Scavenging Radionuclide by Shapeable Porous Materials.

Nuclear energy is a competitive and environmentally friendly low-carbon energy source. It is seen as an important avenue for satisfying energy demands, responding to the energy crisis, and mitigating global climate change. However, much attention has been paid to achieving the effective treatment of radionuclide ions produced in nuclear waste. Initially, advanced adsorbents were mainly available in powder form, which meant that additional purification processes were usually required for separation and recovery in industrial applications. Therefore, to meet the practical requirements of industrial applications, materials need to be molded and processed into forms such as beads, membranes, gels, and resins. Here, we summarize the fabrication of porous materials used for capturing typical radionuclide ions, including UO2 2+, TcO4 -, IO3 -, SeO3 2-, and SeO4 2-.

Circ_0004851 regulates the molecular mechanism of miR-296-3p/FGF11 in the influence of high iodine on PTC.

The prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has been rising in recent years. Despite its relatively low mortality, PTC frequently metastasizes to lymph nodes and often recurs, posing significant health and economic burdens. The role of iodine in the pathogenesis and advancement of thyroid cancer remains poorly understood. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are recognized to function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) that modulate gene expression and play a role in various cancer stages. Consequently, this research aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which circRNA influences the impact of iodine on PTC. Our research indicates that high iodine levels can exacerbate the malignancy of PTC via the circ_0004851/miR-296-3p/FGF11 axis. These insights into iodine's biological role in PTC and the association of circRNA with the disease could pave the way for novel biomarkers and potentially effective therapeutic strategies to mitigate PTC progression.

The coexistence of myosteatosis and the creatinine/cystatin C ratio are determinants of outcomes in cholangiocarcinoma patients undergoing curative surgery.

Background: Myosteatosis is a well-established predictor of poor prognosis in many types of cancer, and a decreased Creatinine/Cystatin C ratio (CCR) is a known indicator of unfavorable outcomes in patients with metabolic disorders and cancer. Despite this knowledge, the significance of concurrent CCR and myosteatosis in predicting the prognosis of patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) who undergo radical surgery remains uncertain. Method: Data from 757 patients with cholangiocarcinoma who underwent the first radical resection in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2017 to March 2022 were collected. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 149 patients were finally included in the retrospective study cohort. Various clinicopathological, serological, and radiological data were collected at admission. Myosteatosis was evaluated using sliceOmatic software on computed tomography (CT) images. The study used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the critical value of CCR, which predicts overall survival (OS) based on the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to identify the risk factors associated with OS and RFS confidently. Results: The group identified as the myosteatosis cohort consisted of 79 patients with an average age of 64.3 ± 7.8 years. The ROC curve analysis revealed an optimal critical CCR value of 10.834. A low CCR ≤ 10.834 and myosteatosis were found to be associated with poor OS and RFS outcomes (P = 0.022; P = 0.017; P = 0.038; P = 0.030 respectively). Moreover, patients with myosteatosis and a CCR ≤ 10.834 had the worst OS and RFS outcomes (P = 0.035; P = 0.027). Conclusion: After radical excision in CCA patients, the presence of myosteatosis and CCR had a negative correlation with prognosis. A more accurate prediction of OS and RFS was possible by combining CCR and myosteatosis, compared to CCR alone.

Statins improve cardiac endothelial function to prevent heart failure with preserved ejection fraction through upregulating circRNA-RBCK1.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with endothelial dysfunction. We have previously reported that statins prevent endothelial dysfunction through inhibition of microRNA-133a (miR-133a). This study is to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanisms of statins on HFpEF. Here, we show that statins upregulate the expression of a circular RNA (circRNA-RBCK1) which is co-transcripted with the ring-B-box-coiled-coil protein interacting with protein kinase C-1 (RBCK1) gene. Simultaneously, statins increase activator protein 2 alpha (AP-2α) transcriptional activity and the interaction between circRNA-RBCK1 and miR-133a. Furthermore, AP-2α directly interacts with RBCK1 gene promoter in endothelial cells. In vivo, lovastatin improves diastolic function in male mice under HFpEF, which is abolished by loss function of endothelial AP-2α or circRNA-RBCK1. This study suggests that statins upregulate the AP-2α/circRNA-RBCK1 signaling to suppress miR-133a in cardiac endothelial cells and prevent diastolic dysfunction in HFpEF.

Correlation of laminin subunit alpha 3 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with tumor liver metastasis and survival.

