1.Expert consensus on the application of artificial intelligence in lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment (2026 edition)
Wenzhao ZHONG ; Haibo WANG ; Yi HU ; Hao ZHANG ; Jigang DAI ; Junqiang FAN ; Guibin QIAO ; Fan YANG ; Jian HU ; Fengwei TAN ; Xuening YANG ; Qiang PU ; Zihao CHEN ; Hongxia TIAN ; Lunxu LIU ; Hecheng LI ; Xiaolong YAN ; Zongyang YU ; Zhenbin QIU ; Yihua SUN ; Jing HU ; Yuhang SHI ; Zhifei GUO ; Peng ZHANG ; Kezhong CHEN ; Shugeng GAO ; Yilong WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):848-856
With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.
2.Screening and validation of diagnostic biomarkers in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on data-independent acquisition quantitative proteomics
Hongfei SONG ; Lijuan DAN ; Xiuyan LI ; Xiaojie YOU ; Shengjie WU ; Haibo YIN ; Wenping LIU ; Qiao LI ; Jie MU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(9):2075-2085
ObjectiveTo screen for and validate key differentially expressed proteins in serum of patients with metabolic dysfunction‑associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and to provide a basis for identifying diagnostic biomarkers and developing intervention strategies for this disease. MethodsA total of 20 patients who were diagnosed with MAFLD in the third affiliated hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2024 to January 2025 were enrolled as MAFLD group, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled as HC group. Demographic data and serum biochemical parameters were collected from both groups. Data-independent acquisition (DIA) quantitative proteomics was used to measure the relative expression levels of serum proteins, and related methods were used to obtain significantly differentially expressed proteins, including the gene ontology functional enrichment analysis, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Hub node interaction, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Rats were given a high-fat diet to establish a model of MAFLD, and randomly assigned to the control group and model group. Serum biochemical parameters and inflammatory factors were measured, liver histopathological changes were observed, and the protein expression levels of MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MERTK) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in liver tissue were verified. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data or data with heterogeneity of variance between groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsCompared with the HC group, the MAFLD group had significant increases in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (t=-7.348, P<0.05), alanine aminotransferase (Z=5.088, P<0.05), alkaline phosphatase (t=-3.943, P<0.05), triglyceride (Z=2.070, P<0.05), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (t=3.867, P<0.05). A total of 3 559 proteins were identified by DIA serum proteomics, among which 160 differentially expressed proteins were mainly enriched in pathways including metabolic disorders, immune inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix remodeling. The PPI network and the Hub node analysis showed that serpin family E member 1, MMP-9, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 were core regulatory proteins. WGCNA showed that the MEyellow module was significantly positively correlated with MAFLD phenotype (cor=0.55, P<0.001), which was functionally enriched in the efferocytosis pathway. MERTK (P<0.001) and MMP-9 (P<0.001) showed the most significant differential expression in this module. A rat model of MAFLD was successfully established using a high-fat diet, and compared with the control group, the model group had enlarged, yellowish, and greasy liver and disordered structure of hepatic lobules, hepatocyte fatty degeneration, and inflammatory cell infiltration based on HE staining, as well as massive lipid droplet deposition based on oil red O staining, while no obvious fibrous cords were observed in Masson staining. Compared with the control group, the model group had significant increases in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (t=-5.148, P<0.05), alanine aminotransferase (t=-5.663, P<0.05), total bilirubin (t=-13.061, P<0.05), triglyceride (Z=-2.722, P<0.05), total cholesterol (t=3.588, P<0.05), and tumor necrosis factor-α (t=-16.741, P<0.05), as well as significant increases in the protein expression levels of MERTK (t=-11.448, P<0.001) and MMP-9 (t=-10.875, P<0.001) in liver tissue. ConclusionMMP-9 and MERTK are abnormally expressed in MAFLD and may be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers for this disease.
3.Significance of precise classification of sacral meningeal cysts by multiple dimensions radiographic reconstruction MRI in guiding operative strategy and rehabilitation.
