LAD)of the heart in atrial fibrillation rats(P<0.05).The HE and Masson staining results showed significant fibrosis in the myocardial tissue of AF group rats(P<0.05),and the Western blot re-sults indicated the expression of ET-1,Orai1,STIM1,TGF-β and COL-Ⅰ in the myocardial tissue of AF group significantly increased compared to the NC group(P<0.05).After ET-1 treatment of HL-1 cells,the protein ex-pression of Orai1,STIM1and TGF-β increased(P<0.05),while knocking down Orai1 in HL-1 cells,ET-1 treat-ment no longer caused the expression of TGF-β a significant upregulation.Conclusion AF caused by atrial fibril-lation results in a significant increase in ET-1 expression in atrial tissue,and ET-1/SOCC/TGF-β signal pathway promotes atrial fibrillation and fibrosis.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Objective To develop a method for the determination of ketamine analogues in hair samples by liquid chromatography quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry(QTRAP LC-MS/MS).Methods 20 mg of washed and dried hair was added to 1 mL extracting solution and then prepared using an ultrasonic extraction with frozen pulverization method.After centrifugation and purification with membrane,the supernatant was separated in a ACQUITY UPLC? HSS T3 column with gradient elution,finally tested with multiple reaction monitoring for the detection of 10 ketamine analogues.The above method was applied for quantitative analysis of ethylfluamine,F-norketamine and tiletamine in 20 positive samples.Results When the concentration ranged from 0.01 to 2.00 ng/mg,there was good linearity for 10 ketamine analogues with the correlation coefficients over 0.99.The recoveries ranged from 89.1％to 106.1％,and the matrix effects were between 88.3％and 106.0％.Among the 20 positive samples,the contents of ethylfluamine,F-norketamine and tiletamine in hair ranged between 0.02～8.35 ng/mg,0.01～0.94 ng/mg and 0.02～10.93 ng/mg,respectively.Their mean values were 1.59 ng/mg,0.28 ng/mg and 2.69 ng/mg.Their medians were 0.40 ng/mg,0.19 ng/mg and 2.11 ng/mg.Conclusion The established method was simple,efficient,reliable and suitable for the determination of ketamine analogues in hair.The data provided reference for the drug control and forensic science practice.

Objective:To develop a continuous non-invasive blood pressure measurement device(NC-BPM)and verify the accuracy of that in monitoring blood pressure.Methods:A NC-BPM type of non-invasively continuous blood pressure measurement device(NC-BPM for short)was developed.The entire system consisted of four modules included one sensor which shape was finger cot,one unit of signal acquisition and pressure control,one calibration system for height and one host.The Omron J760 electronic sphygmomanometer(J760)and the CNAP Monitor500 continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitoring system(CNAP Monitor500)were used as the reference sphygmomanometer of verifying accuracy of the monitored blood pressure.The blood pressures of 25 subjects at three stages included static stage,blood pressure change stage and stage post calibration were respectively measured according to the standard test procedure of wearable sleeveless blood pressure measurement device of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE).Results:Both NC-BPM and CNAP Monitor500 collected 13753 data points,and there were high correlation in systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP)and mean blood pressure(MAP)between the two devices(r=0.96,0.97,0.98,P<0.05).A total of 379 data points were collected by Omron J760,and there were high correlation in SBP and DBP between NC-BPM and Omron J760(r=0.98,0.95,P<0.05).According to the standards of British Hypertension Society(BHS)and the American Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation(AAMI)to conduct grade evaluation,and the proportions of the SBP differences between NC-BPM and CNAP Monitor500 within the ranges of 0～5 mmHg,0～10 mmHg and 0～15 mmHg were respectively 85.01%,97.60%and 99.47%,and the proportions of the DBP differences between them within the three ranges were respectively 84.34%,99.85%and 100%,and the proportions of the MAP differences were respectively 92.66%,99.72%and 99.96%,all of which belonged to BHS grade A.The pressure difference values of measured SBP,DBP and MAP between the two devices were respectively(0.67±5.07)mmHg,(2.43±2.87)mmHg and(1.43±2.89)mmHg,which were within the(5±8)mmHg of AAMI standard range.The proportions of the SBP differences between NC-BPM and Omron J76 within the ranges of 0～5 mmHg,0～10 mmHg and 0～15 mmHg were respectively 79.95%,97.36%and 100%,and the proportions of the DBP differences between them within the three ranges were respectively 89.71%,99.74%and 100%,all of which belonged to BHS grade A.The difference values of systolic and diastolic blood pressures of brachial artery between the two devices were respectively(1.57±4.18)mmHg and(0.57±5.20)mmHg,which were within the(5±8)mmHg of AAMI standard range.Conclusion:The NC-BPM device has passed the first stage of clinical trials in accordance with IEEE standards,which can proceed to the next stage of clinical verification trials.