The widespread application of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has significantly increased the detection of pulmonary small nodules, while accurate prediction of their growth patterns is crucial to avoid overdiagnosis or underdiagnosis. This article reviews recent research advances in predicting pulmonary nodule growth based on CT imaging, with a focus on summarizing key factors influencing nodule growth, such as baseline morphological parameters, dynamic indicators, and clinical characteristics, traditional prediction models (exponential and Gompertzian models), and the applications and limitations of radiomics-based and deep learning models. Although existing studies have achieved certain progress in predicting nodule growth, challenges such as small sample sizes and lack of external validation persist. Future research should prioritize the development of personalized and visualized prediction models integrated with larger-scale datasets to enhance predictive accuracy and clinical applicability.

Objective:To explore the relationship between lymphovascular invasion and non-sentinel lymph node (NSLN) metastasis in early-stage invasive breast cancer with positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) and its significance.Methods:The clinicopathological data of 79 patients with stage cT 1-2N 0M 0 invasive breast cancer who had positive SLN by biopsy and underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) from January 2015 to February 2021 in the Central Hospital of Wuhan were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between patients' clinicopathological characteristics and NSLN metastasis was analyzed. Results:Among 79 patients, 58 patients (73.4%) underwent total mastectomy, 61 patients (77.2%) were Luminal type, 38 patients (48.1%) had lymphovascular invasion, 64 patients (81.0%) had 1-2 positive SLN, and 42 patients (53.2%) with NSLN metastasis were found after ALND. Univariate analysis showed that the proportions of patients with lymphovascular invasion diagnosed by immunohistochemistry [86.8% (33/38) vs. 51.2% (21/41)], Ki-67 positive index>30% [60.5% (23/38) vs. 36.6% (15/41)], positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [36.8% (14/38) vs. 14.6% (6/41)], and elevated lymph node pathological staging [57.9% (22/38) vs. 31.7% (13/41)] in the lymphovascular invasion group were higher than those in the non-lymphovascular invasion group (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lymphovascular invasion was an independent risk factor for NSLN metastasis ( OR = 2.935, 95% CI 1.081-7.970, P = 0.035). Conclusions:Lymphovascular invasion is an independent risk factor for NSLN metastasis in SLN-positive stage cT 1-2N 0M 0 invasive breast cancer. It may help to guide the decision-making of local axillary treatment, so as to avoid over or under treatment.

Ojective To explore the effect of the hydroxyapatite(HAp)and gelatin(Gel)coating on the healing of the polyethylene terephthalate(PET)artificial ligament.Methods The artificial ligaments were divided into a PET group with a pure PET surface and a PET/HAp/Gel group coated with HAp and Gel.Both coatings were observed using the scanning electron microscope(SEM).Forty-eight male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups and underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction,before two kinds of artificial ligaments were implanted respectively.Four weeks and 8 weeks after the operation,the rabbits were sacrificed,and histological hematoxylin and eosin (HE)staining as well as the biomechanical examination were performed.Results HAp/Gel coating was found depositing on the surface of PET artificial ligaments.Histological HE staining showed a thick fibrous connective tissue forming at the graft-host bone interface 4 weeks postoperatively,and the interface width of both groups were narrowed,with significantly more shrinking in the PET/HAp/Gel coating group.And new bone tissues were found in the interface of PET/HAp/Gel group 8 weeks after the operation.The biomechanical examination found significant differences in the failure load between the PET(46.16 ± 2.88 N) and PET/HAp/Gel group(71.32 ± 3.92 N)8 weeks after the surgery(P=0.0021).And 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the surgery,significant differences were found in the stiffness between the PET group and the PET/HAp/Gel group(11.06 ± 1.14 N/mm vs 16.20 ± 1.17 N/mm,P=0.0199;14.37 ± 0.88 N/mm vs 24.35 ± 1.35 N/mm,P=0.0008).Conclusion HAp/Gel coating can enhance the osteogenesis of PET artificial ligaments,promoting the new bone formation at the graft-host bone interface and herein strengthening the graft-host bone healing.