Endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) offers substantial advantages in the management of degenerative spinal diseases, including accelerated postoperative recovery. However, its technical complexity and steep learning curve pose risks for nerve root injury. Optimizing nerve root protection in full-endoscopic facet-sparing TLIF (FE fs-TLIF) and full-endoscopic facet-resecting TLIF (FE fr-TLIF) is essential for enhancing surgical safety. This study aimed to improve the nerve root protection in FE fs-TLIF and FE fr-TLIF by optimizing cage glider selection and insertion techniques based on the specific cage shape—banana-shaped or bullet-shaped. The goal was to ensure safe cage positioning and mitigate nerve root injury during discectomy, endplate preparation, and cage insertion. These strategies were validated through cadaveric simulations and clinical implementation. In FE fr-TLIF utilizing bullet-shaped (straight) cages, one-tip and two-tip cage gliders effectively protected the traversing nerve root by facilitating medial cage entry, thereby minimizing irritation of the exiting nerve root. Conversely, in FE fr-TLIF with banana-shaped cages, the lateral tilt of the cage holder during implantation required the use of a two-tip cage glider to protect the traversing and exiting nerve roots, thereby mitigating the potential risk of nerve irritation. In FE fs-TLIF, a one-tip cage glider is preferred for safeguarding the exiting nerve root, while the traversing root is inherently protected by the medial wall of the facet joint. The use of a two-tip cage glider in FE fs-TLIF can cause injury to the nerve root during glider insertion. In addition to the selection of cage gliders, improper cage insertion steps can also contribute to postoperative neurapraxia. The appropriate selection of cage gliders with corresponding insertion techniques is critical for nerve root protection in endoscopic TLIF. Tailoring these choices to the specific approach (FE fs-TLIF or FE fr-TLIF) and cage type (banana or bullet) enhances surgical safety and clinical outcomes.

ObjectiveTo validate the therapeutic effect of Yinqi Sanhuang Jiedu decoction （YQSH） on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄）-induced liver fibrosis and to investigate its correlations with the Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 （Piezo1）-Yes-associated protein （YAP） mechanical signaling axis and macrophage polarization. MethodsFifty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomized into a blank control group， a 4-week model group， a 6-week model group， a 8-week model group， a positive drug （silymarin， 55 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （8.325， 16.65， 33.3 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） YQSH groups. Except the 6-week model group （n=12）， each of the other groups had 6 mice. Mice in other groups except the blank control group received intraperitoneal injections of 10% CCl₄ twice weekly for the modeling of liver fibrosis. Drug interventions began one week after the initial modeling through gavage， and the blank control and model groups received 0.2 mL of normal saline via gavage. The histopathological changes and collagen deposition in the liver were observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE）， Masson's trichrome， and Sirius red staining. Serum activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， as well as serum levels of total protein （TP）， albumin （ALB）， total bilirubin （TBIL）， hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen type Ⅲ （PCⅢ）， and collagen type Ⅳ （Ⅳ-C）， were measured. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in the liver tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein and mRNA levels of Piezo1 and YAP1 in the liver tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry （IHC） and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， respectively. Co-localization of Piezo1 with YAP1， and YAP1 with inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） was observed by the immunofluorescence （IF） assay. The proportions of M1-type （F4/80⁺CD80⁺） and M2-type （F4/80⁺CD206⁺） macrophages in the liver tissue were examined by flow cytometry. Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analyses and gene set enrichment analysis （GSEA） were performed through transcriptomic sequencing. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited gradually worsened liver fibrosis at the 4^th， 6^th， and 8^th weeks. The 6- and 8-week model groups showcased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in the liver （P<0.01） and upregulated protein levels of both Piezo1 and YAP1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model groups， treatment with YQSH improved the liver function （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alleviated liver fibrosis （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced intrahepatic inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the treatment downregulated the protein and mRNA levels of Piezo1 and YAP1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased the ratio of CD80 （M1-type）/CD206 （M2-type） macrophage proteins （P<0.01）. The IF assay showed co-localization of YAP1 with Piezo1 and iNOS. Compared with the model groups， YQSH treatment downregulated the expression of Piezo1， YAP1， and iNOS （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the anti-liver fibrosis effect of YQSH may be related to the Hippo signaling pathway （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe anti-liver fibrosis effect of YQSH may be related to its inhibition of the Piezo1-YAP signaling axis and regulation of macrophage polarization.

