Search

Abstract: CeO x -induced amorphization of CoPt nanoparticles (NPs) is achieved by a facile co-reduction method using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as the reducing agent at room temperature (298 K) under ambient atmosphere. The investigation results indicate that CeO x plays a critical role in transferring the crystalline CoPt nanoalloy into the amorphous one. To our surprise, the resultant Co0.65Pt0.30(CeO x )0.05 NPs exhibit high catalytic kinetic performance with 72.1% hydrogen (H2) selectivity for the H2 generation from hydrous hydrazine (N2H4) within only a few minute at 298 K. Although complete conversion is not achieved, but the initial turnover frequency value of 194.8 h−1 for the present amorphous catalyst is much higher than that of crystalline one. Moreover, such a highly rapid catalyst may greatly encourage the practical application of hydrous N2H4 as a hydrogen storage material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carbon-free electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is an attractive replacement of the current Haber-Bosch method. However, there is a lack of suitable electrocatalysts that simultaneously achieve both high activity and selectivity, hindering the practical applications of NRR. Herein we theoretically design an electron-deficient surface of MoB 2 for preferential N 2 adsorption and thus increase the local concentration of N 2 around the active sites. These lead to outstanding NRR selectivity that can evidently retard the competing HER even at the NRR operating potential. The corresponding theoretical limiting potential for NRR is as low as − 0.34 V. Our proof-of-concept experiment confirms the above theoretical design, in which excellent NRR performances (NH 3 yield rate of ~ 40.94 μg h−1 mg−1, FE of ~ 30.84%) have been achieved. The strategy of inducing electron deficiency on active sites provides new insight into the rational design of NRR electrocatalysts for realizing green and effective ammonia synthesis in practical applications. [Display omitted] • A selectivity-boosting strategy for preferential N 2 adsorption and activation. • DFT calculations reveal that the intrinsic mechanism of N 2 adsorption and activation on electron-deficient sites. • MoB 2 exhibits excellent NRR performance with a low limiting potential and outstanding NRR selectivity. • Proof-of-concept experiment shows a high Faradaic efficiency of 30.84% for NH 3 synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A malignancy might be found at surgery in cases of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) diagnosed via US-guided core needle biopsy (CNB). The objective of this study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in predicting ADH diagnosed by US-guided CNB that was upgraded to malignancy after surgery., Methods: In this retrospective study, 110 CNB-diagnosed ADH lesions in 109 consecutive women who underwent US, CEUS, and surgery between June 2018 and June 2023 were included. CEUS was incorporated into US BI-RADS and yielded a CEUS-adjusted BI-RADS. The diagnostic performance of US BI-RADS and CEUS-adjusted BI-RADS for ADH were analyzed and compared., Results: The mean age of the 109 women was 49.7 years ± 11.6 (SD). The upgrade rate of ADH at CNB was 48.2% (53 of 110). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CEUS for identification of malignant upgrading were 96.2%, 66.7%,72.9%, and 95.0%, respectively, based on BI-RADS category 4B threshold. The two false-negative cases were low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ. Compared with the US, CEUS-adjusted BI-RADS had better specificity for lesions smaller than 2 cm (76.7% vs. 96.7%, P = 0.031). After CEUS, 16 (10 malignant and 6 nonmalignant) of the 45 original US BI-RADS category 4A lesions were up-classified to BI-RADS 4B, and 3 (1 malignant and 2 nonmalignant) of the 41 original US BI-RADS category 4B lesions were down-classified to BI-RADS 4A., Conclusions: CEUS is helpful in predicting malignant upgrading of ADH, especially for lesions smaller than 2 cm and those classified as BI-RADS 4A and 4B on ultrasound., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD) has not been systematically studied in patients with Transient Global Amnesia (TGA). We aimed to investigate the CSVD burden in patients with TGA and its relationship with TGA recurrence., Methods: We retrospectively examined 69 patients diagnosed with TGA in a single center between January 2015 and November 2023. The overall CSVD burden and single CSVD imaging markers, including enlarged perivascular spaces in the hippocampus (H-EPVS), were measured in each patient and compared with those in 69 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine independent predictors of recurrence., Results: Of the 69 included patients, 40 (58%) were female, and the median age was 67 years (range 42-83 years). Twenty-one patients (30.4%) showed dot-like hippocampal hyperintensities on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The mean follow-up was 51 months. Sixteen patients (23.2%) experienced TGA recurrence. The burden of overall CSVD, lacunes, WMH, EPVS, and extensive H-EPVS was higher in TGA patients than in controls. TGA patients who experienced recurrence had a heavier overall CSVD burden, lower frequency of hippocampal DWI hyperintensities, and longer follow-up duration than those who had with single episode. In the multivariate analysis, only follow-up duration was an independent predictor of TGA recurrence., Conclusion: The overall CSVD burden and extensive H-EPVS burden were higher in patients with TGA than healthy controls. Follow-up duration but not overall CSVD burden may predict TGA recurrence., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Purpose: To evaluate the prognosis of patients with benign phyllodes tumors (PTs) treated by different surgical methods and to explore the influencing factors of local recurrence., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 215 benign PTs from 193 patients who underwent surgery at Chinese PLA General Hospital between October 2008 and December 2020. We stratified our analysis according to surgical factors and explored the clinicopathological factors to influence local recurrence., Results: Among 193 patients, a total of 17 (8.8%, 17/193) recurred during follow-up. There were 89 patients in the US-VAE group, of whom 6 (6.7%) recurred; 8 of 57 patients (14%) in the local lumpectomy group recurred, while 3 of 47 patients (6.4%) in the extended lumpectomy group recurred ( P =0.252). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tumor diameter, mitosis, and history of breast myoma were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence ( P =0.005, P =0.006, and P =0.004, respectively). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and scar length of the US-VAE group were shorter than those of the other two groups ( P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Negative surgical margins of benign PTs can obtain similar prognosis as negative surgical margins >10 mm. Therefore, we recommend that a follow-up observation policy be adopted for patients with unexpected benign PTs, rather than unnecessary open surgical resection. Patients' maximum tumor diameter, mitosis, and fibroadenoma history were independent predictors for recurrence of benign PTs., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Ying Jiang et al.)

