Objective To explore the pathogenesis and prognostic factors of liposarcoma in the head and neck region, and simultaneously analyze the efficacy of different treatment regimens. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with primary untreated head and neck liposarcoma who were diagnosed and underwent surgical treatment at our hospital from January 2008 to January 2024. All patients were monitored during follow-up, and their prognoses were analyzed using SPSS software. Results A total of 30 patients were included in the study. Liposarcoma accounted for up to 60% of the cases in the orbit, while the remaining liposarcomas were primarily located in various interspaces of the neck. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma was the most common type, comprising 33%, while myxoid pleomorphic liposarcoma was the rarest at 4%. The tumor pathological type (P<0.001) and Ki67 (P=0.014) significantly affected the tumor control rate. However, an analysis of disease-specific survival rates revealed no significant differences across various factors (all P>0.05). Conclusion The prognosis of head and neck liposarcoma is better compared to that of liposarcomas in other parts of the body. However, myxoid pleomorphic liposarcoma, pleomorphic fat sarcoma, and high Ki67 levels are indicators of poor prognosis. Additionally, postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy does not significantly enhance disease-specific survival rates.

BACKGROUND:Osteosarcoma has a complex pathogenesis and a poor prognosis.While advancements in medical technology have led to some improvements in the 5-year survival rate,substantial progress in its treatment has not yet been achieved. OBJECTIVE:To screen key molecular markers in osteosarcoma,analyze their relationship with osteosarcoma treatment drugs,and explore the potential disease mechanisms of osteosarcoma at the molecular level. METHODS:GSE99671 and GSE284259(miRNA)datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.Differential gene expression analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis(WGCNA)on GSE99671 were performed.Functional enrichment analysis was conducted using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes separately for the differentially expressed genes and the module genes with the highest positive correlation to the disease.The intersection of these module genes and differentially expressed genes was taken as key genes.A Protein-Protein Interaction network was constructed,and correlation analysis on the key genes was performed using CytoScape software,and hub genes were identified.Hub genes were externally validated using the GSE28425 dataset and text validation was conducted.The drug sensitivity of hub genes was analyzed using the CellMiner database,with a threshold of absolute value of correlation coefficient|R|>0.3 and P<0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Differential gene expression analysis identified 529 differentially expressed genes,comprising 177 upregulated and 352 downregulated genes.WGCNA analysis yielded a total of 592 genes with the highest correlation to osteosarcoma.(2)Gene Ontology enrichment results indicated that the development of osteosarcoma may be associated with extracellular matrix,bone cell differentiation and development,human immune regulation,and collagen synthesis and degradation.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment results showed the involvement of pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,focal adhesion signaling pathway,and immune response in the onset of osteosarcoma.(3)The intersection analysis revealed a total of 59 key genes.Through Protein-Protein Interaction network analysis,8 hub genes were selected,which were LUM,PLOD1,PLOD2,MMP14,COL11A1,THBS2,LEPRE1,and TGFB1,all of which were upregulated.(4)External validation revealed significantly downregulated miRNAs that regulate the hub genes,with hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-150-5p showing the most significant downregulation.Text validation results demonstrated that the expression of hub genes was consistent with previous research.(5)Drug sensitivity analysis indicated a negative correlation between the activity of methotrexate,6-mercaptopurine,and pazopanib with the mRNA expression of PLOD1,PLOD2,and MMP14.Moreover,zoledronic acid and lapatinib showed a positive correlation with the mRNA expression of PLOD1,LUM,MMP14,PLOD2,and TGFB1.This suggests that zoledronic acid and lapatinib may be potential therapeutic drugs for osteosarcoma,but further validation is required through additional basic experiments and clinical studies.

Objective To introduce the modeling method of pendulum-like modified rat abdominal heart heterotopic transplantation model and evaluate the quality of the model. Methods An operator without transplantation experience performed 15 consecutive models, recorded the time of each step, changes in body weight and modified Stanford scores, and calculated the surgical success rate, postoperative 1-week survival rate and technical success rate. Ultrasound examinations was performed in 1 week postoperatively. Results The times for donor heart acquisition, donor heart processing, recipient preparation and transplantation anastomosis were (14.3±1.4) min, (3.5±0.6) min, (13.6±2.1) min and (38.3±5.2) min respectively. The surgical success rate was 87% (13/15), and the survival rate 1 week after operative was 100% (13/13). The improved Stanford score indicated a technical success rate of 92% (12/13), and the postoperative 1-week ultrasound examination showed that grafts with Stanford scores ≥3 had detectable pulsation and blood flow signals. Conclusions The pendulum-like modified rat abdominal heart heterotopic transplantation improved model further optimizes the operational steps with a high success rate and stable quality, may be chosen as a modeling option for basic research in heart transplantation in the future.

