The surgical management of empyema (excluding those caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria) is rapidly evolving towards minimally invasive, precise, and stepwise approaches. The traditional three-stage classification (exudative, fibrinopurulent, and organizing) has limitations in guiding dynamic clinical decision-making. For the first time, this consensus explicitly identifies two critical junctures in the pathological progression of empyema: "early transformation" (stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ) and "late transformation" (stage Ⅱ to Ⅲ), and thereby constructs a corresponding "identification-early warning-intervention" stepwise therapeutic framework. The consensus emphasizes that proactive debridement via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be performed during the early transformation phase to halt disease progression. Conversely, during the late transformation phase, therapeutic goals should be rationally adjusted to prioritize adequate drainage, avoiding futile pleural decortication. Moreover, the consensus underscores the pivotal role of precise perioperative etiological diagnosis (e.g. metagenomic nest-generation sequencing) and standardized anti-infective therapy. Integrating practical experiences from multiple thoracic surgery centers in China and relevant evidence-based literature, this consensus formulates recommendations on the precise definitions of staging, surgical indications for each phase, key technical points, perioperative management, and training systems. It aims to promote the standardized and individualized surgical management of empyema, ultimately optimizing patient prognosis.

Objective To investigate the causes and management strategies for lower limb ischemic necrosis following xenogeneic heterotopic heart transplantation from a multigene-edited pig to a rhesus monkey. Methods A xenogeneic heterotopic heart transplantation was performed on December 16, 2023, at the Institute of Experimental Animals of Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, using a quintuple-gene-edited pig as the donor and a rhesus monkey as the recipient. On postoperative day (POD) 9, the recipient monkey underwent left lower limb amputation due to ischemic necrosis. Blood samples were collected at various time points after transplantation for analysis of hematologic parameters, liver and renal function, myocardial enzymes, and coagulation profiles. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) were used to evaluate anastomotic patency and cardiac structure. Immunological assays, including complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and IgG/IgM antibody detection, combined with clinical observations, were employed to assess rejection type and therapeutic response. Results The recipient monkey survived for 46 days after transplantation. Echocardiography demonstrated preserved biventricular systolic function in the recipient’s native heart, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) consistently exceeding 50%. In the donor pig heart, left ventricular endocardial thickening was noted on POD 9, followed by right ventricular endocardial thickening on POD 24, while LVEF remained around 35%. No hyperacute or acute rejection was detected immunologically. CDC positivity ranged between 3.4% and 5.1%, with IgG/IgM antibody binding trends consistent with CDC results. Following amputation, the recipient exhibited elevated inflammatory markers, coagulopathy, and reactive thrombocytosis, which later normalized. Immunohistochemical staining of the necrotic limb revealed arterial and venous thrombosis; however, no T-cell or B-cell infiltration was observed in vascular structures, thrombi, nerves, muscles, fascia, or skin tissues, with CD3 and CD20 staining both negative. Conclusion Limb ischemia after xenogeneic heart transplantation may be associated with lower extremity vascular thrombosis triggered by local trauma in the context of transplantation-induced inflammatory activation and coagulation dysfunction. While no clear lymphocyte-mediated rejection was observed, further studies are needed to explore the potential role of non-lymphocyte-mediated immune mechanisms.

