Melanoma is characterized by high malignancy, ranking the third among skin malignancies, and is associated with lack of specific treatment options and poor prognosis. Therefore, the development of effective therapies for melanoma is imperative. A critical challenge in addressing subcutaneous disease lies in overcoming the skin barrier. In this study, we engineered a microneedle (MN) system that integrates chemotherapy, photothermal therapy (PTT), and targeted therapy to enhance anti-tumor efficacy while effectively penetrating the skin barrier. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the MN drug delivery system (DDS) can effectively penetrate the stratum corneum of the skin, deliver therapeutics to subcutaneous tumor sites, and establish a drug reservoir at these locations to exert anti-tumor effects. Cellular experiments indicated that the engineered PTT chemotherapy-targeted MNs can be internalized by tumor cells, exhibiting enhanced cytotoxicity against them. In vivo pharmacological investigations revealed that the combination of PTT and chemotherapy delivered via this MN DDS produced synergistic anti-tumor effects, achieving a tumor inhibition rate of up to 98.15%. This in situ DDS minimizes involvement with other organs, significantly reducing chemotherapy-related side effects. In summary, the PTT chemotherapy-targeted MNs developed in this study demonstrate promising application potential by enhancing anti-tumor efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.

Objective:To explore the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis (PM) receiving programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody therapy, and investigate the biomarkers that affect the prognosis of anti-PD-1 therapy.Methods:This restrospecific study collected the clinic-pathological data of 56 patients with peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer who received first-line treatment in the Nanjing Drum Town Hospital from March 2020 to September 2023, among which 41 had received anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and 15 hadn't. The relationship between overall survival (OS) and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The relationship between baseline peripheral blood indicators and treatment response of patients with anti-PD-1 treatment was analyzed using unpaired t-test. Subsequently, the Cox proportional risk regression model was used to explore the clinical prognostic factors that may affect anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by univariate and multivariate analysis. The clinical prognostic factors included baseline data and baseline peripheral blood indexes such as anti-PD-1 treatment lines, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), combined positive score (CPS), expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2), EBER status, pathological types, other metastatic lesions, ascites content before immunotherapy, with or without abdominal drainage during anti-PD-1 treatment, blood lipid indicators, inflammatory indicators, and tumor indicators. Results:Kaplan-Meier survival statistics showed similar OS (15.9 vs. 15.2 months, P=0.600) in patients with anti-PD-1 therapy compared to those without anti-PD-1 therapy. Patients with baseline high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ≥0.97 mmol/L ( n=22) demonstrated a significantly longer median OS compared to those with HDL＜0.97 mmol/L (15.2 vs. 13.5 months; P=0.018). Similarly, the cohort with apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) levels ≥0.86 g/L ( n=21) showed superior survival outcomes, with a median OS of 17.7 months versus 12.3 months in the ApoA1＜0.86 g/L group ( n=20; P=0.006). In contrast, elevated baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels ( n=2) were associated with markedly reduced survival (median OS: 5.7 vs. 15.2 months in normal AFP group, n=37; P=0.005). Notably, elevated pretreatment ApoA1 levels correlated with enhanced immunotherapy response ( P=0.017). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that ApoA1 deficiency (≥0.86 g/L) independently predicted better OS following PD-1 antibody therapy ( HR=0.35, 95% CI: 0.12-0.98, P=0.046) in gastric cancer patients with PM. Conclusions:In our study, it is first proposed that ApoA1 could be a significant predictor of the survival advantages of immunotherapy in gastric cancer patients with PM.

Objective:To explore the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis (PM) receiving programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody therapy, and investigate the biomarkers that affect the prognosis of anti-PD-1 therapy.Methods:This restrospecific study collected the clinic-pathological data of 56 patients with peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer who received first-line treatment in the Nanjing Drum Town Hospital from March 2020 to September 2023, among which 41 had received anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and 15 hadn't. The relationship between overall survival (OS) and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. The relationship between baseline peripheral blood indicators and treatment response of patients with anti-PD-1 treatment was analyzed using unpaired t-test. Subsequently, the Cox proportional risk regression model was used to explore the clinical prognostic factors that may affect anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by univariate and multivariate analysis. The clinical prognostic factors included baseline data and baseline peripheral blood indexes such as anti-PD-1 treatment lines, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), combined positive score (CPS), expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2), EBER status, pathological types, other metastatic lesions, ascites content before immunotherapy, with or without abdominal drainage during anti-PD-1 treatment, blood lipid indicators, inflammatory indicators, and tumor indicators. Results:Kaplan-Meier survival statistics showed similar OS (15.9 vs. 15.2 months, P=0.600) in patients with anti-PD-1 therapy compared to those without anti-PD-1 therapy. Patients with baseline high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ≥0.97 mmol/L ( n=22) demonstrated a significantly longer median OS compared to those with HDL＜0.97 mmol/L (15.2 vs. 13.5 months; P=0.018). Similarly, the cohort with apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) levels ≥0.86 g/L ( n=21) showed superior survival outcomes, with a median OS of 17.7 months versus 12.3 months in the ApoA1＜0.86 g/L group ( n=20; P=0.006). In contrast, elevated baseline alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels ( n=2) were associated with markedly reduced survival (median OS: 5.7 vs. 15.2 months in normal AFP group, n=37; P=0.005). Notably, elevated pretreatment ApoA1 levels correlated with enhanced immunotherapy response ( P=0.017). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that ApoA1 deficiency (≥0.86 g/L) independently predicted better OS following PD-1 antibody therapy ( HR=0.35, 95% CI: 0.12-0.98, P=0.046) in gastric cancer patients with PM. Conclusions:In our study, it is first proposed that ApoA1 could be a significant predictor of the survival advantages of immunotherapy in gastric cancer patients with PM.