BACKGROUND: The high mortality rate of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is primarily attributed to metastasis. Laminin subunit alpha 3 (LAMA3) is known to modulate tumor progression. However, the influence of LAMA3 on liver metastasis in PDAC remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate whether LAMA3 expression is increased in PDAC with liver metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We extracted information related to LAMA3 expression levels and associated clinicopathological parameters from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and four Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Clinicopathological analysis was performed; the Kaplan-Meier Plotter was used to evaluate LAMA3's prognostic effect in PDAC. We retrospectively collected clinicopathological data and tissue specimens from 117 surgically treated patients with PDAC at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. We assessed LAMA3 expression and investigated its correlation with the clinicopathological traits, clinical outcomes, and hepatic metastasis. RESULTS: Amplified expression of LAMA3 was observed in PDAC tissue compared with normal tissue in the TCGA and GEO databases. High LAMA3 expression was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in patients with PDAC. LAMA3 expression was significantly enhanced in PDAC tissues than in adjacent tissues. Tumor tissues from patients with PDAC exhibiting liver metastasis showed higher LAMA3 expression than those without liver metastasis. High LAMA3 expression correlated with large tumor size and TNM stage. LAMA3 expression and liver metastasis were independent predictive factors for OS; the former was independently associated with liver metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: LAMA3 expression is elevated in patients with PDAC with liver metastasis and is a predictor of prognosis.

Prognostic Value of Myosteatosis and Creatinine-to-Cystatin C Ratio in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer Who Underwent Radical Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Myosteatosis is correlated with poor prognosis in some malignancies. The creatinine-to-cystatin ratio (CCR) is revealed to predict gastric cancer prognosis. However, the prognostic abilities of CCR and the combination of CCR and myosteatosis in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) who underwent radical surgery remains unclear. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study included 215 patients with PC who underwent radical surgery (January 2016-October 2021). Clinicopathological and serological data were collected on admission. Myosteatosis and other body composition indices were assessed by using computed tomography. The cutoff value of CCR was determined by using the Youden index. Risk factors responsible for poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were determined by the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The myosteatosis group included 104 patients (average age, 61.3 ± 9.1 years). The best cutoff value for CCR was 1.09. CCR ≤ 1.09 was an independent predictive biomarker inversely corelated with OS (P = 0.036). Myosteatosis was an independent risk factor associated with OS and DFS (P = 0.032 and P = 0.004, respectively). Patients with concomitant myosteatosis and CCR ≤ 1.09 had the worst OS (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Myosteatosis and CCR are prognostic biomarkers for survival in PC patients who underwent radical surgery. Patients with the coexistence of myosteatosis and CCR ≤ 1.09 deserve more attention.

The effects of respiratory muscle training on respiratory function and functional capacity in patients with early stroke: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory muscle training is a continuous and standardized training of respiratory muscles, but the evidence of the effects on early stroke patients is not clear. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of respiratory muscle training on respiratory function and functional capacity in patients with early stroke. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, PEDro, ScienceDirect, AMED, CINAHL, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched from inception to December 8, 2023 for articles about studies that 1) stroke patients with age ≥ 18 years old. Early stroke < 3 months at the time of diagnosis, 2) respiratory muscle training, including inspiratory and expiratory muscle training, 3) the following measurements are the outcomes: respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, pulmonary function testing, dyspnea fatigue score, and functional capacity, 4) randomized controlled trials. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were extracted data and appraised the methodological quality and risk of bias using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool by two independent reviewers. RevMan 5.4 with a random effect model was used for data synthesis and analysis. Mean differences (MD) or standard mean differences (SMD), and 95% confidence interval were calculated (95%CI). RESULTS: Nine studies met inclusion criteria, recruiting 526 participants (mean age 61.6 years). Respiratory muscle training produced a statistically significant effect on improving maximal inspiratory pressure (MD = 10.93, 95%CI: 8.51-13.36), maximal expiratory pressure (MD = 9.01, 95%CI: 5.34-12.69), forced vital capacity (MD = 0.82, 95%CI: 0.54-1.10), peak expiratory flow (MD = 1.28, 95%CI: 0.94-1.63), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (MD = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.13-1.59), functional capacity (SMD = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.05-0.98) in patients with early stroke. Subgroup analysis showed that inspiratory muscle training combined with expiratory muscle training was beneficial to the recovery of maximal inspiratory pressure (MD = 9.78, 95%CI: 5.96-13.60), maximal expiratory pressure (MD = 11.62, 95%CI: 3.80-19.43), forced vital capacity (MD = 0.87, 95%CI: 0.47-1.27), peak expiratory flow (MD = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.22-1.80), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (MD = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.41-1.11), functional capacity (SMD = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.08-1.13), while inspiratory muscle training could improve maximal inspiratory pressure (MD = 11.60, 95%CI: 8.15-15.05), maximal expiratory pressure (MD = 7.06, 95%CI: 3.50-10.62), forced vital capacity (MD = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.21-1.21), peak expiratory flow (MD = 0.84, 95%CI: 0.37-1.31), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (MD = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.08-0.72). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides good-quality evidence that respiratory muscle training is effective in improving respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and functional capacity for patients with early stroke. Inspiratory muscle training combined with expiratory muscle training seems to promote functional recovery in patients with early stroke more than inspiratory muscle training alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospero registration number: CRD42021291918.

