Objective To evaluate the effect of donor gender on short-term survival rate of lung transplant recipients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1 066 lung transplant recipients. The log-rank test was used to evaluate the differences in short-term fatality among different donor gender groups and donor-recipient gender combination groups. Multivariate Cox regression, propensity score (PS) regression, and propensity score matching (PSM) were employed to control for confounding factors and further assess the differences in fatality. Subgroup analyses were also performed based on donor gender. Results Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed no statistically significant differences in fatality at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years postoperatively between male and female donor groups (all P>0.05). After PS regression and PSM, univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that recipients from female donors had a higher fatality at 2 years postoperatively compared to those from male donors, with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.29 (1.01-1.65) and 1.36 (1.03-1.80) respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed no statistically significant differences in fatality at various follow-up time points among different donor-recipient gender combination groups (all P>0.05). Subgroup analyses based on donor sex showed no statistically significant differences in fatality among recipients of different gender within either male or female donor groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions Female donors may reduce the short-term postoperative survival rate of lung transplant recipients, but this negative impact is not sustainable in the long term. At present, there is no evidence to support the inclusion of sex as a factor in lung allocation rules.

ObjectiveTo deeply understand the lived experience and needs of patients with end-stage heart failure， and to provide references for better implementing hospice care for patients with heart failure. MethodsA qualitative phenomenological research method was adopted to conduct in-depth interviews with 15 patients with end-stage heart failure. The Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was used to code， analyze， and extract themes from the interview data. ResultsFour themes and 10 sub-themes were identified： first， experiencing physical and psychological distress （a desire for relief from physical pain and a need for psychological counseling）； second， ambivalence towards family support （yearning for care but feeling guilty）； third， actively seeking social support （expecting to be understood and valued， facilitating access to support from the medical system， and differing perceptions of doctor-patient shared decision-making）； fourth， complex psychological experience regarding prognosis （experiencing fear and worry， feeling disappointed， living in the moment， and accepting death）. ConclusionMedical staff， family caregivers， and society should jointly pay attention to the physical and mental feelings and needs of patients with end-stage heart failure and provide targeted care. It is recommended to implement multidisciplinary team management， promote doctor-patient shared decision-making， meet individualized needs， and provide appropriate education on life and death concepts， thereby establishing a palliative and hospice care service model for end-stage heart failure with characteristics.

Objective:To summarize the characteristics of autosomal recessive axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia (ARAN-NM) caused by HINT1 gene mutation. Methods:Retrospective case summary.Clinical data of 2 Tibetan siblings diagnosed with ARAN-NM in the Department of Pediatrics of Peking University First Hospital in August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.A review of literature reporting relevant Chinese patients was conducted.Results:The proband and her elder brother were aged 13 and 19, respectively.Both developed abnormal gait at the age of 11, followed by varus, claudication, and weak thumb strength.The proband also had neuromyotonia.Physical examinations showed that the proband and her elder brother had decreased muscle strength of the extremities, mainly in the thumbs and distal ends of lower limbs.The distal muscles of the proband′s lower extremities and the muscles of both hands of the proband′s elder brother were atrophied.Both feet showed talipes equinovarus in the proband and her elder brother.The proband′s electromyography (EMG) showed peripheral nerve injuries (motor and sensory axonal involvement, especially in distal ends) and myotonic potentials.The trio-whole exon sequencing detected homozygous pathogenic variation in HINT1 gene in both the proband and her elder brother, who were diagnosed as ARAN-NM based on c. 169A>G (p.K57E). After the Carbamazepine treatment, the proband′s neuromyotonia, numbness and weakness were relieved.Both the proband and her elder brother underwent orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation.Their foot deformities and gait were significantly improved.Two Chinese literatures (2 patients) and four English literatures (8 patients) were retrieved.Including the proband and her elder brother in this study, there were 12 ARAN-NM patients, 10 of whom had clinical data.The ages of onset and diagnosis were 2-16 (1 case unknown) and 13-33 years old, respectively.Myasthenia was present in 9 patients, especially in distal ends.Eight patients were complicated with neuromyotonia, nine patients with muscle atrophy, seven patients with foot deformity, and two patients with sensory disturbance.Creatine kinase(CK) was elevated in all 9 patients tested or CK.EMG showed neurogenic injuries in all patients and neuromyotonia discharge in six patients.Three patients were treated with Carbamazepine, and some symptoms were relieved.Missense/nonsense mutations were found in the 12 patients, and the high-frequency variation was c. 112T>C (p.C38R). Conclusions:ARAN-NM is a rare autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease caused by HINT1 gene mutation.There is no ethnic difference in clinical manifestations, mainly distal limb weakness with neuromyotonia.Carbamazepine can alleviate some symptoms, and orthopaedic surgery can improve foot deformity and gait.