ObjectiveTo clarify the relationship between intestinal flora and intestinal motility in rats with slow transit constipation （STC） and qi stagnation syndrome by conducting a pseudo-sterile experiment and fecal microbiota transplantation （FMT） technology. MethodsTwenty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group （n=6）， STC with qi stagnation pattern group （n=6） and pseudo-sterile group （n=12）. In the STC group with qi stagnation pattern， 3 mg/kg of loperamide suspension by intragastric administration combined with tail clamping stimulation were performed to establish the rat model of STC with qi stagnation pattern. After successful modeling， fresh feces from the rats in the STC with qi stagnation pattern group and the normal group were collected to prepare 100 mg/ml of fecal bacterial suspension. In the pseudo-sterile group， the antibiotic cocktail method was used （a mixed antibiotic suspension containing bacitracin， streptomycin sulfate， and neomycin sulfate at 20 mg/ml each was administered intragastrically） to establish pseudo-sterile rats model. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into normal fecal bacterial liquid group and STC with qi stagnation pattern fecal bacterial liquid group， with six rats in each group， and then were given 10 ml/kg of the prepared corresponding rat fecal bacterial suspension by gavage. Rats in STC with qi stagnation pattern group were given an equal volume of sterile water by gavage. All groups were administered once a day for 7 consecutive days. The small intestinal propulsion rate of the STC with qi stagnation pattern group， the normal fecal bacterial liquid group， and STC with qi stagnation pattern fecal bacterial liquid group were compared. ELISA method was used to detect serum 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） levels. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor （5-HT3R） and 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor （5-HT4R） in colon tissue. Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression levels of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 （TPH1）， tryptophan hydroxylase 2 （TPH2）， serotonin transporter （SERT）， and monoamine oxidase A （MAO-A） in colon tissue. ResultsCompared to those in the normal fecal bacterial liquid group， the small intestinal propulsion rate， serum 5-HT level， positive expression of 5-HT3R and 5-HT4R in colon tissue， and protein expression of TPH1， TPH2， SERT and MAO-A significantly decreased in the STC with qi stagnation pattern group and STC with qi stagnation pattern fecal bacterial liquid group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the indicators between the STC with qi stagnation pattern group and STC with qi stagnation pattern fecal bacterial liquid group （P＞0.05）. ConclusionThe intestinal flora in STC rats with qi stagnation pattern can lead to a slowdown in intestinal transmission function， whose mechanism may be related to intestinal motility disorders affected by the synthesis， transport， metabolism and other pathways of 5-HT.

Major depressive disorder(MDD)is a mental disease characterized by persistent depression,lack of interest and impaired cognitive function.Antidepressants currently availablein clinic are effective but accompanied by many adverse reactions,such as slow onset,cognitive impairment,sexual dysfunction.Therefore,novel antidepressant targets and therapeutic strategies with rapid onset of action,cognitive enhancement and low adverse effects have increasingly become a promising sphere of research.Studies have suggested that Sigma-1 receptor plays an important role in combating depression by regulating inflammatory response,excitation/inhibition balance and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis.Moreover,Sigma-1 receptor agonists may have the advantages of rapid onset,enhanced cognition and low adverse reactions,which show good prospects for the development of new antidepressants.This article reviews the research progress related to Sigma 1 receptors in the regulatory mechanism and treatments for depression in the hopes of providing new insights into new antidepressants.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics and risk factors of previous low-energy fractures in elderly patients with hip fractures admitted to our hospital.Methods:The data for this study was collected from 596 hip fracture patients admitted to Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University between January 2018 and December 2021.Out of these patients, there were 404 females and 192 males.Based on the history of low-energy fracture before hip fracture, the patients were divided into two groups: a low-energy fracture group and a non-low-energy fracture group.A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of gender, age, fracture type, BMI, number of combined medical diseases, ASA score, and other characteristics.Results:The study included a total of 596 patients, with 368 patients having no history of low-energy fractures and 228 patients with low-energy fractures.Among the patients with low-energy fractures, there were 118 vertebral fractures, 69 hip fractures, 57 rib fractures, 19 radial fractures, 14 humerus fractures, and 12 patella fractures.Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in age, gender, fracture type, number of combined medical diseases, and ASA score between the two groups( P<0.05 for all). The results of multivariate Logistic analysis indicated that age( OR=1.046, 95% CI: 1.022-1.070), female sex( OR=1.474, 95% CI: 1.011-2.148), and the number of comorbid medical diseases( OR=1.211, 95% CI: 1.113-1.318)were independent risk factors for patients with a history of low-energy fractures. Conclusions:Our findings provide evidence that vertebral, hip, and rib fractures were the three most common previous low-energy fractures in elderly patients with hip fractures.We identified age, female gender, and number of medical diseases as independent risk factors for prior low-energy fractures in this population.

Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the population, and the incidence of young breast cancer patients is gradually increasing. With the increasing requirements of patients for cosmetic effect after tumor resection, the traditional breast conserving surgery can no longer meet the treatment needs of patients. Breast-conserving plastic surgery for breast cancer has been proved to be safe in oncology, but there are still many deficiencies. Therefore, it is very important for surgeons and patients to develop unified and repeatable standard guidelines for breast-conserving plastic surgery of breast cancer.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for postoperative one-year mortality in elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture following multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) by intramedullary nailing.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed of the 158 elderly patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture who had undergone MDT by proximal femoral intramedullary nailing between January 2018 and August 2020 at Department of Orthopedics, Trauma Center, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University. There were 41 males and 117 females with an average age of 82.5 years (from 65 to 95 years). By the modified Evans classification, there were 15 cases of type Ⅰ, 16 cases of type Ⅱ, 35 cases of type Ⅲ, 81 cases of type Ⅳ, and 11 cases of type Ⅴ. The one-year mortality was documented in the patients after surgery. To screen for risk factors, univariate analysis was conducted of gender, age, body mass index (BMI), modified Evans classification of fractures, time from injury to operation, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and comorbidities, as well as preoperative hemoglobin (Hb), serum albumin (ALB) and total lymphocyte count (TLC). The factors with P<0.05 were included in the multivariate logistic regression model analysis to determine the risk factors. Results:A total of 13 patients died within one year after surgery, yielding a mortality of 8.2% (13/158). Univariate analysis showed significant differences in age, body mass index, modified Evans classification of fractures, CCI and Hb between the surviving and dead patients ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age >85 years ( OR=0.122, 95% CI: 0.018 to 0.834, P=0.032), BMI>23.9 kg/m 2 ( OR=0.083, 95% CI: 0.013 to 0.510, P=0.007), CCI≥3 points ( OR=0.051, 95% CI: 0.090 to 0.275, P=0.001) and preoperative Hb<90 g/L ( OR=4.733, 95% CI: 1.036 to 21.624, P=0.045) were the independent risk factors for postoperative one-year mortality in the elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture following MDT by proximal femoral intramedullary nailing. Conclusions:After MDT by proximal femoral intramedullary nailing of femoral intertrochanteric fractures, the geriatric patients with an age >85 years, BMI>23.9 kg/m 2, CCI≥3 points and Hb<90 g/L are likely to die. Therefore, special care should be taken for them.

Hyponatremia is common in the attack of acute intermittent porphyria(AIP), which can cause epilepsy, coma and other adverse events and endanger the life of patients. Carbohydrate loading therapy is applied to control the attack of AIP in the clinic. But the application of glucose can exacerbate hyponatremia. It is difficult for clinicians to effectively correct hyponatremia while treating AIP with glucose. We reported a case of AIP whose refractory hyponatremia was corrected with short-term low-dose tolvaptan to improve knowledge in management.

Objective ToexplorethevalueofMRIiterativedecompositionofwaterandfatwithechoasymmetryandleastsquares estimationquantificationsequence(IDEALIQ)techniquetoevaluatemyelosuppressionduringradiotherapyandchemotherapyincervicalcancer. Methods 25femalesubjectswereenrolledinthisstudy,whowereclinicallydiagnosedascervicalcancerandacceptedtheradiotherapyand chemotherapy.AllthesubjectswereperformedwithsagittalMRIIDEALIQscansineachweek’streatmentandattheendofwhole fiveweeks’therapy,soeachpatienthad6timesMRIscans.ROIweremanuallyplacedonL4,L5andS1vertebralbodyandsubcutaneousfatto measurethefatfraction.ThefatfractioncolorimageswerereconstructedonaAW (AdvantageWorkstation)4.6workstation.Results Asthe radiationandchemotherapyprocess,thevaluesoffatfractionincreasedprogressivelyonL4,L5andS1vertebralbody(P<0.001), whilethefatfractionvaluesinsubcutaneousfatappearedstableallthetime(P=0.987).Conclusion MRIIDEALIQtechniquecan evaluatethereal-timefatfraction,andradiotherapyandchemotherapyplansmaybeoptimizedaccordingtothefatfractionresult.