The efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy in gallbladder masses

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy(EUS-FNB) is a widely used modality for acquiring various target samples, but its efficacy in gallbladder masses is unknown. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-FNB in patients with gallbladder masses. Methods: The study samples were composed of patients from March 2015 to July 2019 who needed to identify the nature of gallbladder masses through EUS-FNB. The outcomes of this study were the adequacy of specimens, diagnostic yields, technical feasibility, and adverse events of the EUS-FNB in gallbladder masses. Results: A total of 27 consecutive patients with a median age of 58 years were included in this study. The 22-gauge FNB needle was feasible in all lesions. The median follow-up period of the patients was 294 days. The specimens sufficient for diagnosis account for 89%(24/27) and 93%(25/27) in cytology and histology, respectively. The overall diagnostic yields for malignancy showed the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 95.45% [95% confidence interval(CI): 75.12%-99.76%], 100%(95% CI: 46.29%-10 0%), 10 0%(95% CI: 80.76%-100%), 83.33%(95% CI: 36.48%-99.12%), and 96.30%(95% CI: 80.20%-99.99%), respectively. The subgroup analysis revealed that FNB could obtain sufficient specimens and high diagnostic yields in both gallbladder mass < 20.5 mm group and ≥20.5 mm group. One patient experienced mild abdominal pain after the procedure and recovered within one day. Conclusions: EUS-FNB is a reasonable diagnostic tool for the pretreatment diagnosis of patients with gallbladder masses, especially for patients who may miss the opportunity of surgery and need sufficient specimens to identify the pathological type so as to determine chemotherapy regimens. Further largescale studies are needed to confirm our conclusion.

Measurement of remanent magnetic moment using a torsion pendulum with single frequency modulation method

In Tian Qin spaceborne gravitational-wave detectors, the stringent requirements on the magnetic cleanliness of the test masses demand the high resolution ground-based characterization measurement of their magnetic properties. Here we present a single frequency modulation method based on a torsion pendulum to measure the remanent magnetic moment mr of 1.1 kg dummy copper test mass, and the measurement result is(6.45 ± 0.04(stat) ± 0.07(syst)) × 10^(-8)A · m^(2). The measurement precision of the mr is about 0.9 n A · m^(2), well below the present measurement requirement of Tian Qin. The method is particularly useful for measuring extremely low magnetic properties of the materials for use in the construction of space-borne gravitational wave detection and other precision scientific apparatus.

A decrease in macular microvascular perfusion after retinal detachment repair with silicone oil

AIM:To observe whether silicone oil(SO)tamponade could decrease macular perfusion after retinal detachment repair.METHODS:A prospective observational case-control study.Patients diagnosed with primary macular off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment undergoing successful retinal repair surgery with vitrectomy were strictly selected.Optical coherence tomography angiography findings were compared between SO and air tamponade groups.Two postoperative visiting points were set(1 and 3 mo).RESULTS:Totally 29 patients(29 eyes)were enrolled.Twenty cases had SO tamponade while 9 cases were with air tamponade.At the first visiting point,superficial parafoveal vessel density(PFSVD)significantly decreased in the SO group(P=0.0403),especially in the superior quadrant or superior-hemi area(P=0.0089,0.0426,respectively).Parafoveal deep vessel density(PFDVD)had no difference between the two groups.At the second visiting point,all quadrants of PFSVD reduced significantly in the SO group(P=0.0256,0.0001,0.0031,<0.0001 in temporal,superior,nasal,and inferior area,respectively),but PFDVD remained no different.In the air group,all areas of PFSVD showed significantly improving from the first visit to the second one(P=0.0324,0.0001,0.0371,0.0026,in temporal,superior,nasal,and inferior area,respectively);however,almost all quadrants of PFDVD showed no changes during this period.In the SO group,both PFSVD and PFDVD showed no obvious changes between the two visiting points.Besides,parafoveal full retinal thickness in the SO group reduced significantly at both visiting points over the air tamponade,while the foveal avascular zone area showed no difference in the two groups.CONCLUSION:After retinal detachment surgery with vitrectomy and SO tamponade,superficial macular perfusion and full retinal thickness could decrease obviously when compared to air tamponade.This reduction process could persist throughout the tamponade period.

Primary pancreatic lymphoma diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy

To the Editor:Primary pancreatic lymphoma(PPL)is extremely rare,account-ing for 1%of extra-nodal lymphomas and less than 0.5%of pan-creatic masses[1].Both cytological and histological analyses are required to confirm the diagnosis of PPL.The main treatments include chemotherapy and radiotherapy[2].Pancreatic resection alone does not improve the survival rate[3].Hence,it is necessary to differentiate PPL from other malignant tumors before surgery.

Broadband low-frequency acoustic absorber based on metaporous composite

Broadband absorption of low-frequency sound waves via a deep subwavelength structure is of great and ongoing interest in research and engineering.Here,we numerically and experimentally present a design of a broadband lowfrequency absorber based on an acoustic metaporous composite(AMC).The AMC absorber is constructed by embedding a single metamaterial resonator into a porous layer.The finite element simulations show that a high absorption(absorptance A>0.8)can be achieved within a broad frequency range(from 290 Hz to 1074 Hz),while the thickness of AMC is 1/13of the corresponding wavelength at 290 Hz.The broadband and high-efficiency performances of the absorber are attributed to the coupling between the two resonant absorptions and the trapped mode.The numerical simulations and experimental results are obtained to be in good agreement with each other.Moreover,the high broadband absorption can be maintained under random incident acoustic waves.The proposed absorber provides potential applications in low-frequency noise reduction especially when limited space is demanded.

Emerging role of molecular diagnosis and personalized therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a prevalent malignancy worldwide,ranking as the sixth most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality.Late diagnosis,limited management options,and its complex etiology contribute to the poor prognosis and high mortality rates.Recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of HCC and innovations in high-throughput sequencing technologies have led to the development of molecular diagnostics and personalized therapies for this challenging malignancy.This review provides a comprehensive overview of research on the molecular diagnosis and individualized treatment for HCC.We highlight key advances and potential future directions and discuss the application of next-generation sequencing technologies to identify and characterize genetic and epigenetic alterations in HCC patients.These technologies may aid in the selection of targeted therapies,prediction of treatment response,and monitoring disease progression.Furthermore,we explore the role of liquid biopsy in HCC diagnosis,prognosis prediction,and treatment monitoring,focusing on circulating tumor cells,circulating tumor DNA,and extracellular vesicles.We also explore the evolving landscape of personalized therapy for HCC,including targeted therapies against key oncogenic signaling pathways,immune checkpoint inhibitors,tumor-agnostic therapies,and innovative cellbased therapies.We discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the quest to improve HCC patient outcomes through the integration of molecular diagnostics and individualized precision therapies.We emphasize the need for multi-interdisciplinary collaboration,refinement of predictive and prognostic biomarkers,and the development of more effective combination strategies for HCC management in the new area of precision medicine.