ObjectiveTo validate the therapeutic effect of Yinqi Sanhuang Jiedu decoction （YQSH） on a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄）-induced liver fibrosis and to investigate its correlations with the Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel component 1 （Piezo1）-Yes-associated protein （YAP） mechanical signaling axis and macrophage polarization. MethodsFifty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomized into a blank control group， a 4-week model group， a 6-week model group， a 8-week model group， a positive drug （silymarin， 55 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （8.325， 16.65， 33.3 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） YQSH groups. Except the 6-week model group （n=12）， each of the other groups had 6 mice. Mice in other groups except the blank control group received intraperitoneal injections of 10% CCl₄ twice weekly for the modeling of liver fibrosis. Drug interventions began one week after the initial modeling through gavage， and the blank control and model groups received 0.2 mL of normal saline via gavage. The histopathological changes and collagen deposition in the liver were observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE）， Masson's trichrome， and Sirius red staining. Serum activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， as well as serum levels of total protein （TP）， albumin （ALB）， total bilirubin （TBIL）， hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen type Ⅲ （PCⅢ）， and collagen type Ⅳ （Ⅳ-C）， were measured. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in the liver tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein and mRNA levels of Piezo1 and YAP1 in the liver tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry （IHC） and Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， respectively. Co-localization of Piezo1 with YAP1， and YAP1 with inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） was observed by the immunofluorescence （IF） assay. The proportions of M1-type （F4/80⁺CD80⁺） and M2-type （F4/80⁺CD206⁺） macrophages in the liver tissue were examined by flow cytometry. Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analyses and gene set enrichment analysis （GSEA） were performed through transcriptomic sequencing. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited gradually worsened liver fibrosis at the 4^th， 6^th， and 8^th weeks. The 6- and 8-week model groups showcased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in the liver （P<0.01） and upregulated protein levels of both Piezo1 and YAP1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model groups， treatment with YQSH improved the liver function （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alleviated liver fibrosis （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced intrahepatic inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the treatment downregulated the protein and mRNA levels of Piezo1 and YAP1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered the levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased the ratio of CD80 （M1-type）/CD206 （M2-type） macrophage proteins （P<0.01）. The IF assay showed co-localization of YAP1 with Piezo1 and iNOS. Compared with the model groups， YQSH treatment downregulated the expression of Piezo1， YAP1， and iNOS （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the anti-liver fibrosis effect of YQSH may be related to the Hippo signaling pathway （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe anti-liver fibrosis effect of YQSH may be related to its inhibition of the Piezo1-YAP signaling axis and regulation of macrophage polarization.

With the rapid development of bioscience and biotechnology， xenotransplantation offers a new possibility for alleviating organ shortage， yet it also faces numerous ethical challenges. This paper discussed the major ethical issues involved in the clinical research of xenotransplantation， including the assessment of risk-benefit ratio， animal ethics， the particularity of informed consent， equity， conflicts in social ethical concepts， and other aspects. It was proposed that carrying out xenotransplantation clinical research requires comprehensive consideration of various factors. That is， it is necessary to adhere to the principle of “strict management and prudent development” while strengthening whole-process safety control， improve the relevant legal and regulatory system while building a full-chain supervision framework， establish and perfect ethical review committees while reinforcing the multi-level review and supervision mechanism， enhance animal welfare protection while following the ethical principle of reduction， replacement， and refinement， optimize the informed consent procedure while implementing continuous and dynamic informed consent， promote coordinated global governance while popularizing public science education， to ensure that the clinical research of xenotransplantation advances steadily on an ethically and morally sound track.