BACKGROUND:It has been hypothesized that PANoptosis may be involved in the pathologic process of osteoporosis,but there have been no studies addressing the mechanisms of PANoptosis genes in osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biological mechanism of PANoptosis regulators in the occurrence and development of osteoporosis. METHODS:The GSE56815 dataset was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and PANoptosis genes were extracted for differential analysis.The key genes of PANoptosis were screened by random forest tree model to construct a disease risk prediction model.Consensus clustering algorithm,single sample genome enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were used to explore the differences between different PANoptosis molecular subtypes.Herbal drugs that regulate the key genes of PANoptosis were predicted through Coremine medical database,a medical ontology information retrieval platform. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Based on the four PANoptosis key genes(CASP1,CASP10,MEFV,and TNF),the diagnostic markers of osteoporosis were determined,and the risk prediction model was constructed and verified.Osteoporosis was divided into two different PANoptosis subtypes(clusters A,B and gene clusters A,B),and the PANoptosis scores of cluster B and gene cluster B were higher than those of cluster A and gene cluster A,respectively.Traditional Chinese drugs such as ginseng which can regulate the key genes of PANoptosis were predicted by the Coremine medical database.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)combined with serum Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 1(SMURF1)detection for thyroid cancer.Methods A total of 144 suspected thyroid cancer patients admitted to Lishui branch of Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University from February 2019 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects.Based on the histopathological results,they were divided into the thyroid cancer group(76 cases)and the benign group(68 cases).All patients underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination and serum SMURF1 level detection;the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters,serum SMURF1 detection alone,and the combination of the two methods for thyroid cancer were analyzed.Results Contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters peak intensity(PI),mean perfusion intensity(SImean)and maximum perfusion intensity(SImax)in the thyroid cancer group were lower than those in the benign group,and the level of SMURF1 mRNA was higher than that in the benign group(P<0.05).The sensitivity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameter SImax in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer was 82.89%,the specificity was 72.06%,the accuracy was 77.78%,and the Kappa value was 0.552.The sensitivity of serum SMURF1 in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer was 65.79%,the specificity was 94.12%,the accuracy was 79.17%,and the Kappa value was 0.589.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy and Kappa value of SImax combined with serum SMURF1 in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer were 97.37%,85.29%,91.67%and 0.832,respectively,which were higher than those of SImax and SMURF1 alone(P<0.05),the AUC of the combination of the two methods was 0.927,which was significantly higher than that of the two methods alone(Zcombined vs.SImax=3.999,P<0.001;Zcombined vs.SMURF1=3.270,P=0.001).Conclusion Contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with serum SMURF1 detection can improve the diagnostic efficiency of thyroid cancer,which may avoid the over-diagnosis on the premise of ensuring the effective diagnosis of thyroid cancer patients.

Objective:To explore the value of nomogram based on dual-layer detector spectral CT quantitative parameters and conventional CT feature in evaluating high-grade pattern (HGP) of pulmonary invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma.Methods:This study was a case-control study. A total of 71 patients with pathologically confirmed pulmonary invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from February 2022 to May 2023 were retrospectively enrolled, which were divided into HGP and non-HGP groups according to pathological results. Conventional CT features were analyzed, including size, shape, density, internal signs, margins, and pleural retraction. The iodine concentration (IC), electron density (ED), and normalized iodine concentration (NIC) of the lesions in both the arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP) were measured. Differences between the two groups were analyzed using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to select the independent influencing factors of HGP in pulmonary invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma, and the conventional CT feature model, the spectral CT quantitative parameter model, and the combined model were constructed and expressed in a nomogram. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the performance of each model, and was compared by DeLong test. Decision curves (DCA) was used to assess the clinical net benefit of the models. Results:There were significant differences between HGP group and non-HGP group in terms of density, lobulation, spiculation, IC AP, IC VP, NIC AP, ED AP and ED VP (all P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the solid nodule ( OR=15.452, 95% CI 4.246-56.235, P<0.001), lobulation ( OR=7.069, 95% CI 1.618-30.883, P=0.009), ED AP( OR=1.183, 95% CI 1.064-1.315, P=0.002) and IC VP ( OR=0.231, 95% CI 0.072-0.744, P=0.014) were independent influencing factors for predicting HGP in pulmonary invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma. The AUC of the conventional CT feature model, spectral CT quantitative parameter model, and the combined model were 0.835, 0.890, and 0.915, respectively. The AUC of the combined model was better than that of the conventional CT feature model ( Z=2.67, P=0.008). The DCA analysis demonstrated that the nomogram had higher clinical net benefit than the conventional CT feature model. Conclusions:The nomogram based on the quantitative parameters of dual-layer detector spectral CT and conventional CT features have favorable diagnostic efficacy in predicting HGP in pulmonary invasive non-mucinous adenocarcinoma, and can be used as a reliable tool for non-invasive diagnosis of HGP before surgery.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and side effects of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without nimotuzumab in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:In the prospective study, 100 patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳa locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (except T 3N 0M 0 stage) who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups using the random number table method. Patients in both groups were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy using TPF (paclitaxel liposome, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) regimen for 2 cycles. At 2 weeks after chemotherapy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus nimotuzumab targeted therapy was given in the experimental group, and concurrent chemoradiotherapy was delivered in the control group. The main observation index was the distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rate. Log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used. Results:The objective remission rate and complete remission rate in the experimental and control groups were 100% vs. 98% ( P=1.000) and 92.0% vs. 80% ( P=0.084). The 3-year DMFS in the experimental and control groups were 91.4 % vs. 76.1 % ( P=0.043). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS) in two groups were 87.3 % vs. 74.1 % ( P=0.097), 94.5 % vs. 85.6 % ( P=0.227) and 90.5% vs. 85.2% ( P=0.444). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with age<60 years ( HR=0.34, 95% CI=0.12-0.94, P=0.037), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)≤4 ( HR=0.34, 95% CI=0.13-0.89, P=0.028) received concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus nimotuzumab obtained better PFS. Multivariate analysis showed that NLR was an independent risk factor for disease progression ( HR=5.94, 95% CI=1.18-29.81, P=0.030) and distant metastasis ( HR=13.76, 95% CI=1.52-124.36, P=0.020). Conclusions:Compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone, concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab after neoadjuvant chemotherapy can significantly increase DMFS rate for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The incidence of side effects is similar in two groups. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus nimotuzumab after neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be a preferred treatment strategy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the effects of total flavones from Oxytropis falcata Bunge on hepatic fibrosis(HF)induced by carbon tetrachloride and liver transforming growth factor(TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway.Methods Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into normal group(intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil,intragastric administration of 0.9％NaCl),model group(intraperitoneal injection of 40％CC14 peanut oil solution induced HF model,intragastric administration of 0.9％NaCl),positive control group(modeling,intragastric administration of 0.2 mg·kg-1 of colchicine),experimental-L,-M,-H groups(modeling,intragastric administration of 100,200 and 400 mg·kg-1 of total flavonoid extract of Oxytropis falcata Bunge),8 individuals in each group,for 4 consecutive weeks.The histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining.Serum liver function and liver fibrosis were measured;erum inflammatory factors were detected;fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to determine gene expression in liver.Results The pathological injury of liver tissue in the model group was serious,and a large number of inflammatory factors and collagen fibers were accumulated,while the rest of the treatment groups had different degrees of remission.In normal group,model group,positive control group,experimental-L,-M,-H groups,glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels were(49.28±12.44),(5 885.42±948.37),(4 454.60±489.27),(4 650.47±843.53),(3 761.75±887.30)and(3 544.90±1 066.75)μg·L-1;glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase levels were(186.90±46.89),(5 936.23±793.81),(3 971.37±780.28),(4 360.30±863.35),(3 943.10±439.47)and(3 971.38±631.08)μg·L-1;hyaluronic acid levels were(45.08±17.16),(104.32±36.06),(66.83±20.09),(70.30±21.07),(60.00±9.68)and(59.02±10.73)μg·L-1;laminin levels were(23.13±3.89),(60.85±13.66),(35.67±9.92),(39.98±9.39),(36.55±12.21)and(34.68±24.83)μg·L-1;type Ⅲ procollagen level were(24.98±5.34),(82.58±30.14),(40.70±16.14),(51.08±23.21),(43.60±12.48)and(44.20±11.66)p±g·L-1;interleukin(IL)-1β levels were(37.63±1.24),(46.10±3.23),(39.22±2.36),(41.33±0.93),(40.25±2.04)and(39.18±2.23)pg·mL-1;tumor necrosis factor-α levels were(314.58±20.56),(383.71±16.97),(349.00±7.93),(348.88±25.11),(325.75±27.84)and(335.07±21.33)pg·mL-1;TGF-β1 mRNA expression of relative quantity respectively were 1.00±0.00,60.99±15.70,9.61±1.59,7.37±1.09,6.41±0.64,6.87±1.09;Smad7 mRNA relative expression were 1.00±0.00,0.34±0.05,0.21±0.03,0.35±0.02,0.38±0.02,0.42±0.03.The above indexes in the model group were compared with the normal group,and the above indexes in the experimental-M,-H groups were compared with the model group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge have protective effects on CC14-induced liver fibrosis in rats,and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of TGF-β/Smad pathway.