ObjectiveTo explore the factors influencing home-based rehabilitation exercise and the needs for digital interventions among patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), based on the behavior change wheel (BCW), and to provide evidence for the development of digital home-based rehabilitation interventions. MethodsA two-phase qualitative study was conducted from December, 2024 to March, 2025. Using convenience sampling, 14 participants were recruited, including patients with SMA, primary caregivers, rehabilitation professionals, clinicians, a patient organization representative and a health policy expert. In phase 1, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with seven participants, including patients, caregivers and a patient organization representative, to identify factors influencing home-based rehabilitation exercise and unmet needs. In phase 2, a focus group involving 12 stakeholders was conducted, including five participants who had participated in phase 1, to explore requirements for the functions, knowledge content and interface design of a digital intervention, five of them had participated in phase 1. Overall, the two phases involved 14 individual participants, accounting for 19 participant-instances. Thematic analysis was performed using both deductive and inductive approaches, guided by the capability-opportunity-motivation-behavior (COM-B) model. ResultsSix themes were identified. phase 1 showed that patients with SMA experienced inadequate continuity of rehabilitation services and limited access to professional rehabilitation resources, with interruptions in institution-based rehabilitation coexisting with declining adherence to home-based exercise. Home-based rehabilitation exercise was jointly influenced by capability-, opportunity- and motivation-related factors, including limited capabilities of patients and caregivers, constraints in time and supportive conditions and insufficient goals, feedback, and incentives. Individualized rehabilitation plans and professional guidance were the major unmet needs. phase 2 showed that the core functions of a digital intervention should include individualized exercise plans, professional guidance and feedback, reminders and incentives, safety monitoring, remote assessment, and privacy and permission management. Core knowledge content should include stratified exercise guidance, caregiving skills, recognition of abnormal conditions, and information on when and how to seek help. The interface should be simple, impose a low user burden and accommodate different types of users. ConclusionHome-based rehabilitation exercise among patients with SMA is jointly influenced by multiple capability-, opportunity- and motivation-related factors. Digital interventions should prioritize individualized rehabilitation plans, professional guidance and sustained behavioral support. These findings may inform the development of a digital home-based rehabilitation intervention prototype for patients with SMA; its feasibility, safety, clinical effectiveness and economic value require further evaluation.

Objective To evaluate the influencing factors of aspiration in neurological critically ill patients by Meta-analysis.Methods PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,CNKI,and Wanfang Data were searched from inception to 1 October,2023,to obtain relevant studies on influencing fac-tors of aspiration in neurological critically ill patients.The literature screening,data extraction and quality evaluation were completed by two researchers.RevMan 5.4 and Stata 13.0 software were ap-plied for pooled Meta-analysisand assessed publication bias,respectively.Results A total of 8 arti-cles,including 1,315 neurocritical care patients,were included in this study.Nine influencing factors related to aspiration were extracted for Meta-analysis.The Meta-analysis results showed that the three influencing factors that caused aspiration in neurocritical care patients were stroke history(OR=5.03,95％CI,2.71 to 9.32,P＜0.000 01),National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score＞10(OR=3.35,95％CI,1.75 to 6.42,P=0.000 3),and gastric residual volume＞150mL(OR=7.13,95％CI,2.55 to 9.96,P=0.001).Conclusion This study provides a scientific basis for clinical healthcare professionals to early identify high-risk patients for aspiration,take targeted inter-vention measures,and prevent the occurrence of aspiration.

Objective To explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods A total of 60 hospitalized non-dialysis patients with CKD in the Department of Nephrology of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from September 2022 to September 2023 were enrolled as research objects.According to the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),they were divided into stage 1 to 2 of CKD group[eGFR ≥60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 23 cases,the stage 3 of CKD group[eGFR 30～＜60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 20 cases,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group[eGFR＜30 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 17 cases.The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the patients.Basic data and common clinical laboratory in-dicators on hospital admission were collected to analyze the differences in cognitive function levels under different renal function statuses and to explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment.Results The incidence rates of cognitive impairment in the stage 1 to 2 of CKD group,stage 3 of CKD group,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group were 47.8％,85.0％,and 94.1％respectively,the median MoCA scored 26,24 and 20 respectively,with statistically significant between-group differ-ences(P＜0.05).Cognitive function was significantly negatively correlated with age(r=-0.634,P＜0.001),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(r=-0.574,P＜0.001),serum creatinine(Cr)(r=-0.417,P＜0.001),cystatin C(Cys-C)(r=-0.327,P=0.011),serum β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)(r=-0.259,P=0.046),and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)(r=-0.474,P＜0.001),and was significantly positively correlated with hemoglobin(HB)(r=0.401,P=0.001)and eGFR(r=0.485,P＜0.001).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age(P=0.006)and NT-proBNP(P=0.041)were influencing factors of cognitive im-pairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity,and specificity of age for prediction were 0.860,0.864 and 0.812 respectively,the AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of NT-proBNP for pre-diction were 0.808,0.795 and 0.875 respectively,and the combined prediction of age and NT-proBNP had an AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of 0.893,0.955,and 0.750,respectively.Conclusion As renal function deteriorates,the incidence rate and severity of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD tend to increase.Advanced age,renal function deterioration,high NT-proBNP level,and anemia are associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment in non-di-alysis patients with CKD,among which age and NT-proBNP are influencing factors for cognitive im-pairment.