Transformation to small cell lung cancer is irrespective of EGFR and accelerated by SMAD4-mediated ASCL1 transcription independently of RB1 in non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Histological transformation to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has been identified as a mechanism of TKIs resistance in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aim to explore the prevalence of transformation in EGFR-wildtype NSCLC and the mechanism of SCLC transformation, which are rarely understood. METHODS: We reviewed 1474 NSCLC patients to investigate the NSCLC-to-SCLC transformed cases and the basic clinical characteristics, driver gene status and disease course of them. To explore the potential functional genes in SCLC transformation, we obtained pre- and post-transformation specimens and subjected them to a multigene NGS panel involving 416 cancer-related genes. To validate the putative gene function, we established knocked-out models by CRISPR-Cas 9 in HCC827 and A549-TP53-/- cells and investigated the effects on tumor growth, drug sensitivity and neuroendocrine phenotype in vitro and in vivo. We also detected the expression level of protein and mRNA to explore the molecular mechanism involved. RESULTS: We firstly reported an incidence rate of 9.73% (11/113) of SCLC transformation in EGFR-wildtype NSCLC and demonstrated that SCLC transformation is irrespective of EGFR mutation status (P = 0.16). We sequenced 8 paired tumors and identified a series of mutant genes specially in transformed SCLC such as SMAD4, RICTOR and RET. We firstly demonstrated that SMAD4 deficiency can accelerate SCLC transition by inducing neuroendocrine phenotype regardless of RB1 status in TP53-deficient NSCLC cells. Further mechanical experiments identified the SMAD4 can regulate ASCL1 transcription competitively with Myc in NSCLC cells and Myc inhibitor acts as a potential subsequent treatment agent. CONCLUSIONS: Transformation to SCLC is irrespective of EFGR status and can be accelerated by SMAD4 in non-small cell lung cancer. Myc inhibitor acts as a potential therapeutic drug for SMAD4-mediated resistant lung cancer. Video Abstract.

Relationship between hsa_circ_401724 expression and inflammatory response and pancreatic islet cell function in type 2 diabetic patients / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To analyze the relationship between the expression of hsa_circ_401724 and the in-flammatory response in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients and pancreatic islet cell function.Methods A total of 102 patients with T2DM treated in Linfen Central Hospital from April 2017 to December 2022 were selected as the observation group,and 100 healthy subjects with normal glucose tolerance were se-lected as the control group during the same period.The levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6)and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)in the blood of the subjects were detected by en-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the levels of inflammatory factors in the subjects.The relative expression level of hsa_circ_401724/U6 was calculated according to the dissolution curve,and the pancreatic islet cell function of the subjects was assessed,including homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)and homeostatic model assessment beta cell function(HOMA-β)as assessed by homeostasis model.Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between hsa_circ_401724 expression level and inflammation and pancreatic islet cell function,and Logistics regression model was used to analyze the rela-tionship between hsa_circ_401724 expression level and inflammation and pancreatic islet cell function.Results The levels of HOMA-IR,TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1 in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group,while the levels of HOMA-β in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).The relative expression level of hsa_circ_401724 in observation group(0.75±0.13)was significantly higher than that in control group(0.24±0.06),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The levels of HOMA-IR,TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1 in hsa_circ_401724 high expression group were significantly higher than those in hsa_circ_401724 low expres-sion group,and the levels of HOMA-β were significantly lower than those in hsa_circ_401724 low expression group.The difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The relative expression level of hsa_circ_401724 was positively correlated with the levels of HOMA-IR,TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1(r=0.657,0.671,0.703,0.698,P＜0.05).hsa_circ_401724 expression level was negatively correlated with HOMA-β level(r=-0.611,P＜0.05).The high expression of hsa_circ_401724 was an independent risk factor affecting the levels of HOMA-IR,HOMA-β,TNF-α,IL-6 and ICAM-1 in T2DM patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion The high ex-pression of hsa_circ_401724 is related to the inflammatory response and the decline of pancreatic islet cell function in T2DM patients.

