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 analyze the risk factors associated with the occurrence of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (RNETs) and construct a risk prediction model. Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent electronic colonoscopy were collected. The clinical information on patients with and without RNETs were compared, and potential risk factors for RNETs were identified. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the relevant risk factors and construct a risk prediction model. Results Among 164 patients, 66 were diagnosed with RNETs, and 98 who did not have such a condition were randomly selected. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, fatty liver, anxiety and depression, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were significant factors influencing the occurrence of RNETs (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age (P=0.015), anxiety and depression (P=0.031), cholesterol level (P=0.009), fatty liver (P=0.001), and CEA (P<0.001) as independent risk factors for RNETs. The participants were randomly divided into training and test sets at a 7:3 ratio. The training set was used to construct a nomogram-based risk prediction model, and the testing set was used for internal validation. The area under the curve values for the training and testing sets were 0.843 and 0.772, respectively (P>0.05). These findings indicate a good discriminative performance. The calibration curves for the training and testing sets were in good agreement with the 45° standard line, which suggests that the predicted probabilities were consistent with the actual outcomes. Decision curve analysis showed that the model provided a high net benefit within a threshold range of 0.2 to 0.7 for clinical decision making. Conclusion Young age, fatty liver, high CEA levels, high cholesterol levels, and anxiety and depression are independent risk factors for RNETs. The nomogram model constructed based on these risk factors exhibits a strong capability to predict the occurrence of RNETs, and clinical intervention can be considered based on the predicted probability values.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of nail fold microcirculation in hemodialysis patients and its correlation with cardiovascular events.Methods:The clinical data of 185 patients undergoing regular hemodialysis in Dongguan Donghua Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 76 cases of cardiovascular events (cardiovascular events group) and 109 cases of no cardiovascular events (non-cardiovascular events group). The nail fold microcirculation detector was used to detect the nail fold microcirculation of the first row of capillaries in the nail fold dermal papilla of the left ring finger. The nail fold microcirculation indexes and morphology integral, flow integral, loop integral, total integral were recorded. The general information and laboratory indexes (peripheral venous blood) were recorded. The value of total integral of nail fold microcirculation in predicting the cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.Results:The age, proportion of hypertension, proportion of diabetes, C-reactive protein (CRP), alkaline phosphatase and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) in cardiovascular events group were significantly higher than those in non-cardiovascular events group: 58 (44, 69) years vs. 49 (40, 63) years, 97.4% (74/76) vs. 83.5% (91/109), 43.4% (33/76) vs. 24.8% (27/109), 9.02 (2.73, 11.70) mg/L vs. 3.76 (1.28, 11.70) mg/L, 82 (75, 97) U/L vs. 72 (59, 82) U/L and 2 652 (1 020, 5 359) ng/L vs. 1 894 (780, 4 601) ng/L, the creatinine and triglyceride (TG) were significantly lower than those in non-cardiovascular events group: (961.95 ± 277.11) μmol/L vs. (1 058.93 ± 284.66) μmol/L and (1.73 ± 1.02) mmol/L vs. (2.27 ± 2.02) mmol/L, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 or <0.05). There were no statistical differences in gender composition, dialysis age, dialysis time, dialysis pathway, blood routine, serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity, serum potassium, serum calcium, serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, urea nitrogen, albumin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol between two groups ( P>0.05). There was statistical difference in erythrocyte aggregation between two groups ( P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in the number of vascular loops, diameter of input branch, diameter of output branch, length of loop, diameter of loop top, blood flow rate, clarity, condition of cross loop, condition of malformed loop, shape of nipple and subpapillary venous plexus between two groups ( P>0.05). The morphology integral and total integral in cardiovascular events group were significantly higher than those in non-cardiovascular events group: 1.8 (1.1, 3.1) scores vs. 1.4 (0.8, 2.5) scores and 4.2 (2.4, 6.1) scores vs. 3.1 (1.8, 5.2) scores, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in flow integral and loop integral between two groups ( P>0.05). ROC curve analysis result showed that the area under the curve of the total integral of nail fold microcirculation for predicting cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients was 0.590 (95% CI 0.506 to 0.673), the best cut-off value was 2.85 scores, the sensitivity was 69.7% and the specificity was 45.9%. Conclusions:The nail fold microcirculation disorder is more serious in hemodialysis patients with cardiovascular events. The nail fold microcirculation detection may help to predict cardiovascular disease.