In the era of rational molecular design of fusion proteins,linker selection has garnered significant attention as a critical determinant of construct functionality.Suboptimal selection of linkers may result in such structural perturbations as protein misfolding,reduced expression yields,and compromised bioactivity.Consequently,the strategic selection of linkers tailored to specific objectives of molecular design by optimizing spatial orientation,maintaining domain autonomy or enabling post-translational modifications has emerged as a pivotal research frontier.Given these challenges,this review outlines the common properties of linkers,ways of classification,and the functional-structural interplay in current applications.Furthermore,we propose context-dependent selection frameworks for therapeutic proteins,biosensors,and enzyme cascades,which can serve as a systematic methodology to guide linker optimization in next-generation fusion protein engineering.

Objective To investigate the effects of governor vessel pushing manipulation on behavioral outcomes in valproic acid(VPA)-induced autism spectrum disorder(ASD)rats and explore its underlying mechanisms using prefrontal RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq).Methods Nine Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats at gestational day 12.5 were divided into two groups,six received intraperitoneal VPA injection(600 mg/kg)for modeling,and three received saline.Male offspring at postnatal day 21 were evaluated using the three-chamber social test and open field test to validate the ASD model.VPA-induced male offspring were randomly assigned to the model group(n=5)or tuina group(n=5),while saline offspring formed the blank group(n=5).The blank group and model group received no intervention,while the tuina group underwent governor vessel pushing manipulation stimulation along the governor vessel using a custom device,twice a day for 14 days,totaling 28 times.Post-intervention,behavioral assessments included social index(SI)and social preference index(SPI)in the three-chamber test,total distance traveled and central zone time in the open field test,marble-burying test for stereotyped behaviors,and Nissl staining for prefrontal cortical neuron survival.RNA-Seq identified differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in the prefrontal cortex,followed by Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analyses.Real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)validated DEGs,and Western blotting analyzed proteins in enriched pathways.Results Pre-intervention,both model and tuina groups showed reduced SI,SPI,total distance,and central zone time compared to the blank group(P<0.05),confirming successful modeling.Post-intervention,the model group exhibited lower SI,SPI,total distance,central zone time,increased marble-burying(P<0.05),and fewer Nissl bodies(P<0.01)versus the blank group.Compared to the model group,the tuina group displayed improved SI,SPI,total distance,central zone time(P<0.05),reduced marble-burying(P<0.05),and increased Nissl bodies(P<0.01).RNA-Seq revealed 213 prefrontal DEGs(181 upregulated,32 downregulated)in the tuina group.GO analysis highlighted cellular components,while KEGG identified 181 pathways,with 67 significantly enriched(P<0.05),notably the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)pathway.RT-qPCR confirmed decreased collagen type Ⅰ alpha 2(Col1α2),transforming growth factor-α(TGF-α),epidermal growth factor receptor 3(ErbB3),and serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 2(Sgk2)(P<0.05),and increased hepatic growth factor(Hgf)(P<0.01)in the model group,reversed by governor vessel pushing manipulation.Western blotting showed reduced prefrontal NRG1,ErbB3,nNOS,PI3K,AKT,p-nNOS,p-PI3K,and p-AKT in the model group(P<0.05),which were upregulated by tuina.Conclusion Governor vessel pushing manipulation ameliorates social deficits,anxiety,stereotyped behaviors,and neuronal loss in ASD rats,potentially via activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and cytokines expression characteristics in infants with mild and severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.Methods:From May 2023 to December 2023, plasma samples and clinical information were collected from 16 infants with RSV infection and 14 control infants. Cytek Aurora flow cytometry (Cytek, America) and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the expression levels of 25 cytokines after mild and severe RSV infection.Results:Cough and nasal obstruction were the main clinical manifestations in infants with mild RSV infection, accompanied by polypnea, wheezing and other symptoms. The main symptoms of severe RSV infection were cough and rales, accompanied by fever and polypnea. In comparison with the control group, the expression levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-13, IL-22, TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-β, MIP-1β, I-TAC, ENA-78, GROα, Eotaxin, and MCP-1 in the RSV infection group all exhibited an upregulation trend. Both IP-10 and MIP-3α demonstrated a downward trend in the RSV infection group; however, there was no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). The levels of IL-10, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, and IL-8 in the RSV infection group were significantly higher than those in the control group, whereas the levels of MIG, TARC, and RANTES in the RSV infection group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-22, IFN-β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-8, I-TAC, MIP-1β, Eotaxin, and MCP-1 in the mild RSV infection group were significantly higher than those in the severe RSV infection group ( P>0.05). Among these, the levels of MIG, RANTES, TARC, MIP-3α, and ENA-78 in the mild infection group were all lower than those in the severe infection group. The expressions of ENA-78 and MIP-1α in the severe infection group were significantly higher than those in the mild infection group and also higher than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in IP-10 and GROα between the mild and severe RSV infection groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The differences in clinical features and cytokines between infants with mild and severe RSV infection provide important data support for the prevention and treatment of RSV infection in infants.

