To report diagnosis and treatment of a patient with rectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases, accompanied by severe coronary artery stenosis and cardiac insufficiency, and to provide a reference for clinical decision-making in such cases through introducing the treatment contradiction, the choice of systemic treatment plan and the timing of operation, and the final outcome. After definitive diagnosis, the patient received systemic therapy with cetuximab＋irinotecan＋oxaliplatin＋raltitrexed, and along with oral medication to improve cardiac function, followed by elective coronary revascularization. After revascularization, the cardiac function of patient was fully improved. And the tumor lesion was effectively controlled after antitumor therapy. Once the cardiac condition of patient stabilized, two-stage surgical resection of the primary rectal cancer and liver metastases was performed, ultimately achieving tumor-free status, and discharged.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma and Chuanxiong Rhizoma on rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes （RA-FLSs） and the underlying mechanism. MethodsRA-FLSs were grouped as follows： blank control， positive control （methotrexate）， Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components， Chuanxiong Rhizoma components， and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The cell-counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was employed to the cell proliferation， invasion， and apoptosis. The levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-6， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and malondiadehyde （MDA） in cells were measured. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） p65， phosphorylated inhibitory subunit of NF-κBα （p-IκBα）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and NF-κB p65. ResultsThe cells in the groups of positive control， Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components， Chuanxiong Rhizoma components， and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma were treated with 2.50 mg·L^-1 methotrexate， 0.20 mg·L^-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L^-1 celastrol， 5.00 mg·L^-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L^-1 ligustrazine， 0.20 mg·L^-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L^-1 celastrol + 5.00 mg·L^-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L^-1 ligustrazine， respectively. Compared with the blank control group， drug administration reduced the proliferation and invasion and increased the apoptosis of cells （P<0.01）， lowered the levels of TNF-α， IL-6， ROS， and MDA （P<0.01）， up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Caspase-3， Nrf2， and HO-1 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2， NF-κB p65， and p-IκBα （P<0.01）. Compared with the Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components group， the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma inhibited the proliferation and invasion （P<0.05） and promoted the apoptosis of RA-FLSs， up-regulated the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and protein levels of Nrf2 and Caspase-3 （P<0.05）， and down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe combination of components from Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma can inhibit the proliferation and invasion and promote the apoptosis of RA-FLSs and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway， activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway， and regulating the expression of Bcl-2/Caspase-3.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Naoqingtong decoction （NQT） on the kidney damage and the inflammatory factors NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs）. MethodsTwenty-four SHRs were randomized into a model group， a low-dose （12.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1） NQT （NQT-L） group， a high-dose （25.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1） NQT group （NQT-H）， and a captopril （CTP， 20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） group， with 6 rats in each group. In addition， 6 homozygous male Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the control group. The control and model groups were administrated with the same amount of normal saline by gavage for 8 weeks. General behaviors of rats were observed during the intervention period， and the blood pressure was measured periodically. At the end of intervention， the body mass was weighed， and both kidneys were collected and weighed for the calculation of the renal index. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the kidney tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were employed to determine the expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in the kidney tissue. ResultsDuring the experiment period， the control group had normal mental status， food intake， and activity， while the model group showed thinning of hair， loss of luster， reduced activity， loss of appetite， fecal adhesion， and irritability， and some of the skin had scratches or blood scabs. The above symptoms were alleviated to different degrees after 8 weeks of NQT administration. An intelligent non-invasive sphygmomanometer was used to measure the tail artery pressure of rats， which showed that the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of rats in the model group was higher than that in the control group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， drug interventions lowered the systolic and diastolic blood pressure （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the model group showed severe pathological damage in the kidney tissue， which was alleviated in each drug intervention group. Compared with the control group， the model group showed up-regulated expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in the kidney tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the drug intervention groups showed down-regulated expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in the kidney tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionNQT can lower the blood pressure in SHRs by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes， suppressing renal inflammation， and ameliorating hypertensive kidney damage.

