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Background Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare pustular psoriasis variant predominantly affects the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes. However, data on aggravating factors and treatment outcomes is limited.Objective This study aims to analyze the aggravating factors and treatment outcomes of ACH in a three-tertiary-hospital in South China.Methods We analyzed ACH patients from Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, considering patient and disease characteristics along with treatment experiences.Results We identified 96 ACH patients. Various predisposing events were identified, including lifestyle factors, vaccination, stress, trauma, menstruation and drug exposure. A total of 293 systemic treatment courses were analyzed. 54.3% of patients received at least one biologic therapy, while 45.7% were treated with nonbiologic treatments. Acitretin was the most common therapy (20.5%). However, the effectiveness of systemic treatments was low (excellent response rate: 26.3%). Among non-biologic treatments, Acitretin showed a significant response in 30.0% (18/60) of cases, followed by cyclosporin (20.0%, 2/10). Among biologics, spesolimab had the best response rate at 75.0% (n = 3), followed by ixekizumab (44.4%, 8/18). Small molecule drugs did not yeild satisfactory outcomes in ACH treatment.Conclusion Identifying triggers and aggravating factors is crucial for effective ACH treatment. We suggest that biologics may be a useful first-line treatment option for clinicians managing ACH.

Objectives To compare the long-term outcomes of microwave ablation (MWA) for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) with those infected by hepatitis virus B (HBV).Methods The clinical data of HCC patients under the treatment of MWA were analyzed retrospectively between 2010 and 2021 at Chinese PLA General Hospital. Patients were divided into MAFLD-HCC and HBV-HCC group according to the chronic liver disease etiology. The propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce the interference of confounders. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR).Results A total of 648 patients (age range, 18–91 years) with 1019 lesions were enrolled including 601 with HBV-HCC and 47 with MAFLD-HCC. After a variable ratio of 1:n ≤ 4 PSM, 100 patients were included in the HBV-HCC and 41 in the MAFLD-HCC group. No statistical differences in OS and CSS (p = 0.880 and p = 0.980, respectively) were observed between the two groups in the matched cohort, while MAFLD-HCC exhibited better RFS and lower IDR rates compared to HBV-HCC (p = 0.043 and p = 0.041, respectively). Additionally, MAFLD-HCC generated lower ascending range in the liver function indexes like ΔALT (46.7 vs. 98.5, p

AbstractObjectives We aimed to evaluate the effect of intratumoral perfusion on microwave ablation (MWA) area in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Patients who underwent curative MWA for HCC between October 2013 and May 2015 were enrolled. Three days before MWA, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed to illustrate the perfusion characteristics of the target lesion. Using the Sonoliver quantification software, time-intensity curves of dynamic CEUS were obtained, and quantitative parameters were extracted. Two microwave antennae were inserted into the center of the tumor and MWA was performed with a continuous power output of 50 W for 5 min. A second CEUS was performed to measure the size of the ablated region. Thereafter, an additional MWA procedure was performed until complete ablation with a 5–10-mm safety margin was achieved.Results A total of 38 patients who underwent curative MWA for 39 HCC nodules were enrolled. The mean age was 57 years (34–80 years), and the median maximum diameter of the HCC was 3.4 cm (interquartile range, 2–6.8 cm). Time-intensity curves were obtained and the area under the curve (AUC) was selected as a parameter for intratumoral perfusion. The AUC was inversely and linearly correlated with the size of the MWA area, including long- and short-axis diameters and ablation volume. A 1,000-dB·s change in the AUC produced an average change of 1.17 ± 0.44 mm, 0.725 ± 0.355 mm, and 2.4995 ± 0.6575 cm³ in the long- and short-axis diameters and ablation volume, respectively.Conclusions The intratumoral perfusion of HCC was inversely correlated with MWA area size.

AbstractObjective To compare the long-term efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) as first-line therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) adjacent versus nonadjacent to the gallbladder.Materials and Methods From 2006 to 2018, 657 patients with ≤5 cm HCC who underwent percutaneous ultrasound-guided MWA as first-line therapy from 5 hospitals were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were grouped into the adjacent group (n = 49) and the nonadjacent group (n = 608) according to whether the tumor was adjacent to the gallbladder. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline variables between the two groups.Results Forty-eight patient pairs were matched after PSM. For the PSM cohort, during a median follow-up time of 60 months, there were no differences in PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.011; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.647-1.578; p = 0.963) or OS (HR 0.925; 95% CI 0.522-1.639; p = 0.789) between the adjacent and nonadjacent groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the tumor adjacent to the gallbladder was not an independent risk factor for PFS or OS (all p > 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed comparable PFS and OS between the two groups in the 0.05). In addition to more use of assistive technology (p 0.05) to the nonadjacent group.Conclusion There were comparable long-term efficacy and complications between patients with HCC adjacent and nonadjacent to the gallbladder treated with MWA.