From June 16 to 30, 2023, men who have sex with men (MSM) who had visited Voluntary Counseling Testing (VCT) clinics in the Luohu, Futian and Nanshan districts of Shenzhen were included in this study to analyze their awareness of Mpox and the influencing factors. The mean age of the 262 MSM was (34.78±8.94) years, with the majority being unmarried (75.2%) and 79.0% confirmed to be infected with HIV. The awareness rates for five primary indicators, current status of Mpox, pathogen and source of infection, mode of transmission, population susceptibility, clinical manifestations and treatment were 68.4%, 84.7%, 60.3%, 87.8%, and 52.5%, respectively. The awareness rates for five secondary indicators, earliest transmission location (44.7%), main mode of transmission (54.2%), role of masks (46.9%), drug accessibility (46.6%), and self-limiting nature (38.2%) were all below 60%. The MSM population in Shenzhen perceived their likelihood of being infected (2.76±1.32) and discriminated against (3.87±1.26) as relatively low. The logistic analysis showed that the high school or vocational school education ( OR:3.094, 95 %CI:1.180-9.299), college or above education ( OR:5.360, 95% CI:2.159-15.501), and higher scores on questions affecting learning or work ( OR:2.196, 95% CI:1.409-3.599) were promoting factors for Mpox awareness, while higher scores on questions concerning the possibility of Mpox mortality ( OR:0.591, 95% CI:0.432-0.791) was the hindering factor for Mpox awareness.

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps in repairing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) under a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) cooperation model.Methods:The study was a retrospective observational study. From June 2018 to December 2022, 49 DFU patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Hand and Foot Microscopy and Wound Repair Surgery of Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), including 28 males and 21 females, aged from 47 to 68 years, with type 2 diabetes history period ranging from 6 months to 21 years. Under a MDT cooperation model, the physicians from department of endocrinology comprehensively assessed the patients, stabilized the patients' general condition, and controlled their complications, the surgeons from department of vascular surgery assessed and improved the patients' lower limb blood supply, the physicians from department of infectious diseases provided anti-infection treatment plans, the physicians from department of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine assessed the patients' perioperative risk and ensured their perioperative safety, and according to the patients' condition, the physicians from departments such as cardiology, neurology, nutrition, and rehabilitation actively and timely participated in the treatment. The surgeons from department of hand and foot microscopy and wound repair surgery prepared the wound base and used free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps to repair the wounds. After once or multiple debridement in the first stage, the wound area ranged from 5.0 cm×4.5 cm to 17.0 cm×10.0 cm. After once or twice vacuum sealing drainage treatment, the free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps were used to repair the wounds with incision area of 6 cm×5 cm to 18 cm×11 cm in the second stage. The descending branches of lateral circumflex femoral artery and the accompanying veins of flaps were anastomosed to the arteries and veins in the recipient sites, respectively. The wounds in the flap donor sites were sutured directly. After surgery, whether the patient's perioperative period was stable, the survival of flaps, the healing of wounds in the flap donor and recipient sites were observed. During the follow-up, the texture and appearance of flaps, whether there was a new ulcer, and the patient's walking ability were observed.Results:All the patients had stable perioperative period. Among them, the flaps in 46 patients survived successfully; the flaps in 2 patients developed complete necrosis, including 1 case whose ulcer was healed after repair of pedicled flap from the lower leg, and 1 case who underwent amputation of the lower leg; the flap in 1 patient developed partial necrosis, which was healed after dressing change and skin grafting. The wounds in the flap donor and recipient sites healed well. During the postoperative follow-up of 6-24 months, the flaps had good texture and appearance with no new ulcers, and the patients had no obvious impairment in daily walk.Conclusions:The MDT cooperation model can sufficiently ensure the perioperative safety of DFU patients. The free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps can repair the DFU wounds achieving good clinical effects with high flap survival rate and decreased amputation rate.

From June 16 to 30, 2023, men who have sex with men (MSM) who had visited Voluntary Counseling Testing (VCT) clinics in the Luohu, Futian and Nanshan districts of Shenzhen were included in this study to analyze their awareness of Mpox and the influencing factors. The mean age of the 262 MSM was (34.78±8.94) years, with the majority being unmarried (75.2%) and 79.0% confirmed to be infected with HIV. The awareness rates for five primary indicators, current status of Mpox, pathogen and source of infection, mode of transmission, population susceptibility, clinical manifestations and treatment were 68.4%, 84.7%, 60.3%, 87.8%, and 52.5%, respectively. The awareness rates for five secondary indicators, earliest transmission location (44.7%), main mode of transmission (54.2%), role of masks (46.9%), drug accessibility (46.6%), and self-limiting nature (38.2%) were all below 60%. The MSM population in Shenzhen perceived their likelihood of being infected (2.76±1.32) and discriminated against (3.87±1.26) as relatively low. The logistic analysis showed that the high school or vocational school education ( OR:3.094, 95 %CI:1.180-9.299), college or above education ( OR:5.360, 95% CI:2.159-15.501), and higher scores on questions affecting learning or work ( OR:2.196, 95% CI:1.409-3.599) were promoting factors for Mpox awareness, while higher scores on questions concerning the possibility of Mpox mortality ( OR:0.591, 95% CI:0.432-0.791) was the hindering factor for Mpox awareness.