Radiating blood flow signal: A new ultrasound feature of thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To summary radiating blood flow signals and evaluate their diagnostic value in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively recruited consecutive patients undergoing US at 4 hospitals from 2018 to 2022. In a training dataset, the correlations of US features with malignant thyroid nodules were assessed by multivariate logistic analysis. Multivariate logistic regression models involving the ACR TI-RADS score, radiating blood flow signals and their combination were built and validated internally and externally. The AUC with 95% asymptotic normal confidence interval as well as sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) with 95% exact binomial confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Among 2475 patients (1818 women, age: 42.47 ± 11.57; 657 men, age: 42.16 ± 11.69), there were 3187 nodules (2342 malignant nodules and 845 benign nodules). Radiating blood flow signals were an independent risk factor for diagnosing thyroid carcinoma. In the training set, the AUC of the model using the combination of radiating blood flow signals and the ACR TI-RADS score (0.95 95 % CI: [0.94, 0.97]; P < 0.001) was significantly higher than that of the ACR TI-RADS model (0.91 [0.89, 0.93]). In the two internal validation sets and the external validation set, the AUCs of the combination model were 0.97 [0.96, 0.98], 0.92 [0.88, 0.96], and 0.91 [0.86, 0.95], respectively, and were all significantly higher than that of the ACR TI-RADS score (0.92 [0.90, 0.95], 0.86 [0.81, 0.91], 0.84 [0.79, 0.89]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Radiating blood flow is a new US feature of thyroid carcinomas that can significantly improve the diagnostic performance vs. the ACR TI-RADS score.

Clinical implications of CSF-ctDNA positivity in newly diagnosed diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

The clinical implications of CSF-ctDNA positivity in newly diagnosed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (ND-DLBCL) remains largely unexplored. One hundred ND-DLBCL patients were consecutively enrolled as training cohort and another 26 ND-DLBCL patients were prospectively enrolled in validation cohort. CSF-ctDNA positivity (CSF(+)) was identified in 25 patients (25.0%) in the training cohort and 7 patients (26.9%) in the validation cohort, extremely higher than CNS involvement rate detected by conventional methods. Patients with mutations of CARD11, JAK2, ID3, and PLCG2 were more predominant with CSF(+) while FAT4 mutations were negatively correlated with CSF(+). The downregulation of PI3K-AKT signaling, focal adhesion, actin cytoskeleton, and tight junction pathways were enriched in CSF(+) ND-DLBCL. Furthermore, pretreatment CSF(+) was significantly associated with poor outcomes. Three risk factors, including high CSF protein level, high plasma ctDNA burden, and involvement of high-risk sites were used to predict the risk of CSF(+) in ND-DLBCL. The sensitivity and specificity of pretreatment CSF-ctDNA to predict CNS relapse were 100% and 77.3%. Taken together, we firstly present the prevalence and the genomic and transcriptomic landscape for CSF-ctDNA(+) DLBCL and highlight the importance of CSF-ctDNA as a noninvasive biomarker in detecting and monitoring of CSF infiltration and predicting CNS relapse in DLBCL.

Physicochemical, Quality and Flavor Characteristics of Starch Noodles with Auricularia cornea var. Li. Powder.

Auricularia cornea var. Li., as an edible mushroom rich in various nutrients, could be widely used in noodle food. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Auricularia cornea var. Li. (AU) powder on the gel properties, structure and quality of starch noodles. Taking the sample without adding AU powder as a control, the addition of AU powder enhanced the peak viscosity, trough viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown, setback, peak time, gelatinization temperature, G' (storage modulus) and G'' (loss modulus). Meanwhile, the incorporation of AU powder significantly enhanced the stability of the starch gel structure and contributed to a more ordered microstructure also promoting the short-term aging of starch paste. In vitro digestion results displayed lower rapid digestibility (21.68%) but higher resistant starch content (26.58%) with the addition of AU powder and increased breaking rate, cooking loss, swelling index and a* and b* values. However, it decreased dry matter content and L*, particularly the reducing sugar content significantly increased to 4.01% (p < 0.05), and the total amino acid content rose to 349.91 mg/g. The GC-IMS library identified 51 VOCs, and the OPLS-DA model classified 18 VOCs (VIP > 1). Overall, the findings indicate that starch noodles with the addition of AU powder may provide greater nutritional quality, gel stability and starch antidigestibility.