Objective To observe the value of ultrashort echo time(UTE)-MRI for evaluating pulmonary nodules.Methods Totally 58 patients with pulmonary nodules detected with CT were prospectively enrolled,and UTE-MRI was performed.Taken CT as the referent standard,the value of UTE-MRI for evaluating the diameter,composition,lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)type and radiographic signs of pulmonary nodules was analyzed.Results CT detected 66 pulmonary nodules with a diameter of(11.60±5.20)mm in 58 patients,including 29 solid nodules,24 partially solid nodules and 13 ground-glass nodules.There were 14 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 17 type 4X lung nodules,among which 12 were found with lobulated sign,and 14 were found with spiculated sign.UTE-MRI detected 63 nodules with a diameter of(11.34±4.82)mm,including 25 solid nodules,28 partially solid nodules and 10 ground-glass nodules.There were 12 Lung-RADS type 2,12 type 3,12 type 4A,11 type 4B and 16 type 4X lung nodules.Among which 10 nodules were found with lobulated sign and 11 were found with spiculated sign.No significant difference of the measured diameters of lung nodules was found between UTE-MRI and CT(P=0.803),and the results of UTE-MRI and CT had good correlation and consistency(rs=0.953,ICC=0.946),which also had good consistency for assessing nodule composition and Lung-RADS type(Kappa=0.871,0.960).Meanwhile,no significant difference of the display rates of lobulated nor spiculated signs was noticed between UTE-MRI and CT(both P＞0.05).Conclusion UTE-MRI was helpful for evaluating pulmonary nodules,with efficacy comparable to CT.

Objective:To analyze the applied effect of artificial intelligence(AI)rehabilitation system combined with telemedicine platform in individualized rehabilitation treatment for patients with long-term coma,so as to realize individual management for them.Methods:An AI rehabilitation system that aimed to patients with long-term coma was designed by integrating data of multimodal sensors included inertial sensor,image sensor and bioelectric sensor.A telemedicine platform,which included seven modules(patient management,consultation management,video communication,data transmission,electronic medical records,cost management and system maintenance),was designed by using a browser/server(B/S)architecture.The changes of patients'condition were followed up,and the full process of the management for rehabilitation treatment and the individualization of treatment plan were realized.A total of 60 inpatients whose coma duration exceeded 28 days were selected from the Coma Awakening Center of Dongguan Shipai Hospital between October 1,2021 and September 30,2022.They were randomly divided into control group(n=30)and observation group(n=30)by random number table.The control group received physical therapy and rehabilitation training based on evaluation results of rehabilitation,while the observation group adopted AI rehabilitation system combined with the telemedicine platform to conduct intervention.The consciousness levels,quality of life,hospital stay duration and treatment costs of two group were compared after intervention.Results:The Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)scores,Coma Recovery Scale-Revised(CRS-R)scores,and Persistent Vegetative State(PVS)scores of two groups after intervention were significantly higher than those before intervention,and these indicators of observation group were significantly higher than them of control group after intervention,and the differences were significant(t=7.187,15.586,9.293,P<0.05),respectively.There were not significant differences in Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS)scores and Activities of Daily Living(ADL)scores between two groups before intervention(P>0.05),and these scores of two groups were significantly increased after intervention,and these scores of observation group were significantly higher than them of control group after intervention,and the differences were significant(t=7.584,6.755,P<0.05).Additionally,the hospital stay duration and treatment costs of observation group were significantly less than those of control group,and the differences were significant(t=20.965,9.503,P<0.05).Conclusion:The intervention of AI rehabilitation system combines with a telemedicine platform on patients with long-term coma can enhance GCS,CRS-R,PVS,GOS and ADL scores,and reduce hospital stay duration and treatment cost.

