Endogenous HO Self-Replenishment and Sustainable Cascades Enhance the Efficacy of Sonodynamic Therapy.

Purpose: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), with its high tissue penetration and noninvasive advantages, represents an emerging approach to eradicating solid tumors. However, the outcomes of SDT are typically hampered by the low oxygen content and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Accordingly, we constructed a cascade nanoplatform to regulate the TME and improve the anti-tumor efficiency of SDT.

Incorporation of CEUS and SWE parameters into a multivariate logistic regression model for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant TI-RADS 4 thyroid nodules.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) quantitative analysis parameters combined with shear wave elastography (SWE) quantitative parameters in the differentiation of benign and malignant ACR TI-RADS category 4 thyroid nodules and to provide a more effective reference for clinical work.

Methods: We analyzed 187 category 4 nodules, including 132 nodules in the development cohort and 55 nodules in the validation cohort, divided the development cohort into benign and malignant groups, and analyzed the differences in all CEUS and SWE quantitative parameters between the two groups. We selected the highest AUC of the two parameters, performed binary logistic regression analysis with the ACR TI-RADS score and constructed a diagnostic model.

Long-term efficacy of microwave ablation for multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a 5-year follow-up study.

Objectives: Microwave ablation (MWA) has achieved excellent long-term efficacy in treating unifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (UPTMC). The therapeutic effect of this treatment on multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (MPTMC) is unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the long-term efficacy of MWA for low-risk MPTMC and to provide evidence-based medicine for the revision of clinical guidelines.

Nomogram prediction for cervical lymph node metastasis in multifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Aim: Accurate preoperative prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with mPTMC provides a basis for surgical decision making and the extent of tumor resection. This study aimed to develop and validate an ultrasound radiomics nomogram for the preoperative assessment of LN status.

Methods: A total of 450 patients pathologically diagnosed with mPTMC were enrolled, including 348 patients in the modeling group and 102 patients in the validation group.

Multifunctional Phase-Transition Nanoparticles for Effective Targeted Sonodynamic-Gene Therapy Against Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma.

Introduction: In order to diagnose and treat papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accurately, phase-transition nanoparticles, P@IP-miRNA (PFP@IR780/PLGA-bPEI-miRNA338-3p), was engineered. The nanoparticles (NPs) can target the tumor cells, realize the multimodal imaging, and provide sonodynamic-gene therapy for PTC.

Methods: P@IP-miRNA NPs were synthesized through double emulsification method, and miRNA338-3p was attached to the surface of the NPs by electrostatic adsorption.

Effectiveness and Safety of Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Microwave Ablation for a Single Uterine Fibroid Greater than 300 cm.

Study Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for a single uterine fibroid greater than 300 cm.

Design: Retrospective observational study.

Setting: China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, China.

Value of CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation in the microwave ablation of large solid benign thyroid nodules.

Objectives: To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with feeding artery ablation in the microwave ablation (MWA) of large solid benign thyroid nodules (LSBTNs) with a diameter ≥ 4 cm.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 122 patients with LSBTN ≥ 4 cm in diameter treated with MWA. During evaluations before and after MWA, 53 patients who underwent conventional ultrasound examination were classified as the routine group, and 69 patients who underwent CEUS combined with feeding artery ablation were classified as the union group.

Study on Changes in Immune Function After Microwave Ablation of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

Background: In recent years, papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has been a main cause of the high incidence of thyroid carcinoma. No existing study has reported whether microwave ablation (MWA) affects patients' immunity. Therefore, this study explored the effects of MWA treatment on the immune functions of patients with PTMC.

Clinical values of transrectal ultrasound in judging GTV of cervical cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical value of transrectal ultrasound in judging the Gross Target Volume (GTV) of cervical cancer (CC).

Methods: A total of 196 CC patients admitted to the Department of Radiotherapy, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, from January 2016 to June 2019 were selected as the study subjects. The GTVs before and after applicator insertion were determined by transrectal ultrasound and compared with those judged by MRI.

Long non-coding RNA DUXAP8 promotes the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma via miR-223-3p mediated regulation of CXCR4.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a differentiated type of thyroid malignancy with a high incidence. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DUXAP8 has been reported to participate in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of several cancer types. However, its association with PTC has not yet been reported.

Application of transrectal ultrasound in guiding interstitial brachytherapy for advanced cervical cancer.

Purpose: To investigate the role of transrectal ultrasound guidance in interstitial brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Material And Methods: Forty-eight patients who underwent interstitial brachytherapy treatment for cervical cancer between January 2017 and January 2018 were enrolled in the study. The distances between each inserted needle and the lesion were measured at seven sites by ultrasound (D1-D7) and compared to the corresponding distances (M1-M7) when visualised with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Multimodal Ultrasound Model Based on the Left Gastric Vein in B-Viral Cirrhosis: Noninvasive Prediction of Esophageal Varices.

Objectives: To establish and verify a simple noninvasive model based on the left gastric vein (LGV) to predict the grade of esophageal varices (EV) and high-risk EV (HEV), to facilitate clinical follow-up and timely treatment.

Methods: We enrolled 320 patients with B-viral cirrhosis. All patients underwent endoscopy, laboratory tests, liver and spleen stiffness (SS), and ultrasonography.

LncRNA NEAT1/microRNA-129-5p/SOCS2 axis regulates liver fibrosis in alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Background: Long non-coding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been reported to play an essential role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the role of NEAT1 in regulation of alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) remains largely unknown. This study aims to explore the role of NEAT1 in ASH by mediating microRNA-129-5p (miR-129-5p) targeting suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2).

