Ultrasonography of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Diagnosis to Prognosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prominent contributor to cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early detection and diagnosis of liver cancer can significantly improve its prognosis and patient survival. Ultrasound technology, serving has undergone substantial advances as the primary method of HCC surveillance and has broadened its scope in recent years for effective management of HCC. This article is a comprehensive overview of ultrasound technology in the treatment of HCC, encompassing early detection, diagnosis, staging, treatment evaluation, and prognostic assessment. In addition, the authors summarized the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of HCC and assessment of prognosis. Finally, the authors discussed further directions in this field by emphasizing overcoming existing obstacles and integrating cutting-edge technologies.

Research on the application of Thelephora ganbajun exopolysaccharides in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and spot-fading cosmetics.

Thelephora ganbajun exopolysaccharides (TGEP) with a "coral-like" branched chain structure (main chain diameter âˆ¼ 80 nm) were prepared by liquid fermentation and fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography. The main fraction (TGEP-2) with the highest in vitro antioxidant capacity was composed of Glc, Man, Gal, GalA, GlcA, Ara, Rha, GlcN, Fuc and Rib in a molar ratio of 465.43:420.43:219.14:188.43:37:35.14:31.43:19.43:11.14:1, with a molecular weight of 1.879 × 104 Da. The sequence of monosaccharide residue release revealed that Gal, Glc and Ara residues were more distributed in the side-branch chains and at their ends, whereas Man and GalA residues were more distributed in the main chains. TGEP-2 contained linear residues (mainly →4)-Glcp-(1 â†’ and →4)-Manp-(1→), branch residues (→3,6)-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-Glcp-(1 â†’ and →3,6)-Galp-(1→) and terminal residues (Galp-(1→, Manp-(1 â†’ and Glcp-(1→). TGEP-2 consisted of α- and ß-glycosidically linked pyranosides, with a triple helical conformation and many long branches. Zebrafish oxidative stress and inflammation models found that TGEP-2 had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The zebrafish skin black spot assay showed that TGEP-2 inhibited melanin formation. Therefore, extracellular polysaccharides of T. ganbajun have strong application potential in anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and skin spot-fading functions cosmetics.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become one of the commonly used treatment methods for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is widely available in the clinic and presents the advantages of short recovery time and a less invasive approach. Only a few complications, such as hemorrhage, ascites, and duct injury, have been reported after RFA for HCC. Herein, we report for the first time the case of a patient diagnosed with recurrent HCC in whom thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was diagnosed as a complication of the RFA procedure. A 64-year-old male patient with a 2-year history of resected-stage V HCC, in whom later recurrence occurred, underwent RFA for HCC. This patient had a rapid drop in platelets and some petechiae on the wrists after RFA. Combining the clinical and laboratory tests, the diagnosis of TTP was reached. We immediately used plasmapheresis combined with drug therapy, which successfully treated the clinical condition of TTP, with no evidence of recurrence or other complications 1 year after initial treatment. TTP is a rare complication of RFA procedures. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment measures are critical. Through this case report, we hope to raise awareness of the complications of RFA.

Effect of Parecoxib Sodium Combined with Dexmedetomidine on Analgesia and Postoperative Pain of Patients Undergoing Hysteromyomectomy.

Background: Propofol combined with remifentanil is the most common anesthesia method in laparoscopic hysteromyomectomy. However, whether the combination of the two is helpful to patients undergoing hysteromyomectomy still requires unclear. Objective: To determine the effect of parecoxib sodium combined with dexmedetomidine on analgesia and postoperative pain of patients undergoing hysteromyomectomy. Methods: Altogether, 72 patients receiving hysteromyomectomy in our hospital from February 2017 to March 2019 were enrolled. Among them, 35 patients treated with parecoxib sodium were assigned to the control group, while the rest 37 patients treated with parecoxib sodium combined with dexmedetomidine were assigned to the research group. The following items of the two groups were evaluated: visual analog scale (VAS) score, mechanical pain threshold (MPT), Riker sedation-agitation scale (RSAS) score, and expression of serum cortisol and melatonin. Results: At 12 and 24 h after operation, the VAS score of the research group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05), and at 6, 12, and 24 h after operation, the MPT of the research group was notably higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, at 10 min after extubation, the research group got notably lower RSAS score than the control group (P < 0.05). Before extubation and at 20 min after extubation, the research group showed notably higher melatonin expression and notably lower serum cortisol expression than the control group (both P < 0.05). Conclusion: Parecoxib sodium combined with dexmedetomidine can effectively control the postoperative pain of patients undergoing hysteromyomectomy, reduce the incidence of agitation, and effectively control serum cortisol and melatonin in them.