Objective To evaluate the potential risk factors influencing cure rate of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Materials and methods Seventy five patients (25 males and 50 females; mean age, 56.80 ± 12.34; age range, 26–85) with PHPT undergoing MWA under ultrasound guidance were enrolled between May 2017 and December 2020. The cure rate and complications were evaluated after treatment. The potential factors influencing cure rate of ultrasound-guided MWA for PHPT were analyzed by univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression. Results Fifty six of 75 patients had normal PTH and serum calcium levels after at least 6 months after one session MWA, and the cure rate was 74.7% (56/75). 6 uncured patients received the second session MWA during follow-up, and the cure rate achieved 81.3% (61/75) after the second session MWA. Voice changes occurred in 4 patients (5.33%) and recovered within 3 months after ablation without special treatment. Nodule volume was the independent risk factor associated with cure in PHPT patients undergoing MWA, whether after one session (p = 0.0224; odds ratio, 0.67) or the second session MWA (p = 0.0408; odds ratio, 0.74). The cutoff value for nodule volume in predicting the cure was 0.96 cm3 (one session: sensitivity, 76.8%; specificity, 73.7%; the second session: sensitivity, 72.1%; specificity, 71.4%). Conclusion In conclusion, parathyroid nodule volume was the independent risk factor associated with cure in PHPT patients undergoing MWA.

Objective To compare the long-term efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) for subcapsular and non-subcapsular hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) using propensity score matching (PSM). Materials and methods Using a multicenter database, we enrolled 430 patients (347 men, 83 women; age range, 15–71 years) with HCCs who received percutaneous ultrasound-guided MWA, between January 2012 and December 2018. The patients were grouped as follows, based on whether the tumor was adjacent to the capsule: subcapsular group (n = 142) and non-subcapsular group (n = 142). To evaluate the correlation between subcapsular position and efficacy of MWA, a Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) based on PSM data. Results In total, 142 pairs of patients were matched. In the PSM cohort, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year DFS rates of the subcapsular and non-subcapsular groups were 84%, 61%, and 47%, respectively, and 85%, 67%, and 58%, respectively, while the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates were 98%, 90%, and 84%, respectively, and 98%, 90%, and 88%, respectively. In the PSM cohort, subcapsular position was not an independent risk factor for DFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.291, p = 0.196) or OS (HR = 0.926, p = 0.866). Additionally, there were no significant differences in the incidence of local tumor progression, major complications, technical success rate, number of puncture needles, and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion There were no significant differences in DFS, OS, incidence of local tumor progression, and major complications between patients with subcapsular and non-subcapsular HCCs treated with MWA.

The immunity potency upon natural infection or vaccination is the main concern for the vaccine strategy of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2（SARS COV-2 variant）, especially the recently reported Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). In this study, 200 recipients immunized with three doses of a COVID-19-inactivated vaccine were enrolled, whose serum samples were collected within 2 months after the third immunization. The neutralizing activity of sera against the pseudotyped Omicron variant, prototype, and Delta variant was determined. Our results demonstrated that the positive neutralization activity was 95.5% for the Omicron variant, 99.5% for the prototype, and 98.5% for the Delta variant. The geometric mean titers （GMT） for the Omicron variant was 49 and maintained sustained immune levels for 2 months, which decreased by 4.9-fold and 3.0-fold compared with the prototype (GMT, 239) and Delta variant (GMT, 148), respectively. In summary, our study demonstrated that three doses of a COVID-19-inactivated vaccine effectively yielded potent cross-neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant at 2 months after the third vaccination.

We investigate the impact of the global economic policy uncertainty (GEPU) on stock volatility for nine emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, and Turkey). We employ an expanded GARCH-MIDAS approach to connect low-frequency GEPU data and high-frequency stock data, assuming that GEPU affects stock volatility via the long-run component of total volatility. We not only use DM and SPA tests to statically evaluate the out-of-sample forecasting ability of the extended model, taking traditional GARCH model and GARCH-MIDAS model as benchmarks, but also use the Fluctuation test to examine the time-varyingly relative forecasting performance in the presence of potential instability. From the in-sample estimation results, we find that GEPU has empirically significant impact on stock volatility for the nine emerging economies. The out-of-sample forecasting results show that the GEPU-based model can improve forecasting performance of stock volatility for emerging markets, especially in unstable environments.

Objective This retrospective study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of partial ablation (PA) for benign thyroid nodules (BTNs) using microwave ablation (MWA) in a long-term follow-up. Materials and methods Between February 2015 and April 2019, 236 patients with 236 BTNs (maximum diameter ≥2 cm) treated with ultrasound-guided MWA were enrolled. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed within 3 d after ablation to determine whether there was residual tissue according to which the patients were assigned PA or complete ablation (CA). The volume reduction ratio (VRR) and complications were evaluated during follow-up. Results Eighty-two patients were enrolled in the PA group, and 154 were enrolled in the CA group. Both groups achieved continuous reductions in nodule volume and increases in VRR within 2 years after ablation. Although the VRR of the PA group at 4 years was lower than that of the CA group (65.54 vs. 95.08%; p.05). Conclusions Both PA and CA were safe and effective in reducing the volumes of BTNs in the long-term follow-up. For nodules with a large initial volume and dangerous location, PA with a small amount of residual tissue may be acceptable.

