Pilot study of an arterial enhancement fraction-based model for progression prediction in HCC undergoing chemoembolization.

Objective: To develop a prognostic model including arterial enhancement fraction of residual tumor (AEF-RT) for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE).

Materials And Methods: Between March 2019 and March 2024, 111 HCC patients undergoing DEB-TACE were randomly allocated to a training cohort and a validation cohort in a 7:3 ratio. LASSO regression was applied in the training cohort to identify risk factors for recurrence, which were subsequently used to construct the Cox model.

Integrated Piezoelectric/Pyroelectric Sensing from Organic-Inorganic Perovskite Nanocomposites.

Flexible ferroelectric materials are in high demand in emerging energy harvesting and self-powered sensing electronics. However, current flexible ferroelectric polymers, such as poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and P(VDF--trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)], cannot fulfill the requirement of emerging applications because of their low piezoelectric/pyroelectric performance. In this work, using organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite [(4-aminotetrahydropyran)PbBrCl] ferroelectric nanorods as reinforcement and P(VDF-TrFE) as the matrix, we prepared flexible core-sheath piezoelectric nanofibers and pyroelectric nanocomposite films.

Association between thymus density loss and efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Background: Although the thymus undergoes degeneration with the advancement of age, recent studies have continuously revealed that the thymus possesses the potential for regeneration and may reverse this aging trend. Furthermore, an increasing number of studies indicate an association between thymus function and immunotherapy. Considering that lung cancer patients typically undergo chest computed tomography (CT) scans during treatment, this provides convenient conditions for us to observe thymic remodeling through imaging data.

Drug-eluting beads transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with systemic therapy versus systemic therapy alone as first-line treatment for unresectable colorectal liver metastases.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) combined with systemic therapy to systemic therapy alone as first-line treatment for unresectable patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods: From December 2017 to December 2022, patients with unresectable CRLM who received systemic therapy with or without DEB-TACE as first-line treatment were included in the study. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).

Engineering the Dielectric Constants of Polymers: From Molecular to Mesoscopic Scales.

Polymers are essential components of modern-day materials and are widely used in various fields. The dielectric constant, a key physical parameter, plays a fundamental role in the light-, electricity-, and magnetism-related applications of polymers, such as dielectric and electrical insulation, battery and photovoltaic fabrication, sensing and electrical contact, and signal transmission and communication. Over the past few decades, numerous efforts have been devoted to engineering the intrinsic dielectric constant of polymers, particularly by tailoring the induced and orientational polarization modes and ferroelectric domain engineering.

Application of lesser trochanteric reduction fixator in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures.

Background: Closed reduction and internal fixation with intramedullary nails has been widely accepted for treating intertrochanteric fractures.

Aim: To focus on how to avoid displacement of the lesser trochanter in unstable intertrochanteric fractures.

Methods: We developed a lesser trochanteric reduction fixator for treating intertrochanteric fractures through fixing the lesser trochanter by combining the loop plate through the fixator after reduction by the reducer.

The Impact of Oversizing in Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair on Long-Term Outcomes in Uncomplicated Type B Aortic Dissection: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of oversizing in thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) on early and long-term survival and major adverse events in patients with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (TBAD).

Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2018, 226 patients who were diagnosed with uncomplicated TBAD and received TEVAR were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into ≤5% oversizing (n=153) and >5% oversizing (n=73) groups.

Modulus-Modulated All-Organic Core-Shell Nanofiber with Remarkable Piezoelectricity for Energy Harvesting and Condition Monitoring.

The low piezoelectricity of piezoelectric polymers significantly restricts their applications. Introducing inorganic fillers can slightly improve the piezoelectricity of polymers, whereas it is usually at the cost of flexibility and durability. In this work, using a modulus-modulated core-shell structure strategy, all-organic nanofibers with remarkable piezoelectricity were designed and prepared by a coaxial electrospinning method.

Risk factors for distal stent graft-induced new entry after endovascular repair in uncomplicated type B aortic dissection.

Objective: We investigated the risk factors for distal stent graft-induced new entry (dSINE) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair for patients with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection (TBAD) and reported the outcomes of using a tapered stent graft and dSINE reintervention.

Methods: A total of 226 patients with uncomplicated TBAD who had undergone thoracic endovascular aortic repair between January 2010 and December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The global features of the thoracic aorta and the local features of the proximal and distal landing zones were evaluated and compared between the dSINE and non-dSINE groups.

Effect of postoperative ultrasound-guided internal superior laryngeal nerve block on sore throat after intubation of double-lumen bronchial tube: a randomized controlled double-blind trial.

Background: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is one of the main adverse postoperative outcome after tracheal intubation using double-lumen endobronchial tubes (DLTs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided block of the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (iSLN) for alleviating POST after intubation of DLTs.

Methods: Patients undergoing thoracic surgery between August 2019 and August 2021 were randomized into two groups depending on whether they received US-guided iSLN block immediately after the operation.

Arterial enhancement fraction in evaluating the therapeutic effect and survival for hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with DEB-TACE.

Background: Arterial enhancement fraction (AEF), derived from triphasic CT scans, is considered to indirectly reflect the ratio of hepatic arterial perfusion to total perfusion. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the relationship between AEF and treatment response and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with drug-eluting bead (DEB) TACE.

Methods: AEF of primary lesion (AEF) and residual tumor (AEF) in 158 HCC patients were obtained from triphasic liver CT examinations pre- and post-treatment.

Dielectric Manipulated Charge Dynamics in Contact Electrification.

Surface charge density has been demonstrated to be significantly impacted by the dielectric properties of tribomaterials. However, the ambiguous physical mechanism of dielectric manipulated charge behavior still restricts the construction of high-performance tribomaterials. Here, using the atomic force microscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy, an in situ method was conducted to investigate the contact electrification and charge dynamics on a typical tribomaterial (i.

Transcatheter chemoembolization plus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation versus laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation: improved outcome for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aims: To retrospectively compare the efficacy of transcatheter chemoembolization (TACE) plus percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) (hereafter, TACE + PRFA) and laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) in the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: From July 2014 to December 2017, 132 consecutive patients with inoperable HCC were treated with TACE + PRFA ( = 86) or LRFA ( = 46). Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed using log-rank test and Cox regression analysis.

Transcranial sonography in differential diagnosis of Parkinson disease and other movement disorders.

Background: Reports evaluating the efficacy of transcranial sonography (TCS) for the differential diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD) and other movement disorders in China are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the application of TCS for the differential diagnosis of PD, multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and essential tremor (ET) in Chinese individuals.

Methods: From 2017 to 2019, 500 inpatients treated at the Department of Dyskinesia, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University underwent routine transcranial ultrasound examination.

Neural monitoring during ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules.

Background: Intraoperative neurological monitoring is important in locating and assessing nerves during surgery. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of neural monitoring during ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of thyroid nodules.

Methods: From February 2019 to August 2019, 16 patients (age, 42.

The protective role of omentin-1 in IL-1β-induced chondrocyte senescence.

Osteoarthritis is a common type of degenerative joint disease. Inflammation-related chondrocyte senescence plays a major role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Omentin-1 is a newly identified anti-inflammatory adipokine involved in lipid metabolism.

[Evaluation of surgical outcomes using imaging study for patients with slow transit constipation complicated with outlet obstruction].

Objective: To explore the clinical significance of multiple radiography of the pelvis in the evaluation of surgical outcomes for patients with slow transit constipation complicated with outlet obstruction.

Methods: Patients with slow transit constipation complicated with outlet obstruction were diagnosed by multiple radiography of the pelvis after screening using colon transit study. Surgery was performed according to the cause of the obstruction.