Human placental mesenchymal stem cells inhibit occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis by regulating transforming growth factor-beta 1/Smad3 signaling pathway / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Human placental mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to be effective in inhibiting the development of pulmonary fibrosis,but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect and related mechanism of human placental mesenchymal stem cells on silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in human embryonic lung fibroblasts(MRC-5). METHODS:CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effects of different mass concentrations of silica on the proliferation of MRC-5 at different time points.Immunofluorescence staining was used to screen out the best stimulating mass concentration and time of silica for subsequent experiments.MRC-5 cells were divided into blank group,silica group,and silica + human placental mesenchymal stem cell group.In the blank group,cells were not treated.In the silica group,MRC-5 cells were stimulated with 100 μg/mL silica for 48 hours.In the silica + human placental mesenchymal stem cell group,MRC-5 cells were stimulated with 100 μg/mL silica for 48 hours and then co-cultured with human placental mesenchymal stem cells for 24 hours.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type I in cells of each group.Western blot assay was used to detect the expressions of pulmonary fibrosis-related proteins and TGF-β1/Smad 3 signaling pathway-related proteins in cells of each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)CCK-8 assay results suggested that 100 μg/mL silica was the best mass concentration and time to stimulate MRC-5 cells for 48 hours.(2)Immunofluorescence staining results showed that the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type I in the silica + human placental mesenchymal stem cell group was significantly lower than that in the silica group.(3)Western blot assay results showed that compared with the silica group,the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin,collagen type I,N-cadherin,fibronectin,transforming growth factor-β1,p-Smad3,and Smad3 in the silica + human placental mesenchymal stem cell group were decreased,and the expression of E-cadherin was increased.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(4)The results showed that human placental mesenchymal stem cells had a significant therapeutic effect on silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.Human placental mesenchymal stem cells can inhibit the development of pulmonary fibrosis by regulating transforming growth factor-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Establishment and exploration of evaluation system for science and technology achievements in university-affiliated hospitals / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:To construct a scientific and technological evaluation system based on the needs of the pilot program for building a national high-quality hospital and establishing a national medical center.Methods:Xiangya Hospital of Central South University gradually improved its academic evaluation system by following the guidelines outlined in national authorities′ documents regarding "abolishing the five only" and "setting new standards", adhering to the guiding principles of "quality, contribution, efficiency, and impact" and employing the principles of "high-standard evaluation, quantitative evaluation, representative work evaluation, and third-party evaluation" .Results:The hospital established a comprehensive, scientific, and quantifiable indicator pool. These indicators were applied to various aspects of medical innovation evaluation, including awarding incentives, discipline assessment, professional promotion, personnel assessment, mentor selection for graduates, and excellence evaluation. Simultaneously, the hospital developed an intelligent platform for medical innovation evaluation and assessment in university-affiliated hospitals based on performance management theory.Conclusions:Through the construction and practice of the Xiangya technology evaluation system, the hospital further improved and optimized its academic evaluation work, guiding researchers to high-quality innovation and efficient translational research, ultimately promoting the high-quality development of the hospital.

