Background/Aims: Lenvatinib resistance remains a critical barrier in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. However, the underlying mechanisms and strategies for reversing resistance remain incompletely understood. Methods: Integrated transcriptomics of lenvatinib-resistant patient tumors and an acquired-resistance murine model identified a novel macrophage subpopulation. Functional validation employed CRISPR-SAM screening, conditioned medium (CM) assays, subcutaneous/orthotopic xenografts, patient-derived organoids (PDOs), and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). Mechanistic studies included ChIP-qPCR, co-immunoprecipitation, and pharmacologic targeting. Clinical relevance was assessed in a retrospective cohort. Results: Resistant HCC exhibited significant enrichment of a COLEC12high TAM subset , which correlated with poor survival and treatment response. These TAMs secreted neuregulin-1 (NRG1) , activating HER2/HER3-AKT signaling in tumor cells to drive cancer stemness and lenvatinib resistance. Mechanistically, in TAMs COLEC12 sequestered STAT1 in the cytoplasm, preventing its phosphorylation, and thereby derepressing STAT3-mediated NRG1 transcription. Depletion of NRG1 reversed the stemness phenotypes and resensitized tumors to lenvatinib both in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, high NRG1 expression predicted an inferior lenvatinib response and shorter survival. Crucially, the bispecific anti-HER2/HER3 antibody zenocutuzumab restored lenvatinib efficacy in PDOs, PDXs, and murine models. Conclusions Our work establishes the COLEC12high TAM/NRG1 axis as a master regulator of therapeutic resistance and identifies NRG1 as a predictive biomarker, providing a clinically actionable strategy to overcome lenvatinib resistance in HCC.

Background and Aims:Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery(OBCS)integrates oncologic and plastic surgical techniques and includes two primary approaches:volume displacement and volume replacement.The pedicled lateral thoracic artery perforator(LTAP)flap is a commonly used technique for volume replacement.Although recent studies in China have confirmed its safety in OBCS,its patient-reported outcomes have not been systematically evaluated,and comparative data with volume displacement techniques remain lacking.Therefore,this study was performed to compare the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction of LTAP flap versus mammoplasty(volume displacement)in OBCS,to inform surgical decision-making.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted,including 106 patients with unilateral stage 0-Ⅲ breast cancer who underwent OBCS at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2023 to June 2024.Patients were divided into the LTAP flap group(27 cases)and the mammoplasty group(79 cases)based on the surgical technique.Intraoperative variables,cosmetic outcomes,postoperative complications,and Breast-Q scores before and after surgery were compared between the two groups.Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in clinicopathological characteristics or preoperative Breast-Q scores(all P>0.05).The LTAP group had longer operative times,larger excised tissue volumes,and greater postoperative drainage volumes(all P<0.001).Postoperative cosmetic outcomes were significantly better in the LTAP group,with a higher rate of excellent-to-good cosmetic results(88.9%vs.57.3%)and higher Breast-Q scores in breast satisfaction,psychosocial well-being,and physical well-being(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences in complication rates or local recurrence between the two groups(all P>0.05).Conclusion:In OBCS,the LTAP flap demonstrates comparable safety to mammoplasty while achieving superior cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction.It is particularly suitable for patients with small breast volumes requiring large tissue excision and holds promise for broader clinical application.

The catalytic activity of 3-mercaptopyruvate (3MP) sulfurtransferase (MPST) converts 3MP to hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). However, the regulatory mechanisms governing MPST and its impact on the brain remain largely unexplored. Our study reveals the neuroprotective role of endothelial MPST-generated H₂S, regulated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Bioinformatics analysis and RNA sequencing demonstrated that endothelial PP2A is associated with neurodegenerative disease pathways. Cerebral ischemic mice exhibited significant inactivation of endothelial PP2A, evidenced by the reduction of PP2Acα in the brain endothelium. Mice with endothelium-specific null PP2A (PP2A^EC-cKO) exhibited neuronal loss, cognitive dysfunction, and long-term potentiation deficits. Postnatal inactivation of endothelial PP2A also contributes to cognitive dysfunction and neuronal loss. However, regaining endothelial PP2A activity by overexpressing Ppp2ca rescued neuronal dysfunction. Mechanistically, PP2A deficiency is intricately linked to the MPST-H₂S signaling pathway. A robust reduction in endothelial MPST-dependent H₂S production followed PP2A deficiency. Exogenous H₂S treatment and AAV-mediated overexpression of MPST in brain endothelial cells significantly mitigated neuronal dysfunction in PP2A^EC-cKO mice. Furthermore, PP2A deficiency promotes an increase in calcium influx and calpain2 phosphorylation, subsequently leading to MPST degradation. The PP2A activator (FTY720) and MPST activator (3MP sodium) both remarkably restored endothelial MPST-dependent H₂S production, subsequently rescuing ischemia-induced neurological deficits. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that endothelial PP2A deficiency leads to MPST degradation by activating calpain2, thus damaging neuronal function.