This data article presents data from the China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS), a multi-wave, large-scale national cross-sectional survey of China's internal migrants from 2009 to 2018. The CMDS is an annual questionnaire survey conducted by the former National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of the People's Republic of China. The respondents included in this survey are internal migrants over 15 years old. The sample was drawn from the China Migrant Population Information System, using multi-stage stratified sampling method and the probability proportional-to-size (PPS) cluster sampling strategy. Between 2009 and 2018, there were 1,527,650 internal migrants from 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 4 municipalities participated in the surveys. The survey tools were a series of self-designed questionnaires with high inheritance and consistency designed and implemented by the NHFPC. The questionnaires mainly contain basic information of the respondents and their family members, migration status, healthcare or health behaviors, public health service utilization, social insurance, social integration, and family planning. The dataset is currently the most widely used survey data on China's internal migrants, offering information on migration patterns, healthcare and health behaviors, use of public health services, access to social security, social integration, and family planning, which are valuable for health planning, health decision-making, and health equity research.

Objectives: To develop a predictive model using conventional ultrasound combined with CEUS to identify thoracic wall recurrence after mastectomy., Methods: A total of 162 women with pathologically confirmed thoracic wall lesions (benign 79, malignant 83; median size 1.9 cm, ranging 0.3-8.0 cm) underwent a mastectomy and were checked by both conventional ultrasound and CEUS and were retrospectively included. Logistic regression models of B-mode ultrasound (US) and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) with or without CEUS were established to assess the thoracic wall recurrence after mastectomy. The established models were validated by bootstrap resampling. The models were evaluated using calibration curve. The clinical benefit of models were assessed using decision curve analysis., Results: The area under the receiver characteristic was 0.823 (95% CI: 0.76, 0.88) for model using US alone, 0.898 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.94) for model using US combined with CDFI, and 0.959 (95% CI: 0.92, 0.98) for model using US combined with both CDFI and CEUS. The diagnostic performance of the US combined with CDFI was significantly higher than that of the US alone (0.823 vs 0.898, p = 0.002) but significantly lower than that of the US combined with both CDFI and CEUS (0.959 vs 0.898, p < 0.001). Moreover, the unnecessary biopsy rate of the US combined with both CDFI and CEUS was significantly lower than that of the US combined with CDFI (p = 0.037)., Conclusions: Compared to B-mode ultrasound and CDFI, CEUS improves the diagnostic performance to evaluate thoracic wall recurrence after mastectomy., Key Points: • CUES is an effective supplementary method for US in the diagnosis of thoracic wall recurrence after mastectomy. • CEUS combined with both US and CDFI can significantly improve the accuracy of diagnosis of thoracic wall recurrence after mastectomy. • CEUS combined with both US and CDFI can reduce the rate of unnecessary biopsy of thoracic wall lesions after mastectomy., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Society of Radiology.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Jiawei Taohe Chengqi Decoction (JTCD) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula modified from Taohe Chengqi Decoction in the classic ancient literature of TCM "Treatise on Febrile Diseases". Clinical and pharmacological studies have shown that JTCD has a therapeutic effect on hepatic encephalopathy, non-alcoholic fatty liver, cirrhotic ascites, and can alleviate acute liver injury in rats. Our previous studies confirmed that JTCD could alleviate hepatic fibrosis and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, its mechanism remains unclear., Aim of the Study: This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of Src Signal on hepatic fibrosis and HSCs activation, and whether JTCD inhibited hepatic fibrosis and HSCs activation through affecting Src Signal., Materials and Methods: In vivo, sixty specific pathogen free male C57/BL6 mice were divided into following six groups: Control group, Model group, SARA group, JTCD low dose group, JTCD medium dose group and JTCD high dose group. Then we established a carbon tetrachloride (CCL 4 )-induced hepatic fibrosis mice model, each JTCD group was given the corresponding dose of JTCD by gavage, the SARA group was given Saracatinib and the control group was given saline, once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analyzed chemical components of JTCD. Pathological examination including Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Masson and Sirius red staining was used to observe the characteristic of hepatic fibrosis. Automatic biochemical analyzer detected the levels of alanine aminotransfease (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) in serum. Western-blot and immunohistochemical staining (IHC) detected protein expression. In vitro, we used shRNA to knock down the expression of Src in immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line (LX-2), then intervened with ERK1/2 agonists/inhibitors and JTCD-containing serum after transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) treatment. Immunofluorescence and western-blot detected protein expression. The migratory characteristic of HSCs was assessed by wound-healing assay., Results: We identified 135 chemical components in the water extract of JTCD, and the water extract of JTCD contains a variety of anti-hepatic fibrosis components. Compared to the model group, hepatic fibrosis performance was significantly improved, the serum levels of ALT and AST were significantly decreased in JTCD groups and SARA group, IHC staining and western blot results indicated that JTCD decreased the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), phospho-Src (Tyr416), phospho-ERK1/2 and phospho-Smad3. In vitro, JTCD-containing serum could significantly decrease the protein expressions of α-SMA, phospho-Src (Tyr416), phospho-ERK1/2 and phospho-Smad3 according to the results of western-blot and immunofluorescence, in addition, JTCD-containing serum inhibited the mobility and activation of LX-2. What's more, after intervening with Src-shRNA, ERK1/2 agonists/inhibitors and JTCD-containing serum, the western-blot results showed that Src/ERK/Smad3 signal has an important role in hepatic fibrosis and HSCs, and JTCD attenuates hepatic fibrosis by preventing activation of HSCs through regulating Src/ERK/Smad3 signal pathway., Conclusions: The results showed that Src kinase promoted hepatic fibrosis and HSCs activation through the ERK/Smad3 signal pathway. More importantly, the mechanism by which JTCD attenuated hepatic fibrosis and HSCs activation was by inhibiting the Src/ERK/Smad3 signal pathway., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Mass-like (ML) and non-mass-like (NML) are two manifestations of breast lesions on ultrasound. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can make up for the limitation of B-ultrasound (US) in the observation of focal blood flow, and shear wave elastography (SWE) can supplement the hardness information of the lesion. The present study aimed to analyze the characteristic manifestations of US, CEUS, and SWE in NML and ML breast and evaluate whether the diagnostic performance of these three ultrasound techniques differs in terms of differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions., Methods: From January to August 2021, 382 patients (417 breast lesions) underwent US, CEUS, and SWE examinations. Of these, 204 women (218 breast lesions) were included in our study due to subsequent biopsy or surgery with pathological findings. The patients were divided into ML and NML groups according to the ultrasound characteristics, and the differences in multimodal ultrasound performance between benign and malignant NML and benign and malignant ML breast lesions were compared. The diagnostic performance of US, US + CEUS, US + SWE, US + CEUS + SWE for ML, NML and all breast lesions was evaluated by analyzing sensitivity, specificity and area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC)., Results: Pathologically, the 218 lesions included 96 malignant and 122 benign breast lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of US + CEUS + SWE in all lesion groups, ML group and NML group were 92.7% and 90.2%, 95.9% and 90.3%, 91.3% and 79.3%, respectively. In all breast group, AUCs of US + CEUS, US + SWE, US + CEUS + SWE were statistically different from AUC of US (P=0.0010, 0.0001, 0.0001). In the ML group, the AUC of US + CEUS, US + SWE, US + CEUS + SWE were statistically different from that of US (P=0.0120, 0.0008, 0.0002). In the NML group, there was a statistical difference between US + SWE and US AUC (P=0.0149)., Conclusions: US, CEUS, and SWE have an important diagnostic value for benign and malignant ML and NML breast lesions. Multimodal ultrasound combined with US, CEUS, and SWE can improve the diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing between benign and malignant ML and NML lesions., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://gs.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/gs-23-51/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Gland Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background: The proteomic differences between mass-like (ML) breast lesions and non-mass-like (NML) breast lesions were compared to explore the formation mechanism of NML ultrasonic morphological characteristics., Methods: From January to August 2021, tissue samples were collected from 10 patients with malignant ML (MML), 10 patients with malignant NML (MNML), 10 patients with benign ML (BML), and seven patients with benign NML (BNML). The proteomic differences between the BML and BNML groups and the MML and MNML groups were compared by data-independent acquisition (DIA) quantitative mass spectrometry. The differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks analyses., Results: We identified a total of 623 significantly differentially expressed proteins in the MML/MNML group, and 167 significantly differentially expressed proteins in the BML/BNML group, with relative ratios >1.2 or <-0.83. The up-regulated differential proteins were more abundant in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway in both the MML/MNML and BML/BNML groups, suggesting that the TNF signaling pathway may be related to the ultrasonic morphological characteristics of breast lesions. Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MP2K3), a protein factor in the TNF signaling pathway, exhibited significant upregulation in both the malignant and BML groups., Conclusions: The TNF signaling pathway may be associated with the ultrasonic morphological characteristics of breast lesions. MP2K3 is the up-regulated differential expression protein in the MML/MNML and BML/BNML groups, which may be related to the ultrasonic morphological characteristics of breast lesions., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://atm.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/atm-22-6655/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cortical laminar necrosis (CLN) is a specific type of cortical infarction, and little is known about its frequency and outcomes. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and outcomes of CLN caused by brain infarction and its prognostic factors., Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) between 2019 and 2022 and for whom magnetic resonance images obtained at our center showed acute-stage CLN. Their medical records were collected and analyzed. An unfavorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6 at 90 days. Logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of an unfavorable outcome., Results: Among 5548 consecutive patients with AIS, 151 patients (2.7%) were diagnosed with CLN, and 112 had CLN enrolled in the final analysis. At 90 days, 25 patients (22.3%) had an unfavorable outcome. Compared with the favorable group, poor outcome patients had higher rates of previous stroke ( p = 0.012), higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores at admission ( p < 0.001), and were more likely to have early neurologic deterioration (END) ( p = 0.014), diffuse ischemic lesions ( p = 0.011), and lesions involving multiple lobes ( p = 0.030). In multivariable analysis, the initial NIHSS score (OR, 1.258, (95% CI 1.090 - 1.453), p = 0.002) and END (OR, 5.695, [95% CI 1.410 - 23.007], p = 0.015) were independently associated with unfavorable outcome., Conclusion: CLN is a rare ischemic event but has a good prognosis in most cases. A higher initial NIHSS score and END may predict an unfavorable outcome., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Breast ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted excision (US-VAE) has become a scarless solution for the removal of benign breast lesions. This procedure is now favored by more and more female patients for its satisfactory cosmetic outcome and few postoperative complications. However, controversy have been raised regarding its efficacy and safety in treating larger benign breast lesions. This study aimed to evaluate whether US-VAE is sufficient for the treatment of clinical benign breast lesions larger than 3 cm and to investigate the lesion features that affect the complete excision rate and hematoma occurrence rate., Methods: From January 2018 to July 2021, a total of 1,812 lesions in 1,367 patients underwent US-VAE at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital. A total of 89 benign breast lesions in 87 patients enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. The baseline clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic features of the lesions were recorded. Patients were followed up by US to record if there are any serious issues and the occurrence of hematoma and the recurrence of the lesions within 3 days and 6-12 months later, then at 1-year intervals. Lesions were classified to analyze the possible factors associated with complete excision rate and hematoma occurrence rate., Results: The mean age was 35.9±9.5 years (range, 18-54 years), and the median maximum size of benign breast lesions was 3.5 cm (range, 3.1-5.0 cm). The complete excision rate was 91.0% (81/89). Histopathology (P=0.002) and vascularity (P=0.032) of lesions showed statistically significant differences in groups with or without recurrent lesions. A total of 17 cases (17/89, 19.1%) presented with hematoma after the procedure. The maximum lesion size in patients with hematoma was significantly larger than that in those without hematoma (P<0.001)., Conclusions: US-VAE is an effective and safe alternative method for the treatment of benign breast lesions larger than 3 cm, especially for fibroadenoma, adenosis, hamartoma. For benign phyllodes tumors and intraductal papillomas larger than 3 cm and lesions with hypervascularity, the possibility of recurrence after US-VAE should be noted. The size of lesions needs to be considered when evaluating the occurrence of hematoma after US-VAE., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://atm.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/atm-22-5829/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2022 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aimed to explore whether collagen fiber features and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) are related to the stiffness of breast lesions and whether COL1A1 can predict axillary lymph node metastasis (LNM)., Methods: Ninety-four patients with breast lesions were consecutively enrolled in the study. Amongst the 94 lesions, 30 were benign, and 64 were malignant (25 were accompanied by axillary lymph node metastasis). Ultrasound (US) and shear wave elastography (SWE) were performed for each breast lesion before surgery. Sirius red and immunohistochemical staining were used to examine the shape and arrangement of collagen fibers and COL1A1 expression in the included tissue samples. We analyzed the correlation between the staining results and SWE parameters and investigated the effectiveness of COL1A1 expression levels in predicting axillary LNM., Results: The optimal cut-off values for Emax, Emean, and Eratio for diagnosing the benign and malignant groups, were 58.70 kPa, 52.50 kPa, and 3.05, respectively. The optimal cutoff for predicting axillary LNM were 107.5 kPa, 85.15 kPa, and 3.90, respectively. Herein, the collagen fiber shape and arrangement features in breast lesions were classified into three categories. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that Emax, Emean, and Eratio differed between categories 0, 1, and 2 (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, elasticity parameters were positively correlated with collagen categories and COL1A1 expression. The COL1A1 expression level > 0.145 was considered the cut-off value, and its efficacy in benign and malignant breast lesions was 0.808, with a sensitivity of 66% and a specificity of 90%. Furthermore, when the COL1A1 expression level > 0.150 was considered the cut-off, its efficacy in predicting axillary LNM was 0.796, with sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 59%, respectively., Conclusions: The collagen fiber features and expression levels of COL1A1 positively correlated with the elastic parameters of breast lesions. The expression of COL1A1 may help diagnose benign and malignant breast lesions and predict axillary LNM., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Nitrogen fixation to produce ammonia is a vital process since nitrogen is an essential element for the human body. Industrial nitrogen fixation mainly relies on the Haber-Bosch process. However, this process requires huge energy consumption and leads to pollution emission. In this study, the behaviors of intermediates in the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) are investigated for fifteen double-atom catalysts (DACs) through density functional theory calculations, revealing that under the synergistic effect of active sites on appropriate DACs, intermediates can be adsorbed through different configurations according to the activity improvement needs. VFe-N-C shows the best catalytic activity for electrochemical NRR with a limiting potential of -0.36 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode. The proposed synergistic effect of active sites on DACs for NRR could provide a new method for design of NRR catalysts., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Objective: To study the predictive factors for the failure of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in infants with bronchiolitis., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 310 hospitalized children (aged 1-12 months) with bronchiolitis treated with CPAP. Their clinical features were compared between the successful treatment group (270 cases) and the failed treatment group (40 cases). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the predictive factors for failure of CPAP treatment., Results: The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the score of the Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM III) ≥10 (OR=13.905), development of atelectasis (OR=12.080), comorbidity of cardiac insufficiency (OR=7.741), and no improvement in oxygenation index (arterial partial pressure of oxygen/fraction of inhaled oxygen, P/F) after 2 hours of CPAP treatment (OR=34.084) were predictive factors for failure of CPAP treatment for bronchiolitis (P<0.05). In predicting CPAP treatment failure, no improvement in P/F after 2 hours of CPAP treatment had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.793, with a sensitivity of 70.3% and a specificity of 82.4% at a cut-off value of 203., Conclusions: No improvement in P/F after 2 hours of CPAP treatment, PRISM III score ≥10, development of atelectasis, and comorbidity of cardiac insufficiency can be used as predictive factors for CPAP treatment failure in infants with bronchiolitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the value of ultrasound (US)-guided vacuum-assisted excisional biopsy (VAB) in treating benign phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breasts and to investigate the lesion characteristics that could affect the local recurrence rate., Patient and Methods: From December 2008 to February 2018, 93 patients with PTs diagnosed on histology underwent US-guided, 7-gauge VAB. The recurrence rate of benign PT and complications of VAB were evaluated on follow-up US every three to six months. The lesion characteristics were analyzed to identify the factors affecting the recurrence rate., Results: Of the 87 patients, local recurrence was found in 15 patients (17%) in a mean follow-up period of 35.8 months, and the rate of complete excision was 82.8% (72/87). PTs with a largest diameter less than 3.3 cm had a significantly lower recurrence rate than PTs with a largest diameter larger than 3.3 cm (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: In conclusion, US-guided VAB is an effective method to treat benign PT, especially in lesions with a diameter less than 3.3 cm., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Rationale: Spinal epidural abscess is an uncommon complication in clinical practice. If the abscess is large enough, the patient will rapidly develop neurologic signs of spinal injury, and urgent neurosurgical intervention may be required., Patient Concerns: Rapid and correct diagnosis and treatment is important for spinal epidural abscess complication., Diagnoses: This report describes a cervical epidural abscess (CEA) caused by epidural analgesia, wherein the patient was punctured twice. A CEA was suspected based on the patient's significant neck pain and elevated white blood cell and neutrophil counts. A CEA from C6 to T8 was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging scan., Interventions: The patient was treated with a combination of intravenous vancomycin and imipenem/cilastatin for more than 4 weeks., Outcomes: After more than 2 weeks of intensive antibiotic treatment, the epidural abscess gradually diminished in size, the white blood cell count, neutrophil count, hyperallergic C-reactive protein (CRP), and general CRP decreased, and the patient's neck and back pain resolved. After more than 4 weeks of anti-inflammation therapy, the epidural abscess was completely absorbed, and there was no relapse during the 3-month follow-up period., Lessons: Although an effective combination of intravenous antibiotics can cure an epidural abscess, caution is warranted when performing epidural steroid injections in immunocompromised patients.

The goal of this study was to analyze the diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography (SWE) in differentiation of benign and malignant non-mass-like (NML) breast lesions. Three hundred sixteen consecutive breast lesions in 305 patients who have been scheduled for ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy or vacuum-assisted biopsy or surgical excision between January 2013 and August 2013 were initially included in this study. Finally, 63 patients with 67 lesions classified as NML lesions comprised our study population. The features of SWE and its diagnostic performance in NML lesions were analyzed. Among the 67 NML lesions, 33 were malignant and 34 were benign. The maximum elastic modulus, mean elastic modulus, minimum elastic modulus, elastic modulus ratio and stiff rim sign of the malignant lesions were all significantly higher than those of benign lesions (p < 0.05). The combination of conventional US with maximum elastic modulus and stiff rim sign got significantly higher diagnostic specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) than conventional US (p < 0.05 for both). In the benign lesions, 23 (67.6%) unnecessary biopsies could have been eliminated after the combination of conventional US and SWE. SWE could increase diagnostic specificity and positive predictive values of NML breast lesions. The combination of conventional US and SWE could reduce unnecessary benign biopsies of NML lesions., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective To explore the influence factors in hematoma formation after removing benign breast lesions with an ultrasound-guided vacuum-assisted system.Methods A total of 232 females with 312 benign breast masses received excisional biopsy with ultrasound- guided vacuum-assisted system. The pathology of patients, Results of hematoma development and outcome, influence factors for hematoma occurrence (nodule size, nodule location, number of nodule, breast shape, menstrual period, efficacy time of bandage, and application of hemostatic agents during the procedure) were recorded.Results Pathologic examination revealed fibroadenomas in 138 lesions, fibroadenosis in 127 lesions, intraductal papillomas in 39 lesions, inflammatory change in 4 lesions, retention cyst of the breast in 3 lesions, and benign phyllodes tumor in 1 lesion. Thirty hematomas were observed in patients (9.6%). Finally, 97.0% hematomas were absorbed completely within 6 months follow-up. The incidence rates of hematoma were increased by 24.7%, 10.0%, 63.2%, 13.9% in the nodule diameter larger or equal to 25 mm group, removal of larger or equal to two nodules once time from one patient group, menstrual period group, and larger and loose breast group, respectively (all P<0.05). However, the incidences were decreased by 60.6% in the bandage performed for 12-24 hours or beyond 24 hours group (P<0.05). The multiple logistic regression models revealed that nodule size (χ 2 =15.227, P<0.001), number of nodule (χ 2 =7.767, P=0.005), menstrual period (χ 2 =24.530, P<0.001), and breast shape (χ 2 =9.559, P=0.002) were independent risk factors associated with hematoma occurrence, but efficacy time of bandage was a protective factor associated with hematoma occurrence.Conclusion The occurrence of hematoma after the minimally invasive operation was associated with nodule size, number of nodule, menstrual period, breast shape, and efficacy time of bandage.