PRMT5 activates lipid metabolic reprogramming via MYC contributing to the growth and survival of mantle cell lymphoma.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an incurable and aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma. Increased lipid uptake, storage, and lipogenesis occur in a variety of cancers and contribute to rapid tumor growth. However, no data has been explored for the roles of lipid metabolism reprogramming in MCL. Here, we identified aberrant lipid metabolism reprogramming and PRMT5 as a key regulator of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism reprogramming in MCL patients. High PRMT5 expression predicts adverse outcome prognosis in 105 patients with MCL and GEO database (GSE93291). PRMT5 deficiency resulted in proliferation defects and cell death by CRISPR/Cas9 editing. Moreover, PRMT5 inhibitors including SH3765 and EPZ015666 worked through blocking SREBP1/2 and FASN expression in MCL. Furthermore, PRMT5 was significantly associated with MYC expression in 105 MCL samples and the GEO database (GSE93291). CRISPR MYC knockout indicated PRMT5 can promote MCL outgrowth by inducing SREBP1/2 and FASN expression through the MYC pathway.

Standardize the surgical technique and clarify the oncologic significance of robotic D3-D4 lymphadenectomy for upper rectum and sigmoid colon cancer with clinically more than N2 lymph node metastasis.

BACKGROUND: The territory of D3-D4 lymphadenectomy for upper rectal and sigmoid colon cancer varies, and its oncological efficacy is unclear. This prospective study aimed to standardize the surgical technique of robotic D3-D4 lymphadenectomy and clarify its oncologic significance. METHODS: Patients with upper rectal or sigmoid colon cancer with clinically suspected more than N2 lymph node metastasis were prospectively recruited to undergo standardized robotic D3-D4 lymphadenectomy. Immediately postsurgery, the retrieved lymph nodes were mapped to five N3-N4 nodal stations: the inferior mesenteric artery, para-aorta, inferior vena cava, infra-renal vein, and common iliac vessels. Patients were stratified according to their nodal metastasis status to compare their clinicopathological data and overall survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the relative prognostic significance of the five specific nodal stations. Surgical outcomes and functional recovery of the patients were assessed using the appropriate variables. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients who successfully completed the treatment protocol were assessed. The standardized D3-D4 lymph node dissection harvested sufficient lymph nodes (34.4±7.2) for a precise pathologic staging. Based on histopathological analysis, 28 patients were included in the N3-N4 nodal metastasis-negative group and 33, 34, and nine patients in the single-station, double-station, and triple-station nodal metastasis-positive groups, respectively. Survival analysis indicated no significant difference between the single-station nodal metastasis-positive and N3-N4 nodal metastasis-negative groups in the estimated 5-year survival rate [53.6% (95% CI: 0.3353-0.7000) vs. 71.18% (95% CI: 0.4863-0.8518), P=0.563], whereas patients with double-station or triple-station nodal metastatic disease had poor 5-year survival rates (24.76 and 22.22%), which were comparable to those of AJCC/UICC stage IV disease than those with single-station metastasis-positive disease. Univariate analysis showed that the metastatic status of the five nodal stations was comparable in predicting the overall survival; in contrast, multivariate analysis indicated that common iliac vessels and infra-renal vein were the only two statistically significant predictors (P<0.05) for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Using a robotic approach, D3-D4 lymph node dissection could be safely performed in a standardized manner to remove the relevant N3-N4 lymphatic basin en bloc, thereby providing significant survival benefits and precise pathological staging for patients. This study encourages further international prospective clinical trials to provide more solid evidence that would facilitate the optimization of surgery and revision of the current treatment guidelines for such a clinical conundrum.

Hetero-Diatomic CoN4-NiN4 Site Pairs with Long-Range Coupling as Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries.