Acetaminophen (APAP) is the primary cause of drug-induced acute liver failure. Ovarian tumor deubiquitinase 6A (OTUD6A), a recently discovered deubiquitinase of the OTU family, has been primarily studied in tumor contexts. However, its role in APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the involvement of OTUD6A in the pathogenesis of AILI. Our findings demonstrated a substantial upregulation of OTUD6A in both the liver tissue and isolated hepatocytes of mice following APAP stimulation. OTUD6A knockout exacerbated APAP-induced inflammation, hepatocyte necrosis, and liver injury, whereas OTUD6A overexpression alleviated these pathologies. Mechanistically, OTUD6A directly interacted with the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and selectively removed K48-linked polyubiquitin chains from EZH2, enhancing its stability. This resulted in increased protein levels of EZH2 and H3K27me3, as well as reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell death in hepatocytes. Collectively, our research uncovers a novel role for OTUD6A in mitigating APAP-induced liver injury by promoting EZH2 stabilization.

In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics. Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges. A two-dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometr (LC-MS) method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium (CMS). A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated. For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS, a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution (HR) mass spectrum database of CMS components was established. The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening. On this basis, the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned. The molecular formula, group composition, and origins of a total of 99 compounds, of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95% of CMS components, were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL. This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h, providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and severity of symptom burden among long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy, to identify core symptom clusters, and to explore their correlation with quality of life.Methods:A previous retrospective study was conducted by the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on patients with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients who were still alive as of December 2023 were further followed and analyzed. From December 2023 to August 2024, symptom burden and quality of life were assessed using the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory–Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis with Promax rotation) were used to identify symptom clusters. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between total symptom cluster scores and standardized domain scores of quality of life. Multivariate linear regression analysis was further employed to determine the relationship between identified symptom clusters and overall quality of life.Results:A total of 273 patients were included, with a median follow-up duration of 6.2 years (range: 3.5-14.5 years) and a median age of 61 years (range: 27-88 years) at follow-up. The top 5 incidence rates of symptom reported by patients were mucus problems in the mouth or throat (147 cases, 53.8%), dental or gum issues (143 cases, 52.4%), xerostomia (140 cases, 51.3%), difficulty swallowing or chewing (95 cases, 34.8%), and taste disturbance (79 cases, 28.9%). Among them, xerostomia was the most serious symptom. The most frequently reported interference was impact on work (including household chores) (55 cases, 20.1%). Exploratory factor analysis identified 3 symptom clusters: fatigue-nausea cluster, eating-voice cluster, and xerostomia-sleep cluster, all of which were significantly correlated with lower overall quality of life of patients (all P<0.001). Conclusion:Long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy experience substantial symptom burden. The fatigue-nausea, eating-voice, and xerostomia-sleep clusters are the core symptom clusters impacting quality of life.

