The spine is the most common site of skeletal metastasis in lung cancer, which frequently leads to severe complications such as pathological fracture and neurological compromise and is associated with poor prognosis. The development and progression of spinal metastasis from lung cancer are linked to the unique local microenvironment and tumor microenvironment (TME) of the vertebral column. During metastatic evolution, the dense vascular network of the spine and a plethora of signaling molecules, together with the complex cellular constituents and their intricate interactions within the TME, all cooperate to facilitate the tumor invasion and colonization of the vertebral compartment. Mechanistic studies delineating the role of the TME in spinal metastasis from lung cancer have markedly expanded, fostering the emergence of innovative therapeutic strategies—including nanomedicines, sono-photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, and combination regimens. These strategies demonstrate remarkably potential for clinical translation and offer new directions for the precision management of spinal metastasis from lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of toric implantable collamer lens (Toric-ICL) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for myopia correction in patients with moderate to high myopia complicated with astigmatism. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 64 patients (aged 18-42 years) with moderate to high myopia complicated with astigmatism (128 eyes) undergoing either Toric-ICL (28 patients/56 eyes) or FS-LASIK (36 patients/72 eyes) at our department between January, 2019 and December, 2020. The changes of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), mean astigmatism correction index (CI), corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) and intraocular pressure (IOP) following the procedures were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In FS-LASIK group, all the eyes (72/72) achieved an UCVA≥1.0, similar to the rate in Toric-ICL group (55/56 eyes; P=0.2374). The postoperative SE was also comparable between FS-LASIK and Toric-ICL groups [0.43±0.06 D (range: -1.0 to 1.50 D) vs 0.38±0.05 D (range: -0.75 to 1.00 D); P=0.56]. The mean astigmatism CI was significantly higher in FS-LASIK group than in Toric-ICL group (0.8561 vs 0.7176; P<0.0001), and 88.89% of the eyes in FS-LASIK group and 69.64% in Toric-ICL group had postoperative astigmatism ≤0.50 D. No significant changes were observed in postoperative corneal ECD in FS-LASIK group, whereas ECD decreased significantly after the procedure in Toric-ICL group (P=0.0057). The patients undergoing Toric-ICL exhibited no significant changes of postoperative IOP, but the patients receiving FS-LASIK had significantly reduced IOP after the procedure (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Although the patients included in Toric-ICL group had higher myopia and astigmatism, Toric-ICL still showed better predictability and efficacy for astigmatic correction in Toric-ICL group. Toric-ICL is an effective and safe equivalent of FS-LASIK for correcting moderate myopia but can be more advantageous for correcting high myopia with astigmatism.
Humans ; Astigmatism/complications* ; Myopia/complications* ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Visual Acuity ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Male ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular/methods* ; Female ; Phakic Intraocular Lenses ; Intraocular Pressure

OBJECTIVES: To explore the molecular mechanism of Jiangzhi Huaban Decoction (JZHBD) for improving atherosclerosis through the "qi meridian-blood channels" pathway. METHODS: ApoE^-/- mouse models of atherosclerosis were established by high-fat diet feeding for 8 weeks, with C57BL/6 mice on a normal diet as the controls. Forty ApoE^-/- mouse models were randomized into model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose JZHBD treatment groups, and atorvastatin treatment group (n=8) for their respective treatments for 8 weeks. The changes in body weight and overall condition of the mice were monitored weekly. After the treatments, serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, TBA, ALT, and AST of the mice were measured, pathological changes in the liver and aortic root plaques were examined with HE staining, and lipid accumulation in the liver and aortic wall was assessed using Oil Red O staining. The core molecular mechanism was studied through transcriptomics, and the expressions of the key pathway proteins were confirmed using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Treatment with JZHBD significantly reduced blood lipid and total bile acid levels, improved liver function and hepatic steatosis, and decreased aortic lipid deposition and plaque area in the mouse models of atherosclerosis. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the therapeutic mechanism of JZHBD involved reverse cholesterol transport, PPAR signaling, and the inflammatory pathways. In atherosclerotic mice, JZHBD treatment obviously up-regulated hepatic expressions of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCA1, ABCG1, and CYP7A1, down-regulated hepatic expressions of p-p65/p65, IL-6, IL1β in the liver, increased ABCG5 and ABCG8 expressions in the intestines, and decreased ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressions in the aortic plaques. CONCLUSIONS JZHBD improves atherosclerotic vascular damage and plaque formation possibly by regulating hepatic reverse cholesterol transport and inflammation via modulating the hepatic PPARγ/LXRα/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/metabolism* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Cholesterol/metabolism* ; PPAR gamma/metabolism* ; Male ; Diet, High-Fat ; Biological Transport