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of promotion effect of juglone combined with cisplatin on the apoptosis of human cervical cancer HeLa cells,and to clarify the effects of its associated signal transduction pathways.Methods:The HeLa cells at logarithmic growth phase were divided into control group,juglone group, cisplatin group and juglone combined with cisplatin group (combined treatment group).The inhibitory rates of proliferation of HeLa cells were detected by MTT assay.The apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining. The expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3, AKt, and pAKt were detected by Western blotting method. Results:The MTT results showed that the HeLa cell proliferation at 24,48 72 h in each drug group was inhibited;compared with control group,the profileration of HeLa cells in juglone group and cisplatin group was significantly inhibited,especially in combined group. Compared with single drug group,the inhibitory effect in combined treatment group was more significantly.After treatment for 12 h,the typical morphological changes of apoptosis were found in juglone group and cisplatin group by Hoechst 33258 staining,especially in combined treatment group. The Western blotting results showed that the expression levels of Bcl-2 and pAKt in HeLa cells in juglone group and cisplatin group 12 h after treatment were decreased obviously,whereas the expression levels of Bax,Caspase-3,and AKt were increased significantly, especially in combined treatment group compared with control group. Conclusion:Juglone combined with cisplatin could inhibit the PI3K/AKt pathway,thereby promoting the apoptpsis of HeLa cells.

AIM:To explore the effect of peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (Pin1) inhibitor juglone on apop-tosis of human cervical cancer SiHa cells.METHODS:Cultured SiHa cells were incubated with juglone at concentrations of 10, 20, 50, 80 and 100 μmol/L for 24 h.The SiHa cell activity was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT) assay.The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry with Hoechst 33258 staining.The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3,8,9 and PTEN was determined by Western blotting.RESULTS:In different doses of juglone groups, the SiHa cell growth was greatly inhibited ( P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner as compared with control group.The IC50 of ju-glone was 20.4 μmol/L.After treatment with juglone at concentration of 20 μmol/L for 12 h, the apoptosis of SiHa cells was induced, and the typical morphological changes of cell apoptosis such as karyopyknotic pyknic hyperfluorescence bolus, nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic body were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining.The early apoptotic rate was increased significantly as compared with the control.The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3, 8, 9 and PTEN were also increased sig-nificantly as compared with control group.CONCLUSION:Juglone significantly inhibits the cell activity and induces the apoptosis of SiHa cells in vitro by inhibiting the caspase pathway and increasing the expression of anti-oncogene.

This study was aimed to explore pharmacological effects of epimedium pubescen flavonoid (EPF) on biomechanical properties among ovariectomized rats. Sixty female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (aged 2-month-old) were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10), which were the sham control group (Group A), the model group (GroupB), the standard group (Group C), the treated 1 group (Group D), the treated 2 group (Group E), and the treated 3 group (Group F). Except the sham control group (Group A), rats in other groups had been ovariectomized. All rats were given the same feedstuff. Meanwhile, Group C was given calcium 75 mg·kg-1 combined with VitD3 21 IU·kg-1 by gastrogavage every day for 4 months; Group D was given EPF 75 mg·kg-1; Group E was given EPF 150 mg·kg-1;Group F was given EPF 300 mg·kg-1. At the end of the 4th month, all rats were sacrificed. Bones, which included tibia, femur and humerus of both sides and all lumbar vertebra bodies, had been taken out. Measurement was made on the elastic modulus, maximum loading capability, maximum stress, potential energy of deformation, and structural rigidity of biomechanical properties of the fourth lumbar vertebra body (LV4); the maximum loading capability, bone break load, potential energy of deformation, structural rigidity of the structural dynamics properties of the femur com-pact bone; the elastic modulus, maximum stress, maximum inherent strain, bone break stress, and bone break strain of the mechanical properties of a material of the femur compact bone in the experimental rats. The results showed that compared with Group B, the elastic modulus, maximum loading capability, maximum stress, potential energy of deformation, and structural rigidity of LV4; the maximum loading capability, bone break load, potential energy of de-formation, structural rigidity of the structural dynamics properties of the femur compact bone; the elastic modulus, maximum stress, maximum inherent strain, and bone break strain of the mechanical properties of a material of the fe-mur compact bone were obviously increased in Group A, D, E and F (P< 0.05). Group C had increasing tendency. There were no statistical differences among Group A, C, D, E and F. Group D, E, and F had increased with EPF dose-dependently. However, there were no statistical differences among them. There were no statistical differences on bone break strain of the mechanical properties of a material of the femur compact bone among Group A, C, D, E, and F. It showed that ovariectomization reduced the biomechanical properties of vertebra bodies, structural dynamics properties of the femur compact bone, and the mechanical properties of a material of the femur compact bone. The application of EPF can effectively prevent and treat the decreasing of biomechanical properties of ovariectomized rats, so as to keep them in a relatively higher level.

