Unravelling risk factors for delayed bleeding following ultrasonography-guided liver biopsy: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Percutaneous liver puncture remains the gold standard for diagnosis of liver lesions, though image-guided techniques reduce the incidence of complications, there remains a risk of severe delayed bleeding. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors associated with delayed bleeding complications after ultrasonography-guided liver biopsy.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled a total of 642 patients who underwent ultrasonography-guided percutaneous liver biopsy at our institution between January 2022 and December 2023.

Identification of circulating risk biomarkers for cognitive decline in a large community-based population in Chongqing China.

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the relationship between blood-based pathologies and established risk factors for cognitive decline in the community-based population of Chongqing, a region with significant aging.

Methods: A total of 26,554 residents aged 50 years and older were recruited. Multinomial logistic regression models were applied to assess the risk factors of cognition levels.

Maternal Exposure to Ozone and the Risk of Birth Defects: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study in Southwestern China.

A few studies have explored the relationship between air pollution exposure and the risk of birth defects; however, the ozone-related (O) effects on preconception and first-trimester exposures are still unknown. In this time-stratified case-crossover study, conditional logistic regressions were applied to explore the associations between O exposure and the risk of birth defects in Chongqing, China, and stratified analyses were constructed to evaluate the modifiable factors. A total of 6601 cases of birth defects were diagnosed, of which 56.

SLC7A11, a potential immunotherapeutic target in lung adenocarcinoma.

SLC7A11 has significant translational value in cancer treatment. However, there are few studies on whether SLC7A11 affects the immune status of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Information on SLC7A11 expression and its impact on prognosis was obtained from the cancer genome atlas and gene expression omnibus databases.

Integrative Analysis of the Metabolome and Transcriptome Provides Insights into the Mechanisms of Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Quinoa Seeds at Different Developmental Stages.

Quinoa ( Willd.) is a crop with high nutritional and health benefits. Quinoa seeds are rich in flavonoid compounds; however, the mechanisms behind quinoa flavonoid biosynthesis remain unclear.

SWE of Quadriceps, a Potential Index of Complication Evaluation to Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: To develop a potential quadriceps' index of complication evaluation for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is simple, convenient, and quantifiable.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 59 patients with COPD and 56 healthy controls recruited by the Chengdu First People's Hospital. Grayscale ultrasound (US) of the rectus femoris was performed to measure thickness (RF) and cross-sectional area (RF).

Ultrasound-Based Radiomics Can Classify the Etiology of Cervical Lymphadenopathy: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study.

Medical diagnostic imaging is essential for the differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy. Here we develop an ultrasound radiomics method for accurately differentiating cervical lymph node tuberculosis (LNTB), cervical lymphoma, reactive lymph node hyperplasia, and metastatic lymph nodes especially in the multi-operator, cross-machine, multicenter context. The inter-observer and intra-observer consistency of radiomics parameters from the region of interest were 0.

Reproducibility of ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) to the noninvasive evaluation of hepatic steatosis.

The aim of this study was to identify the applicability of an ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter (UGAP) for the noninvasive assessment of hepatic steatosis in clinical practice and to compare its correlation with B-mode ultrasound (US). From May to July 2021, 63 subjects with different body mass index (BMI) grades were included in the prospective study. All of them performed UGAP measurements, under different breathing manipulations, positions, diet statuses, and operators.

Mechanosensitive channel Piezo1 induces cell apoptosis in pancreatic cancer by ultrasound with microbubbles.

Ultrasound (US), as a safe and non-invasive tool, has drawn researchers' attention to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Piezo1, a mechanosensitive channel, can be activated by various mechanical stimuli. In this study, we tested the expression of Piezo1 in PDAC cell lines and tissues, and cell apoptosis and with siRNA, a lentivirus system, and a subcutaneous xenograft tumor-bearing model under the condition of US with microbubbles (MBs).

A nomogram based on clinical information, conventional ultrasound and radiomics improves prediction of malignant parotid gland lesions.