Jianjun SUN ; Qianquan MA ; Xiaoliang YIN ; Chenlong YANG ; Jia ZHANG ; Suhua CHEN ; Chao WU ; Jingcheng XIE ; Yunfeng HAN ; Guozhong LIN ; Yu SI ; Jun YANG ; Haibo WU ; Qiang ZHAO
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2025;57(2):303-308
OBJECTIVE:
To precise classify sacral meningeal cysts, effective guide minimally invasive neurosurgery and postoperative personalized rehabilitation by multiple dimensions radiographic reconstruction MRI.
METHODS:
From March to December 2021, based on the original 3D-fast imaging employing steadystate acquisition (FIESTA) scanning sequence, 92 patients with sacral meningeal cysts were pre-operatively evaluated by multiple dimensional reconstruction MRI. The shape of nerve root and the leakage of cyst were reconstructed according to the direction of nerve root or leakage track showed on original MRI scans. Sacral canal cysts were accurately classified as including nerve root and without nerve root, so as to accurately design the incision of skin and formulate corresponding open range of the posterior wall of the sacral canal. Under the microscope intraoperation, the shape of the nerve roots inside cysts or leakage track of the cysts without nerve roots were verified and explored. After the reinforcement and shaping operation, several reexaminations of multiple dimensional reconstruction MRI were performed to understand the deformation of the nerve root and hydrops in the operation cavity, so as to formulate a persona-lized rehabilitation plan for the patients.
RESULTS:
Among the 92 patients with sacral mengingeal cyst, 58 (63.0%) cysts with nerve root cyst, 29 (31.5%) cysts without nerve root cyst, and 5 (5.4%) cysts with mixed sacral canal cyst. In 58 patients with nerve root cysts, the accuracy of preoperative clinical classification on MRI image reached 96.6% (56/58) through confirmation by operating microscope. Only 2 cases of large single cyst with nerve root on the head of cyst were mistaken for without nerve root type. In 29 patients with sacral cyst without nerve root, the accuracy of preoperative image reached 100% through confirmation by operating microscope. The accuracy of judging the internal nerve root and leakage of 12 cases with recurrent sacral cyst was also 100%. Two cases of delayed postoperative hydrops were found one month after operation. After rehabilitation treatment by moxibustion and bathing, the hydrops disappeared 4-6 months after operation.
CONCLUSION
Multiple dimensional reconstruction MRI can precisely make clinical classification of sacral meningeal cysts before operation, guide minimally invasive neurosurgery effectively, and improve the rehabilitation effect.
Humans
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods*
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Male
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Female
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Sacrum/surgery*
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Adult
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Middle Aged
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Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods*
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Cysts/rehabilitation*
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Aged
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Adolescent
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Young Adult
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Spinal Nerve Roots/diagnostic imaging*
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Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
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Neurosurgical Procedures/methods*
4.Evidence that metformin promotes fibrosis resolution via activating alveolar epithelial stem cells and FGFR2b signaling.
Yuqing LV ; Yanxia ZHANG ; Xueli GUO ; Baiqi HE ; Haibo XU ; Ming XU ; Lihui ZOU ; Handeng LYU ; Jin WU ; Pingping ZENG ; Saverio BELLUSCI ; Xuru JIN ; Chengshui CHEN ; Young-Chang CHO ; Xiaokun LI ; Jin-San ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4711-4729
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease lacking effective therapy. Metformin, an antidiabetic medication, has shown promising therapeutic properties in preclinical fibrosis models; however, its precise cellular targets and associated mechanisms in fibrosis resolution remain incompletely defined. Most research on metformin's effects has focused on mesenchymal and inflammatory responses with limited attention to epithelial cells. In this study, we utilized Sftpc lineage-traced and Fgfr2b conditional knockout mice, along with BMP2/PPARγ and AMPK inhibitors, to explore metformin's impact on alveolar epithelial cells in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model and cell culture. We found that metformin increased the proliferation and differentiation of alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells, particularly the recently identified injury-activated alveolar progenitors (IAAPs)-a subpopulation characterized by low SFTPC expression but enriched for PD-L1. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed a reduction in apoptosis among mature AT2 cells. Interestingly, metformin's therapeutic effects were not significantly affected by BMP2 or PPARγ inhibition, which blocked the lipogenic differentiation of myofibroblasts. However, Fgfr2b deletion in Sftpc lineage cells significantly impaired metformin's ability to promote fibrosis resolution, a process linked to AMPK signaling. In conclusion, metformin alleviates fibrosis by directly activating AT2 cells, especially the IAAPs, through a mechanism that involves AMPK and FGFR2b signaling, but is largely independent of BMP2/PPARγ pathways.