In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics.Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges.A two-dimensional(2D)liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium(CMS).A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated.For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS,a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution(HR)mass spectrum database of CMS components was established.The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library(PCDL)software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening.On this basis,the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned.The molecular formula,group composition,and origins of a total of 99 compounds,of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95％of CMS components,were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL.This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h,providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application effects of the pedicled anterior intercostal artery perforator flap in breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From January to December 2023, 16 female breast cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria were hospitalized in the Department of Breast Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, with the age of (48±8) years. The pedicled anterior intercostal artery perforator flap was used for breast reconstruction of patients after breast-conserving surgery. After complete resection of tumor tissue, a "crescent-shaped" incision was designed at the inframammary fold. The pedicled anterior intercostal artery perforator flap was harvested based on the tumor location and the defect area after tumor removal. The flap was de-epithelialized, coapted, and rotated anterogradely or retrogradely to fill the defect. The donor site wound was closed with layered sutures. The following parameters were recorded: breast tissue loss volume during surgery, surgical duration, retention duration of the drainage tube, positive proportion of tumors in the breast incision margin tissue, breast loss ratio, flap survival, and incidence ratio of complications after operation. Patients were followed up for local recurrence or distant metastasis of tumor. At the last follow-up, the Ueda score was used to evaluate cosmetic outcomes of reconstructed breasts after breast-conserving surgery, and the Breast-Q scale version 2.0 was applied to assess patients' satisfaction and quality of life with breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery.Results:The breast tissue loss volume during surgery in this group of patients was 20-128 (59±34) cm3, the surgical duration was 105-200 (143±27) min, the retention duration of the drainage tube was 3-7 (4.6±1.0) d, and the positive proportion of tumors in the breast incision margin tissue was 1/16, with breast loss ratio of 0. After the surgery, the patient's transplanted flaps all survived. One patient had postoperative fat liquefaction in the surgical area, and the incidence ratio of postoperative complications was 1/16. The patients were followed up for 3-12 (11±4) months, and no local breast cancer recurrence or distant metastasis occurred. At the last follow-up, the cosmetic score of breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery were excellent in 6 cases, good in 8 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good ratio of 14/16. At the last follow-up, the highest score in the evaluation of patients' satisfaction with breast reconstruction and quality of life after breast-conserving surgery was the satisfaction with the surgeons, with a score of 59-100 (91±13), followed respectively by physiological health of the chest with a score of 60-100 (77±14), psychological health with a score of 35-100 (74±20), breast satisfaction with a score of 55-100 (73±13), satisfaction with information acquisition with a score of 53-100 (70±14), and sexual health with a score of 34-100 (70±23).Conclusions:The pedicled anterior intercostal artery perforator flap is safe and reliable for breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer, and can achieve high cosmetic effects and patient satisfaction. This flap is simple in design, easy to operate and highly reproducible, and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To evaluate the lung ultrasound characteristics of mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children and to investigate the value of lung ultrasound monitoring in clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 62 children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to Xi'an Chest Hospital from 7 November to 30 November 2023 was performed，and the characteristic parameters of bedside lung ultrasound and their related clinical data were collected. Pathological lung ultrasound features such as interrupted pleural line，well-spaced B-lines，coalescent B-lines，small subpleural patchy pulmonary consolidation，large pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion in 12 scan areas of both lungs were observed. The maximum upper and lower diameters，right and left diameters，and anterior and posterior diameters of the large pulmonary consolidations were measured，and the changes in the above signs before and after treatment were measured and compared.Results:In sixty-two children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia，including 32 males and 30 females，with a mean age of（8.18 ± 2.05）years old and a mean hospital stay of（8.79 ± 2.93）days，lung ultrasound showed interrupted pleural line，well-spaced B-lines，coalescent B-lines，small subpleural patchy pulmonary consolidation，large pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion，with the incidence of 93.5%（58 /62），33.9%（21/62），32.3%（20/62），59.7%（37/62），66.1%（41/62）and 17.7%（11/62），respectively，in which the large pulmonary consolidations presented rich blood supply were more common in the L6 and L4 areas，while the pleural effusions were more common in the L6 area.The signs of interrupted pleural line，coalescent B-lines，large pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion were significantly improved after treatment compared with before treatment（all P<0.05）. The upper and lower diameters，left and right diameters，and anterior and posterior diameters of large pulmonary consolidations were significantly reduced after treatment compared with before treatment［（4.19 ± 2.42）cm vs.（2.84 ± 2.31）cm， t=2.613， P=0.011；（2.80 ± 1.82）cm vs.（1.96 ± 1.62）cm， t=2.226， P=0.029；（3.41 ± 2.11）cm vs.（2.12 ± 1.82）cm， t=2.972， P=0.004］.With the process of treatment，the dynamic observation of lung ultrasound showed that the well-spaced B-lines/coalescent B-lines gradually decreased until they completely disappeared or a small number of B-lines remained，and the area of the large pulmonary consolidation showed a dynamic downward trend（all P<0.001），and the area of large pulmonary consolidations gradually decreased until they completely disappeared or only small subpleural patchy pulmonary consolidations and well-spaced/coalescent B-lines remained，and at the same time，the pleural effusion gradually absorbed until it disappeared. Conclusions:Lung ultrasound can detect the distribution area of lung lesions，morphology and blood supply characteristics of children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia，as well as the dynamic changes after treatment，and lung ultrasound can dynamically monitor and evaluate the progression and regression of the disease in real time，providing a reliable imaging evidence for clinical practice.