Although conventional ultrasound (CUS) allows for clear detection of parotid gland lesions (PGLs), it fails to accurately provide benign-malignant differentiation due to overlapping morphological features. Radiomics is capable of processing large-quantity volume of data hidden in CUS image undiscovered by naked eyes. The aim was to explore the potential of CUS-based radiomics score (Rad-score) in distinguishing benign (BPGLs) and malignant PGLs (MPGLs).

Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Ultrasound-Responsive Dual-Sonosensitizer Nanoplatform for Hypoxic Cancer Therapy.

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), which uses reactive oxygen species to target tumors, has shown promise in the management of unresectable cancers. However, the hypoxic tumor environment limits SDT efficiency, making complete tumor destruction challenging. Here, a dual-sonosensitizer nanoplatform is developed by loading an alkyl radical generator (2,2-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] dihydrochloride, AIPH) onto a zirconium metal-organic framework (Zr-MOF).

Hypoxia-Adapted Sono-chemodynamic Treatment of Orthotopic Pancreatic Carcinoma Using Copper Metal-Organic Frameworks Loaded with an Ultrasound-Induced Free Radical Initiator.

The efficacy of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is largely dependent upon oxygen availability to generate deleterious reactive oxygen species, and as such, hypoxic microenvironments greatly constrain the efficacy of SDT. Development of free radical generators that are not dependent on oxygen and related combination treatment strategies thus have the potential to enhance the antitumor potential of SDT. Combined treatment strategies are expected to improve the efficacy of sonodynamic antitumor therapy.

Non-invasive prediction of lymph node status for patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer based on a morphological feature from ultrasound images.

Background: This study aimed to estimate the value of a morphological feature on ultrasound (US) for preoperative diagnosis of axillary lymph node (ALN) status in patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer (ESIBC).

Methods: In this retrospective work, a total of 239 ESIBC patients, were recruited, and their preoperative US images and postoperative pathology results were collected. The relationship between US images based on morphological features and ALN metastasis was investigated.

A Nomogram Based on Combining Clinical Features and Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound LI-RADS Improves Prediction of Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purposes: To establish a predictive model incorporating clinical features and contrast enhanced ultrasound liver imaging and reporting and data system (CEUS LI-RADS) for estimation of microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods: In the retrospective study, 127 HCC patients from two hospitals were allocated as training cohort (n=98) and test cohorts (n=29) based on cutoff time-point, June 2020. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify independent indicators for developing predictive nomogram models.

Plaque Elasticity and Intraplaque Neovascularisation on Carotid Artery Ultrasound: A Comparative Histological Study.

Objective: Plaque elasticity and intraplaque neovascularisation are strongly suggestive of vulnerable plaque. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between intraplaque neovascularisation and plaque elasticity, and to compare the ultrasound findings with histopathological changes.

Methods: Patients enrolled in this study presented with symptomatic carotid stenosis (> 70%) and later underwent both pre-operative ultrasonography and endarterectomy.

Long non-coding RNA SDCBP2-AS1 delays the progression of ovarian cancer via microRNA-100-5p-targeted EPDR1.

Background: Dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs has been implied to connect with cancer progression. This research was to decipher the mechanism of long non-coding RNA SDCBP2-AS1 in ovarian cancer (OC) through regulation of microRNA (miR)-100-5p and ependymin-related protein 1 (EPDR1).

Methods: LncRNA SDCBP2-AS1 and EPDR1 levels in OC were assessed by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis.

Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Destruction Mediates Gene Transfection for Beta-Cell Regeneration and Glucose Regulation.

Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) mediates gene transfection with high biosafety and thus has been promising toward treatment of type 1 diabetes. However, the potential application of UTMD in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is still limited, due to the lack of systematic design and dynamic monitoring. Herein, an efficient gene delivery system is constructed by plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) encoding glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in ultrasound-induced microbubbles, toward treatment of T2D in macaque.

US-Based Deep Learning Model for Differentiating Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) From Other Malignancy in Cirrhotic Patients.

The aim was to build a predictive model based on ultrasonography (US)-based deep learning model (US-DLM) and clinical features (Clin) for differentiating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from other malignancy (OM) in cirrhotic patients. 112 patients with 120 HCCs and 60 patients with 61 OMs were included. They were randomly divided into training and test cohorts with a 4:1 ratio for developing and evaluating US-DLM model, respectively.