Purpose: Owing to advances in ultrasound (US) technology, optimal US techniques with a high-frequency transducer can identify more and more breast lesions. However, some lesions show up as non-mass-like lesions, which are difficult to be correctly identified and often result in missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. The purpose of the present study was to develop a classification of the US features of non-mass-like breast lesions correlated with pathology, so as to improve the diagnostic accuracy of US in non-mass-like breast lesions., Materials and Methods: A total of 854 breast lesions in 836 consecutive women scheduled for US-guided core-needle biopsy or US-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy between May 2008 and October 2011 were initially included in this study. Finally, 80 breast lesions in 78 women were classified as non-mass-like lesion and included in this study. The US features of the 80 non-mass-like breast lesions were classified and their correlation with pathology was analysed., Results: Of the 80 non-mass-like breast lesions, 43 cases (53.8 %) were malignant and 37 cases (46.2 %) were benign. Fifty-two cases (73.7 %) appeared as a hypoechoic area, 22 cases (21.1 %) appeared as a hypoechoic area with sporadic or clustered microcalcification, four cases appeared as architectural distortion, and two cases appeared as solid echogenicity within a duct. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of US for non-mass-like breast lesions were 71.25, 95.35, 43.24, 66.13 and 88.89 %, respectively. The finding of a hypoechoic area with microcalcification showed a statistically significant association with malignant lesions and its positive predictive value for carcinoma was 78.26 %., Conclusion: Non-mass-like breast lesions usually appeared as a hypoechoic area or a hypoechoic area with microcalcification. The finding of a hypoechoic area with microcalcification had a close correlation with malignant lesions. US had a high sensitivity but a low specificity in the diagnosis of non-mass-like breast lesions and a definitive diagnosis requires a US-guided biopsy.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasonography for diffuse thyroid disease accompanied with suspicious nodules., Methods: A total of 148 patients with diffuse thyroid diseases accompanied with suspicious nodules underwent both ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided biopsy, and the results were analyzed and compared., Results: Among these 148 patients, 44 had Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 104 had Graves'disease. Totally 151 suspicious lesions were detected by ultrasonography, among which 48 lesions were pathologically confirmed to be benign and 103 malignant. Thirteen malignant lesions were diagnosed as benign by pre-operative ultrasonography, which were confirmed to be malignant after the surgical resection due to other suspected or confirmed malignant lesions. The detection rate of diffuse thyroid disease accompanied with thyroid cancer by per-operative ultrasound was 68.21%, and the misdiagnosis rate was 31.79%. The gender of patients(P=0.36), number of nodules(P=0.08), and blood flow types in lesions(P=0.080) had no significant difference between the benign and malignant groups, whereas internal echo(P=0.040), margin(P=0.000), shape(P=0.001), and calcification features(P=0.000)showed significant differences. Up to 80.74% of the lesions with hyperechoic calcification were malignant., Conclusions: Gray-scale sonographic features are helpful for the differential diagnosis of nodules in patients with diffuse thyroid diseases. Nodules in the isthmus and those accompanied with multiple nodules should be noticed.