In this study, Co/Ni-NC catalyst with hetero-diatomic Co/Ni active sites dispersed on nitrogen-doped carbon matrix is synthesized via the controlled pyrolysis of ZIF-8 containing Co2+ and Ni2+ compounds. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that Co and Ni are atomically and uniformly dispersed in pairs of CoN4-NiN4 with an intersite distance ≈0.41 nm, and there is long-range d-d coupling between Co and Ni with more electron delocalization for higher bifunctional activity. Besides, the in situ grown carbon nanotubes at the edges of the catalyst particles allow high electronic conductivity for electrocatalysis process. Electrochemical evaluations demonstrate the superior ORR and OER bifunctionality of Co/Ni-NC catalyst with a narrow potential gap of only 0.691 V and long-term durability, significantly prevailing over the single-atom Co-NC and Ni-NC catalysts and the benchmark Pt/C and RuO2 catalysts. Co/Ni-NC catalyzed Zn-air batteries achieve a high specific capacity of 771 mAh g-1 and a long continuous operation period up to 340 h with a small voltage gap of ≈0.65 V, also much superior to Pt/C-RuO2.

Heterochronous multiple primary prostate cancer and lymphoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Multiple primary malignant tumors (MPMTs) are rare type of cancer, especially when solid tumors are the first and lymphoma is the second primary malignancy. We report a patient with heterochronous MPMTs consisting of prostate cancer and rectal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). CASE SUMMARY: We report a 77-year-old male patient diagnosed with prostate cancer who was treated with radiation therapy and one year of endocrine therapy with bicalutamide (50 mg per day) and an extended-release implant of goserelin (1/28 d). Seven years later, rectal DLBCL with lung metastases was found. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the possibility of prostate cancer combined with a double primary cancer of DLBCL can provide a deeper understanding.

EGFR Oncogenic Mutations in NSCLC Impair Macrophage Phagocytosis and Mediate Innate Immune Evasion Through Up-Regulation of CD47.

INTRODUCTION: EGFR-mutated NSCLC is characterized by an immunosuppressive microenvironment that confers limited clinical effectiveness to anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 antibodies. Despite the discouraging outcomes of immunotherapy, novel immune checkpoints are constantly emerging, among which the specific vulnerability for therapeutic intervention in the context of EGFR-mutated NSCLC remains unresolved. METHODS: Data sets of patient- and cell line-levels were used for screening and mutual validation of association between EGFR mutation and a panel of immune checkpoint-related genes. Regulatory mechanism was elucidated through in vitro manipulation of EGFR signaling pathway and evaluated by immunoblot analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. In vivo investigation of different therapeutic strategies were conducted using both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mouse models. RESULTS: Among all screened immune checkpoints, CD47 emerged as the candidate most relevant to EGFR activation. Mechanistically, EGFR mutation constitutively activated downstream ERK and AKT pathways to respectively up-regulate the transcriptional factors c-Myc and NF-κB, both of which structurally bound to the promotor region of CD47 and actively transcribed this "don't eat me" signal. Impaired macrophage phagocytosis was observed on introduction of EGFR-sensitizing mutations in NSCLC cell line models, whereas CD47 blockade restored the phagocytic capacity and augmented tumor cell killing in both in vitro and in vivo models. Remarkably, the combination of anti-CD47 antibody with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor revealed an additive antitumor activity compared with monotherapy of either antitumor agent in both immunocompetent and adaptive immunity-deficient mouse models. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR-sensitizing mutation facilitates NSCLC's escape from innate immune attack through up-regulating CD47. Combination therapy incorporating CD47 blockade holds substantial promise for clinical translation in developing more effective therapeutic approaches against EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

Wearable mobile health device for monitoring postoperative ambulation among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing minimally invasive surgery: A prospective comparison study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using mHealth devices for monitoring postoperative ambulation among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing minimally invasive surgery (MIS). METHODS: Patients with colorectal cancer undergoing MIS were prospectively recruited to wear mHealth devices for recording postoperative ambulation between October 2018 and January 2021. The primary outcome was the compliance by evaluating the weekly submission rate of step counts. The secondary outcome was the association of weekly step counts and postoperative length of stay. RESULTS: Of 107 eligible patients, 53 patients wore mHealth devices, whereas 54 patients did not. The average weekly submission rate was 72.6% for the first month after surgery. The total step counts <4000 or >10 000 in the postoperative week one were negatively associated with postoperative length of stay (ß = -2.874, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: mHealth devices provide an objective assessment of postoperative ambulation among patients with colorectal cancer undergoing MIS. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03277235.

