Study on the Consistency of Angiogenesis in Carotid Plaque Evaluated by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Superb Microvascular Imaging and Its Correlation With Stroke Occurrence.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) in evaluating angiogenesis in carotid artery plaques and prognosis in stroke patients.

Methods: Sixty-one patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were selected. All patients received conventional ultrasound, CEUS, and SMI examination, including 32 patients with cerebral infarction and 29 patients without cerebral infarction.

The role of ultrasonographic findings for -mutated, hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative breast cancer.

To determine whether ultrasound (US) features of breast cancer are associated with Breast Imaging and Reporting Data System molecular subtype, histologic grade, and hormone receptor status as well as to assess the predictive value of these features. Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 220 consecutive patients with invasive breast cancer was reviewed according to the -mutated molecular tumor subtype. US findings of all patients were analyzed.

Application of laparoscopic ultrasound in retroperitoneal radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma with Type II inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the application value of laparoscopic ultrasound (LU) in retroperitoneal radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma with Type II inferior vena cava tumor thrombectomy (RRN-RCC-TII-IVCTT).

Methods: The clinical data (operative time, length of tumor thrombus, tumor length, intraoperative bleeding, clinical stage, histological type, residual tumor tissue, and postoperative follow-up) of 6 patients who underwent LU-guided RRN-RCC-TII-IVCTT were retrospectively analyzed, and the intraoperative experience of LU was also summarized.

Results: All 6 patients recovered well with liver and kidney functions returning to normal, and no tumor recurrence, metastasis, or vena cava tumor thrombus.

Elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound to assess the effect of varicocelectomy: A case-controlled study.

To evaluate the changes in testicular stiffness and microcirculation caused by spermatic vein ligation in patients with varicocele, we conducted a case-controlled study. A total of 27 grade III left varicocele cases were enrolled. Testicular stiffness and perfusion were evaluated by shear wave elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound during subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy.

Elasticity change of the paravertebral fascia and muscle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after posterior selective fusion surgery.

Background: We sought to assess the elasticity change of the paravertebral fascia and muscle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Lenke Type 1, 2, or 3 curves after posterior selective fusion surgery.

Methods: The shear wave elasticity imaging system was used to assess the elasticity of the thoracic paravertebral muscles and fascia both on the concave and convex sides. Three regions of interest, including the apex, upper end, and lower end of the main curve, were tested.

Defect-Free Arbitrary-Geometry Assembly of Mixed-Species Atom Arrays.

Optically trapped mixed-species single atom arrays with arbitrary geometry are an attractive and promising platform for various applications, because tunable quantum systems with multiple components provide extra degrees of freedom for experimental control. Here, we report the first demonstration of two-dimensional 6×4 dual-species atom assembly of ^{85}Rb (^{87}Rb) atoms with a filling fraction of 0.88 (0.

Validation of two risk assessment models for venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery.

Background: According to published guidelines, gynecologic surgical patients should be stratified into different risk level groups to receive prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the applicability of available risk assessment models (RAMs) in common gynecologic surgical patients remained to be confirmed. We aimed to validate the use of the Caprini RAM and gynecologic Caprini (G-Caprini) RAM for assessing postoperative VTE risk in gynecologic surgical patients.

Methods: The database of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was used to select patients who underwent gynecologic surgeries for benignant and malignant diseases in five institutions in China between 2011 and 2018.

Quantitative evaluation and significance of ultrasound in bronchoalveolar lavage for lung consolidation in children with severe mycoplasma pneumonia.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lung ultrasound on bronchoalveolar lavage in the treatment of mycoplasma pneumonia in children.

Methods: Thirty children with mycoplasma pneumonia who were treated with medication and bronchial lavage were selected. We collected the results of laboratory and imaging examinations after admission, and the changes in lung consolidation area were examined by ultrasound before, immediately upon completion, and at 1, 3, and 7 days after bronchoalveolar lavage.

New application of multimodal ultrasound imaging for identification of myofascial trigger points in the trapezius muscle.

