Objective To investigate the factors influencing the efficacy of intravesical Bacille Calmette-Guérin(BCG)instillation after transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT)in patients with intermediate-and high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC),and to construct a prediction model for recurrence after BCG treatment.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on the subjected patients diagnosed with intermediate-and high-risk NMIBC undergoing TURBT followed by standard BCG instillation.The 110 patients treated in Department of Urology of Army Medical Center of PLA from January 2018 to December 2023 were assigned into a training set,while the 52 patients treated at Department of Urology of General Hospital of Central Theater Command from January 2015 to December 2020 were into an external validation set.A total of 17 variables were included and analyzed.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with recurrence after BCG instillation,and nomograms were plotted to predict 1-year,3-year,and 5-year recurrence-free survival(RFS).Calibration curve,decision curve analysis(DCA),and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis were conducted for internal and external validation to evaluate the predictive performance and clinical utility of the model.Results In the training set,26 patients(23.64%)experienced recurrence during the follow-up period,with a median RFS of 32.00(18.00～50.50)months.Univariate Cox regression analysis suggested that platelet count,eosinophil to lymphocyte ratio(ELR),neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(NLR),platelet to lymphocyte ratio(PLR),systemic immune inflammation(SII)index,and neutrophil-monocyte to lymphocyte ratio(NMLR),pathological T1 stage(pT1)tumor and hemoglobin,albumin,lymphocyte,and platelet(HALP)score were potential factors influencing recurrence after BCG instillation.Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified high HALP score(HR=0.185,95%CI:0.046～0.736,P=0.017)as an independent protective factor,while high ELR(HR=3.599,95%CI:1.505～8.608,P=0.004)and pT1 stage(HR=3.240,95%CI:1.191～8.818,P=0.021)were independent risk factors for recurrence.Based on this,a nomogram prediction model was constructed.The calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between predicted and actual 1-,3-,and 5-year recurrence risks.Decision curve analysis indicated clinical utility across a wide threshold probability range.In the training set,the model showed strong predictive performance for 1-(AUC=0.842),3-(AUC=0.847),and 5-year(AUC=0.887)recurrence risks,which was further validated in the external cohort.Conclusion Higher HALP score prior to BCG instillation therapy is a protective factor against tumor recurrence,while higher ELR and pT1 stage are risk factors.Our nomogram prediction model based on HALP score,ELR and pathological T stage,can identify individuals at high risk of recurrence after BCG instillation therapy.

Objective To investigate risk factors for residual lesions after initial transurethral resection of bladder tumors(TURBT)and risk factors for tumor recurrence after second TURBT in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)in order to provide reference for clinical management.Methods A case-control study design was adopted to include 120 NMIBC patients who underwent initial TURBT and then second surgery within 2～8 weeks in our department from January 2017 to January 2025.Based on the presence of residual lesions after the initial TURBT or not,the patients were divided into a residual lesion group(n=34)and a non-residual lesion group(n=86).Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify potential risk factors for residual lesions following the initial TURBT.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze potential risk factors for tumor recurrence after the second TURBT.Results The residual lesion rate after initial TURBT was 28.33％.Chi-square test analysis revealed that tumor stage T1(Chi-square=5.756,P=0.016)and broad tumor base(Chi-square=4.331,P=0.037)were factors influencing residual lesions after initial TURBT.Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified tumor stage T1(OR=3.047,95％CI:1.128～8.226,P=0.028)as an independent risk factor for residual lesions after initial TURBT.The tumor recurrence rate after second TURBT was 17.5％.Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified tumor stage T1(OR=4.258,95％CI:1.248～14.532,P=0.021),intravesical chemotherapy instillation after second TURBT(OR=3.539,95％CI:1.284～9.752,P=0.015),history of urinary system tumors(OR=3.002,95％CI:1.145～7.873,P=0.025)and high platelet-to-lymphocyte(PLR)ratio(OR=2.798,95％CI:1.115～7.023,P=0.028)as independent risk factors for tumor recurrence after second TURBT.Conclusion Tumor stage T1 and broad tumor base are risk factors for residual lesions after initial TURBT,while tumor stage T1,intravesical chemotherapy instillation after second TURBT,history of urinary system tumors and high PLR ratio are risk factors for tumor recurrence after second TURBT.Comprehensive analysis on above 4 indicators can effectively assess the risk of tumor recurrence in NMIBC patients following second TURBT,and timely early medical intervention is beneficial for improving patient outcomes.