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a severe dose-limiting adverse event of chemotherapy. Presently, the mechanism underlying the induction of CIPN remains unclear, and no effective treatment is available. In this study, through metabolomics analyses, we found that nab-paclitaxel therapy markedly increased serum serotonin [5-hydroxtryptamine (5-HT)] levels in both cancer patients and mice compared to the respective controls. Furthermore, nab-paclitaxel-treated enterochromaffin (EC) cells showed increased 5-HT synthesis, and serotonin-treated Schwann cells showed damage, as indicated by the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling. Venlafaxine, an inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, was found to protect against nerve injury by suppressing the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling in Schwann cells. Remarkably, venlafaxine was found to significantly alleviate nab-paclitaxel-induced CIPN in patients without affecting the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy. In summary, our study reveals that EC cell-derived 5-HT plays a critical role in nab-paclitaxel-related neurotoxic lesions, and venlafaxine co-administration represents a novel approach to treating chronic cumulative neurotoxicity commonly reported in nab-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy.
Paclitaxel/toxicity* ; Animals ; Albumins/adverse effects* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use* ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Agents

Objective To analyze risk factors of acute cardio-cerebrovascular accidents in elderly patients with lower extremity fracture,and to construct a risk prediction diagram model.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 510 elderly patients with lower extremity fractures,and the patients were divided into the occurrence group and the non-occurrence group based on the occurrence of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents during the postoperative hospitalization.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors affecting acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents in elderly patients with lower extremity fracture,and the risk prediction model was constructed and verified.Results A total of 52 cases of acute cardio-cerebrovascular accidents occurred during hospitalization in 510 patients(10.20%).Age,ASA grade Ⅲ ratio,preoperative concurrent cerebrovascular disease,postoperative pneumonia ratio and postoperative bed time≥5 days ratio were higher in the occurrence group than those in the non-occurrence group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age,ASA grade Ⅲ,preoperative concurrent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease,and postoperative pneumonia were risk factors for acute cardio-cerebrovascular accidents in elderly patients with lower limb fracture(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen risk factors as predictive variables to build a risk early warning histogram model for acute cardio-cerebrovascular accidents.The total score ranged from 103 to 168 points,corresponding to a risk range of 0.1 to 0.9 points.Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)curve results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of this model for predicting acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents was 0.980(95%CI:0.964-1.000),and discrete choice approach(DCA)showed that when the risk threshold was 0.2-0.6,the prediction model of this column graph had a good clinical advantage.Conclusion The risk diagram model constructed based on risk factors has good predictive value for the occurrence of acute cardio-cerebrovascular accidents after lower extremity fracture in elderly patients.

Objective:To identify the key differentially expressed gene, BTF3, in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma(cSCC)using bioinformatics methods and to preliminarily explore the potential mechanisms of BTF3 and its co-expressed genes in cSCC development. Methods:The cSCC-related datasets(GSE98767, GSE42677, GSE45164)were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.Differential expression analysis revealed BTF3 as a significantly differentially expressed gene in cSCC.A BTF3-related co-expressed gene network was constructed and subjected to gene ontology(GO)enrichment analysis to investigate the biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components that were significantly enriched.The study selected 60 paraffin-embedded tissue samples from the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, collected between 2020 and 2024.This cohort included 30 samples from cSCC patients and 30 samples from patients who underwent excision of melanocytic nevi.Immunohistochemical experiments were conducted to assess the expression of BTF3 in cSCC tissues.Additionally, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)was performed to assess the relevance of BTF3 to immune cells, and protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis was employed to identify critical gene networks. Results:BTF3 was significantly overexpressed in cSCC, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve indicated that BTF3 exhibited moderate classification accuracy.Co-expression analysis revealed that positively correlated genes with BTF3 included EIF3E and HSPA14, while negatively correlated genes included SZRD1 and ARHGEF2.GO analysis demonstrated that BTF3 was enriched in biological processes such as glucose metabolism, signaling in response to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)damage, endogenous apoptotic signaling pathways, platelet morphogenesis, and platelet formation.Additionally, ssGSEA indicated a significant association of BTF3 with memory B cells and a notable correlation with low CD56-expressing natural killer cells. Conclusions:BTF3 is significantly overexpressed in cSCC and may represent a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target by influencing key gene networks and modulating the immune microenvironment.