Preparation and structure-activity relationship of highly active black garlic polysaccharides.

The aim of this study was to establish a method to improve the biological activity of polysaccharides. Three acid-treated polysaccharides (BGPS-2, BGPS-3 and BGPS-4) were obtained by treating black garlic polysaccharides (BGPS-1) with sulfuric acid at different intensities. The structure was characterized using the sulfuric acid-carbazole assay, IC, HPSEC-MALLS and FT-IR. The biological functions were evaluated using antioxidant and melanin biosynthesis inhibition assays. Compared with BGPS-1, the molecular weight of acid-treated polysaccharides significantly decreased, and the uronic acid content significantly increased. Antioxidant capacity negatively correlated with molecular weight, whereas melanin inhibition activity positively correlated with uronic acid content. BGPS-4 had the highest antioxidant capacity and the lowest molecular weight (1.25 × 103 Da), 79.41 % lower than that of BGPS-1. BGPS-3 was the strongest inhibitor of melanin formation and had the highest uronic acid content (50.73 %), 238.2 % higher than that of BGPS-1. Molecular weight and uronic acid content were the main structural characteristics that affected the antioxidant and melanin biosynthesis inhibition activities, respectively. BGPS-1, BGPS-2, BGPS-3, and BGPS-4 all had ß-linked pyranose, multi-branched, and non-triple helical spiral structures. Therefore, the acid hydrolysis method markedly modified the structural characteristics of black garlic polysaccharides, and increased their antioxidant capacity and melanin biosynthesis inhibition activity.

The local anesthetic ropivacaine suppresses progression of breast cancer by regulating miR-27b-3p/YAP axis.

Breast cancer is a prevalent malignancy with high mortality and poor prognosis. Ropivacaine is a widely used local anesthetic and presents potential anti-tumor activity. Nevertheless, the function of ropivacaine in breast cancer development remains elusive. Here, we tried to investigate the impact of ropivacaine on breast cancer progression and the underlying mechanism. Significantly, we revealed that ropivacaine was able to reduce the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Ropivacaine could attenuate the invasion and migration in the cells. Mechanically, ropivacaine could enhance the miR-27b-3p expression and miR-27b-3p inhibited breast cancer progression in breast cancer cells. MiR-27b-3p targeted YAP in the breast cancer cells. Ropivacaine decreased the breast cancer progression by modulating miR-27b-3p/YAP axis in vitro. Ropivacaine could inhibit tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, we discovered that the local anesthetic ropivacaine inhibits the progression of breast cancer via the miR-27b-3p/YAP axis. Our finding presents novel insights into the mechanism of ropivacaine inhibiting the development of breast cancer. Ropivacaine may potentially serve as an anti-tumor candidate in the therapeutic strategy of breast cancer.

Analysis of multiple organ damage and clinical immunological characteristics in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with hematologic involvement.

Objective: To investigate clinical immunological characteristics and imaging findings of multiple organ damage of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with hematologic involvement. Methods: SLE patients diagnosed in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from June 2015 to March 2019 were selected, including 93 SLE patients with hematologic involvement and 68 SLE patients without hematologic involvement. Immunological indicators such as autoantibodies, immunoglobulin G (IgG), complement 4 (C4) and imaging data of several organs were measured respectively. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: SLE patients with hematologic involvement were more likely to have autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) (20.43%, P<0.05). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of SLE patients with hematologic involvement was 75.82 (±35.33) mm/h, IgG was 28.84 (±6.00) g/L and C4 was 0.073 (±0.031) g/L (P< 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of IgG was the highest among the above indicators (P<0.01). The positive anti-RO-52 antibody (OR=15.926, P<0.05) was an independent risk factor for pulmonary inflammatory lesions in SLE patients with hematologic involvement. Conclusion: Compared with the control group, abnormal immunological indicators and multiple organs damage are more obvious. Positive anti-RO-52 antibody may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary inflammation in SLE patients.

ZnO and Hydroxyapatite-Modified Magnesium Implant with a Broad Spectrum of Antibacterial Properties and a Unique Minimally Invasive Defined Degrading Capability.

ZnO and hydroxyapatite-based membranes have been proposed to improve the antibacterial properties and anticorrosion capabilities of the magnesium implant, simultaneously. More importantly, the concept of minimally invasive surgery has been introduced to define the degradation timing of the as-modified magnesium implant. With the aid of a Kirschner wire, the as-prepared membrane could immediately change from the "protective layer" to the "degradation accelerator" of the implant material. The subsequent studies have implied that this membrane could be a promising avenue to create a biocompatible and lightweight implant material with a valuable personal customized degradable timing capability.