Objective To investigate and analyze the occupational stress levels and influencing factors among radiation workers in China, and provide a reference for alleviating occupational stress and promoting mental health. Methods Using the general situation questionnaire, Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, and radiation protection knowledge questionnaire, a convenience sampling method was adopted to investigate the occupational stress of 243 radiation workers in Liaoning, Fujian, Guangdong, and Xinjiang provinces. The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors. Results The average score of Effort-Reward Imbalance was 0.97 ± 0.22, and 100 (41.15%) radiation workers had occupational stress. There were significant differences in the detection rate of occupational stress among radiation workers of different ages, working years in radiation positions, monthly incomes, daily sleep durations, and daily working hours (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified daily working hours as a factor contributing to occupational stress. Conclusion The occupational stress among radiation workers in China is relatively severe. It is recommended to pay attention to the associated risks and implement targeted intervention measures to reduce the impact of occupational stress.

Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor worldwide, ranking first in both incidence and mortality rates. According to the latest statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 2.5 million new cases and around 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer occurred in 2022, placing a tremendous burden on global healthcare systems. The high mortality rate of lung cancer is closely linked to its subtle early symptoms, which often lead to diagnosis at advanced stages. This not only complicates treatment but also results in substantial economic losses. Current treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Among these, immunotherapy has emerged as the most groundbreaking advancement in recent years, owing to its unique antitumor mechanisms and impressive clinical benefits. Unlike traditional therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapy activates or enhances the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. It offers advantages such as more durable therapeutic effects and relatively fewer toxic side effects. The main approaches to lung cancer immunotherapy include immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies, adoptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic virus therapies. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use in lung cancer, significantly improving outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although other immunotherapy strategies are still in clinical trials, they show great potential in improving treatment precision and efficacy. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress in lung cancer immunotherapy, including the development of novel immune checkpoint molecules, optimization of treatment strategies, identification of predictive biomarkers, and findings from recent clinical trials. It also discusses the current challenges in the field and outlines future directions, such as the development of next-generation immunotherapeutic agents, exploration of more effective combination regimens, and the establishment of precise efficacy prediction systems. The aim is to provide a valuable reference for the continued advancement of lung cancer immunotherapy.

The paper summarizes the authorized invention patents, device registration and the relevant published articles of acupuncture medical devices of TCM in recent 5 years, and analyzes the current status and challenges in this field. It is discovered that the optimization and substitution in diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture are involved in the development of acupuncture medical devices. The technology application of these devices are composed of traditional and emerging engineering technologies; and the theoretical guidance for their development requires the integration of traditional acupuncture principles with modern medical theories. The development of acupuncture medical devices highlights the characteristics of multidimensional integration, treatment for specific ailments, portability and wearability, painlessness and non-invasion, precision and personalization, as well as intelligent automation. Upon analysis, it is shown that in the development and product transformation of acupuncture medical devices in recent years, the theoretical principles of acupuncture of TCM have not been fully utilized yet, the transformation of patented product is low, the clinical evidence of product is insufficient, and the market competitiveness needs improvement. In the future, The theoretic guidance of acupuncture of TCM should be enhanced in the development of acupuncture medical devices, a production-education- research model with the combination of medicine and engineering be constructed, clinical verification of product be emphasized, and product development paradigms be advanced, so as to meet the demands of the medical market.
Acupuncture Therapy/trends* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/instrumentation* ; Equipment and Supplies