5.Repurposing drugs for the human dopamine transporter through WHALES descriptors-based virtual screening and bioactivity evaluation.
Ding LUO ; Zhou SHA ; Junli MAO ; Jialing LIU ; Yue ZHOU ; Haibo WU ; Weiwei XUE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):101368-101368
Computational approaches, encompassing both physics-based and machine learning (ML) methodologies, have gained substantial traction in drug repurposing efforts targeting specific therapeutic entities. The human dopamine (DA) transporter (hDAT) is the primary therapeutic target of numerous psychiatric medications. However, traditional hDAT-targeting drugs, which interact with the primary binding site, encounter significant limitations, including addictive potential and stimulant effects. In this study, we propose an integrated workflow combining virtual screening based on weighted holistic atom localization and entity shape (WHALES) descriptors with in vitro experimental validation to repurpose novel hDAT-targeting drugs. Initially, WHALES descriptors facilitated a similarity search, employing four benztropine-like atypical inhibitors known to bind hDAT's allosteric site as templates. Consequently, from a compound library of 4,921 marketed and clinically tested drugs, we identified 27 candidate atypical inhibitors. Subsequently, ADMETlab was employed to predict the pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of these candidates, while induced-fit docking (IFD) was performed to estimate their binding affinities. Six compounds were selected for in vitro assessments of neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitory activities. Among these, three exhibited significant inhibitory potency, with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.753 μM, 0.542 μM, and 1.210 μM, respectively. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and end-point binding free energy analyses were conducted to elucidate and confirm the inhibitory mechanisms of the repurposed drugs against hDAT in its inward-open conformation. In conclusion, our study not only identifies promising active compounds as potential atypical inhibitors for novel therapeutic drug development targeting hDAT but also validates the effectiveness of our integrated computational and experimental workflow for drug repurposing.
6.Guide on Methodological Standards in Pharmacoepidemiology(2nd edition)and their series interpretation(11):introduction and examples of pharmacovigilance impact research
Xiaolu NIE ; Haibo SONG ; Jingtian REN ; Jinan YAN ; Jiarui WU ; Siyan ZHAN ; Feng SUN
Chinese Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology 2025;34(11):1233-1243
Pharmacovigilance impact research(PIR),as an important application field of pharmacoepidemiology,has attracted continuous attention in recent years from drug regulatory authorities,pharmaceutical manufacturers,and the academic community both domestically and internationally.This paper provides an interpretation of PIR based on the Guide for Methodology in Pharmacoepidemiologic Research(2nd edition).First,an overview of the implications of PIR will be provided,focusing on the pathways of pharmacovigilance activities and the significant importance of conducting PIR.Second,it reviews commonly used study designs and presents illustrative case examples.Building on this,the specific statistical considerations relevant to PIR were discussed.Finally,the challenges and prospects of conducting pharmacovigilance impact studies in a scientific and standardized manner are summarized.Compared with the previous edition,the 2nd edition has expanded the application scenarios of pharmacoepidemiology to include new areas such as PIR.Drawing on the guideline content and practical experience,this paper provides a detailed introduction and case analysis of PIR,serving as a reference for researchers engaged in this field.