Objective: To investigate the differences in elasticity and collagen fiber content between malignant and benign breast lesions, and to study the relationship between shear wave elasticity and the content of collagen fiber in extracellular matrix (ECM)., Materials and Methods: Between May 2012 to May 2013, 106 patients with 116 breast lesions who were referred to our center for ultrasound-guided biopsy of a sonographically apparent breast lesion underwent shear wave elasticity examination. The specimen underwent Van Gieson (VG) dye and Image-Pro Plus 5.1 software was used to quantitatively analyze area of collagen fiber., Results: Malignant lesions exhibited significantly higher maximum elasticity, mean elasticity, and elasticity ratio between lesions and surrounding parenchyma (140.43±70.16 kPa, 63.11±33.68 kPa, 3.49±1.95) than benign lesions (54.64±48.53 kPa, 34.52±25.23 kPa, 2.25±1.48) (t=5.329, t=4.382, t=4.487, P<0.001). The content of collagen fiber of malignant lesions was significantly higher than that of benign lesions (t=8.437, p=0.000). There was a positive correlation between max elasticity and the content of fiber collagen (r=0.746)., Conclusion: The elasticity of breast lesions has a close correlation with the content of collagen fiber, which might have an important impact on tissue stiffness of breast lesions., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the value of quantitative elastography in the diagnosis of breast tumours., Materials and Methods: Conventional ultrasound (US) and quantitative elastography were performed in 108 women with 114 breast lesions by two experienced radiologists, and pathological results were available in all cases. For each lesion, the maximum, mean, and minimum (min) elasticity and elasticity ratio between lesions and surrounding tissue were measured. The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categories were assessed with conventional US in all lesions., Results: Malignant lesions exhibited significantly higher maximum and mean elasticity (111.57 ± 69.29 kPa and 54.49 ± 33.70 kPa) than did benign lesions (59.00 ± 45.3 kPa and 36.64 ± 26.18 kPa) (p<0.01). For maximum elasticity versus BI-RADS, performance results were sensitivity 60.9 % vs. 78.3%, specificity 85.3% vs. 98.5%, positive predictive value (PPV) 73.7% vs. 97.3 %, negative predictive value (NPV) 76.3% vs. 87.0 % and accuracy 75.4% vs. 90.3%. BI-RADS had significantly better accuracy than maximum elasticity (p<0.01). Maximum and mean elasticity of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) were significantly higher than those of fibroadenoma (p<0.01), whereas the difference was not statistically significant with fibroadenosis, papilloma and inflammation (p>0.01). Maximum and mean elasticity and elasticity ratio of BI-RADS 5 were all significantly higher than those of BI-RADS 3 (p<0.01). Reliability for maximum and mean elasticity were almost perfect [intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC)=0.87 and 0.79]., Conclusions: Shear-wave elastography gives quantitative elasticity information that could potentially help in breast-lesion characterisation, although it cannot replace conventional BI-RADS in the differentiation of breast lesions.

Purpose: Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic potential of automated breast volume scanning (ABVS) and compare it with manual ultrasound (US) and mammography., Patients and Methods: One hundred and fifty-five patients with a total of 165 breast lesions had mammograms, manual US and an ABVS. Multiplanar reconstructions in coronal, transverse and sagittal views were reconstructed from the automated data set. After biopsy or surgery, all lesions were confirmed histologically. Data were evaluated according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification. Detection rate, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive value of each method were analysed., Results: Detection rate, diagnostic accuracy and mammography sensitivity were significantly lower than those of each US method (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between manual US and ABVS. When combining ABVS, US and mammography, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity reached 96.4%, 97.1% and 95.2%, respectively. A spiculated and stellate margin in the coronal plane has a high specificity in diagnosing malignant lesions., Conclusions: ABVS can provide additional information in the differential diagnosis of a lesion. It has significantly higher sensitivity than mammography, but it is similar to manual US and cannot be preferred to a manual US examination.

Adsorption plays an important role in the transport and the fate of trichloroethylene (TCE) in soil. Six types of soil, including two types of natural soil with different organic carbon content and four types of soil with the low aggregation of "soft carbon" pre-treated by hydrogen peroxide or with all organic carbon removed by high temperature ignition from the original soil, were adopted as adsorbents. The effects of parameters (organic carbon content and composition, minerals, the initial TCE concentration, solution pH, moisture content and ionic strength) on TCE adsorption capacity were examined. The results showed that the soil adsorption isotherm was non-linear within the experimental range. The TCE adsorption capacity was increased and the contribution rate of the minerals to the sorption was reduced with the increase of the organic carbon content. The adsorption of TCE in the soil was the result of the combined action of both organic carbon and minerals, in which organic carbon played a major part, whereas the role of minerals could not be neglected. As the initial TCE concentration increased, the contribution rate of the minerals to the sorption went down. The adsorption isotherm of "soft carbon" was linear, while the "hard carbon" was non-linear. Moreover, the adsorption capacity was increased by increasing the ionic strength. In contrast, neither pH nor moisture content had any influence on TCE adsorption.