Based on the concept of "regulating the five zang organs and harmonizing the spleen and stomach"， globus hystericus is believed to originate from dysfunction of the five zang organs and disharmony of the spleen and stomach. Treatment primarily focuses on regulating the spleen and stomach while also considering other affected organs， with a self-prescribed Anpiwei Jingyan Formula （安脾胃经验方） for harmonizing the spleen and stomach as the foundational treatment. Additionally， syndrome-based modifications are applied according to imbalances in the heart， lung， kidney， or liver. For heart-yang deficiency， modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction （苓桂术甘汤） could be combined； for heart-yin deficiency， modified Tianwang Buxin Pill （天王补心丹） could be combined. For lung failing to disperse and descend and fluid retention， modified Sanao Decoction （三拗汤） could be combined； for lung and stomach yin deficiency， modified Shashen Maidong Decoction （沙参麦冬汤） could be combined. For kidney-yang deficiency with ascending counterflow of cold water， modified Jingui Shensi Pill （金匮肾气丸） could be combined； for kidney-yin deficiency， modified Liuwei Dihuang Pill （六味地黄丸） could be combined. For liver constraint and spleen deficiency， modified Sini Powder （四逆散） could be combined； for liver-yin deficiency or liver stagnation transforming into fire and attacking the stomach， modified Yiguan Decoction （一贯煎） could be combined.

Background Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most prevalent environmental endocrine disruptor among phthalate acid esters (PAEs) worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that exposure to DEHP may disrupt glucose metabolism. Objective To investigate the impact of DEHP on glucose homeostasis in rats, focusing on oxidative stress-induced impairment of autophagy in islet β cells. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly assigned to four groups, receiving DEHP doses of 0, 187, 375, and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ for 12 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were conducted 24 h after the final exposure. Pancreatic microstructural alterations were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Commercial ELISA kits were employed to quantify the levels of insulin, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in rat serum, as well as the protein expression level of activated caspase-3 in pancreatic tissue. Additionally, commercial microplate kits were utilized to measure the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in serum, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) using water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid method, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pancreatic tissue by chemical fluorescence method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure sequestosome1 (SQSTM1/p62), Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-8 (Caspase-8) mRNA levels. Western blot analysis was applied to detect the protein relative expression levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3-I, LC3 II, AMPK, p-AMPK, mTOR, p-mTOR, ULK1, and Caspase-8. Results Compared to the 0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited a significant increase in fasting blood glucose levels at 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks (P<0.05). The OGTT showed that, following high-glucose gavage, the 187 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group had elevated blood glucose at 30 min (P<0.05), the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group showed increased glucose levels at 15, 30, and 180 min (P<0.05), and the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited elevated levels at 15, 30, 60, and 180 min (P<0.05). The 375 and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups demonstrated significantly increased OGTT area under the curve (AUC) values (P<0.05). In contrast, ITT results indicated no significant differences in blood glucose levels or AUC among the DEHP exposure groups at all time points (P>0.05). Compared to the 0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group exhibited significantly higher HOMA-IR levels and markedly lower HOMA-ISI values (P<0.05). HE and TEM showed that in each DEHP exposure group, the number of islet cells decreased, the islet area reduced, and chromatin condensation occurred. The endocrine granules in the cytoplasm of islet β cells decreased, and there were varying degrees of widening of the nuclear membrane gap, flattening and expansion of the Golgi complex, and expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosome separation was observed, and autophagosomes were visible. In the 375 and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups, the mitochondria were deformed to varying degrees, and some cristae structures disappeared, presenting vacuolization. Moreover, the chromatin condensation in the nuclei was more severe in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group. The serum SOD activity was significantly elevated in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group (P<0.05). Both the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP groups exhibited a significant increase in the relative ROS content in pancreatic tissue (P<0.05). In DEHP-treated groups, the MDA content increased (P<0.05), while the GSH content decreased (P<0.05). Additionally, in the 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP group, the AMP/ATP ratio in serum was significantly raised (P<0.05), and the expression of cleaved Caspase-3 protein in pancreatic tissue was also significantly increased (P<0.05). The relative mRNA levels of p62, Beclin-1, LC3, and Caspase-8 in the pancreatic tissue of rats exposed to DEHP were significantly elevated (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK, p-ULK1/ULK1, and Beclin-1 proteins in the DEHP-treated groups were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ and 750 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP treatment groups, the relative expression levels of p62, LC3 II/LC1, and Caspase-8 proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the relative expression level of p-mTOR/mTOR was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion DEHP can disrupt glucose homeostasis by inducing oxidative stress, which subsequently activates autophagy via the ROS/AMPK/ULK1 pathway, impairing autophagic flux and promoting apoptosis of islet β cells, ultimately decreasing their function and number.