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of different approaches for screw internal fixation in the treatment of posterior ankle fractures in trimalleolar fracture,and the complications was analyzed.Methods A prospective study was conducted on 80 patients with Haraguchi type Ⅰ posterior ankle fracture who admitted to our hospital from May 2019 to October 2020,they were randomly divided into group A and group B according to a random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Patients in group A were treated with percutaneous anterior to posterior screw internal fixation for posterior ankle fractures,while patients in group B were treated with percutaneous posterolateral approach limited exposure and reduction screw internal fixation for posterior ankle fractures.The surgical indicators,postoperative recovery,American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)score,ROM score of ankle joint at the last follow-up,postoperative evaluation,and postoperative complications of patients between the two groups were compared.Results There was no statistically significant difference in operation time,complete weight-bearing time,or fracture healing time of patients between the two groups(P>0.05),but the fluoroscopy times of patients in group A was less than that in group B,the intraoperative bleeding volume and fibular incision length were less/shorter than those in group B(P<0.05).The AOFAS scores of patients 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up in both groups increased compared with those 3 months after surgery,and the AOFAS scores at the last follow-up were higher than those 6 months after surgery,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The AOFAS scores of patients 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up in group B were higher than those in group A(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in ROM score of ankle joints(plantar flexion,valgus,varus,dorsiflexion)of patients between the two groups at the last follow-up(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in poor screw position,degree of pain,walking condition,or squatting condition of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).However,the reduction quality of posterior ankle fractures of patients in group B was better than that in group A(Z=4.248,P<0.05).No complications such as loosening of internal fixation or loss of fracture reduction occurred in both groups.Conclusion Both percutaneous anterior to posterior screw internal fixation and percutaneous posterolateral approach limited exposure and reduction screw internal fixation have good efficacy for posterior ankle fractures in trimalleolar fracture,with high safty.The former has more fluoroscopy times and less intraoperative bleeding,while the latter is better in improving ankle joint function and fracture reduction.

Objective To investigate the role of Osteonectin secreted by skeletal muscle in promoting the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC)in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis(AIS).Methods Thirty patients with AIS were included and divided into the mild AIS group and the severe AIS group based on the Cobb angle measured on the X-ray films.The bone mineral density(BMD)of the lumbar spine and skeletal muscles was compared between the two groups.BMSC were collected from patients in the both groups,and the protein expression of CD73 and CD90 were detected by flow cytometry,the mRNA expression levels of Runx2,Osterix,and Osteocalcin were detected by qRT-PCR,and the activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP)was detected by ELISA.The skeletal muscle from both groups was collected to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of Osteonectin,and the serum Osteonectin levels in both groups were detected by ELISA.The BMSC cultured in vitro were divided into the BMSC group(no special treatment)and the BMSC+Osteonectin group(addition of Osteonectin),and the mRNA expression levels of Runx2,Osterix and Osteocalcin,as well as ALP activity were detected.Results Compared with the mild AIS group,the severe AIS group had significantly lower BMD of the lumbar spine and skeletal muscle(P<0.05),lower mRNA expression levels of Runx2,Osterix and Osteocalcin(P<0.05)and lower ALP activity in BMSC(P<0.05),lower mRNA and protein expression levels of Osteonectin in skeletal muscle(P<0.05)and lower serum Osteonectin levels(P<0.05).Compared with the BMSC group,the mRNA expression levels of Runx2,Osterix and Osteocalcin,as well as ALP activity in the BMSC+Osteonectin group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion In patients with AIS,the secretion of Osteonectin by skeletal muscle is reduced,and the osteogenic differentiation ability of BMSC is decreased.Exogenous addition of Osteonectin can improve the osteogenic differentiation of BMSC,which may contribute to the recovery of AIS.