BACKGROUND:Active surgical treatments are preferred for elderly hip fractures. Individual fixation method is chosen according to fracture site, type, age and whether there are basic diseases in internal medicine, which plays an important role in the successful treatment of elderly hip fractures.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of optimized surgical treatment on osteoporotic hip fracture in the elderly.
METHODS: Totally 176 patients with osteoporotic hip fracture were treated by different methods between January 2000 and January 2012, including 63 males and 113 females, with a mean age of (76.7±6.3) years. Out of the 84 cases of interchanteric fracture, seven cases were treated with conservative methods, 34 cases were treated with dynamic hip screw internal fixation, 18 cases were treated with cannulated screw internal fixation, seven cases were treated with anatomical plate internal fixation, 12 cases were treated with bipolar femoral placement, and six cases were treated with total hip arthroplasty. Out of the 92 cases with femoral neck fractures, 40 cases were treated with bipolar femoral placement, 37 cases were treated with total hip arthroplasty and 15 cases were treated with cannulated screw internal fixation. Modified Harris hip function scores were used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of different treatment methods. Complications were observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Seventy-six cases of interchanteric fractures and 85 cases of femoral neck fractures were fol owed-up for 8-26 months with an average of (5.7±1.3) months. Three cases suffered from post-operative infection, and one case died due to cardio-pulmonary failure in 10 days after operation. Both intraoperation and postoperative complications included femoral head cutting, intraoperative fracture, internal fixation and prosthetic loosening, postoperative fracture, avascular necrosis of femoral head, coxa vara, legs shorten, and delayed fracture healing. The incidence rates of complications in patients undergoing bipolar femoral placement and total hip arthroplasty were significantly lower than those treated with conservative methods, dynamic hip screw internal fixation, cannulated screw internal fixation, and anatomical plate internal fixation (P<0.05). The outcomes of the treatment according to Harris scoring criterion were better in patients treated with bipolar femoral placement and total hip arthroplasty than in patients treated with conservative methods, dynamic hip screw internal fixation, cannulated screw internal fixation, and anatomical plate internal fixation (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in the incidence rate of complications and Harris scores among patients treated with conservative methods, dynamic hip screw internal fixation, cannulated screw internal fixation, and anatomical plate internal fixation (P>0.05). No significant differences were found in the incidence rate of complications and Harris scores between patients treated with bipolar femoral placement and total hip arthroplasty (P>0.05). These findings indicate that the treatment of osteoporotic hip fracture in the elderly can achieve satisfactory results if the comprehensive therapies are given. Bipolar femoral placement and total hip arthroplasty are preferred for elderly femoral neck fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the principles of donor site selection for defects of the hypopharynx and/or cervical-esophagus based on a novel defect classification system and treatment outcome of this series. METHOD: Thirty-nine patients underwent reconstruction of their defects of the hypopharynx and/or cervical-esophagus from January 2007 to June 2012 were retrospectively studied. 23 hypopharngeal and/or cervical-esophageal defects were circumferential or near circumferential (group A), 16 were partial(group B). 