Anti-atherosclerotic effects of LncRNA NEXN-AS1 by regulation of the canonical inflammasome pathway of pyroptosis via NEXN.

Introduction: . Pyroptosis is closely related to many chronic diseases including atherosclerosis, but the potential pathomechanisms are still unclear. This research aimed to explore how lncRNAs may contribute to pyroptosis and the potential mechanisms.

Structural and load-dependent arterial stiffness across the adult life span.

Background: The arterial stiffening is attributed to the intrinsic structural stiffening and/or load-dependent stiffening by increased blood pressure (BP). The respective lifetime alterations and major determinants of the two components with normal aging are not clear.

Methods: A total of 3053 healthy adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled.

Reference values of carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness in Chinese adults based on ultrasound radio frequency signal: A nationwide, multicenter study.

Background: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.

Methods: A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022.

Combined Serum Albumin and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Predict All-Cause Death in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of serum albumin (Alb) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in predicting all-cause death (ACD) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD).

Methods: Patients with SCAD were divided into 4 groups according to their Alb and LVEF levels: Group A: Alb ≤4 g/dL and LVEF > 50%; Group B: Alb ≤4 g/dL and LVEF ≤50%; Group C: Alb >4 g/dL and LVEF ≤50%; Group D: Alb >4 g/dL and LVEF >50%. The K-M curve and log-rank test were used to compare ACD among the four groups over three years.

Three-dimensional ultrasound-based radiomics nomogram for the prediction of extrathyroidal extension features in papillary thyroid cancer.

Purpose: To develop and validate a three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) radiomics nomogram for the preoperative prediction of extrathyroidal extension (ETE) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

Methods: This retrospective study included 168 patients with surgically proven PTC (non-ETE, n = 90; ETE, n = 78) who were divided into training (n = 117) and validation (n = 51) cohorts by a random stratified sampling strategy. The regions of interest (ROIs) were obtained manually from 3D US images.

Efficacy of Multiple Modified Methods of Criteria for LR-M Liver Nodules of Different Sizes: Clinical Practice and Discussion in CEUS LI-RADS Version 2017.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic performance of the modified LR-M method of CEUS LI-RADS version 2017 with nodules of different sizes.

Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with high risk for HCC who underwent CEUS between 2019 and 2021, demonstrating an LR-M observed using CEUS LI-RADS version 2017. Four modified LR-M methods were used to evaluate nodules of different sizes.

Exploring the anatomical factors influencing testes elasticity via ultrasound shear wave elastography: Preliminary results.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anatomical factors influencing elasticity values of normal testicular parenchyma using shear wave elastography (SWE).

Methods: This study examined 68 healthy male volunteers (117 testes in which standard transverse axis ultrasonography views could be obtained) via conventional scrotal ultrasonography and SWE. Both the mean (E) and standard deviation (E) elasticity values were acquired.

Development and Validation of a Radiomics Model Based on 3-Dimensional Endoanal Rectal Ultrasound of Rectal Cancer for Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis.

Background: Development of a radiomics model for predicting lymph node metastasis status in rectal cancer patients based on 3-dimensional endoanal rectal ultrasound images.

Methods: This study retrospectively included 79 patients (41 with lymph node metastasis positive and 38 with lymph node metastasis negative) diagnosed with rectal cancer in our hospital from January 2018 to February 2022. The tumor's region of interest is first delineated by radiologists, from which radiomics features are extracted.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Three-Dimensional Endoanal Ultrasound for Anal Fistula: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Anal fistula is a relatively common anorectal disease. An accurate assessment of the main anal fistula type and the anatomy of the internal opening before surgery is necessary to obtain the best surgical results. Whether three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3D-EAUS) should be used as the first-line diagnostic tool for anal fistula is still controversial.

The stiffness of transplanted kidneys changes with time after renal transplantation.

Background: Kidney transplantation is one of the most effective ways to treat end-stage kidney disease. However, 5000 renal transplant recipients start or restart dialysis because of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) every year in the United States. Detecting changes in the stiffness of transplanted kidneys can help diagnose transplanted kidney disease.

Irreversible electroporation ablation against subcutaneously implanted VX tumors in rabbits: findings of shearwave ultrasound elastography.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate stiffness changes of rabbit subcutaneous VX tumors before and after irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablationby shearwave ultrasound elastography (SWE).

Methods: IRE was performed on 20 subcutaneously implanted VX tumors in rabbits (R-SIVX). Tumor stiffness was measured by SWE at different time points (before IRE,120minutes after IRE,7 days after IRE and 14 days after IRE).