Prognostic value of POD18 combined with improved IELSG in primary central nervous system lymphoma

Purpose The International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) score is widely used in clinical practice to stratify the risk of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) patients. Our study aims to confirm and improve the IELSG score in PCNSL patients based on Chinese populations. Materials and methods A total of 79 PCNSL patients were retrospectively analyzed. All patients treated with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based therapy collected clinical data. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values for the factors in IELSG score. Progression of disease (POD) at the most landmark time point was determine by Epanechnikov kernel and the area under the ROC curve (AUROC). Kaplan–Meier and multivariable regression methods were used to analyze survival data. Nomogram was generated for calculating the weight of each selected factor. Results The traditional IELSG score had no significant difference on OS and PFS except ECOG ≥ 2 and could not stratify the risk groups in PCNSL. The improved IELSG scoring system was established, which incorporated age ≥ 54 years, ECOG ≥ 2, deep brain structure, elevated CSF protein, and LDH/ULN > 0.75. On the other hand, POD18 was identified as a new powerful prognostic factor for PCNSL. In multivariate analysis, POD18 and the improved IELSG scoring system were independent prognostic factors for OS. Nomogram including the two significant variables showed the best performance (C-index = 0.828). Conclusions In this study, the IELSG score was improved and a new prognostic indicator POD18 was incorporated to construct a nomogram prognostic model, thereby further improving the predictive ability of the model (AU)

Itaconate inhibits corticosterone-induced necroptosis and neuroinflammation via up-regulating menin in HT22 cells.

Corticosterone (CORT) damages hippocampal neurons as well as induces neuroinflammation. The tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolite itaconate has an anti-inflammatory role. Necroptosis is a form of programmed cell death, also known as inflammatory cell death. Menin is a multifunctional scaffold protein, which deficiency aggravates neuroinflammation. In this study, we explored whether itaconate inhibits CORT-induced neuroinflammation as well as necroptosis and further investigated the mediatory role of Menin in this protective effect of itaconate by using an exposure of CORT to HT22 cells (a hippocampal neuronal cell line). The viability of HT22 cells was examined by the cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8). The morphology of HT22 cells was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The expressions of necroptosis-related proteins (p-RIP1/RIP1, p-RIP3/RIP3, and p-MLKL/MLKL) were evaluated by western blotting. The contents of inflammatory factors were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Our results showed that CORT increases the contents of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1ß, TNF-α) as well as decreases the contents of anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10) in HT22 cells. We also found that CORT increases the expressions of necroptosis-related proteins (p-RIP1/RIP1, p-RIP3/RIP3, and p-MLKL/MLKL) and decreases the cell viability in HT22 cells, indicating that CORT induces necroptosis in HT22 cells. Itaconate improves CORT-induced neuroinflammation and necroptosis. Furthermore, itaconate upregulates the expression of Menin in CORT-exposed HT22 cells. Importantly, silencing Menin abolishes the antagonistic effect of itaconate on CORT-induced necroptosis and neuroinflammation. In brief, these results indicated that itaconate protects HT22 cells against CORT-induced neuroinflammation and necroptosis via upregulating Menin.

Flavor Characteristics, Antioxidant Activity and In Vitro Digestion Properties of Bread with Large-Leaf Yellow Tea Powder.

Foods containing tea could be widely utilized due to the addition of good tea ingredients, especially large-leaf yellow tea, which is rich with a good flavor. Applying this change to bread containing tea would improve its product quality. In this research, large-leaf yellow tea bread (LYB), possessing a special flavor, was developed using ultrafine large-leaf yellow tea powder and flour as the main raw materials. The amount of ultrafine large-leaf yellow tea powder added to bread was optimized using texture, sensation, and specific volume as comprehensive evaluation indicators. At the optimal dosage, the free amino acids, volatile flavor compounds, antioxidant activity, and in vitro starch digestibility of LYB were measured. Response surface optimization experimental results showed that the comprehensive score of bread was highest when the added amount of ultrafine large-leaf yellow tea powder was 3%. In particular, compared to blank bread (BB), adding ultrafine large-leaf yellow tea powder into bread could effectively increase its amino acid composition, enhance its volatile flavor compounds, improve the antioxidant capacity, and reduce the digestibility of starch.