OBJECTIVE: To explore the neuroprotective effect and underlying mechanism of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture (acupuncture for regaining consciousness and opening orifices) in the rat models of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) based on the p53 protein (p53)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway. METHODS: Of 102 male Wistar rats, 20 rats were randomly collected as a sham-operation group. Using a modified external carotid artery filament insertion method, CIRI models were prepared by occluding the middle cerebral artery in the rest rats. After modeling and excluding 1 non-successfully modeled rat and 1 dead one, the other modeled rats were randomized into a model group, an agonist group, an acupuncture group, and an acupuncture + agonist group, 20 rats in each one. Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture therapy was delivered in the rats of the acupuncture group and the acupuncture + agonist group. The acupoints included "Shuigou" (GV26), bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6), and "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) on the affected side. Electroacupuncture was attached to "Neiguan" (PC6) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) on the affected side, with dense-disperse wave, a frequency of 2 Hz/15 Hz and intensity of 1 mA. The intervention was delivered twice daily, 20 min each time and for 7 consecutive days. In the agonist group and acupuncture+agonist group, p53 agonist, COTI-2 was intraperitoneally injected (15 mg/kg), once daily for 7 consecutive days. Neurological deficit was evaluated using Zausinger's six-point scale. Cerebral infarction volume was quantified by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Histopathological changes were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Iron deposition was assessed by Prussian blue staining. Mitochondrial ultrastructure in the ischemic cortex was examined under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Serum iron (Fe²⁺) was measured with chromometry. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in the ischemic hippocampus were determined using thiobarbituric acid and microplate assays, respectively. The mean fluorescence intensity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ischemic cortex was analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein expression of GPX4, SLC7A11, and p53 in the ischemic hippocampus were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group exhibited the decrease in neurological deficit score (P<0.01), and the increase in cerebral infarction volume percentage (P<0.01). The changes of brain tissue were presented in extensive cellular necrosis, pyknotic and deeply-stained nuclei, and vacuolar degeneration. The iron deposition was elevated in cortex and hippocampus (P<0.01), mitochondrial membrane density increased, the cristae was broken or reduced, and the outer membrane ruptured. The levels of Fe²⁺ and MDA, as well as the mean flourscence intensity of ROS were elevated (P<0.01) and the level of GSH was reduced (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 was reduced (P<0.01), while that of p53 rose (P<0.01). When compared with the model group, in the agonist group, the neurological deficit score was reduced (P<0.05), the percentage of infarction volume was higher (P<0.01), the histopathological damage was further exacerbated, and the percentage of iron deposition increased in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.01). The mitochondrial quantity decreased, the membrane density increased, the mitochondrial cristae were broken or reduced, and the outer membrane was ruptured. The levels of Fe²⁺ and MDA, as well as the mean flourscence intensity of ROS were higher (P<0.01, P<0.05) and the level of GSH was reduced (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while that of p53 was elevated (P<0.01). Besides, in comparison with the model group, the neurological deficit score was higher in the acupuncture group and the acupuncture + agonist group (P<0.01, P<0.05), the percentage of cerebral infarction volume was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01), the pathological damage of brain tissue was alleviated in the acupuncture group and the acupuncture + agonist group, and the percentage of iron depositiondecreased in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.01). The mitochondrial structure was relatively clear, the mitochondrial cristae were fractured or reduced mildly in the acupuncture group and the acupuncture + agonist group. The levels of Fe²⁺ and MDA, as well as the mean flourscence intensity of ROS were lower (P<0.01) and the level of GSH was higher (P<0.01) in the acupuncture group. The mean fluorescence intensity of ROS were dropped (P<0.01) in the acupuncture + agonist group. The mRNA expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 was elevated (P<0.01) and that of p53 was reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05) in either the acupuncture group or the acupuncture + agonist group; the protein expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 rose (P<0.05, P<0.01) and that of p53 was dropped (P<0.01) in the acupuncture group; and the protein expression of p53 was also lower in the acupuncture + agonist group (P<0.05). When compared with the agonist group, in the acupuncture + agonist group, neurological deficit score increased (P<0.01), the percentage of cerebral infarction volume decreased (P<0.01), the pathological brain tissue damage was reduced, the percentage of iron deposition in cortex and hippocampus decreased (P<0.01), the mitochondrial structure was relatively clear and the cristae broken or reduced slightly; the levels of Fe²⁺ and MDA, as well as the mean fluorescence intensity of ROS were dropped (P<0.01), while the level of GSH increased (P<0.05); the mRNA and protein expression of GPX4 and SLC7411 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), and that of p53 reduced (P<0.01). In comparison with the acupuncture + agonist group, in the acupuncture group, the neurological deficit score increased (P<0.05), the percentage of cerebral infarction volume decreased (P<0.05), the pathological brain tissue damage was alleviated, the percentage of iron deposition in cortex and hippocampus decreased (P<0.01), the mitochondrial structure was normal in tendency; the levels of Fe²⁺ and MDA, as well as the mean fluorescence intensity of ROS were reduced (P<0.05), while the level of GSH rose (P<0.01); the mRNA and protein expression of GPX4 and SLC7411 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), and that of p53 reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture can alleviate neurological damage in CIRI rats, which is obtained probably by inhibiting ferroptosis through p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Rats ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics* ; Brain Ischemia/metabolism* ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Humans ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Acupuncture Points ; Amino Acid Transport System y+/genetics*