Objective:To discuss the effects of kallikrein 5(KLK5)overexpression on the proliferation,invasion and cisplatin(DDP)sensitivity of cervical cancer cells,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:Western blotting method was used to verify the stable transfection and overexpression of KLK5 in the cervical cancer cell(ME180-OE-KLK5).The cervical cancer ME180-NC-KLK5 and ME180-OE-KLK5 cells in logarithmic growth phase were subcutaneously inoculated into the nude mice to establish the subcutaneous xenograft models.After successful modeling,the mice were randomly divided into normal saline control group(NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group),DDP treatment group(NC-KLK5+DDP group),KLK5 overexpression group(OE-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group)and KLK5 overexpression combined with DDP group(OE-KLK5+DDP group),with 5 mice in each group.The nude mice in NC-KLK5+DDP group and OE-KLK5+DDP group were given intraperitoneal injection of DDP at a dose of 5 mng·kg-1;the nude mice in NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group and OE-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group were given intraperitoneal injection of normal saline at a dose of 0.01 mL·g-1.The body weights of nude mice were measured every 2 d,and the long diameter and short diameter of the tumors were recorded to calculate the tumor volume and plot the tumor growth curve.At 24 h after the last administration on day 14,the nude mice were sacrificed,and the tumors were dissected and weighed.HE staining method was used to observe the pathomorphology of tumor tissue in the nude mice in various groups;immunohistochemistry staining method was used to observe the expression levels of KLK5,Ki67 and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)proteins in the tumor tissues of the nude mice in various groups.Results:Compared with ME180-NC-KLK5 cells,the expression level of KLK5 protein in ME180-OE-KLK5 cells was increased(P＜0.05).In the first week after subcutaneous xenograft inoculation,the nude mice in various groups showed good feeding and activity status,and their body weights gradually increased.The drug administration phase started from the second week.During the drug treatment period,the feeding and activity status as well as body weight of the nude mice in NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group showed no significant changes compared with the first week;compared with NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the nude mice in NC-KLK5+DDP group began to show loss of appetite,no increase in body weight,and decreased activity.During the drug treatment period in the third week,the feeding and activity status of the nude mice in NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group showed no significant changes compared with the second week,while they began to show no increase in body weight;compared with NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the feeding and activity status of the nude mice in NC-KLK5+DDP group were significantly weakened,and their body weights decreased.Compared with NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the volume of xenograft tumor in NC-KLK5+DDP group was decreased(P＜0.01);compared with NC-KLK5+DDP group,the volume of xenograft tumor OE-KLK5+DDP group was significantly increased(P＜0.001);compared with NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the volume of xenograft tumor of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group was increased(P＜0.001);compared with OE-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the volume of xenograft tumors in the nude mice in OE-KLK5+DDP group showed no statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).Compared with NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the weight of xenograft tumor of the nude mice in NC-KLK5+DDP group was decreased(P＜0.05);compared with NC-KLK5+DDP group,the weight of xenograft tumors of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+DDP group was significantly increased(P＜0.001);compared with NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the weight of xenograft tumor of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group was increased(P＜0.001);compared with OE-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the weight of xenograft tumors of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+DDP group showed no statistically significant difference(P＞0.05).Compared with NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the xenograft tumor cells of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group showed greater nuclear heterogeneity;the xenograft tumor cells of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+DDP group and NC-KLK5+DDP group showed cytomorphological changes,manifested as nuclear pyknosis and fragmentation,reduced cell volume,and the appearance of necrosis and apoptosis.Compared with NC-KLK5+DDP group,the degree of necrosis in xenograft tumor of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+DDP group was more pronounced.Compared with NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the expression levels of KLK5,Ki67 and MMP-9 proteins in xenograft tumor tissue of the nude mice in NC-KLK5+DDP group were decreased(P＜0.05);compared with NC-KLK5+DDP group,the expression levels of KLK5,Ki67,and MMP-9 proteins in xenograft tumor tissue of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+DDP group were increased(P＜0.001);compared with NC-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the expression levels of KLK5,Ki67 and MMP-9 proteins in xenograft tumor tissue of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group were increased(P＜0.001);compared with OE-KLK5+0.9％NaCl group,the expression levels of KLK5,Ki67 and MMP-9 in xenograft tumor tissue of the nude mice in OE-KLK5+DDP group showed no statistically significant differences(P＞0.05).Conclusion:KLK5 overexpression can promote the growth of subcutaneous xenograft tumors of cervical cancer ME 180 cells treated with DDP,up-regulate the expressions of Ki67 and MMP-9 in the xenograft tumor tissue,and reduce the sensitivity of the xenograft tumor to DDP.