7.Craniopharyngioma: a clinicopathological analysis of 71 cases
Xiaoyu YANG ; Yujie LI ; Chong GE ; Yuan LI ; Haibo WU
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(8):798-804
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) and papillary craniopharyngioma (PCP).Methods:A total of 71 cases craniopharyngioma, included 52 cases of ACP and 19 cases of PCP, diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Hefei, China from September 2019 to November 2023 were collected. Clinical pathological data were analyzed, immunohistochemical staining was performed, and mutations in the CTNNB1 and BRAF V600E genes were examined to identify differences between ACP and PCP.Results:The ACP cohort comprised 27 male and 25 female patients, with an age at onset ranging from 6 to 70 years, mean age (42.0±18.3) years. In contrast, the PCP group included 15 males and 4 females, with an age at onset spanning 28 to 74 years, mean age (51.0±13.3) years. The ACP group more commonly showed calcifications on imaging than the PCP group [92.3% (48/52) versus 11/19]. Partial tumor resection and the maximum diameter of the tumor were important factors affecting the recurrence of ACP. Whorled cell clusters, wet keratinization, stellate reticulum, cysts, and calcification were more often seen in ACP than PCP ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemically, all (100%,52/52) of the ACP showed nuclear β-catenin expression, with varying degrees of expression in the nodular whorls, and scattered cytoplasmic β-catenin expression. The BRAF V600E expression was found in the cytoplasm of all (19/19) PCP cases, but only non-specific BRAF V600E nuclear positivity was observed in ACP cases. Molecular testing showed that the mutation rate of the CTNNB1 gene in ACP was 22.7% (5/22), and the mutation rate of the BRAF V600E in PCP was 19/19. Conclusions:ACP and PCP have different age at onset, radiological features, histopathological morphology, and genetic alterations. Proper use and interpretation of immunohistochemical results can help distinguish between ACP and PCP, while molecular testing can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic modality.
8.Application of Anti-tumor Compatibility Structure of Chinese Medicine
Lanpin CHEN ; Feng TAN ; Xiaoman WEI ; Junyi WANG ; Liu LI ; Mianhua WU ; Haibo CHENG ; Dongdong SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):198-208
Malignant tumors are one of the major diseases that endanger human life and health. Chinese medicine has unique advantages in clinical anti-tumor treatment. However, how to translate the anti-tumor effects of Chinese medicine into clinical practice is the core issue that must be addressed in the process of treating malignant tumors with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Unlike modern chemical drugs, the compatibility application of Chinese medicine is the key factor that determines whether Chinese medicine can achieve optimal anti-tumor efficacy and realize the goal of "enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity". The formulation structure based on this compatibility is the basic form for the safe, efficient, and rational clinical use of anti-tumor Chinese medicine, and it mainly includes three categories: herb pairs, tri-herbal combinations, and compound compatibility. Although herb pairs have the characteristics of a simple structure and strong targeting (enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity), they often have a single effect and cannot fully address the complex pathogenesis of tumors. As a result, herb pairs are rarely used alone in practice. Compared to herb pairs, tri-herbal combinations broaden the application scope of herbs in clinical treatment, but their therapeutic range remains limited. The traditional "sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide" compound prescription, which includes herb pairs and tri-herbal combinations, improves the efficacy of herbs in treating serious diseases, hypochondriasis, chronic diseases, and miscellaneous disorders. However, due to the limitations of its historical background, it has not been integrated with modern clinical practice and modern pharmacological research, which restricts the development of compound compatibility theory. With the emergence of modern medical technology, it has been combined with traditional compatibility theory of Chinese medicine to create an innovative modern compatibility theory. This includes the "aid medicine" theory derived from modern Chinese medicine pharmacology, which compensates for the inability of the "sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide" theory to accurately apply medicine. Additionally, the "state-targeted treatment based on syndrome differentiation" theory, developed from pharmacology and modern medicine, addresses the deficiency in disease cognition in the "sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide" theory. Under the guidance of these compatibility forms and theories, clinical anti-tumor Chinese medicine can exert its maximum anti-tumor efficacy, which is of great significance for the application of Chinese medicine in clinical tumor treatment.
