Multidimensional Ultrasound Evaluation of Diastasis Recti Abdominis During Different Gestational Periods.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to explore the application value of two-dimensional ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE) in the multidimensional evaluation of diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) during different gestational periods. METHODS: A cohort of 202 gravidas that were examined in our hospital between June 2021 and September 2022 were selected for the purpose of the study, which included 26 cases with <14 weeks of pregnancy, 36 cases in the 14th-27th week of pregnancy, 36 cases in the 28th-34th week of pregnancy, 32 cases in the 35th-38th week of pregnancy, 45 cases at 42 days postpartum, and 27 cases at 3 months postpartum. The inter-rectus distance (IRD) and the thickness in each gestational period were measured, and Young's modulus of the rectus abdominis at different gestational periods was measured using SWE by two sonographers. The differences in IRD, thickness, and elasticity characteristics during different periods, and the correlation between rectus abdominis elasticity and IRD, thickness, body mass index (BMI), neonatal weight, and delivery mode were analyzed and compared. The consistency of SWE parameters obtained by different sonographers was also compared. RESULTS: There were significant differences in IRD, thickness, and Young's modulus during different gestational periods (P = .000, P < .001, P < .001). Early postpartum IRD and Young's modulus did not restore to the level of early pregnancy (P < .001, P < .001), while the thickness of rectus abdominis was not significantly different from that of early pregnancy (P = .211). The Young's modulus of rectus abdominis was negatively correlated with the IRD (r = .515), positively correlated with the thickness of rectus abdominis (r = .408), and weakly negatively correlated with maternal BMI (r = -.296). There was no significant correlation with neonatal weight or delivery mode (P = .147, .648). The Bland-Altman plot showed that the two sonographers had good consistency in evaluating the elasticity of rectus abdominis by SWE. CONCLUSION: The multidimensional evaluation of DRA by ultrasound is feasible and IRD and Young's modulus can be used to evaluate the postpartum recovery of DRA. The combination of the two can objectively reflect the severity of DRA morphology and function.

An Ultrasound Model to Predict the Short-Term Effects of Endovascular Stent Placement in the Treatment of Carotid Artery Stenosis.

Purpose: The present study aimed to explore the predictive ability of an ultrasound linear regression equation in patients undergoing endovascular stent placement (ESP) to treat carotid artery stenosis-induced ischemic stroke. Methods: Pearson's correlation coefficient of actual improvement rate (IR) and 10 preoperative ultrasound indices in the carotid arteries of 64 patients who underwent ESP were retrospectively analyzed. A predictive ultrasound model for the fitted IR after ESP was established. Results: Of the 10 preoperative ultrasound indices, peak systolic velocity (PSV) at stenosis was strongly correlated with postoperative actual IR (r = 0.622; P < 0.01). The unstable plaque index (UPI; r = 0.447), peak eccentricity ratio (r = 0.431), and plaque stiffness index (ß; r = 0.512) moderately correlated with actual IR (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the resistance index (r = 0.325) and the dilation coefficient (r = 0.311) weakly correlated with actual IR (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between actual IR and the number of unstable plaques, area narrowing, pulsatility index, and compliance coefficient. In combination, morphological, hemodynamic, and physiological ultrasound indices can predict 62.39% of neurological deficits after ESP: fitted IR = 0.9816 - 0.1293ß + 0.0504UPI - 0.1137PSV. Conclusion: Certain carotid ultrasound indices correlate with ESP outcomes. The multi-index predictive model can be used to evaluate the effects of ESP before surgery.

A Meta-Analysis on the Relationship Between Hair Dye and the Incidence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies have suggested hair dye to be a risk factor for many cancers. However, previous studies on the association between the personal use of hair dye and risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) have been inconclusive. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, as well as the references cited in included studies, were searched for relevant studies up to February 10, 2015. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were applied to assess the strength of the association. Publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot by Egger's and Begg's tests. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies were included in the analysis, including 13 case-control studies and 3 cohort studies. The present meta-analysis results revealed that the risk of NHL in a high population of hair dye users was 14% (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.29). Furthermore, individuals who used more than 20 pack-years of hair dye had increased risk of NHL. CONCLUSION: The outcomes indicate that hair dye use increases the risk of NHL, especially for females. Hence, people who frequently use hair dyes or have been using hair dyes for more than 20 years should minimize their exposure to hair dye products to prevent the risk of NHL.