BACKGROUND:Endoplasmic reticulum stress is closely associated with the occurrence and progression of osteoarthritis,but the key genes and regulatory mechanisms remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:Utilizing bioinformatics to identify crucial endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes in osteoarthritis,followed by experimental validation in cell models,aiming to offer new strategies for the prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis from the perspective of endoplasmic reticulum stress.METHODS:Osteoarthritis-related dataset GSE55235 was downloaded from the GEO database.Differential genes in synovial tissue of osteoarthritis were obtained through WGCNA machine learning algorithm and intersected with endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes from the GeneCard database to acquire differential endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes in osteoarthritis(ERSDEGs).These genes underwent GO and KEGG enrichment analysis,construction of a protein-protein interaction network,and validation of diagnostic efficiency in external datasets.Human primary synovioblast model of osteoarthritis was constructed.The control group was not treated,and the experimental group received 20 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide to simulate osteoarthritic synoviocyte modeling.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was then performed to validate the expression level of each differential gene followed by immune infiltration analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 27 key endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes in osteoarthritis were identified.GO enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were mainly enriched in collagen metabolism,chemokine,antigen binding,and immunoglobulin receptor binding processes.KEGG analysis indicated that they were mainly enriched in pathways such as rheumatoid arthritis and relaxin signaling pathways.The protein-protein interaction network was constructed,and the top five genes with the highest scores were identified using the Degree algorithm in Cytoscape software,including matrix metallopeptidase 1,tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11,matrix metallopeptidase 9,collagen type 1 alpha 1,and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 12.Immune infiltration analysis showed that immune cells were mainly distributed in M2 macrophages,chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 12 showed a significant positive correlation with resting mast cells(r=0.70,P＜0.001)and a significant negative correlation with resting memory CD4+T cells(r=-0.72,P＜0.001).Matrix metallopeptidase 9 showed a significant positive correlation with MO macrophages(r=0.94,P＜0.001).Collagen type 1 alpha 1 was significantly positively correlated with resting NK cells(r=0.77,P＜0.001)and MO macrophages(r=0.76,P＜0.001).Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis in external datasets GSE77298 and GSE1919 showed that the five key genes had good disease prediction value.In vitro cell experiments demonstrated significant differences in the expression levels of matrix metallopeptidase 1,tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11,matrix metallopeptidase 9,and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 12 in the osteoarthritic cell model compared to the control group.These results showed that the key genes related to endoplasmic reticulum stress in osteoarthritis,including matrix metallopeptidase 1,tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11,matrix metallopeptidase 9,and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 12,influence the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis through the links of collagen degradation and immune regulation,which are expected to provide new insights into the targeted treatment of osteoarthritis.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of pediatric tumors with DICER1 mutations.Methods:A total of 90 patients diagnosed with various types of pediatric tumors at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China from July 2023 to September 2025 were included in this study. PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing were performed to detect the coding-region mutations of the DICER1 gene. The clinical, histopathological, and molecular genetic features of the cases with DICER1 mutation were then analyzed.Results:Among the 90 patients, 39 were male and 51 were female, with an age of onset ranging from 1 month to 17 years [median 7.13 (2.77, 10.37) years]. DICER1 mutations were detected in 37 patients (37/90, 41.1%). Among them, 9 cases harbored one mutation [6 pleuropulmonary blastomas (PPBs), 2 sex cord stromal tumors (SCSTs), and 1 cystic nephroma (CN)], 27 cases carried two mutations [10 PPBs, 3 anaplastic sarcomas of the kidney (ASKs), 3 SCSTs, 3 thyroid adenoma, 2 nodular thyroid goiters, 2 thyroid follicular lesions, 2 CN, 1 embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and 1 case with multiple primary tumors], and 1 case exhibited three mutations (bilateral ASKs). Despite variations in the site of origin, DICER1-mutant tumors shared several morphological features. Grossly, they presented as multilocular cystic, cystic-solid to solid masses. Microscopically, they exhibited a subepithelial layer of mesenchymal cells, with focal rhabdomyoblastic/chondroid/chondrosarcomatous differentiation, as well as cellular anaplasia. Germline testing using peripheral blood in the 31 patients with DICER1 mutation confirmed germline origin in 61.3% (19/31) of them. Parental analysis ( n=12) demonstrated genetic inheritance in 8 cases, predominantly from families with tumor history. Germline variants scattered throughout DICER1 and consisted of loss-of-function mutations (nonsense, frameshift, and splice-site). Somatic mutations showed distinct clustering in exons 24 and 25 hotspots (codons 1705, 1709, 1809, 1810 and 1813), primarily missense variants. Notably, one multiple primary tumor case harbored a somatic mosaic p.E1705K mutation. Conclusions:DICER1 mutations are frequently detected in pediatric PPB, CN, SCST, ASK, nodular thyroid goiter, thyroid adenoma, and genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma, which often represent as the index case of DICER1 syndrome. Performing DICER1 mutation testing in these patients not only facilitates tumor diagnosis and secondary cancer surveillance, but also enables the comprehensive genetic risk assessment and management for patient′s family members.