Background: The study aimed to quantify the characteristics of trapezius myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) using shear wave elastography (SWE) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and explore the application value of the new ultrasound techniques in identifying MTrPs.

Methods: Forty patients participated in this study. MTrPs in the trapezius muscle were determined by palpation, and SWE and CEUS were used to quantify the focal and adjacent areas.

The value of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) scoring assignment method in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules by conventional ultrasound.

Purpose: To explore the application value of SMI scoring assignment method combined with 2017 American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Methods: According to the 2017 ACR TI-RADS classification, the enrolled nodules were divided into 3 points group, 4 points group, 5 points group, 6 points group and≥7 points group. The nodules were assigned scores according to the echocity of the nodules and the microvessels detected by SMI and their distribution patterns based on ACR TI-RADS.

The role of ultrasound in determining the amount of pleural effusion.

Background: There is no standardized system to evaluate pleural effusion size on ultrasound (US). We aimed to explore the role of US in determining the amount of pleural effusion, with an attempt to provide evidence for clinical efficacy evaluation and treatment program selection.

Methods: A total of 98 patients undergoing thoracoscopy at our center were enrolled in this study.

Specification and guideline for technical aspects and scanning parameter settings of neonatal lung ultrasound examination.

Lung ultrasound (LUS) is now widely used in the diagnosis and monitor of neonatal lung diseases. Nevertheless, in the published literatures, the LUS images may display a significant variation in technical execution, while scanning parameters may influence diagnostic accuracy. The inter- and intra-observer reliabilities of ultrasound exam have been extensively studied in general and in LUS.

The Value of Preoperative and Intraoperative Ultrasound in the Localization of Intrathyroidal Parathyroid Adenomas.

Aim: Intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma (IPA) is rare and may easily be mistaken for thyroid nodule in ultrasonography. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristic features of IPA and explore the value of preoperative and intraoperative ultrasound in the diagnosis and localization of IPA.

Methods: 13 of 216 patients who were found to have intrathyroidal parathyroid lesions underwent parathyroidectomy in our hospital because of PHPT.

Efficacy of ultrasonography and Tc-99m MIBI SPECT/CT in preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas causing primary hyperthyroidism.

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) results from an excess of parathyroid hormone (PTH) produced from an overactive parathyroid gland. The study aimed to explore the sonographic features of parathyroid adenomas and assess the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography (US) and Tc-99m MIBI SPECT/CT for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas.

Methods: A total of 107 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study who had PHPT and underwent parathyroidectomy.

Comparison between radiofrequency ablation combined with mifepristone and radiofrequency ablation for large uterine fibroids.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of transvaginal ultrasound-guided (US-guided) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with mifepristone for the treatment of large uterine fibroids.

Methods: Between June 2016 and December 2018, a total of 30 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids (≥5cm) who underwent transvaginal US-guided RFA combined with mifepristone were included in this retrospective study. A matching cohort of 30 patients underwent transvaginal US-guided RFA without mifepristone as controls.

Ultrasound-guided transvaginal radiofrequency ablation combined with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for symptomatic uterine adenomyosis treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of transvaginal ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for the treatment of symptomatic uterine adenomyosis.

Methods: Patients with symptomatic uterine adenomyosis treated with ultrasound-guided RFA in combined with an LNG-IUS from January 2013 to January 2016 and followed up for 3 years after treatment were selected. Assessment endpoints included the uterine volume reduction rate, dysmenorrheal score, symptom severity score and adverse events.

Coherently forming a single molecule in an optical trap.

Ultracold single molecules have wide-ranging potential applications, such as ultracold chemistry, precision measurements, quantum simulation, and quantum computation. However, given the difficulty of achieving full control of a complex atom-molecule system, the coherent formation of single molecules remains a challenge. Here, we report an alternative route to coherently bind two atoms into a weakly bound molecule at megahertz levels by coupling atomic spins to their two-body relative motion in a strongly focused laser with inherent polarization gradients.