Application of Shear Wave Elastography to Evaluate the Stiffness of Normal Testes and Inflammatory Epididymal Tail Masses.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the application value of shear wave elastography in examining normal testes and inflammatory epididymal tail masses.

Methods: We examined 110 healthy male volunteers (with a total of 220 testes) and 25 patients with epididymitis via conventional scrotal ultrasonography and shear wave elastography. The mean (Emean), minimal (Emin), maximal (Emax), and standard deviation (ESD) values of elasticity were acquired.

The effects of morin on bone regeneration to accelerate healing in bone defects in mice.

Restoring bone defects are the major challenge facing clinical trial therapy, particularly skull related problems. Morin, a naturally occurring compound, has pro-osteogenesis. This research focuses on assessing the role of morin for its pro-osteogenesis activities.

Correlation Between Endorectal Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Predicting the Circumferential Resection Margin in Patients With Mid-Low Rectal Cancer Without Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy.

Objectives: To assess the correlation between endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting the circumferential resection margin (CRM) status of patients with mid-low rectal cancer without preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: Twenty patients with rectal cancer who did not receive preoperative chemoradiotherapy and underwent ERUS and MRI examinations before total mesorectal excision from May 2018 to April 2019 were included in this study. The patient and tumor characteristics, lymph nodes, tumor stages, ERUS and MRI predictors of the CRM status, and postoperative pathologic results were recorded.

Three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography for evaluating myocardial motion in patients with cardiorenal syndrome.

Because of better awareness and understanding of its pathophysiology, the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is more often diagnosed and better managed. The echocardiographic evaluation of CRS now benefits from three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE), which allows multidimensional and real-time evaluation of regional myocardial and overall cardiac function, and helps assessing the degree of myocardial damage. This article describes the application of 3D-STE in evaluating the myocardial motion in patients with CRS.

Non-invasive Assessment of Changes in Muscle Injury by Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography: An Experimental Study in Contusion Model.

The present study investigated the potential of ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) in assessment of muscle stiffness in muscle injury. SWE was performed on the injured muscle in 30 New Zealand rabbits that were randomly assigned to three groups: the contusion group, which was not treated with an efficient therapeutic strategy after muscle injury; the treatment group, which was treated with a therapeutic scheme after muscle injury; and the healthy group, which was not injured and served as a control. Both the mean Young's modulus (E) and the maximum Young's modulus (E) were obtained pre-injury and 0.

Application of Quasistatic Ultrasound Elastography for Examination of Scrotal Lesions.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the value of applying quasistatic ultrasound elastography for examination of scrotal lesions, to investigate the features of normal testes on quasistatic elastography, and to establish whether testicular and epididymal lesions had specific quasistatic elastographic features.

Methods: We screened 1073 patients who underwent color Doppler sonographic examinations of the testes and epididymides in our hospital and performed quasistatic elastography to evaluate their sonographic features. Measurement data were expressed as mean ± SD.

Short-Term and Long-Term Survival After Revascularization with or without Mitral Valve Surgery of Patients with Ischemic Mitral Valve Regurgitation: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND There is no consensus on whether mitral valve repair or replacement (MVRR) must be performed to treat ischemic mitral regurgitation (MVR) after myocardial infarction. Our objective in this study was to investigate the efficacy of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with or without MVRR for the ischemic MVR. MATERIAL AND METHODS An article search was performed in OvidSP, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase.

[Comparative study on the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation: coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction using lateral half of conjoined tendon or tractusiliotibialis with hook plate fixation].

Objective: To explore the clinical outcomes of acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation treated with coracoclavicular ligament (CCL) reconstruction using lateral half of conjoined tendon and tractusiliotibialis with hook plate fixation. Comparative study on their advantages and disadvantages in order to provide the materials for the clinic.

Methods: From June 2005 to June 2012, the patients with Rockwood type III or severer ACJ dislocation were randomly divided into 2 groups.

[Associations between Ser447Ter gene polymorphism of lipoprotein lipase and atherosclerotic cerebral infarction].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene Ser447Ter polymorphism and atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (CI), and to investigate the effect of Ser447Ter polymorphism on plasma lipids, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid artery plaque (CAP) in patients with CI.

Methods: PCR-restriction fragment lengh polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique was used to detect LPL gene Ser447Ter polymorphism in 166 patients with CI (CI group) and 72 healthy subjects (control group). Carotid IMT and CAP were measured with carotid color ultrasonographic doppler for the patients and the controls.