Ultrasound technology has been applied in the biomedical field,particularly in drug delivery and cell processing.In this study,the effects of different ultrasound power levels(40 W to 100 W)and time durations(1 min,5 min,or 5 min discontinuously)on the morphology of human red blood cells(hRBCs)membranes were systematically investigated using cryo-electron tomography(Cryo-ET).The hRBCs membranes were firstly subjected to ultrasound at power levels of 40 W and 60 W for 5 min each.Cryo-ET observations revealed minimal morphological changes in the hRBCs membranes following the 40 W treatment,with the membrane structure remaining relatively intact and only minor undulations appearing on the membrane surface.These undulations might result from the mild mechanical stress induced by ultrasound,which was insufficient to disrupt the overall membrane structure.At power of 60 W,the hRBCs membranes largely preserved their structural integrity.When the ultrasonic power was increased to 80 W,the structural damage to the hRBCs membranes became more severe.Cryo-ET images showed irregular ruptures and larger pores on the membrane surface,indicating a significant compromise in membrane integrity.At ultrasound power of 100 W,the hRBCs membranes were completely disrupted,resulting in the formation of numerous membrane fragments,and a complete loss of membrane continuity.To further explore the effects of ultrasound duration on erythrocyte membrane morphology,the ultrasonic power was fixed at 100 W and the impacts of varying treatment durations(1 min,5 min,and intermittent ultrasound)on the membrane structure were systematically investigated.After 1 min of ultrasonic treatment,Cryo-ET images showed minimal changes in erythrocyte membrane morphology.Although some small pores and undulations appeared on the membrane surface,the overall structure remained relatively intact.As the ultrasound duration extended to 5 min,the degree of membrane damage increased significantly.Cryo-ET images revealed extensive rupture and detachment of the membrane,with continuity being severely compromised.As to treatment alternating 1 min of ultrasound with 1 min of rest,for a total of 5 min of ultrasound exposure,Cryo-ET observations showed the integrity of the membrane-cytoskeleton attachment remained.Under intermittent ultrasound treatment,although some pores and ruptures were observed on the membrane surface,the overall structure remained more intact compared to continuous ultrasonic treatment.This preservation might be due to the intermittent treatment providing buffer periods for the membrane,allowing partial recovery after mechanical stress,thereby reducing the cumulative damage caused by continuous ultrasound.This work provided experimental basis for further understanding of mechanism of ultrasound induced change of cell membrane and cytoskeleton.

Objective To evaluate the intravascular volume at different levels of edema and disease course by the fractional excretion of filtered sodium(FeNa)of children with primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS).Methods A total of 172 children with newly diagnosed PNS who were hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from September 2022 to September 2024 were selected and divided into non-e-dema group(n=51),mild edema group(n=43),moderate edema group(n=46)and severe edema group(n=32)according to the degree of edema at the time of admission.A total of 40 healthy children who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as the healthy control group.Serum creatinine,ser-um sodium were detected before and after treatment.Urine samples were collected to detect urine creatinine,urine sodium,FeNa was calculated and compared according to the results,and the degree of edema was recor-ded.24 h urine samples were collected on the same day to detect 24 h urine protein quantification and 24 h u-rine volume.Results On day 1 to 2 of the course of the disease,about 12%of the PNS children had FeNa<0.2%,indicating insufficient intravascular volume,which was mainly concentrated in the severe edema group.The moderate,severe edema group had a significantly lower FeNa level than the non-edema group,mild edema group,and healthy control group(P<0.01).The moderate edema group had a significant increase in FeNa on days 6 to 7 of the course of the disease,and the severe edema group had a significant increase in Fena on days 11 to 12 of the course of the disease(P<0.01).Conclusion Intravascular volume of PNS children with mod-erate to severe edema is often reduced,and intravascular volume may be insufficient in severe edema.PNS chil-dren with moderate to severe edema have increased intravascular volume with the extension of the course of disease and the improvement of the condition.