Application of Hepatic Transit Time and Shear Wave Velocity in Assessing Portal Pressure in Patients with Cirrhotic Portal Hypertension.

The aim of the study described here was to explore the value of hepatic transit time (HTT) and shear wave velocity (SWV) in diagnosing cirrhotic portal hypertension. Fifty-seven patients had undergone esophagogastric varicose vein embolization (group OBS) and 50 healthy controls (group CON) were retrospectively compared with respect to HTT (arterial-hepatic vein [HA-HVTT], portal vein-hepatic vein [PV-HVTT], liver parenchyma-hepatic vein [PA-HVTT]) and SWV to analyze their efficacy in diagnosing cirrhotic portal hypertension. The correlations between SWV/HTT and free portal pressure (FPP) in group OBS were also analyzed.

Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Intussusception in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ultrasonography offers a unique advantage in the clinical diagnosis of intussusception. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in pediatric intussusception. The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, and African Journals Online database were searched for studies pertaining to ultrasonographic diagnosis of intussusception in children.

A photothermal-hypoxia sequentially activatable phase-change nanoagent for mitochondria-targeting tumor synergistic therapy.

To enhance the specificity and efficiency of anti-tumor therapies, we have designed a multifunctional nanoparticle platform for photochemotherapy using fluorescence (FL) and photoacoustic (PA) imaging guidance. Nanoparticles (NPs) composed of a eutectic mixture of natural fatty acids that undergo a solid-liquid phase transition at 39 °C were used to encapsulate materials for the rapid and uniform release of the hypoxia-activated prodrug tirapazamine (TPZ) and the photosensitizer IR780, which targets the mitochondria of tumor cells and can be used to induce hypoxic cell death via photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy. In vitro, the NPs containing TPZ and IR7890 exhibited appreciable cell uptake and triggered drug release when irradiated with a NIR laser.

Conventional Ultrasound and Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Splenic Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Accurate diagnosis of splenic diseases is important for timely and accurate treatment. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and conventional ultrasound (US) in detecting splenic lesions. A systematic literature search was undertaken, and 8 studies met the inclusion criteria.

The diagnostic accuracy of liver fibrosis in non-viral liver diseases using acoustic radiation force impulse elastography: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging is an ultrasound-based elastography method that has been studied in the staging of hepatic fibrosis, especially in chronic hepatitis. However, the diagnostic accuracy of ARFI in non-viral hepatopathies, such as autoimmune hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, has not been systematically determined.

Aim: To systematically assess the diagnostic accuracy of ARFI in non-viral hepatopathies.

Clinical Application of Ultrasound Guidance for Parametrial Treatment of Advanced Cervical Cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound (US) in determining the positions of parametrial implants by comparing US with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for advanced cervical cancer.

Methods: Patients undergoing brachytherapy with parametrial implantation for cervical cancer from February 2017 to February 2019 were involved in the study. The transverse section of the cervix (surface S ) and the transverse section 1 cm above the external cervix (surface S ) were selected from MRI and US images as the observation planes.

Comparison and preliminary discussion of the reasons for the differences in diagnostic performance and unnecessary FNA biopsies between the ACR TIRADS and 2015 ATA guidelines.

Objectives: (1) To compare the American College of Radiology (ACR) thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) and American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines for thyroid nodules with regard to diagnostic performance and effectiveness at reducing the number of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies and to preliminarily discuss the reasons for the differences and (2) to compare the diagnostic performance of the two guidelines in the subgroup of nodules <1 cm in diameter.

Materials And Methods: In the present study, 1000 thyroid nodules in 894 consecutive patients with final diagnoses were included; these thyroid nodules were investigated via FNA biopsies in our hospital. The ultrasound (US) features of the thyroid nodules were reviewed and stratified according to the categories defined by the ACR TIRADS and ATA guidelines.

Preliminary report of microwave ablation for the primary papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a large-cohort of 185 patients feasibility study.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) for primary papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with a large sample of 185 patients.

Methods: A total of 185 patients underwent MWA for 206 primary PTMC nodules. They received ultrasound follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after MWA and every 6 months thereafter.

Application of the Hepatic Transit Time (HTT) in Evaluation of Portal Vein Pressure in Gastroesophageal Varices Patients.

Objectives: To analyze the clinical significance of using hepatic transit time (HTT) to evaluate portal vein pressure in gastroesophageal varices patients.

Methods: For the observation group, we enrolled 50 gastroesophageal varices patients who had received esophagogastric variceal embolization in our hospital between January 2015 and February 2018. Patients without liver disease populated the control group and were recruited during the same time period.

The Effects of Gastrointestinal Function on the Incidence of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients.

Objective: To investigate the effect of gastrointestinal function on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients.

Methods: From August 2012 to June 2016, 160 critically ill patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of our hospital were selected as the research group; patients were divided equally into an observation group and a control group, 80 patients in each group, based on the random draw envelope principle. The control group was given a nasogastric tube for gastric feeding, the observation group was given a dual lumen gastrointestinal enteral device for gastric feeding; the two groups' enteral nutrition observation time was 7d; any changes in patient condition and prognosis were recorded.

A network meta-analysis on the efficacy and prognosis of different interventional therapies for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: It is unclear which kind of interventional therapies is the best when treating early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted Bayesian network meta-analyses to compare local tumor progression (LTP), total tumor recurrence and survival rates and to rank the best intervention arm.

Materials And Methods: A literature search of Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library and Clinicaltrials.