Ultrasound and clinical factors predicting central lymph node metastases in patients with unilateral multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Objective: This retrospective study involving a large dataset of unilateral multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (UM-PTC) sought to identify factors that predict central lymph node metastases (CLNM) in patients.

Methods: We identified a cohort of 158 patients who underwent cervical ultrasonography followed by UM-PTC diagnosis based on postoperative pathology. The relationship between CLNM and UM-PTC clinical ultrasound features was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Ultrasonic features of automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) and handheld ultrasound (HHUS) combined with molecular biomarkers in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis of clinical T1-T2 breast cancer.

Background: In the post-American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial era, clinicians are attempting to preoperatively evaluate axillary lymph node (ALN) status using ultrasound. However, the value of preoperative ultrasound examination remains uncertain. The study aimed to investigate the ultrasonic features of automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) and handheld ultrasound (HHUS), in combination with molecular biomarkers, to predict the risk of ALN metastasis (ALNM) in clinical T1-T2 breast cancer.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound evaluation of renal perfusion before angioplasty and its predictive value for hypertension.

Background: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is a common disease in the elderly population.

Objective: The aim was to develop a contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-based model for predicting post-angioplasty improvement in hypertension in patients with severe ARAS.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with severe ARAS (⩾ 70%) were included in this study, and 42 renal arteries received percutaneous transluminal renal arterial stenting.

Comparison of the diagnostic performance and clinical role of different ultrasound-based thyroid malignancy risk stratification systems for medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: This study sought to investigate the applicability of different ultrasound (US) thyroid risk stratification systems in diagnosing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and determining the need for biopsy.

Methods: In total, 34 MTC nodules, 54 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) nodules, and 62 benign thyroid nodules were examined in this study. All the diagnoses were histopathologically confirmed postoperatively.

Value of High-Frequency Ultrasonography in the Qualitative and Semi-Quantitative Assessment of Immunoglobulin G4-Related Submandibular Sialadenitis.

Objective: To assess the value of high-frequency ultrasonography in the evaluation of immunoglobulin G4-related submandibular sialadenitis (IgG4-SS).

Methods: Thirty-four submandibular glands in 17 patients with IgG4-SS were retrospectively enrolled, as well as 34 submandibular glands in 17 healthy control subjects. Qualitative ultrasonic features including submandibular gland size, border, echogenicity, and vascularity were reviewed.

Microbubble contrast agent SonoVue: An efficient medium for the preoperative lymphatic mapping of thyroid carcinoma.

To assess the value of microbubble contrast agent SonoVue in the thorough preoperative lymphatic mapping of patients with thyroid carcinoma, including the lymphatic drainage region, the detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN), and the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis (LNM). 55 patients with 62 thyroid malignancies proved by surgical pathology (59 papillary thyroid carcinomas and three medullary thyroid carcinomas) who underwent preoperative lymphatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (LCEUS) with microbubble contrast agent SonoVue were enrolled. All LNM were confirmed by pathology.

Diagnostic Value of Ultrasound Elastography in the Differentiation of Breast Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Ductal Carcinoma .

Background: Ultrasound elastography (US-E) has been shown superior to the conventional US in diagnosing benign and malignant breast lesions. In contrast, the role of US-E in the differentiation of breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been poorly described.

Objective: This study was designed to examine the diagnostic value of US-E in the differentiation of IDC and DCIS.

The value of ultrasound elastography combined with multi-parameters in the diagnosis of BI-RADS 4 breast lesions.

Background: Female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases (11.7%) in the global cancer statistics 2020.

Value of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Preoperative Evaluation of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Invasiveness.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of preoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the detection of extracapsular extension (ECE) and cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the added value of CEUS in the evaluation of PTC invasiveness to conventional ultrasound (US).

Materials And Methods: A total of 62 patients were enrolled retrospectively, including 30 patients with invasive PTCs (Group A, ECE or LNM present) and 32 patients with non-invasive PTCs (Group B). All patients underwent US and CEUS examinations before surgery.

Impacts of COVID-19 on Chinese nationals' tourism preferences.

This paper examines the impacts of COVID-19 on Chinese nationals' tourism preferences. Employing a mixed-method research design, two rounds of nation-wide online surveys were conducted, one in February 2020 when COVID-19 cases started to peak in China and another one in June 2020 when COVID-19 was a global pandemic; both survey studies were accompanied with semi-structured in-depth interviews and altogether 37 interviews were conducted in two stages. Based on both quantitative survey data and qualitative interview data, the research identified that: 1) COVID-19 significantly reduced Chinese nationals' preferences to travel to countries with high infection numbers, and geographically faraway, administratively and culturally distant outbound destinations; 2) Chinese nationals reduced their preferences in all travel modes and most of the tourism forms, but most of them would prefer nature-based, rural, and cultural destinations after COVID-19; and 3) shortened trips in short travel distance are preferred after COVID-19.

Zoledronate-induced acute anterior uveitis: a three-case report and brief review of literature.

Purpose: This three-case report aims to highlight the ocular adverse effects induced by bisphosphonate therapy and to call clinicians' attention.

Methods: Three cases of acute anterior uveitis secondary to the initial dose of zoledronate infusion were reported with focus on their symptoms, treatment regimens, and outcomes. A review of published reports provided a basis for discussion.

Evolution of international tourist flows from 1995 to 2018: A network analysis perspective.

Tourist arrivals and tourism revenues have been extensively studied to evaluate international tourist flows, whereas the structure and evolution of these flows have received less attention. Based on international tourist arrival data from 221 countries/regions during the period 1995-2018, this study applies network analysis to explore the structure and evolution of international tourist flows, and the roles and functions of countries/regions in the international tourist flow network. The results of this study reveal that the network density of international tourist flows is increasing.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Evaluation of Renal Blood Perfusion Changes After Percutaneous Transluminal Renal Angioplasty and Stenting for Severe Atherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis.

This study used contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to evaluate changes in renal cortical blood perfusion after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty and stenting (PTRAS) for severe renal artery stenosis (RAS) (≥70%). CEUS was performed in 21 patients with 24 severe RASs that underwent PTRAS. Renal cortical perfusion was quantitatively evaluated by comparing time intensity curve (TIC) parameters for SonoVue (Bracco, Milan, Italy) contrast enhancement, including peak intensity (PI), time to peak (TTP), mean transmit time (MTT), curve ascending slope (S), area under the curve (AUC), AUC-wash-in and AUC-wash-out.

Real-time ultrasound elastography evaluation of achilles tendon properties in patients with mild hemiplegic stroke after rehabilitation training.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the Achilles tendon's properties after rehabilitation training in patients with stroke using real-time ultrasound elastography.

Methods: A total of 24 patients with mild hemiplegic stroke in the past 6 to 12 months and unilateral lower limb movement disorder were prospectively enrolled. All patients accepted 9-week rehabilitation training with the same schema.

[Early age-related macular degeneration treated with acupuncture technique: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To compare the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the treatment between acupuncture technique and regular acupuncture.

Methods: A total of 110 patients of AMD were randomized into an observation group (55 cases, 73 eyes) and a control group (55 cases, 76 eyes). In the observation group, acupuncture was applied at Cuanzhu (BL 2) and Yiming (EX-HN 14).

Imaging and Screening of Thyroid Cancer.

Ultrasound is the first-line diagnostic tool for diagnosis of thyroid diseases. The low aggressiveness of many thyroid cancers coupled with high sensitivity of sonography can lead to cancer diagnosis and treatment with no effect on outcomes. Ultrasound is recognized as the most important driver of thyroid cancer overdiagnosis.

[Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy on the thyroid nodules: the adequacy and the predicting factors for the nodule management].

Objective: To explore the adequacy of the initial ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) on the thyroid nodules and the potential factors for predicting the management of the nodules.

Methods: Retrospectively collected the subjects who underwent the CNB on the thyroid nodules within one year, with the inclusion criteria: (1) initial CNB on the thyroid nodules, (2) underwent the ultrasound scanning 1 month before the biopsy. The following data were recorded, which were the patient's age, sex, the lesion's sonographic findings (size, number, content, margin, echo, calcification, and internal vascularity), and histopathology.

[Logistic regression analysis of clinical and ultrasonic features of breast nodules].

Objective: To create a breast nodule estimation model based on grayscale and color Doppler ultrasonography using Logistic regression that can screen out the specific features for distinguishing breast malignancy from benignancy.

Methods: From July, 2009 to May, 2010, 217 patients were enrolled in the study in peking university first hospital. Clinical data and ultrasonic features were evaluated in 219 breast nodules of 217 patients confirmed by surgical pathology.