Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid (Sonazoid-CEUS) features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: In this retrospective study, patients who underwent surgical resection and were histopathologically diagnosed with NAFLD or cirrhosis-related HCC were included. All patients received Sonazoid-CEUS examinations within 1 week prior to hepatic surgery. The enhancement patterns of HCC lesions were evaluated and compared between the two groups according to the current World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlations between Sonazoid-CEUS enhancement patterns and clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: From March 2022 to April 2023, a total of 151 patients with HCC were included, comprising 72 with NAFLD-related HCC and 79 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) cirrhosis–related HCC. On Sonazoid-CEUS, more than half of the NAFLD-related HCCs exhibited relatively early and mild washout within 60 seconds (54.2%, 39/72), whereas most HBV cirrhosis–related HCCs displayed washout between 60 and 120 seconds (46.8%, 37/79) or after 120 seconds (39.2%, 31/79) (P<0.001). In the patients with NAFLD-related HCC, multivariate analysis revealed that international normalized ratio (odds ratio [OR], 0.002; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.000 to 0.899; P=0.046) and poor tumor differentiation (OR, 21.930; 95% CI, 1.960 to 245.319; P=0.012) were significantly associated with washout occurring within 60 seconds. Conclusion Characteristic Sonazoid-CEUS features are useful for diagnosing HCC in patients with NAFLD.

Objective To observe the effect of electric stimulation on nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway and microglial cell morphology in mice with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)induced chronic neuroinflammation,and to explore the protective mechanism of electric stimulation on brain of mice.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank control group(n=8),model group(n=12),sham electroacupuncture group(n=6)and electroacupuncture group(n=6).Except blank control group,mice in other groups were injected intraperitoneally with LPS(0.25 mg/kg)for 7 consecutive days.On the 8th day,mice in the sham electroacupuncture group and electroacupuncture group were treated with acupuncture or Zusanli electroacupuncture for 7 consecutive days.The mice were weighed before the experiment,on the 7th and 14th days.On the 13th day,the elevated cross maze test was performed on the mice.The open field test was performed on the 14th day.After the experiment,immunofluorescence assay was used to determine the expression of microglial ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1(Iba-1)in prefrontal cortex region.The mRNA expression of NF-κB,inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),Caspase-1 and interleukin(IL)-18 were detected by Real-time PCR.The protein expression levels of NF-κB,iNOS,NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC),Caspase-1,IL-1βand IL-18 were detected by Western blotting.Results Weight change,On the 7th day,compared with the control group,the body weight of mice in model group,sham electroacupuncture group and electroacupuncture group decreased(P＜0.0001),respectively;On the 14th day,compared with the control group,the weight of mice in the model group decreased(P＜0.0001);Compared with the sham electroacupuncture group,the body weight of mice in the electroacupuncture group increased(P＜0.05).Elevated cross maze experiment,compared with the control group,the total distance and open arm retention time of mice in model group decreased,while the closed arm retention time increased(P＜0.05).The open field experiment showed that compared with the control group,the model group mice showed a decrease in total distance traveled,slower movement speed,and fewer entries into the central area(P＜0.001);Compared with the model group,the electroacupuncture group showed an increase in all three indicators(P＜0.01);Compared with the sham electroacupuncture group,the total distance and motion speed of mice in electroacupuncture group both increased(P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence assay,compared with the control group,the relative fluorescence of Iba-1 in prefrontal cortex area of mice in model group increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model and sham electroacupuncture group,the relative fluorescence of Iba-1 in prefrontal cortex area of mice in electroacupuncture group decreased(P＜0.05).Real-time PCR showed that compared with the control group,mRNA expressions of NF-κB,iNOS,TNF-α,Caspase-1 and IL-18 in the model group increased(P＜0.05);Compared with the model group,mRNA expressions of NF-κB,iNOS,TNF-α,Caspase-1 and IL-18 in electroacupuncture group decreased(P＜0.05).Western blotting indicated that compared with the control group,the protein expressions of NF-κB,iNOS,Caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 in model group increased(P＜0.05);Compared with model group,the protein expressions of NF-κB,iNOS,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 in electroacupuncture group decreased(P＜0.05);Compared with the sham electroacupuncture group,IL-18 protein in electroacupuncture group decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve the behavioral performance of mice and inhibit the activation of microglia in the cortical region of mice,which may play an anti-inflammatory and protective role by regulating NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway.

Human brain banks use a standardized protocol to collect,process and store post-mortem human brains and related tissues,along with relevant clinical information,and to provide the tissue samples and data as a resource to foster neuroscience research according to a standardized operating protocols(SOP).Human brain bank serves as the foundation for neuroscience research and the diagnosis of neurological disorders,highlighting the crucial rule of ensuring the consistency of standardized quality for brain tissue samples.The first version of SOP in 2017 was published by the China Human Brain Bank Consortium.As members increases from different regions in China,a revised SOP was drafted by experts from the China Human Brain Bank Consortium to meet the growing demands for neuroscience research.The revised SOP places a strong emphasis on ethical standards,incorporates neuropathological evaluation of brain regions,and provides clarity on spinal cord sampling and pathological assessment.Notable enhancements in this updated version of the SOP include reinforced ethical guidelines,inclusion of matching controls in recruitment,and expansion of brain regions to be sampled for neuropathological evaluation.