This article introduces the clinical experience of Professor WANG Jihong in treatment of post-stroke hypermyotonia with Lai's tongyuan therapy (therapy for removing obstruction and consolidating vital essence). Regarding the pathogenesis of this disease, Professor WANG Jihong emphasizes a "trinity" approach, "the mind disturbed, qi and blood unbalanced, and yuan (vital essence) not consolidated". In treatment, "the unblocking, conducting and nourishing are taken as the fundamental" to "prevent from over-dredging, balancing yin and yang, and avoiding over-replenishing". In clinical practice, the combined measure is adopted with acupuncture, tuina and herbal medicine. In acupuncture, the acupoints are selected according to the front-back combination of the points of the conception vessel and the governor vessel (basic prescription: Yintang [GV24⁺], Baihui [GV20] and Niesanzhen; prescription for promoting the governor vessel: Dazhui (GV14), Jinsuo [GV8], Xinshu [BL15], Pishu [BL20] and etc.; and the prescription for consolidating the vital essence: Danzhong (CV17), Zhongwan [CV12], Tianshu [ST25], Qihai [CV6]) and etc., as well as those on the four limbs for "opening, closing and pivoting of yin and yang" (on the upper limbs of the affected side: Jiquan [HT1], Jianyu [LI15], Quchi [LI11], Quze [PC3] and etc.; on the lower limbs of the affected side: Huantiao [GB30], Liangqiu [ST34], Xuehai [SP10], Yanglingquan [GB34]) and etc. The above points co-act on regulating the conception vessel and the governor vessel, and balancing yin and yang. Tuina is delivered on the governor vessel, the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang and wind points on the area between the head and nape, so as to promote the governor vessel, benefit the orifices, strengthen the spine and relax tendons. Herbal medicine works on nourishing the liver to soften tendons, nourishing blood to remove wind, regulating qi to replenish the spleen, consolidating the root to cultivate the vital essence, activating blood circulation to unblock meridians, and removing stasis to resolve phlegm. Tongyuan therapy provides a certain instruction in treatment of post-stroke hypermyotonia.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Stroke/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Adult

BACKGROUND: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the predominant form of chronic liver disease worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the proportion and characteristics of MAFLD within the general Chinese population and to identify the contributory risk factors for liver fibrosis among MAFLD individuals. METHODS: The participants were recruited from a cohort undergoing routine health evaluations at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between May 2019 and March 2023. The diagnosis of MAFLD was based on the established clinical practice guidelines. The fibrosis-4 index score (FIB-4) was employed to evaluate hepatic fibrosis, with a FIB-4 score of ≥1.3 indicating significant fibrosis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors associated with significant hepatic fibrosis in MAFLD. RESULTS: A total of 22,970 participants who underwent comprehensive medical examinations were included in the analysis. The overall proportion of MAFLD was 28.77% (6608/22,970), with 16.87% (1115/6608) of these patients showing significant fibrosis as assessed using FIB-4. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients were male (odds ratio [OR] = 0.676, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.558-0.821), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (OR = 2.611, 95% CI: 1.557-4.379), body mass index ≥23.00 kg/m 2 (OR = 0.632, 95% CI: 0.470-0.851), blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg (OR = 1.885, 95% CI: 1.564-2.272), and plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L (OR = 1.815, 95% CI: 1.507-2.186) (all P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of MAFLD in an urban Chinese population is 28.77%. About 16.87% of MAFLD patients presented with significant liver fibrosis. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients should be noticed.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Fatty Liver/pathology* ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Logistic Models ; Urban Population ; East Asian People