Objective:To investigate the effect of intestinal air cavity on dose distribution of volumetric intensity modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for cervical cancer.Methods:A total of 10 patients who underwent radiotherapy for cervical cancer at Suzhou Municipal Hospital from January to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. For each patient, the same optimization parameters were used to design both a normal full-arc plan and a field avoidance-region plan. The intestinal air cavity identified on computed tomography (CT) imaging was outlined as a separate structure. The dose distribution of the two plans were compared before and after changing the CT value (the electron density of the intestinal air cavity) to 0, using a paired t-test. Additionally, consecutive three-week cone beam CT (CBCT) images were collected for each patient. The intestinal air cavities from the three-week CBCT images were mapped onto the original CT, and the dose distributions of both plans were calculated on the CBCT images. The differences in dose distributions compared to the original plan were analyzed to assess plan robustness. Results:The 105% prescription dose coverage of the target volume ( V105) [(43.62±5.18)%)] within the target area for the field avoidance-region plan was greater than that for the normal full-arc plan [(36.38±10.20)%], with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). After modifying the electron density of the intestinal air cavity, the dose distribution in the target area worsened for both plans. However, the V100 and V105 for the field avoidance-region plan [(?0.64±0.58)%, (?2.16±1.66)%] were smaller than those for the normal full-arc plan [(?2.52±1.91)%, (?6.79±2.02)%], with a statistically significant difference (both P<0.05).The V30 for the small intestine in the field avoidance-region plan [(40.28±4.77)%] was lower than that in the normal full-arc plan [(42.63±4.82)%]. The V40 for the rectum [(61.70±15.39)%] and the V20 [(36.32±3.09)%, (35.06±5.32)%] and V30 [(17.76±3.05)%, (16.67±8.14)%] for the left and right femoral heads were higher than those in the normal full-arc plan {(59.72±15.13)%, [(31.36±3.97)%, (27.00±7.79%)] and [(12.99±4.55)%, (11.11±7.20)%]}, respectively, with a statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The changes in V105 on the weekly CBCT images [(3.27±2.91)%, (2.07±2.93)%, (2.14±2.08)%] and V100 on the second and third weeks′ images [(0.44±0.54)%, (0.54±0.50)%] for the field avoidance-region plan were smaller than those for the normal full-arc plan [(8.22±5.87)%, (5.31±3.97)%, (6.91±3.34)% and (1.70±1.53)%, (2.22±1.97)%], with a statistically significant difference (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The field avoidance-region plan demonstrates higher robustness and better small bowel protection than the normal full-arc plan. The influence of intestinal air cavities on dose distribution should be considered during VMAT planing for cervical cancer to guide optimal plan selection.

Objective To compare the oncologic safety, surgical efficacy, and aesthetic outcomes between conventional breast-conserving surgery and axillary single-port incision insufflation endoscopic breast-conserving surgery with mini-latissimus dorsi surgery in early breast cancer patients. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 62 female patients with early breast cancer was performed. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of surgical method: the conventional group (37 cases) and the endoscopic group (25 cases).The clinical baseline data, surgical results, and postoperative effects of the two groups were compared. Results According to the clinical baseline data, the endoscopic group had a greater maximum tumor diameter and a greater tumor-to-breast volume ratio due to expanded indications for breast-conserving surgery (P<0.001), whereas the other data revealed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with those in the conventional group, the total incision length in the endoscopic group was shorter [3.40(3.15, 3.60) cm vs. 7.30 (6.50, 7.60) cm, P<0.001], the postoperative drainage volume was lower (206.20±35.11 ml vs. 223.95±26.17 ml, P=0.026), but the operative time was longer (254.92±22.67 min vs. 146.78±13.01 min, P<0.001). The incision margin positive rate was 0% (0/25) in the endoscopic group, which was significantly lower than the 10.8% (4/37) in the conventional group (P=0.141). The endoscopic group had a lower incidence of complications (4% vs. 27%, P=0.047) and superior JBCS aesthetic scores at the 6-month follow-up (76% vs. 43.2%, P=0.006). Conclusion Axillary single-port incision insufflation endoscopic breast-conserving surgery with mini-latissimus dorsi surgery is not inferior to conventional procedures in terms of oncologic safety (margin-negative rate) and offers advantages in terms of scar concealment, fewer complications, and better aesthetic outcomes, especially suitable for early breast cancer patients with small-to-medium breast volumes, tumors located in the outer quadrants and mastectomy ratios of >20%.