Objective:To explore the application value of reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent(Ret-He)for diagnosing latent iron deficiency in female plateletpheresis donors.Methods:A total of 230 female plateletpheresis donors in Fujian Blood Center from January to February 2022 were selected as the research group and divided into three groups:normal group,iron depletion(ID)group and iron deficient erythropoiesis(IDE)group,according to the severity of iron deficiency.The level of hemoglobin(HGB),mean corpuscular volume(MCV),mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH),coefficient of variation of red cell distribution width(RDW-CV)and Ret-He were measured by using the Sysmex XN automated hematology analyzer.Chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to detect iron biochemical indexes.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnosic value of relevant indicators in female blood donors with latent iron deficiency.Results:Ret-He in ID group was 32.55(31.15,33.10)pg,which was significantly lower than that in the normal group[33.80(32.73,34.70)pg](P＜0.05),and significantly higher than that in IDE group[30.40(28.70,31.50)pg](P＜0.05).ROC analysis in diagnosis of IDE demonstrated that the area under the curves(AUCs)of HGB,MCV,MCH,RDW-CV and Ret-He were 0.892,0.843,0.909,0.890,0.931,respectively.When the critical value of Ret-He was 32.05 pg,its sensitivity and specificity were 85.90％and 92.60％,respectively.However,all red blood cell parameters had poor diagnostic value for ID.Conclusion:Ret-He is a perfect predictor for latent iron deficiency in female blood donors.Detection of Ret-He can advance the diagnosis of iron deficiency in female blood donors to the IDE stage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of iron metabolic parameters with platelet counts in blood donors. METHODS: A total of 400 blood donors who met requirements of apheresis platelet donation were collected, and their hematological parameters were analyzed. The donors were divided into low ferritin group and normal group, the differences of hematological parameters between the two groups were compared, and the correlation of iron metabolic parameters and routine hematology parameters with platelet counts were analyzed. RESULTS: Whether male or female, low ferritin group had higher platelet counts than normal group (P < 0.01). Among the iron metabolic parameters, the platelet counts was negatively correlated with serum ferritin (SF), serum iron (SI), and transferrin saturation (TSAT) (r =-0.162, r =-0.153, r =-0.256), and positively correlated with total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) (r =0.219, r =0.294) in female blood donors. Platelet counts was also negatively correlated with SF, SI and TSAT (r =-0.188, r =-0.148, r =-0.224) and positively correlated with UIBC (r =0.220) in male blood donors. Among the routine hematology parameters, platelet counts was negatively correlated with mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (Ret-He) in female blood donors (r =-0.236, r =-0.267, r =-0.213, r =-0.284). Platelet counts was also negatively correlated with MCH, MCHC and Ret-He in male blood donors (r =-0.184, r =-0.221, r =-0.209). CONCLUSION In blood donors with low C-reactive protein level, the lower the iron store capacity, the lower the iron utilization, and the platelet counts tends to rise.
Male ; Humans ; Female ; Iron/metabolism* ; Blood Donors ; Platelet Count ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Hemoglobins ; Ferritins

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the risk factors of fungal sepsis in 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) among preterm infants in China, and to provide a basis for preventive strategies of fungal sepsis. Methods: This was a second-analysis of the data from the "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality" study. The current status of fungal sepsis of the 24 731 preterm infants with the gestational age of <34⁺⁰ weeks, who were admitted to 25 participating NICU within 7 days of birth between May 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. These preterm infants were divided into the fungal sepsis group and the without fungal sepsis group according to whether they developed fungal sepsis to analyze the incidences and the microbiology of fungal sepsis. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidences of fungal sepsis in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights and in different NICU. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to study the outcomes of preterm infants with fungal sepsis, which were further compared with those of preterm infants without fungal sepsis. The 144 preterm infants in the fungal sepsis group were matched with 288 preterm infants in the non-fungal sepsis group by propensity score-matched method. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of fungal sepsis. Results: In all, 166 (0.7%) of the 24 731 preterm infants developed fungal sepsis, with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and the birth weight of (1 300±293) g. The incidence of fungal sepsis increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight (both P<0.001). The preterm infants with gestational age of <32 weeks accounted for 87.3% (145/166). The incidence of fungal sepsis was 1.0% (117/11 438) in very preterm infants and 2.0% (28/1 401) in extremely preterm infants, and was 1.3% (103/8 060) in very low birth weight infants and 1.7% (21/1 211) in extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. There was no fungal sepsis in 3 NICU, and the incidences in the other 22 NICU ranged from 0.7% (10/1 397) to 2.9% (21/724), with significant statistical difference (P<0.001). The pathogens were mainly Candida (150/166, 90.4%), including 59 cases of Candida albicans and 91 cases of non-Candida albicans, of which Candida parapsilosis was the most common (41 cases). Fungal sepsis was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.04-2.22, P=0.030) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (adjusted OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.12-5.80, P=0.025). Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR=2.50, 95%CI 1.50-4.17, P<0.001), prolonged use of central line (adjusted OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.08, P<0.001) and previous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) duration (adjusted OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.001) were all independently associated with increasing risk of fungal sepsis. Conclusions: Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are the main pathogens of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in Chinese NICU. Preterm infants with fungal sepsis are at increased risk of moderate to severe BPD and severe ROP. Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure, prolonged use of central line and prolonged duration of TPN will increase the risk of fungal sepsis. Ongoing initiatives are needed to reduce fungal sepsis based on these risk factors.
Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Birth Weight ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Sepsis/epidemiology* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology*