Dual-layer spectral detector CT for contrast agent concentration, dose and injection rate reduction: Utility in imaging of the superior mesenteric artery.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of contrast agent and injection rate reduction for dual-layer spectral detector computed tomography (SDCT) imaging of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) using virtual monochromatic image (VMI).

Methods: A total of 102 patients who underwent abdominal arterial phase-enhanced SDCT examination due to suspected abdominal diseases were prospectively selected and divided into control group, low concentration/dose groups (groups 370-0.7, 300-1.

A Data-Efficient Framework for the Identification of Vaginitis Based on Deep Learning.

Vaginitis is a gynecological disease affecting the health of millions of women all over the world. The traditional diagnosis of vaginitis is based on manual microscopy, which is time-consuming and tedious. The deep learning method offers a fast and reliable solution for an automatic early diagnosis of vaginitis.

Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Dysplasia in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background And Aims: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Current guidelines recommend endoscopic resection if the lesion is visible with distinct margins and a complete resection can be achieved. However, submucosal fibrosis due to chronic inflammation may increase the procedural risk and reduce the complete resection rate.

A randomized controlled clinical trial of prolonged balloon inflation during stent deployment strategy in primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a pilot study.

Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the standard procedure for reperfusion for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon remains common and is associated with adverse outcomes.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate whether prolonged balloon inflation in stent deployment would lessen the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon in PPCI compared with conventional rapid inflation/deflation strategy.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either the prolonged balloon inflation in stent deployment group (PBSG) or conventional deployment strategy group (CDSG) in a 1:1 ratio.

Efficacy and Safety of Oral Herbal Drugs Used as Adjunctive Therapy for Melasma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.

Background: Melasma is an acquired disorder of facial pigmentation. Its etiology is multifactorial; thus, the management is usually challenging. As a complementary therapy, herbal drugs are often used in the management of melasma.

Psychometric Properties of the Grit-S in Chinese Nurses.

Grit, as a positive psychological trait, could affect the stability of nursing workforce and nurses' physical and mental health continuously. The Short Grit Scale (Grit-S) with fewer items than the original Grit Scale was widely used to measure individual trait-level grit. However, the psychological properties of Grit-S among Chinese nurses have not been verified.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes among Patients with Covid-19 in Different Regions of the World.

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak began in China in December 2019 and rapidly spread globally. Up to July 2020, the number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been increasing in the USA, Italy, England, Spain and numerous other countries. Patients with this disease in different countries present with different clinical manifestations and different prognosis.

Screening of Key Fungal Strains in the Fermentation Process of the Chinese Medicinal Preparation "Lianzhifan Solution" Based on Metabolic Profiling and High-Throughput Sequencing Technology.

"Lianzhifan solution" (LZF) is produced by the natural fermentation of coptis root and gardenia fruit, and it is a classic prescription for external use in anorectal department. During the fermentation process, the structural evolution of microbial communities led to significant changes in the chemical profile. In this study, we first analyzed the dynamic changes of chemical components as well as the composition and succession of microbial community during the whole fermentation process of LZF, and confirmed the changes of characteristics of nine compounds during the whole fermentation process by metabolic profile.

Diagnostic performance of mammography and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluating mammographically visible breast masses.

Objective: We compared the diagnostic values of mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating breast masses.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed mammography, MRI, and histopathological data for 377 patients with breast masses on mammography, including 73 benign and 304 malignant masses.

Results: The sensitivities and negative predictive values (NPVs) were significantly higher for MRI compared with mammography for detecting breast cancer (98.

The relationship between ApoE gene polymorphism and the efficacy of statins controlling hyperlipidemia.

Objective: To explore the relationship between ApoE gene polymorphism and clinical efficacy of statins on lipidemia.

Methods: Peripheral venous blood was obtained from 220 patients with hyperlipidemia who were admitted to the outpatient department of our hospital. The potential relationship between ApoE gene polymorphism and clinical effect of statins was analyzed.

Inflammation in Remote Myocardium and Left Ventricular Remodeling After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Pilot Study Using T2 Mapping.

Background: The pathophysiological changes in the remote myocardium after acute myocardial infarction (MI) remains less understood.

Purpose: To assess the inflammation in the remote myocardium post-MI and its association with left ventricular (LV) remodeling using T2 mapping.

Study Type: Prospective.

Sociodemographic factors associated with the first administration of anti-seizure medication in patients with focal epilepsy in Western China.

Background: Epilepsy is a severe chronic neurologic disease with a prevalence of 0.7% worldwide; anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are the mainstay of epilepsy treatment. The effects of sociodemographic factors on the characteristics of initial treatment in patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy in Western China are unknown.

[Effect of stable overexpression of XAF1 gene on biological characteristics of ovarian cancer A2780 cells].

Objective: To construct an ovarian cancer cell line stably overexpressing XAF1 gene and observe the effects of XAF1 gene overexpression on proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and sensitivity to paclitaxel of the cells.

Objective: Ovarian cancer A2780 cells were transfected with the plasmids pcDNA3.1(+) or pcDNA3.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on neurocognitive disturbance after elective non-cardiac surgery in senile patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Senile patients often experience neurocognitive disturbance after non-cardiac surgery. Several clinical trials have investigated if the perioperative intravenous use of dexmedetomidine has a positive effect on the prevention of neurocognitive dysfunction, but the results have been inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on neurocognitive disturbance after elective non-cardiac surgery in senile patients.

Prognostic value of SH3PXD2B (Tks4) in human hepatocellular carcinoma: a combined multi-omics and experimental study.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and fatal cancers worldwide. HCC invasion and metastasis are crucial for its poor prognosis. SH3PXD2B is a scaffold protein and critical for intravascular and extravascular invasion and metastasis of various types of tumors.

Differential diagnosis between acinic cell carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma using the quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Objective: To investigate the value of differential diagnosis between acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) and pleomorphic adenoma (PA) using the quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Patients And Methods: Twenty-two ACC and 98 PA were retrospectively analyzed. These patients had been examined via routine pre-surgical two-dimensional ultrasound and CEUS.

The relationship among Girdin DNA methylation, its high expression, and immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma: Clues from in silico analysis.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship among Girdin DNA methylation, its high expression, and immune infiltration in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) databases were used to compare Girdin mRNA expression between HCC tissues and normal tissues, and determine the relationship between Girdin expression and HCC prognosis. TCGA database was also used to analyze the expression of Girdin and its methylation status, as well as the relationship between Girdin DNA methylation and HCC prognosis.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes among Patients with Covid-19 in Different Regions of the World.

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak began in China in December 2019 and rapidly spread globally. Up to July 2020, the number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been increasing in the USA, Italy, England, Spain and numerous other countries. Patients with this disease in different countries present with different clinical manifestations and different prognosis.

Characterization of infarcted myocardium by T1-mapping and its association with left ventricular remodeling.

Purpose: Acutely infarcted native T1 (native T1) and extracellular volume (ECV) could quantify myocardial injury after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Therefore, we sought to further explore their association with left ventricular (LV) remodeling during follow-up.

Methods: 56 ST-segment-elevation MI patients were prospectively recruited and completed acute and 3-month cardiac magnetic resonance scans.

Effects of valproate, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam monotherapy on bone health in newly diagnosed adult patients with epilepsy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of valproate (VPA), lamotrigine (LTG), and levetiracetam (LEV) on bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in newly diagnosed adult patients with epilepsy.

Methods: Eligible adult patients who were newly diagnosed with epilepsy were treated with VPA, LTG, and LEV. The chemical indicators of bone metabolism and BMD were measured before treatment and 2 years after treatment with different antiseizure medication (ASM) monotherapies.