9.Role of SPARC expression in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mesotheli-oma
Anli ZHANG ; Xian WANG ; Yuanzi YE ; Can WU ; Lanqing CHENG ; Heng LI ; Sibai SUN ; Qiang WU ; Haibo WU
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(6):726-730
Purpose To investigate the role of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine(SPARC)expression in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of mesothelioma.Methods Immunohistochemical EnVision two-step method was used to detect SPARC expression in 40 cases of mesothelioma,4 cases of well-differentiated mesothelial tumour(WDPMT),40 cases of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the lung,40 cases of poorly differentiated ad-enocarcinoma of the lung,20 cases each of low-grade and high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary.The sensitivity and specificity of SPARC,Calretinin,D2-40,and WT-1 expression in mesothelioma were compared and analyzed.Results SPARC showed diffuse strong positive expression in mesothelioma(37/40 cases),medium positive expression in WDPMT(3/4 cases),and focal weak positive expression in a few cases of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcino-ma of the lung(1/40 cases),poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung(2/40 cases),low-grade serous carci-noma of the ovary(0/20 cases),and high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary(1/20 cases).In 40 mesotheliomas,the sensitivity of SPARC was 92.5%,and the specificity of SPARC in control tumors(squamous carcinoma of the lung,adenocarcinoma of the lung,and serous carcinoma of the ovary)was 96.7%.Conclusion SPARC is widely expressed in mesotheliomas,with a sensitivity similar to that of Calretinin,D2-40,and WT-1,but with a much higher specificity than other mesothelial markers.It is of great significance in distinguishing between mesothelioma and pulmo-nary poorly differentiated carcinoma and ovarian serous carcinoma.
10.Analysis of clinical phenotypes and genotypic characteristics in children with epilepsy
Yanli JIANG ; Lulu YAN ; Bin FU ; Dongli CAI ; Min XIE ; Xinhua SHAO ; Changshui CHEN ; Shanshan WU ; Haibo LI
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(9):1045-1052
Objective:To investigate the clinical phenotypes and genetic variant characteristics in children with epilepsy.Methods:A total of 91 children with epilepsy admitted to the Women′s and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from July 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the children for whole exome sequencing. Candidate genetic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq). The clinical phenotypes and treatment outcomes of the children with epilepsy were followed up, and an analysis of the relationship between genotype and phenotype was conducted. This study was approved by the Women′s and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2020-048).Results:Among the 91 children with epilepsy, 21 cases (23.08%, 21/91) were found to carry pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. Of these, 18 cases had involved single base variant or insertional deletion, while 3 cases involved copy number variations. The gene with the highest detection rate was PRRT2 (38.10%, 8/21). Among the children with genetic variants, 47.62% (10/21) had onset during infancy, with 8 diagnosed with Benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE), 8 with Developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), and 3 with Epileptic encephalopathy (EE). One case of Dravet syndrome (DS) and one case of Infantile spasms (IS) were also noted. The clinical manifestations of children were diverse and primarily included generalized tonic-clonic seizures and focal seizures. Among them, 52.38% (11/21) had exhibited cluster seizures, 23.81% (5/21) showed fever sensitivity, and 14.29% (3/21) experienced status epilepticus. After pharmacological treatment, 42.86% (9/21) of children had achieved complete seizure control, while 61.90% (13/21) had intellectual disability and 19.05% (4/21) had co-morbid autism spectrum disorder. Conclusion:Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 23.08% of the pediatric epilepsy cases, with the PRRT2 gene being the most frequently involved. Among children carrying genetic variants, 47.62% had seizure onset during infancy. Genetic factors are an important cause of epilepsy, and early genetic testing may facilitate precise diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation.

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