Clinical features and risk factors in 126 patients with anti-MDA5 antibody positive dermatomyositis / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To explore clinical factors of poor prognosis in patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 andtibody positive dermatomyositis (MDA5-DM).Methods:One hundred and twenty-six enrolled adults with MDA5-DM were divided into the survival group and the deceased group according to the outcomes. Survival time, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests, myositis antibodies and treatments were collected for statistical analysis. Serum concentrations of IL-15, HMGB1, and sCD163 were measured by ELISA in MDA5-DM patients and healthy controls. Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test and Student′s t-test were used to compare the continuous variables between the two groups, and χ2 or Fisher′s exact test were used for comparison of categorical variables. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the survival predictors in MDA5-DM patients. The cumulative survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier curve analysis, and Log-rank tests were used to examine differences in survival curves. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Cox multivariate regression analysis revealed that age > 57 years [ HR (95% CI)=3.05 (1.20, 7.80), P=0.020], RP-ILD [ HR (95% CI)=25.07 (5.42, 115.98), P<0.001], and levels of anti-Ro52 antibody [ HR (95% CI)=3.41 (1.36, 8.53), P=0.009] were important prognostic factors independent of multiple clinical parameters. The ELISA test results showed that the levels of serum IL-15[0.91 (0.66, 2.00)pg/ml vs. 0.51(0.39, 0.72)pg/ml, Z=-4.57, P<0.001] and HMGB1 [230.53(90.40, 394.31)ng/ml vs. 32.66 (17.82, 46.21)ng/ml, Z=-6.52, P<0.001] in MDA5-DM patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls, but there were no significant differences in the level of serum IL-15 [1.21(0.63, 2.12)pg/ml vs. 0.91(0.68, 1.66)pg/ml, Z=-0.30, P=0.766], HMGB1[267.61(167.03, 444.23)ng/ml vs. 228.35(74.74, 344.32)ng/ml, Z=0.82, P=0.413], and sCD163 [112.70(93.45, 148.51)ng/ml vs. 132.72(96.79, 203.18)ng/ml, Z=-0.62, P=0.536] between the survival group and the deceased group. Conclusion:Older age, RP-ILD, and high levels of anti-Ro52 antibody significantly increase the risk of death in MDA5-DM patients. Intensive follow-up of patients with the above factors in the early stages may help to improve the prognosis.

Chemical characterization and discovery of novel quality markers in Citrus aurantium L. fruit from traditional cultivation areas in China using GC-MS-based cuticular waxes analysis.

Citrus aurantium L. fruit is a commonly used Chinese medicine whose therapeutic effects tends to be affected by growing conditions. In order to gain insights into the effects of growing location on the cuticular wax composition of C. aurantium L. fruit, we analyzed the differences in the wax composition of its fruits collected from different regions. The findings showed that the cuticular waxes in the fruit peels were mainly composed of fatty acids, which differed quantitatively in the chemical profiles of C. aurantium L. samples from different geographical conditions. Particularly, the concentrations of linoleic acid and stearic acid in the total component content of the fruit peel were above 1%, with a greater level in the geo-authentic samples. Thus, GC-MS-based wax analysis was first used for the chemical characterization and quantification of cuticular waxes, which could be considered as a rapid way for evaluating the quality of medicinal fruits.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-derived septum swing index detects pulmonary hypertension: A diagnostic study.

Background and Objectives: Because of pressure differences between the pulmonary artery and aorta, the ventricular septum moves in a swinging motion that is commonly observed on cardiac MR (CMR) cine sequences in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to assess the use of septum swing index (SSI) derived by CMR for detecting PH. Methods: We retrospectively identified consecutive patients with suspected PH who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) and CMR at a PH referral center between July 2019 and December 2020. The diagnostic accuracy of SSI for identifying PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP] ≥ 25 mmHg) was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Results: A total of 105 patients (mean age: 47.8 ± 15.0 years; 68 females) were included in the final analysis. SSI and mPAP were negatively correlated in the total study population and patients with PH, but not in patients without PH. SSI was an independent predictor of PH (adjusted odds ratio: 12.9, 95% confidence interval: 3.6 to 45.5, P = 0.003). The area under the curve for SSI was 0.91, with a cut-off value of 0.9673 yielding the best balance of sensitivity (86.4%), specificity (88.2%), positive predictive value (97.4%), negative predictive value (55.6%), and accuracy (86.7%) for detecting PH. Conclusions: Septum swing index was lower in patients with PH and is a simple, reliable method for detecting PH.

Is Metastatic Staging Needed for All Patients with Synchronous Bilateral Breast Cancers?