22 patients had compromised neck vascular status, while the other 17 patients had normal neck vascular status. Selection of the donor sites was based on extent of the defects and neck vascular status. Donor sites for reconstruction of the defects of group A included anterolateral thigh flap (n = 8), gastric pull-up (n = 6), radial forearm flap (n = 3), jejunum flap (n = 3), and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (n = 3). For goup B, Infrahyoid myocutaceous flaps, radial forearm flaps, and pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps were used in 8, 3, and 5 cases, respectively. Flap survival, surgical complications, function outcome, and tumor control were observed. RESULT: Overall complication rate was 12.8% (5/39) in this series. In group A, three flap necroses occurred in jejunum flap (n = 1), anterolateral thigh flap (n = 1), and pectoralis major flap (n = 1). All these flap necroses occurred in the compromised neck vascular status group. One case of pharyngeal fistula without flap necrosis occurred in Group B. All except 2 patients restored oral intake postoperatively; 16 patients with laryngeal preservation had good phonation postoperatively. 2-year and 3-year survival of this series were 72.1% and 65.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION Selection of an appropriate donor site for reconstruction of the defects of hypopharynx and /or cervical-esophagus should be based on the extent of the defects, neck vascular status, and clinical features of the flap. Individualized donor site selection for hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal defects reconstruction can result in good clinical outcome.
Adult ; Aged ; Esophagoplasty ; methods ; Esophagus ; surgery ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; blood supply ; Necrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; pathology ; Transplant Donor Site ; anatomy & histology ; Treatment Outcome

The present paper was conducted to a systematic method of surgical guide for dental implant based on computer-aided technology through CT data and dental-cast data. By analyzing the patient's CT data, the implant region was planned using image processing techniques. For the specified implant region, the computer-aided method for the rational allocation of dental implant was addressed in a sense of anatomy. With biomechanical principles as well as aesthetical and functional requirements as preconditions, this method can make full use of bone quantity and quality to produce the optimum implantation axis. The transferring of implant planning to the patient was then realized by registration between CT models and dental-cast models. A case research explained the whole process of the surgical guide. The results validated the correctness and feasibility of this method, which has a great significance to enhance the quality and accuracy of implant surgery.
Computer-Aided Design ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; instrumentation ; methods ; Dental Models ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Oral Surgical Procedures, Preprosthetic ; methods ; Patient Care Planning ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To compare clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis between triple-negative and HER-2-overexpressed breast cancer patients.Methods From Jan.1997 to Jan.2007,data of 725 cases of primary breast cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment were analyzed.The patients were classified into triple-negative and HER-2-overexpressed phenotypes based on immunohistochemistry results.The clinicopathological characteristics and survival of the 2 groups were compared.Results Of the 725 cases,triple-negative and HER-2-overexpressed phenotypes accounted for 12.29%and 24.96%respectively.Compared with HER-2-overexpressed group,the triple-negative group had significantly higher proportion of familial history of malignancy (18.4% vs 5.5%,P=0.001)and higher proportion of patients'histological grade reaching grade 3(54.0% vs 42.0%,P=0.01).There were more lymph node metastasis in triple-negative group than that in HER-2-overexpression group(N1+N2+N3:74.7%vs 64.6%,P=0.045).The recurrence and metastasis rate within 2 years and brain metastasis rate in triple-negative group were higher than those in HER-2-overexpressed group (25.3%,8.0%vs 8.8%,2.2%,respectively,P<0.05).The 5-year disease-free survival rate in triple-negative group was significantly lower than that in HER-2-overexpressed group(55.6%vs 69.8%,P=0.041).There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups in terms of age,menopausal status,tumor size,pathological stage,surgcal procedure,pathological type,adjuvant radio-chemotherapy,the proportion of metastasis to liver,lung and bone as well as overall survival rate(P>0.05).Conclusion Compared to HER-2-overexpressed group,patients with triple-negative breast cancer show higher rate of familial history of malignancy,and they are associated with higher histological grade and poor prognosis.