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare three devices in percutaneous excisional biopsy of clinically benign breast lesions in terms of complete excision rate, duration of procedure and complications., Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study from March 2005 to May 2009, 983 lesions underwent ultrasound-guided excisional biopsy with three vacuum-assisted systems, respectively. The lesions were category 3 lesions as determined by ultrasound imaging according to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) (n=951) or had been confirmed as benign by a previous core needle biopsy (n=32). The completely excision rate, duration of procedure and complications (hematoma, pain and ecchymosis) were recorded., Results: 99.7% (980/983) lesions were demonstrated to be benign by pathology after percutaneous excisional biopsy. The overall complete excision rate was 94.8% (932/983). In lesions whose largest diameter equal to or larger than 1.5cm, the complete excision rates of EnCor(®) group (97.8%, 348/356) and Mammotome(®) group (97.2%, 139/143) were significantly higher than that of Vacora(®) group (91.9%, 445/484) (P<0.05). The EnCor(®) group (6.6±6.5min) had a significant less duration than Mammotome(®) (10.6±9.3min) and Vacora(®) group (25.6±23.3min) (P<0.05). Hematoma occurred more in EnCor(®) group and Mammotome(®) group than in Vacora(®) group (P<0.05)., Conclusions: All these three vacuum-assisted systems are highly successful for excisional biopsy of benign breast lesions., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate if re-biopsy with 10-gauge vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) could get definitive diagnosis for breast lesions with ultrasound (US) imaging-histologic discordance at 16-gauge core needle biopsy (CNB). From January 2007 to June 2008, a consecutive biopsy was performed on 1069 lesions with US-guided 16-gauge CNB. A total of 28 lesions were considered to be US imaging-histologic discordant and all of them underwent subsequent 10-gauge VAB. All malignant lesions located at VAB were treated with subsequent surgery and all benign lesions at VAB were followed up for at least 1 year. Six of the 28 lesions (21.4%) had pathologic upgrade after VAB. In them, one case upgraded from adenosis to ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); one case upgraded from adenosis to infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC); one case upgraded from atypical ductal hyperplasia to IDC; two cases upgraded from intraductal papilloma to DCIS; and one case upgraded from sclerosing adenosis to invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). The subsequent surgery further demonstrated the diagnosis of VAB for all the lesions with histologic upgrade. Re-biopsy could improve diagnostic accuracy in patients with breast lesions showing imaging-histologic discordance during CNB, and 10-gauge VAB was a valuable method to deal with re-biopsy., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To explore the clinical value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome with inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction., Method: A total of 38 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome with IVC obstruction were examined by CEUS before and after vascular interventional management, and the results were compared with angiographic findings., Results: The location and degree of IVC obstruction were clearly showed on CEUS. Enhancement was found in the occlusion site, and blood flow was narrowed at the stenosis site. The arrival time was earlier after treatment in the IVC obstruction, and it was positively correlated with the pressure of IVC( P< 0.05)., Conclusion: The location and type of the occlusion and stenosis in IVC can be accurately determined by CEUS. Therefore, CEUS can provide useful information for the selection of surgical procedures and post-operative effectiveness.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a 10-gauge vacuum-assisted system for the excision of clinically benign breast lesions. The minimal excision of 245 lesions in 162 patients was performed with VACORA vacuum-assisted system under the guidance of ultrasound between July 2007 and April 2008. The lesions were category 3 lesions as determined by ultrasound imaging according to Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) (n=208) or had been confirmed as benign by a previous core-needle biopsy (n=37). As many as 244 lesions were demonstrated to be benign and one case was demonstrated to be malignant by pathology after resection. In the 244 benign lesions, 220 lesions were excised completely as demonstrated by the follow-up ultrasound examination. The malignant lesion was managed with surgical excision. The 10-gauge vacuum-assisted system is highly successful for the excision of benign breast lesions; it is an alternative tool for minimal treatment of benign breast lesions.

Using the approaches of evaluating sustainable development and livable cities for references, a set of indicator systems were established to assess the ecological niche of complex ecosystem. The integrated ecological niche of complex ecosystem included 4 sub-niches of natural resources, environment, economy and society, and these sub-niches comprised many single-item indicators. How to apply the polygon synthesis indicators approach to calculate the integrated ecological niche and 4 sub-niches was introduced, and a quantitative assessment on the ecological niches of complex ecosystems in 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under Central Government of China in 2003 was made. The results showed that Yunnan, Hainan and Guangxi had a higher sub-niche of natural resources, Hainan, Fujian and Hubei had a higher sub-niche of environment, Shanghai, Beijing and Zhejiang had a higher sub-niche of economy, and Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin had a higher sub-niche of society. The integrated ecological niche in Guangdong, Fujian and Hainan was the highest.

Objective: To analyze and evaluate the characteristics of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound., Methods: Forty-eight BPH patients confirmed by transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Contrast pulse sequencing technique (CPS) and quantitative software-ACQ were used, and the parameters of beginning enhancement time, disappearing and transit time and peak intensity (PI) of the inner gland and outer gland were recorded and analyzed., Results: The prostate was rich with blood and enhanced significantly on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The beginning enhancement time of the prostatic inner gland, especially the area around the urethra, was much earlier than that of the outer gland, (26.68 +/- 3.76) and (31.24 +/- 5.33) s, respectively (P = 0.000). The contrast disappeared later in the inner gland than in the outer gland, (200.68 +/- 59.40) and (157.56 +/- 50.66) s, respectively (P = 0.000). The transit time of the contrast in the inner gland was much longer than in the outer gland, (173.94 +/- 60.14) and (129.21 +/- 56.91) s, respectively (P = 0.000). PI of the inner gland was much higher than that of the outer gland, (90.45 +/- 42.19) and (65.32 +/- 25.15) dB, respectively (P = 0.000)., Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound makes it possible to continuously observe the blood perfusion process of BPH, and promises to be an effective means for observing the blood supply in BPH.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy in the treatment of early hepatocellular carcinoma., Methods: From May 1994 to June 2004, a total of 216 patients with 275 nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma whose diameter