BACKGROUND: Patients with bilateral breast cancers are uncommon and are associated with a poorer prognosis. While metastatic staging guidelines in patients with unilateral cancer were established, the indication of metastatic staging in patients with bilateral breast cancers is unclear. We aimed to determine which patients with synchronous bilateral breast cancers require metastatic staging at diagnosis. This is the first such reported study, to the best of our knowledge. METHODS: A retrospective review of newly diagnosed synchronous bilateral invasive breast cancer patients at our institution was performed. We excluded patients with malignant phyllodes or no metastatic staging. Patients' demographics and pathological and staging results were analysed to determine the group of bilateral breast cancer patients who required metastatic staging. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients with synchronous bilateral invasive cancers were included. The mean age was 58 years old, and 64.1% had bilateral invasive ductal carcinoma. 23.9% had systemic metastasis. Nodal status was statistically significant for systemic metastasis on staging (p = 0.0081), with only three patients (3.3%) having negative nodal status and positive metastatic staging. These three patients, however, showed symptoms of distant metastasis. 92.3% of patients with negative nodes also had negative metastatic staging. Using negative nodal status as a guide avoided metastatic staging in 40.4% of all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Negative nodal status was the most predictive factor for no systemic metastasis on staging in patients with synchronous bilateral invasive breast cancers. Hence, metastatic staging could be reserved for patients with symptoms of systemic metastasis and/or metastatic nodes. This finding could be validated in larger studies.

Immune microenvironment and clinicopathological features in brain metastases of non-small cell lung cancer / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To investigate the expression of PD-1,PD-L1,CD3 and CD8 in the immune microenvironment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and their clinical signifi-cance.Methods The clinical data of 39 patients with NSCLC brain metastasis(BM)were collected.The expression of PD-1,PD-L1,CD3 and CD8 in the tumor and stroma of BM was detec-ted using an immunofluorescence-based tissue microenvironment analysis panel.Targeted sequencing was carried out to catalog cancer-related genes.The clinical pathological features were an-alyzed with review of relevant literature.Results Thity-nine patients with NSCLC presented with tumor-infiltrating lympho-cytes(TIL)in different degree.CD3+TIL(P=0.000 7)and CD8+TIL(P=0.0006)were more prominent in the tumor stroma,and the positive PD-L1 expression was significantly higher in the interstitial tissues of tumor(P=0.025 8).Com-pared with the whole wild-type driver gene cohort,the expres-sion of PD-L1 in the stroma of BM was significantly increased in the EGFR mutation cohort(P=0.039).Patients with high in-filtration of stroma CD8+TIL had longer median overall survival than those with low infiltration(16 months vs 6 months,P=0.032);PD-L1-positive patients(36 months)were longer sur-vival time than PD-L1-negative patients(5.5 months,P=0.056).Compared with lung primary lesions,the variant allele frequencies(VAFs)in BM generally increased,and samples with higher VAFs corresponded to higher expression of PD-1,PD-L1,CD3 and CD8.Conclusion The TIL infiltration is most prominent in the stroma of NSCLC BM.The EGFR muta-tion of a tumor might affect the immune microenvironment of me-tastases;PD-L1 expression and TIL infiltration were correlated with overall survival.

Values of MRI-and CT-based volume mismatch ratios of bilateral paramedian thalamic lesions for discriminating thalamic tumors / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To investigate the values of MRI-and CT-based volume mismatch ratios of bilateral paramedian thalamic lesions in the diagnosis of thalamic tumors.Methods The medical records of 37 patients with bilateral paramedian thalamic tumors(tumor group)and 36 non-tumor patients(non-tumor group)diagnosed from March 2012 to May 2023 in some hospital were analyzed retrospectively.The anteroposterior,left-right,and upper and lower diameters of the lesions on both sides were measured and their volumes were calculated on MRI and CT images by 2 observers,and the volume mismatch ratio between the two sides of the lesions was computed.Intra-class correlation efficiency(ICC)was used to explore the consistency of the calculation results between the two observers,the difference between the volume mismatch ratios of the two groups were compared with t-test,and the diagnostic efficacy of the volume mismatch ratio of bilateral paramedian thalamic lesions on MRI and CT images for diagnosing thalamic tumors was investigated with ROC curves.Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 26.0 software.Results The volume mismatch ratios of bilateral paramedian thalamic lesions calculated by the 2 observers were in good agreement(1CCMRI=0.9 10,P＜0.001;ICCCT=0.929,P＜0.001).The volume mismatch ratios of lesions in the tumor group were all higher than those in the non-tumor group,and the differences were statistically significant(tMRI=2.621,PMRI=0.011;tCT=2.500,PCT=0.015).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC values,diagnostic thresholds,diagnostic sensitivities and diagnostic specificities of the volume mismatch ratios of bilateral paramedian thalamic lesions on MRI and CT images for the diagnosis of thalamc tumors were 0.788 and 0.749,1.769 and 1.742,83.8％and 70.3％and 77.8％and 77.8％,respectively,and the Youden indices were 61.6％and 48.1％.Conclusion MRI-and CT-based volume mismatch ratios of bilateral paramedian thalamic lesions are of significane for the diagnosis of thalamic tumors,and CT behaves slightly worse than MRI in diagnosis efficacy and can be used for initial screening.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2023,44(11):61-65]