Purpose To identify the beneficial body mass index (BMI) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to achieve longer survival time following curative microwave ablation (MWA). Methods This retrospective study evaluated 474 patients with solitary primary HCC who underwent MWA. BMI at initial admission and other characteristics were collected. The associations of the BMI with the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis in multiple models. A two-piecewise linear regression model was applied to examine the threshold effect of the BMI on OS and DFS by maximized log likelihood method. The threshold level was determined by using trial and error. Results Patients with a normal BMI range achieved improved survival outcomes but similar DFS in multiple models. In the model with adjustments of the age, size, and Charlson score, patients with BMI ≤ 22.9 and ≤24.9 kg/m2 exhibited a lower death rate than patients with BMI ≤18.5 kg/m2 (p

Purpose To assess the oncologic outcomes of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in challenging locations (CLs) underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (US-PMWA) and the efficacy and safety of the advanced assistive technology (AAT). Materials and methods Data for 489 treatment-naïve patients with HCC who met Milan criteria and subsequently underwent US-PMWA were reviewed from March 2012 to November 2016. According to the distance (

Purpose To compare acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence between nephron sparing surgery (NSS) and microwave ablation (MWA) for T1a RCC patients, reveal the effect of AKI on survival prognosis, construct AKI nomogram and use Law of Total Probability for survival probability (SP) prediction. Materials and methods Patients were studied retrospectively after NSS (n = 1267) or MWA (n = 210) from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2017. Using one to one Propensity Score Matching (PSM), 158 pairs of patients were identified for the cohort study. AKI incidence, risk factors and impact on survival outcomes were analyzed using Chi-square test, logistic and cox regression analysis. AKI risk and SP were predicted by nomogram and Law of Total Probability. The performance of the nomogram was assessed with respect to its discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness. Results AKI occurred more commonly in NSS (27.85%) cohort, when compared to MWA (17.72%) cohort (p = 0.032), but treatment modality was not independently predictive of AKI occurrence (odds ratio [OR]: 0.598; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.282–1.265; p = 0.178). The 5-yr overall survival (OS) was lower in AKI patients (73.5%) compared with non-AKI patients (94.8%; p 0.86, excellent calibration and net benefits at the decision curve analysis with probabilities ≥5%. SP predicted by Law of Total Probability was comparable to actual OS. Conclusion AKI was an early indicator for poor overall survival in RCC patients. It can be predicted by several oncological parameters. Nomogram and Law of Total Probability can accurately predict AKI risk and SP.

Purpose: To compare the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) and parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. Methods: In an observational retrospective study, we compared the outcomes in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent ultrasound-guided MWA with the outcomes in those who underwent surgical resection (SR). The primary outcome was cure rate. Secondary outcomes were the rate of complications, and the difference of the treatment parameters of two treatment methods. Propensity-score matching was used to assemble a cohort of patients with similar baseline characteristics. Results: Among 108 patients who met inclusion criteria, 28 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided MWA (MWA group) and 28 who underwent SR (SR group) had similar propensity scores and were included in the analyses. There was no significant difference in the cure rate between MWA group and SR group (82.1% vs. 89.3%, p = .705). Patients who underwent MWA had significantly less estimated blood loss and shorter surgical time than those who underwent SR (p

To investigate the effects of pre-oxidized myofibrillar protein (MP) on stability of heat-induced MP gelation throughout 28 days of refrigeration, a hydroxyl radical generating system (10 μM FeCl3, 0.1 mM ascorbic acid, with 10 mM H2O2) was employed. Results demonstrated that an increase of carbonyl content followed a similar trend in both pre-oxidized and non-oxidized protein gels. Unexpectedly, pre-oxidized protein gels yielded increased (P

Shanghai has been experiencing the Omicron wave since March 2022. Though several studies have evaluated the risk factors of severe infections, the analyses of BA.2 infection risk and protective factors among geriatric people were much limited. This multicentre cohort study described clinical characteristics, and assessed risk and protective factors for geriatric Omicron severe infections. A total of 1377 patients older than 60 were enrolled, with 75.96% having comorbidities. The median viral shedding time and hospitalization time were nine and eight days, respectively. Severe and critical were associated with longer virus clearance time (aOR [95%CI]:0.706 (0.533–0.935), P = .015), while fully vaccinated/booster and paxlovid use shortened viral shedding time (1.229 [1.076–1.402], P = .002; 1.140 [0.019–1.274], P = .022, respectively). Older age (>80), cerebrovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease were risk factors of severe/critical. Fully vaccination was a significant protective factor against severe infections (0.237 [0.071–0.793], P = .019). We found patients with more than two comorbidities were more likely to get serious outcomes. These findings demonstrated that in the elderly older than 60 years old, older age (aged over 80), cerebrovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease were risk factors for severe infection. Patients with more than two comorbidities were more likely to get serious outcomes. Fully vaccinated/booster patients were less likely to be severe and vaccinations could shorten viral shedding time. The limitation of lacking an overall spectrum of COVID-19 infections among elders could be compensated in other larger-scale studies in the future.