Effects of Different Expansion Temperatures on the Non-Volatile Qualities of Tea Stems.

Tea stems are a type of tea by-product, and a considerable amount of them is discarded during picking, with their value often being overlooked. To enhance the utilization of tea stems, we investigated the effects of different expansion temperatures on the non-volatile compounds of tea stems. The results showed that the contents of EC, EGC, EGCG, tea polyphenols, and amino acids all decreased with the expansion temperature, while the contents of GA and C increased. The best effect was observed at 220 °C for 20 s. Additionally, as the temperature increased, the umami and aftertaste of astringency values of tea stems decreased, and the value of bitterness increased. Meanwhile, the value of sweetness decreased first and then increased. EGC was identified as the key differential compound of tea stems at different temperatures. In this investigation, determining the optimum expansion temperature was deemed advantageous for enhancing the flavor quality of tea stems, consequently elevating the utilization efficacy of tea stems and tea by-products.

[Exosome and prevention of Alzheimer's disease: based on theory of kidney storing essence].

The theory of kidney storing essence storage, an important part of the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), comes from the Chapter 9 Discussion on Six-Plus-Six System and the Manifestations of the Viscera in the Plain Questions, which says that "the kidney manages closure and is the root of storage and the house of Jing(Essence)". According to this theory, essence is the fundamental substance of human life activities and it is closely related to the growth and development of the human body. Alzheimer's disease(AD) is one of the common neurodegenerative diseases, with the main pathological features of Aß deposition and Tau phosphorylation, which activate neurotoxic reactions and eventually lead to neuronal dysfunction and cell death, severely impairing the patient's cognitive and memory functions. Although research results have been achieved in the TCM treatment of AD, the complex pathogenesis of AD makes it difficult to develop the drugs capable of curing AD. The stem cell therapy is an important method to promote self-repair and regeneration, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) as adult stem cells have the ability of multi-directional differentiation. By reviewing the relevant literature, this paper discusses the association between BMSCs and the TCM theory of kidney storing essence, and expounds the material basis of this theory from the perspective of molecular biology. Studies have shown that TCM with the effect of tonifying the kidney in the treatment of AD are associated with BMSCs. Exosomes produced by such cells are one of the main substances affecting AD. Exosomes containing nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids can participate in intercellular communication, regulate cell function, and affect AD by reducing Aß deposition, inhibiting Tau protein phosphorylation and neuroinflammation, and promoting neuronal regeneration. Therefore, discussing the prevention and treatment of exosomes and AD based on the theory of kidney storing essence will provide a new research idea for the TCM treatment of AD.

Dual mutations in the whitefly nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ß1 subunit confer target-site resistance to multiple neonicotinoid insecticides.

Neonicotinoid insecticides, which target insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), have been widely and intensively used to control the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, a highly damaging, globally distributed, crop pest. This has inevitably led to the emergence of populations with resistance to neonicotinoids. However, to date, there have been no reports of target-site resistance involving mutation of B. tabaci nAChR genes. Here we characterize the nAChR subunit gene family of B. tabaci and identify dual mutations (A58T&R79E) in one of these genes (BTß1) that confer resistance to multiple neonicotinoids. Transgenic D. melanogaster, where the native nAChR Dß1 was replaced with BTß1A58T&R79E, were significantly more resistant to neonicotinoids than flies where Dß1 were replaced with the wildtype BTß1 sequence, demonstrating the causal role of the mutations in resistance. The two mutations identified in this study replace two amino acids that are highly conserved in >200 insect species. Three-dimensional modelling suggests a molecular mechanism for this resistance, whereby A58T forms a hydrogen bond with the R79E side chain, which positions its negatively-charged carboxylate group to electrostatically repulse a neonicotinoid at the orthosteric site. Together these findings describe the first case of target-site resistance to neonicotinoids in B. tabaci and provide insight into the molecular determinants of neonicotinoid binding and selectivity.

