Inter-observer agreement on the evaluation of automated breast volume scanner for breast masses

Objective: To explore inter-observer agreement on the evaluation of automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) for breast masses. Methods: A total of 846 breast masses in 630 patients underwent ABVS examinations. The imaging data were independently interpreted by senior and junior radiologists regarding the mass size ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm and total). We assessed inter-observer agreement of BI-RADS lexicons, unique descriptors of ABVS coronal planes. Using BI-RADS 3 or 4a as a cutoff value, the diagnostic performances for 331 masses with pathological results in 253 patients were assessed. Results: The overall agreements were substantial for BI-RADS lexicons ([Formula: see text]–0.779) and the characteristics on the coronal plane of ABVS ([Formula: see text]), except for associated features ([Formula: see text]). However, the overall agreement was moderate for orientation ([Formula: see text]) for the masses [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm. The agreements were substantial to be perfect for categories 2, 3, 4, 5 and overall ([Formula: see text]–0.918). However, the agreements were moderate to substantial for categories 4a ([Formula: see text]), 4b ([Formula: see text]), and 4c ([Formula: see text]), except for category 4b of the masses [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm ([Formula: see text]). Moreover, for radiologists 1 and 2, there were no significant differences in sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values with BI-RADS 3 or 4a as a cutoff value ([Formula: see text] for all). Conclusion: ABVS is a reliable imaging modality for the assessment of breast masses with good inter-observer agreement.

The multidisciplinary management of gastric cancer: Experience from a tertiary comprehensive hospital in Shanghai, China

Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disease which requires a multimodal approach of management. The Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Changhai Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, established the gastric cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) clinic based on the guidance of MDT culture in the year of 2017. Our MDT discussion followed a weekly consultation model, with the full-board discussion held once a month, and mini-board communication and discussion made once a week. The stages of MDT management are: pre-operative treatment plan and preparation, post-operative treatment plan, and follow-up treatment and evaluation. As of March 2021, a total of 296 patients visited the MDT clinic. Majority of the patients were gastric carcinoma patients (273/296, 92.2%). Here, we shared our gastric cancer MDT experiences and summarized our strengths and proposed directions for improvement.

Application of glucocorticoids in patients with novel coronavirus infection: From bench to bedside

Glucocorticoids (GCs) have potential anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. There is plenty of controversy about the application of glucocorticoids in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This paper briefly summarizes the mechanism of glucocorticoids and their receptors and clinical applications in COVID-19. Through reviewing the current literature, our aim is to have a deeper understanding of the mechanism of GCs and their clinical applications, so as to find possible ways to enhance their efficacy and reduce drug resistance or side effects.

Unprecedented reorganization of development history of traditional medicine: Part I

According to the period development and the typical characteristics of medical stages, traditional medicine can be divided into six aspects: legendary traditional medicine, instinctive traditional medicine, witchcraft traditional medicine, empirical traditional medicine, theoretical traditional medicine and integrated traditional medicine. Among them, instinctive traditional medicine and legendary traditional medicine belong to the stage of ignorance according to the level of human cognition (“not knowing reason and result”, “only knowing result” and “knowing reason and result”). It belongs to the immature and hazy development period of human traditional medicine before it became “medicine” from the perspective of the development of traditional medicine, which can be summarized as the pre-medical period. Scientific understanding of traditional medicine and instinctive traditional medicine is helpful for people to understand and grasp the development of traditional medicine and even the whole medicine.

The effects and mechanisms of pomegranate in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is becoming epidemic both in developing and developed countries in recent years. Vegetable and fruit consumptions have been associated with the prevention of metabolic syndrome. Pomegranate is a widely consumed fruit in Middle East and Asia. Currently, accumulating data showed that pomegranate exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities in experimental and clinical studies. The beneficial effects of pomegranate may come from its rich polyphenols and be mediated by increasing the activity of AMPK, upregulating GLUT4, activating PPAR[Formula: see text]- ABCA1/CYP7A1 pathways and improving mitochondrial function. This review provides a systematical presentation of findings on the beneficial effects as well as the possible mechanisms of pomegranate and its major components on prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome.