Objective To explore the biological behavior and mechanism of isovitexin(Isov)on pancreatic cancer cells.Methods Isov was used to treat the human normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells HPDE and PC cell lines,and CCK-8 was used to detect the cell proliferation and calculate the half inhibitory concentration(IC50).The PC cell line PANC-1 cells were grouped into the control group,the Isov group,the Isov+in-miR-NC group,the Isov+in-miR-339-5p group,the Isov+in-miR-339-5p+si-NC group and the Isov+in-miR-339-5p+si-HSPA8 group.The survival,migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells were detected by CCK-8,scratch healing assay and Transwell assay.Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of miR-339-5p and heat shock protein family A member 8(HSPA8)in PANC-1 cells.Western blot assay was used to detect protein HSPA8 expression in various groups of cells.Dual luciferase reporter gene was used to detect the targeting effect of miR-339-5p and HSPA8.A xenograft nude mouse model was used to determine the in vivo anticancer effects of Isov.Results Isov inhibited PC cell proliferation but had little cytotoxicity to HPDE cells.Isov could obviously reduce the survival rate and scratch healing rate of PANC-1 cells,reduce the number of invasive cells,up-regulate miR-339-5p expression and down-regulate HSPA8 mRNA and protein levels(P＜0.05),while these effects were blocked by down-regulated miR-339-5p(P＜0.05).In addition,HSPA8 was the target gene of miR-339-5p,and knockdown of HSPA8 reversed the regulatory effect of Isov on the malignant biological behavior of PANC-1 cells.In vivo studies confirmed that after Isov treatment,the tumor volume and weight of nude mice decreased,the expression of miR-339-5p was increased and the expression of HSPA8 mRNA was decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Isov may inhibit the proliferation,migration and invasion of PC cells through the miR-339-5p/HSPA8 axis.

BACKGROUND: The use of inserted sham acupuncture as a placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is controversial, because it may produce specific effects that cause an underestimation of the effect of acupuncture treatment. OBJECTIVE: This systematic survey investigates the magnitude of insert-specific effects of sham acupuncture and whether they affect the estimation of acupuncture treatment effects. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify acupuncture RCTs from their inception until December 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: RCTs that evaluated the effects of acupuncture compared to sham acupuncture and no treatment. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: The total effect measured for an acupuncture treatment group in RCTs were divided into three components, including the natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (controlled for no-treatment group), the placebo effect, and the specific effect of acupuncture. The first two constituted the contextual effect of acupuncture, which is mimicked by a sham acupuncture treatment group. The proportion of acupuncture total effect size was considered to be 1. The proportion of natural history and/or regression to the mean effect (PNE) and proportional contextual effect (PCE) of included RCTs were pooled using meta-analyses with a random-effect model. The proportion of acupuncture placebo effect was the difference between PCE and PNE in RCTs with non-inserted sham acupuncture. The proportion of insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture (PIES) was obtained by subtracting the proportion of acupuncture placebo effect and PNE from PCE in RCTs with inserted sham acupuncture. The impact of PIES on the estimation of acupuncture's treatment effect was evaluated by quantifying the percentage of RCTs that the effect of outcome changed from no statistical difference to statistical difference after removing PIES in the included studies, and the impact of PIES was externally validated in other acupuncture RCTs with an inserted sham acupuncture group that were not used to calculate PIES. RESULTS: This analysis included 32 studies with 5492 patients. The overall PNE was 0.335 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.255-0.415) and the PCE of acupuncture was 0.639 (95% CI, 0.567-0.710) of acupuncture's total effect. The proportional contribution of the placebo effect to acupuncture's total effect was 0.191, and the PIES was 0.189. When we modeled the exclusion of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, the acupuncture treatment effect changed from no difference to a significant difference in 45.45% of the included RCTs, and in 40.91% of the external validated RCTs. CONCLUSION The insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture in RCTs represents 18.90% of acupuncture's total effect and significantly affects the evaluation of the acupuncture treatment effect. More than 40% of RCTs that used inserted sham acupuncture would draw different conclusions if the PIES had been controlled for. Considering the impact of the insert-specific effect of sham acupuncture, caution should be taken when using inserted sham acupuncture placebos in RCTs. Please cite this article as: Luo XC, Liu JL, Yao MH, Chen YM, Fan AY, Liang FR, Zhao JP, Zhao L, Zhou X, Zhong XY, Yang JH, Li B, Zhang Y, Sun X, Li L. Specific effect of inserted sham acupuncture and its impact on the estimation of acupuncture treatment effect in randomized controlled trials: A systematic survey. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):630-640.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Placebo Effect ; Placebos ; Treatment Outcome