miR-139 acts as a tumor suppressor in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by targeting CX chemokine receptor 4.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as tumor regulators in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). However, the molecular mechanisms by which miRNA-139 (miR-139) regulates T-ALL remain unclear. In this study, we found that miR-139 was lowly expressed whereas C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) was highly expressed in T-ALL cell lines and patient samples. The T-ALL patients simultaneously with high levels of CXCR4 and low expression of miR-139 possessed poor prognosis. Moreover, the introduction of miR-139 inhibited T-ALL cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and suppressed tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo. CXCR4 was identified as a direct target of miR-139. The suppressive effects of miR-139 were mimicked and counteracted by CXCR4 depletion and overexpression, respectively. Overall, the miR-139/CXCR4 axis plays an important role in T-ALL carcinogenesis.

Ultrasonography for Preoperative Diagnosis of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis.

This study aimed to assess the application of ultrasonography for preoperative diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF). A total of 51 patients with clinically suspected RPF underwent transabdominal ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided histopathologic biopsy (tAU-UGHB). Retroperitoneal fibrosis was diagnosed in 35 patients; of these, 31 cases (88.6%) received a diagnosis using tAU-UGHB. The ultrasonographic images mainly showed solid, irregular isoechoic masses, which were present behind the retroperitoneum and surrounded the abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava, and ureters and had clear borders with the encapsulated structures. Compared with other retroperitoneal lesions, RPF lesions were mainly located below the initial level of the renal artery, and their internal flow signals were not rich (P < 0.05). Retroperitoneal fibrosis had characteristic ultrasonographic features, and color Doppler ultrasound-guided biopsy could be positioned accurately, safely, and efficiently; therefore, tAU-UGHB can be used as an effective modality for preoperative diagnosis of RPF.

Relationship between cigarette smoking and risk of chronic myeloid leukaemia: a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies.

OBJECTIVE: Previous epidemiologic studies that have been reported on the association between cigarette smoking and risk of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) have remained controversial. A comprehensive meta-analysis was performed to evaluate smoking as a potential relationship factor and incidence of CML. METHODS: Systematic literatures collected from articles published before August 2015 were searched from PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. A total of 10 studies (nine case-controls and one cohort) met inclusion criteria of this meta-analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the strength of the association between cigarette smoking and risk of CML in this study. Quality assessments were performed on the studies with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. I2 index was used to evaluate heterogeneity. Finally, publication bias was assessed through funnel plots and Begger's test. RESULTS: No significant association was observed between ever-smokers and CML when compared among non-smokers (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.99-1.29) or between subgroups stratified by smoking history, gender, geographical region, study design and source of patients. Our results demonstrate that this association was stronger in individuals who smoked <20 cigarettes/day (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.06-2.79) vs. individuals who smoked >20 cigarettes/day (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.55-2.81). Moreover, cumulative smoking of <15, 15-30 and >30 pack-years was associated with ORs of 1.22, 1.32 and 1.39, respectively (P < 0.001, for trend). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that smoking may significantly increase the risk of CML in a dose-dependent manner. However, additional well-designed, prospective cohort studies are required to verify these findings and identify other risk factors associated with CML.

[Echocardiographic standardized myocardial segmentation features in patients with left ventricular noncompaction].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the echocardiographic standardized myocardial segmentation features in patients with left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). METHODS: Echocardiographic characteristics of 9 patients with LVNC were analyzed and the localization of lesions were determined according to the standardized myocardial segmentation (SMS) recommended by American Heart Association (AHA). RESULTS: Loose trabeculation in the myocardial lesions were evidenced in all LVNC patients. Communication between deep intertrabecular recess and LV cavity was evident with color flow imaging. According to SMS of AHA, noncompaction of ventricular myocardium was localized in apical segment in all 9 patients, in apical segment of the inferior wall (IW) in 9 patients, in apical segment of the lateral wall (LW) in 7 patients, in middle segment (MS) of IW in 7 patients, in MS of LW in 6 patients. One NC segment was also evidenced in apical segment and MS of septal ventricular wall, basal segment of IW and LW and right ventricular apex, respectively. NC was not found in left ventricular anterior wall. CONCLUSION: Echocardiographic standardized myocardial segmentation is helpful to diagnose LVNC and NC was mostly localized in the apical segments of LVNC patients.