Application of lung ultrasonography in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Purpose: Lung ultrasonography (LU) is useful to assess lung lesions and variations at bedside. To investigate the results of LU in severe and critical patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we performed a single-institution study to evaluate the related lung lesions and variations, and prophylactic strategies, in a large referral and treatment center.

Methods: We included 91 adult patients with severe and critical COVID-19, namely 62 males and 29 females, with an average age of 59 ± 11 years, who underwent LU.

Applicability of bedside ultrasonography for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in patients with COVID-19 and treatment with low molecular weight heparin.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of bedside ultrasonography for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients infected with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with and without treatment with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of deceased and surviving patients in whom ultrasonography detected or not a DVT, and in whom LMWH was or not prescribed.

Results: The incidence of DVT is higher in the deceased (33/35) than in the surviving (22/46) patients.

Balanced Coherence Times of Atomic Qubits of Different Species in a Dual 3×3 Magic-Intensity Optical Dipole Trap Array.

We construct a polarization-mediated magic-intensity (MI) optical dipole trap (ODT) array, in which the detrimental effects of light shifts on the mixed-species qubits are efficiently mitigated so that the coherence times of the mixed-species qubits are both substantially enhanced and balanced for the first time. This mixed-species magic trapping technique relies on the tunability of the coefficient of the third-order cross term and ground state hyperpolarizability, which are inherently dependent on the degree of circular polarization of the trapping laser. Experimentally, polarization of the ODT array for ^{85}Rb qubits is finely adjusted to a definite value so that its working magnetic field required for magic trapping amounts to the one required for magically trapping ^{87}Rb qubits in another ODT array with fully circular polarization.

Application of ultrasound fusion imaging technique for unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty in treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture.

Objective: To evaluate application of a computed tomography (CT)-ultrasound fusion imaging technique to unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for treating patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fracture.

Methods: Fourteen patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures were included, randomly divided into CT-ultrasound fusion imaging (n = 7) and traditional X-ray fluoroscopy groups (n = 7). Patients in the first group underwent unilateral PVP using real-time CT-ultrasound fusion imaging.

Application of Deep Learning in Quantitative Analysis of 2-Dimensional Ultrasound Imaging of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Objectives: To verify the value of deep learning in diagnosing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by comparing 3 image-processing techniques.

Methods: A total of 240 participants were recruited and divided into 4 groups (normal, mild, moderate, and severe NAFLD groups), according to the definition and the ultrasound scoring system for NAFLD. Two-dimensional hepatic imaging was analyzed by the envelope signal, grayscale signal, and deep-learning index obtained by 3 image-processing techniques.

Asymmetric biomechanical characteristics of the paravertebral muscle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: We sought to assess the biomechanical properties of the paravertebral muscles in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Lenke Type 1, 2, or 3 (Lenke 1-3) curves.

Methods: The MyotonPro® and shear wave elasticity imaging system were used to assess the biomechanical features of the thoracic paravertebral muscles on concave and convex side in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Lenke 1-3 curves. The Cobb angle of the main curve was measured using the anteroposterior whole spine radiograph in the standing position.

High-Fidelity Single-Qubit Gates on Neutral Atoms in a Two-Dimensional Magic-Intensity Optical Dipole Trap Array.

As a conventional approach, optical dipole trap (ODT) arrays with linear polarization have been widely used to assemble neutral-atom qubits for building a quantum computer. However, due to the inherent scalar differential light shifts (DLS) of qubit states induced by trapping fields, the microwave-driven gates acting on single qubits suffer from errors on the order of 10^{-3}. Here, we construct a DLS compensated ODT array based upon a recently developed magic-intensity trapping technique.

Echo-tracking evaluation of changes in common carotid artery wall elasticity after smoking cessation.

The aim of this study was to explore changes in the common carotid arterial wall elasticity after smoking cessation. Carotid artery ultrasonographic examination was performed in 136 patients, then 1 or 2 years after smoking cessation. We used echo-tracking (ET) to measure stiffness index (β), pressure-strain elasticity modulus (Ep), arterial compliance (AC), augmentation index (AI), and local pulse wave velocity (PWVβ).