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between oxygen consumption (VO 2), carbon dioxide production (VCO 2), and Oxygen Consumption/lactate (VO 2/Lac) with risk of death in patients with severe ARDS. Methods:A retrospective cohort study method was used, and the study subjects were hospitalized for >5 days adult patients with severe ARDS in the central intensive care unit of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2023. The following patients were excluded: IC test was not completed on the 4th day of ICU admission, IC test results were unreliable, mechanical ventilation duration had exceeded 48 h at the time of ICU transfer or admission, palliative care patients and pregnant and parturient women. Using indirect calorimetry to determine VO 2 and VCO 2 values on the 4th day of admission, reviewing medical records to obtain general condition, disease information, blood gas analysis (including lactate value), diagnostic and therapeutic measures, and following up deaths by telephone and time of death. The primary outcome measure was death at 90 days, and the secondary outcome measure was death at 28 days, length of stay in ICU, total length of stay, and total hospitalization cost. Cox regression analysis and linear regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between VO 2, VCO 2, VO 2/Lac and primary and secondary outcome indexes. Results:A total of 216 patients were enrolled, 78 patients (36.1%) died and 138 patients (63.9%) survived at 90 days. After correction for confounders, the results of multifactorial Cox regression analysis suggested that compared with the Q4 group, HR (95% CI) for 90-day risk of death in the VO 2 Q1 and Q2 groups was 3.21 (1.38, 7.49) and 3.24 (1.42, 7.38), and HR (95% CI) for 90-day risk of death in the VCO 2 Q1, Q2 and Q3 groups was 5.88 (2.33, 14.84), 4.26 (1. 60, 11.34) and 3.54 (1.34, 9.35), respectively, and the HR (95% CI) for 90-day risk of death in the VO 2/Lac Q1, Q2 and Q3 groups were 8.72 (3.01, 25.25), 8.43 (2.91, 24.47) and 4.04 (1.34, 12.17) respectively. P-trends were all <0.05, indicating that VO 2, VCO 2 and VO 2/Lac were linearly and negatively associated with the risk of 90-day mortality. In addition, VO 2, VCO 2, and VO 2/Lac were negatively associated with 28-day risk of death and higher VO 2/Lac was negatively associated with length of ICU stay. Conclusions:VO 2, VCO 2 and VO 2/Lac were negatively associated with 90-day mortality risk and 28-day mortality risk in patients with severe ARDS and may be independent risk factors predicting mortality risk of such patients.

Objective To observe the value of MR vessel wall imaging(VMI)for predicting instability status of intracranial aneurysm(IA).Methods MR angiography(MRA)and vascular wall imaging(VWI)data of 506 patients with single IA were retrospectively analyzed.Asymptomatic IA was included in stable status group(n=349),while those with enlargement during follow-up or threatened rupture symptoms were taken as instable status group(n=157).The patients were divided into training set(n=354)and validation set(n=152)at a ratio of 7:3.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)and multivariate logistic regression were performed to screen risk factors associated with IA instability based on clinical data,MRA and VWI manifestations.Then model 1 was constructed based the above indexes,while model 2 was established based only on MRA manifestations of IA.The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of each model for predicting IA instability.Results LASSO and multivariate logistic regression showed that female patient,age＜50 years with history of cerebral infarction and IA wall enhancement on MRA were all independent predictors of IA instability status.The AUC of model 1 for predicting instability status of IA was 0.733 and 0.742 in training set and validation set,respectively,both higher than that of model 2(0.593 and 0.609,both P＜0.05).Conclusion MR VWI was helpful for predicting IA instability status.