Objective:To explore the impacts of 131I-NaI radiotherapy on the promotion of glycolysis and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18F-FDG) uptake in pancreatic cancer cells via the induction of proviral integration moloney murineleukemia virus 2 (PIM2) and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2, 6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3). Methods:In the cell experiments, human pancreatic carcinoma cells-1 (PANC-1) were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, an HJ-PI01 group, a 131I-NaI group, and an HJ-PI01 + 131I-NaI group. Their aerobic glycolysis capacity was assessed by measuring glucose uptake, lactate production, and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). In vivo animal experiments, 12 nu/nu female nude mice were given 100 μl (1 × 10 7 cells) of cell suspension through subcutaneous injection into the left lower limbs. When the tumor volume reached approximately 60 mm 3, these mice were divided into four groups (a control group, a HJ-PI01 group, a 131I-NaI group, and an HJ-PI01+ 131I-NaI group) using a random number table, with three mice in each group. After 14 days of treatment, 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging was performed to calculate the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) of the xenografts. Following PET/CT imaging, the tumor tissues were harvested and analyzed for PIM2, PFKFB3, and Ki-67 expressions using immunohistochemistry. Results:In cell experiments, compared to the control group, the HJ-PI01 group exhibited significant reduction in glucose uptake, lactate production, PFKFB3 protein expression, and ECAR in PANC-1 cells ( t = 4.59-13.98, P < 0.05). In contrast, the 131I-NaI group showed significant increases in these parameters ( t = 3.36-13.97, P < 0.05). Compared to the 131I-NaI group, the HJ-PI01+ 131I-NaI group showed significant reduction in glucose uptake, lactate production, PFKFB3 protein expression, and ECAR ( t = 5.14-20.87, P < 0.05). In the animal experiments, compared to the control group, the three groups displayed significant decrease in SUV max of 18F-FDG uptake in tumors ( t = 16.48, 22.49, 32.64, P < 0.001). Moreover, the HJ-PI01 + 131I-NaI group exhibite significantly lower SUV max than the 131I-NaI group ( t = 10.16, P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the HJ-PI01+ 131I-NaI group, compared to the 131I-NaI group, showed significantly lower Ki-67 expression and the PIM2/PFKFB3 signaling pathway in tumor tissues ( t = 3.27, 10.73, 14.85, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Glycolysis enhancement of PANC-1 cells, mediated by the PIM2/PFKFB3 signaling pathway inhibition, can significantly improve the anticancer capacity of 131I-NaI, providing a novel strategy for radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

Objective:To explore the core factors of self-management and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the internal relationship between these two constructs.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to enroll 210 COPD patients who visited the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from January to December 2022. Data were collected using Self-Management Scale and 36-item Short-Form. A relationship network between self-management and QOL was constructed via network analysis, and centrality indicators and network stability were calculated.Results:A total of 210 questionnaires were distributed, and 205 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 97.6%. Emotional management was identified as the core node in both the overall network and the self-management subnetwork (2.064), while vitality was the core node in the QOL subnetwork (0.730). The relationship between self-management and QOL was mainly manifested through the strong association between emotional management and role-emotion.Conclusions:Emotional management is the core factor in the relationship between self-management and QOL in COPD patients. The overall network of self-management and QOL is influenced by the strong association between emotional management and role-emotion.