Applications of different flow rates of humidified high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy on ICU patients with difficult weaning / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the effects of different initial flow rates of humidified high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy on weaning outcomes and comfort level among ICU patients with difficult weaning.Methods:A total of 99 ICU patients with difficult weaning received at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital ICU from June 2019 to June 2021 were enrolled in the present study, they were assigned to 40 L/min group, 50 L/min group and 60 L/min group according to the random number table method, with 33 cases in each group. The weaning outcomes among three groups were compared, the degree of dryness of oral/nasal cavity, throat pain as well as vital signs and blood gas indexes were also compared before extubation and 30 min after the first humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHFNC) oxygen therapy.Results:There was no significant difference in length of stay in ICU and hospital, re-intubation within 7 days, the mortality within 28 days in ICU and the hospital among three groups ( P>0.05). The weaning success rate were 78.8% (24/33) and 77.4% (23/31) in 50 L/min group and 60 L/min, higher than in the 40 L/min group 53.1% (17/32), the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.78, 4.09, both P<0.05). After oxygen therapy, the scores of dryness of oral/nasal cavity and throat pain in the 40 L/min group, 50 L/min group and 60 L/min group were (3.16 ± 0.77), (2.94 ± 0.80) and (3.27 ± 0.92), (3.09 ± 0.77), and (4.10 ± 1.01), (3.97 ± 1.40), the differences were statistically significant ( F=5.21, 9.26, both P<0.05), and the differences between 50 L/min group and 40 L/min group and 60 L/min group were statistically significant ( t values were 2.62-3.99, all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in vital signs and blood gas indexes among the three groups before extubation and after oxygen therapy ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Humidified high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy for the ICU patients with difficult weaning, oxygen flow with 50L/min can not only effectively promote weaning success rate but also improve patients′ respiratory comfort level.

The impact of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells on the pancreatic function of type 2 diabetic mice and their regulatory role on NLRP3 inflammasomes / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect and regulation of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) on islets function and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and autophagy in type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) mice.Methods:Experimental study. Twenty, 8-week-old, male C57BL/6J mice were selected and divided into a normal control group ( n=5) and a high-fat feeding modeling group ( n=15). The model of T2DM was established by high-fat feeding combined with intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin. After successful modeling, those mice were divided into a diabetes group ( n=7) and a UC-MSCs treatment group ( n=7). The UC-MSCs treatment group was given UC-MSCs (1×10 6/0.2 ml phosphate buffer solution) by tail vein infusion once a week for a total of 4 weeks; the diabetes group was injected with the same amount of normal saline, and the normal control group was not treated. One week after the treatment, mice underwent intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests, and then the mice were sacrificed to obtain pancreatic tissue to detect the expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX-1) by immunofluorescence. The bone marrow-derived macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and adenosine triphosphate (experimental group) in vitro, then co-cultured with UC-MSCs for 24 h (treatment group). After the culture, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the secretion level of IL-1β in the supernatant, and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, and related autophagy proteins. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired one-way analysis of variance, repeated measure analysis of variance. Results:In vivo experiments showed that compared with the diabetes group, the UC-MSCs treatment group partially repaired islet structure, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity (all P<0.05), and the expression of PDX-1 increased and IL-1β decreased in islets under confocal microscopy. In vitro experiments showed that compared with the experimental group, the level of IL-1β secreted by macrophages in the treatment group was decreased [(85.9±74.6) pg/ml vs. (883.4±446.2) pg/ml, P=0.001], the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy-related protein P62 was decreased, and the expressions of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3β (LC3) and autophagy effector Beclin-1 were increased under confocal microscopy. Conclusions:UC-MSCs can reduce the level of pancreatic inflammation in T2DM mice, preserving pancreatic function. This might be associated with the ability of UC-MSCs to inhibit the activity of NLRP3 inflammasomes in macrophages and enhance autophagy levels.