Cause-specific mortality in a population-level cohort of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma following chemotherapy in the early 21st century.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a severe non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Life expectancy has improved with rituximab, but cause-specific mortality data is lacking. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to study 27,449 individuals aged 20-74 years diagnosed with primary DLBCL who received chemotherapy between 2000 and 2019, we calculated standardized mortality rate (SMR) and excess absolute risk (EAR) and examined the connection between age, sex, time after diagnosis, and cause of death. Based on 12,205 deaths, 68.7% were due to lymphoma, 20.1% non-cancer causes, and 11.2% other cancers. Non-cancer mortality rates (SMR 1.2; EAR, 21.5) increased with DLBCL compared to the general population. The leading non-cancer death causes were cardiovascular (EAR, 22.6; SMR, 1.6) and infectious (EAR, 9.0; SMR, 2.9) diseases with DLBCL. Risks for non-cancer death and solid neoplasms are highest within the first diagnosis year, then decrease. Among socioeconomic factors, being white, being married, and having a higher income were favorable factors for reducing non-cancer mortality. To improve survival, close surveillance, assessment of risk factors, and early intervention are needed.

A newly evolved rice-specific gene JAUP1 regulates jasmonate biosynthesis and signalling to promote root development and multi-stress tolerance.

Root architecture and function are critical for plants to secure water and nutrient supply from the soil, but environmental stresses alter root development. The phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) regulates plant growth and responses to wounding and other stresses, but its role in root development for adaptation to environmental challenges had not been well investigated. We discovered a novel JA Upregulated Protein 1 gene (JAUP1) that has recently evolved in rice and is specific to modern rice accessions. JAUP1 regulates a self-perpetuating feed-forward loop to activate the expression of genes involved in JA biosynthesis and signalling that confers tolerance to abiotic stresses and regulates auxin-dependent root development. Ectopic expression of JAUP1 alleviates abscisic acid- and salt-mediated suppression of lateral root (LR) growth. JAUP1 is primarily expressed in the root cap and epidermal cells (EPCs) that protect the meristematic stem cells and emerging LRs. Wound-activated JA/JAUP1 signalling promotes crosstalk between the root cap of LR and parental root EPCs, as well as induces cell wall remodelling in EPCs overlaying the emerging LR, thereby facilitating LR emergence even under ABA-suppressive conditions. Elevated expression of JAUP1 in transgenic rice or natural rice accessions enhances abiotic stress tolerance and reduces grain yield loss under a limited water supply. We reveal a hitherto unappreciated role for wound-induced JA in LR development under abiotic stress and suggest that JAUP1 can be used in biotechnology and as a molecular marker for breeding rice adapted to extreme environmental challenges and for the conservation of water resources.

Comparative analysis of automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) combined with conventional hand-held ultrasound and mammography in female breast cancer detection.

Objective and background: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of an automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) combined with conventional hand-held ultrasound and mammography in detecting female breast cancer. Early detection is vital in improving patient outcomes for this prevalent disease. Methods: Seventy-eight suspicious breast lesions from 60 patients were examined between August 2019 and July 2020. Each patient underwent ABVS, conventional hand-held ultrasound, and mammography. Diagnostic values, including coincidence rate, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value, were calculated using histopathology results as the "gold standard." Results: Histopathology confirmed 55 malignant (70.51%) and 23 benign lesions (29.48%). ABVS combined with conventional hand-held ultrasound identified 56 malignant (52 confirmed, 4 benign) and 22 benign nodules (3 confirmed, 19 benign). Mammography detected 48 malignant (45 confirmed, 3 benign) and 30 benign nodules (10 confirmed, 20 benign). ABVS combined with conventional hand-held ultrasound had a sensitivity of 94.5%, specificity of 82.6%, positive predictive value of 92.9%, and negative predictive value of 86.4%. Mammography showed a sensitivity of 81.8%, specificity of 87.0%, positive predictive value of 93.8%, and negative predictive value of 66.7%. Conclusion: ABVS combined with conventional hand-held ultrasound showed high diagnostic value in detecting female breast cancer. The "convergence sign" in the coronal section played a significant role. It slightly outperformed mammography and offered advantages in terms of cost, convenience, comfort, and absence of radiation. Further promotion and implementation are supported.