Erythrocyte-Camouflaged Mesoporous Titanium Dioxide Nanoplatform for an Ultrasound-Mediated Sequential Therapies of Breast Cancer.

Background: The hypoxic microenvironment promotes tumor resistance to most treatments, especially highly oxygen-dependent sonodynamic therapy (SDT).

Method And Results: In view of the aggravation of hypoxia by oxygen consumption during SDT, a biomimetic drug delivery system was tailored to integrate SDT with hypoxia-specific chemotherapy. In this system, mesoporous titanium dioxide nanoparticles (mTNPs) were developed to deliver the hypoxia-activated prodrug AQ4N with high loading efficiency.

Active Transportation of Liposome Enhances Tumor Accumulation, Penetration, and Therapeutic Efficacy.

Liposomes are the first and mostly explored nanocarriers for cancer drug delivery, which have shown great promise in clinical applications, but their limited accumulation and penetration into the tumor interstitial space, significantly reduce the therapeutic efficacy. Here, a γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)-triggered charge-switchable approach is reported that can trigger the fast endocytosis and transcytosis of the liposome in tumor microenvironments to overcome the harsh biological barriers in tumor tissues. The active transporting liposomal nanocarrier (GCSDL) is prepared by surface modification with a glutathione (GSH) moiety and encapsulated with doxorubicin (DOX).

A Janus upconverting nanoplatform with biodegradability for glutathione depletion, near-infrared light induced photodynamic therapy and accelerated excretion.

The major limitations of photodynamic therapy (PDT) are the poor tissue penetration of excitation light and the neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by overexpressed glutathione (GSH) in cancer cells. Despite tremendous efforts to design nanoplatforms, PDT still suffers from unsatisfactory effects. Furthermore, the residual of nanomaterials in the body has restricted their clinical application.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System in Diagnosing Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Diagnostic Performance and Interobserver Agreement.

Objectives:  To determine the diagnostic performance and inter-reader agreement of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound liver imaging reporting and data system (CEUS-LI-RADS) for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients.

Methods:  In this prospective study, CEUS-LI-RADS categories (LR-5 for predicting HCC) were assigned by six blinded readers and compared to the definitive HCC diagnosis in patients with liver cirrhosis per the 2017 China Liver Cancer Guidelines (CLCG). CEUS features were recorded in 96 patients with 96 histology-proven lesions.

Network pharmacology-based therapeutic mechanism of Kuanxiong aerosol for angina pectoris.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Kuanxiong aerosol has been reported to be an effective and safe clinical treatment for angina pectoris (AP).

Aim Of The Study: To explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of Kuanxiong aerosol by combined methods of network pharmacology prediction and experimental verification.

Materials And Methods: Networks of Kuanxiong aerosol-associated targets and AP-related genes were constructed through STRING database.

Enzyme-Triggered Transcytosis of Dendrimer-Drug Conjugate for Deep Penetration into Pancreatic Tumors.

The dense fibrotic stroma in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) resists drug diffusion into the tumor and leads to an unsatisfactory prognosis. To address this problem, we demonstrate a dendrimer-camptothecin (CPT) conjugate that actively penetrates deep into PDA tumors through γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)-triggered cell endocytosis and transcytosis. The dendrimer-drug conjugate was synthesized by covalent attachment of CPT to polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers through a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive linker followed with surface modification with glutathione.

Mechanisms underlying sonoporation: Interaction between microbubbles and cells.

The past several decades have witnessed great progress in "smart drug delivery", an advance technology that can deliver genes or drugs into specific locations of patients' body with enhanced delivery efficiency. Ultrasound-activated mechanical force induced by the interactions between microbubbles and cells, which can stimulate so-called "sonoporation" process, has been regarded as one of the most promising candidates to realize spatiotemporal-controllable drug delivery to selected regions. Both experimental and numerical studies were performed to get in-depth understanding on how the microbubbles interact with cells during sonoporation processes, under different impact parameters.