A study on the preparation and quality standard of Saifula granules

Objective: To establish the decocting and formulation technology of Saifula granules, and establish a reliable TLC identification quality control standard. Methods: Orthogonal test was used to optimize the water extraction process and TLC was used for qualitative identification. Results: To optimize the process parameters of SFL granules, first, the content of total flavonoids and the total extraction rate were taken as the indexes. Through single factor and orthogonal test, the optimal extraction process was determined as follows: extraction time 1 h, solvent multiple 1:10, extract three times. After the process parameters were determined, in order to further explain the chemical composition of SFL extract, 15 compounds in SFL extract were identified by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS, 13 batches of SFL extracts were prepared, and their fingerprints were analyzed. The results showed that there were 28 common characteristic peaks in the 13 batches of SFL extracts. The similarity evaluation results of fingerprints showed that the similarities of 13 batches of SFL extracts were greater than 0.9. An HPLC-DAD method for the simultaneous determination of gallic acid, corilagin, and ellagic acid was established. The method has good repeatability, stability, and accurate results. Conclusion: The standard can comprehensively reflect the material basis of SFL granules, and the above methods are accurate, easy to operate, stable and feasible, and provide scientific basis and basis for the development, promotion, and clinical application of SFL granules.

Effect of Uygur medicine maturants on related factors of liver energy metabolism in rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of five Uygur medicine maturants on the related factors of liver energy metabolism in rats. Methods: After 30 days of preparation and intragastric administration, the weight changes of rats were observed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect Na[Formula: see text] K[Formula: see text] ATPase, Ca2[Formula: see text] Mg2[Formula: see text] ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities; hepatic glycogen (HG) and muscle glycogen (MG) content, plasma triiodothyronine (T3), tetraiodothyronine (T4), and thyrotropin (TSH) content were detected. Results: The Kan (blood) quality regulator reduced the weight of rats, the Sapra regulator increased the weight of rats, the Savda maturant group, and the Balham maturant group increased the Na[Formula: see text] K[Formula: see text] ATPase, Ca2[Formula: see text] Mg2[Formula: see text] ATP, SDH activity, HG, MG, T3, T4, and TSH content of rats significantly, while the other groups had no significant effect on the energy metabolism-related factors. Conclusion: Five kinds of Uygur medicine maturants have effects on the related factors of energy metabolism in the liver of normal rats, and their elevation of serum thyroxine level is related, among which the effects of the Savda maturant group and the Balham maturant group are more significant.

The implications of mitochondria in doxorubicin treatment of cancer in the context of traditional and modern medicine

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an antibiotic anthracycline extensively used in the treatment of different malignancies, such as breast cancer, lymphomas and leukemias. The cardiotoxicity induced by DOX is one of the most important pathophysiological events that limit its clinical application. Accumulating evidence highlights mitochondria as a central role in this process. Modulation of mitochondrial functions as therapeutic strategy for DOX-induced cardiotoxicity has thus attracted much attention. In particular, emerging studies investigated the potential of natural mitochondria-targeting compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as adjunct or alternative treatment for DOX-induced toxicity. This review summarizes studies about the mechanisms of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, evidencing the importance of mitochondria and presenting TCM treatment alternatives for DOX-induced cardiomyopathy.

Effects of salvianolic acid B on glycometabolism and lipid metabolism in rodents: Meta-analysis

Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a herb which has been widely used in China. Salvianolic acid B (SalB) is an aqueous bioactive component derived from Danshen. Here, we aimed to estimate the effect of SalB on glycometabolism and lipid metabolism in rats and mice. We searched four databases until November 2020. The outcome measures were fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc). Twenty-four studies involving 547 animals were included. The meta-analysis showed effects of SalB on decreasing the level of FBG, TC, TG, LDLc, and increasing the level of HDLc compared with the control group. In conclusion, the result showed that SalB may regulate the glycometabolism and lipid metabolism in rats or mice, and may be a potential agent for treating metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

Hydrogen medicine: A rising star in gas medicine

Gas medicine, including O2, NO, H2S, CO, CH4, has played important roles in prevention and treatment of diseases for a long time. Molecular hydrogen (H2), the smallest diatomic molecule in nature, has become a rising star in gas medicine in the past decades. Many studies have shown that H2 has preventive and therapeutic effects on various diseases through its selective antioxidant activity. H2, as a non-toxic gas for the human body and convenience to obtain, has provided a great possibility to be used widely. Currently, the main difficulties in hydrogen medicine are lack of definitive clinical evidence and the molecular basis of hydrogen effects. In this paper, the authors have conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of these issues, and also proposed the possibility of developing Hydrogen Biology and Hydrogen Medicine as new disciplines of biology and medicine.