We report a 30-year-old woman who presented with intermittent gross hematuria and left flank pain，and CT revealed a left staghorn stones. The initial percutaneous nephrolithotomy（PCNL）left a 6 mm fragment，and both stone and urine cultures yielded extended-spectrum β-lactamase（ESBL）-producing Escherichia coli. Seven months later，the stone increased to 6 cm and urine culture revealed Proteus mirabilis. Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery（ECIRS）achieved complete clearance. At 6-month follow-up，the patient remained asymptomatic，culture-negative，and stone-free. This case highlights that small residual fragments after PCNL may rapidly enlarge with secondary urease-producing infection，underscoring the need for early re-intervention and standard follow-up.

Purpose To explored the correlation between imaging features and patient's blood markers based on quantitative analysis of urate deposition in acute exacerbations of gouty arthritis of the knee by dual-energy spectrum CT(DECT).Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on energy spectrum CT imaging of 72 patients clinically diagnosed with acute gouty knee osteoarthritis and 87 patients with non-gouty knee disease during the acute exacerbation period at the First Hospital of Qiqihar from January 2020 to September 2023.The analysis aimed to evaluate urate deposition in different parts of the knee joints and to analyze the influencing factors of urate deposition combined with the blood test indexes of the patients via receiver operating characteristic curves.Results The neutrophil lymphocyte ratio showed a positive correlation with C-reactive protein,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and urate concentration at the site of urate deposition in gouty nodules of the knee(r=0.354,0.326,0.260,respectively,all P<0.05).The mean platelet volume was significantly positive correlated with the semi-quantitative data of monosodium urate crystals and urate concentration in the knee(r=0.563,0.257,respectively,P<0.05).In the gout group,C-reactive protein was positively correlated with pararticular soft tissue urate concentration and bone urate concentration(r=0.498,0.166,P<0.05),while erythrocyte sedimentation rate was positively correlated with pararticular soft tissue(tendons,ligaments,etc)urate concentration(r=0.325,P<0.01).Additionally,serum uric acid was positively correlated with gouty nodules in the knee joints and pararticular soft tissue(tendons,ligaments,etc)(r=0.264,0.243,respectively,P<0.05).The cut-off values of neutrophil lymphocyte ratio,platelet lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume combined with dual-energy energetic spectroscopic CT imaging data in the diagnosis of gouty knee osteoarthritis points were 2.190,122.96 and 9.049,respectively.Conclusion Energetic spectrum CT can identify and quantify urate crystals at the early stage.And blood test indexes such as mean platelet volume,erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum uric acid have potential value in evaluating the activity of gout and the degree of migration of the disease in gouty knee osteoarthritis.