Objective:To understand the prevalence, blood pressure control, and influencing factors of hypertension in residents aged 35-75 years in Jiangsu Province, and provide data support and basis for hypertension prevention and treatment.Methods:A stratified cluster sampling method was adopted to conduct community population surveys in 22 districts and counties in 12 prefectures in Jiangsu from 2021 to 2022. A total of 123 531 permanent residents aged 35-75 years were included in the study. The questionnaire survey collected the information about the demographic characteristics, disease history, lifestyle, and control of hypertension of study subjects. Statistical software SPSS 23.0 was used for χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and Joinpoint 4.9.1.0 software was used to evaluate the trend of age change. Results:The standardized prevalence of hypertension in study subjects was 46.60%, the prevalence was higher in men than in women, and in rural residents than in urban residents, and the standardized blood pressure control rate was 11.24%, and it was lower in men than in women and in rural residents than in urban residents. The hypertension prevalence and control rates showed increasing trends with age (both P<0.001). The multivariate analysis results showed that being man, older age, being rural resident, higher frequency of alcohol consumption, marital status of being separated and widowed, overweight and obese, abdominal obesity and stroke, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemic diseases histories, and family history of hypertension were risk factors for hypertension, and being man, being rural resident, living north area, higher frequency of alcohol consumption, and obesity were risk factors for blood pressure control. Conclusions:The prevalence of hypertension in residents aged 35-75 years in Jiangsu was high, and the rate of blood pressure control was low. It is suggested to take integrated intervention measures, especially in in rural residents and people with low levels of education to reduce the disease burden of the patients.

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias and is associated with multiple adverse cardiovascular events.Imaging techniques such as echocardiography,MRI and CT can evaluate the structure and function of the left ventricle,which is of great significance for the selection of clinical treatment and the prediction of postoperative recurrence risk.This article reviews the progress of the above cardiac imaging techniques in left ventricular structure and function in atrial fibrillation.

Objective:To design and evaluate a novel arcuate multi-channel rectal endoluminal applicator to enhance dose coverage of tumors in the upper and middle rectum and reduce pressure on the rectal wall.Methods:Pelvic MRI images of 200 Chinese cases without rectal lesions in the Peking University Third Hospital from July 2022 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the image data, a rectal model with general characteristics of the population and two novel hard and soft rectal endoluminal applicators were designed and fabricated. The following properties of the conventional applicators and two new applicators were compared: deformation to the model rectal wall, maximum pressure, stable pressure, D 90%, D 100%, V 100%, V 150% and V 200% of the GTV, and D 2 cm3, D 1 cm3, and D 0.1 cm3 of the organs at risk (OAR). ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H-test was used to compare the differences among three applicators, and Dunnett's multiple comparison test was used for pairwise comparisons. Results:The novel hard and soft rectal endoluminal applicators caused less deformation of the model rectal wall. The maximum pressure on the rectal wall was (0.606 ± 0.182) kPa and (0.481 ± 0.229) kPa for the hard arcuate applicator and soft arcuate applicator, respectively, and the stable pressure was (0.207 ± 0.137) kPa and (0.055 ± 0.097) kPa, respectively, which were significantly smaller than those of the conventional applicator ( P <0.001, <0.001; P =0.024, <0.001), and the degree of reduction was at or near 50%. Under the premise of ensuring target dose, the D 2 cm3, D 1 cm3, and D 0.1 cm3 of OAR in the treatment plan designed with the novel applicator were significantly reduced compared to the cylindrical applicator (all P<0.001). Conclusion:The novel arcuate multi-channel rectal endoluminal applicator can significantly reduce rectal wall pressure and deformation, while also reducing the dose to OAR without compromising target dose coverage, offering certain therapeutic advantages.

The adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, IrtAB, plays a vital role in the replication and viability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), where its function is to import iron-loaded siderophores. Unusually, it adopts the canonical type IV exporter fold. Herein, we report the structure of unliganded Mtb IrtAB and its structure in complex with ATP, ADP, or ATP analogue (AMP-PNP) at resolutions ranging from 2.8 to 3.5 Å. The structure of IrtAB bound ATP-Mg2+ shows a "head-to-tail" dimer of nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), a closed amphipathic cavity within the transmembrane domains (TMDs), and a metal ion liganded to three histidine residues of IrtA in the cavity. Cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) structures and ATP hydrolysis assays show that the NBD of IrtA has a higher affinity for nucleotides and increased ATPase activity compared with IrtB. Moreover, the metal ion located in the TM region of IrtA is critical for the stabilization of the conformation of IrtAB during the transport cycle. This study provides a structural basis to explain the ATP-driven conformational changes that occur in IrtAB.
Siderophores/metabolism* ; Iron/metabolism* ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis/metabolism* ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism* ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters

Objective: To compare the preoperative and postoperative dosimetric parameters in the treatment of spinal metastasis, and to verify the accuracy of 3D-printing non-coplanar template (3D-PNCT) combined with CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation for the treatment of spinal metastasis. Methods: The treatment plans of 7 patients with spinal metastasis (9 lesions) from 2016 to 2018 receiving 3D-PNCT in combination with CT-guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation were retrospectively analyzed. The dosimetric parameters including homogeneity index (HI), conformal index (CI), external index (EI), dose of 90% target volume(D₉₀), mPD, volume percent of 100%, 150%, and 200% prescribed dose V₁₀₀、V₁₅₀、V₂₀₀ and D_2cm³ of spinal cord were compared before and after operation. The british columbia cancer ageny particle implantation quality evaluation standard was applied to evaluate the quality of implantation. Results: The HI, EI and CI, D₉₀, mPD, V₁₀₀, V₁₅₀, V₂₀₀ and D_2cm³ of spinal cord did not significantly differ before and after the plan (all P>0.05). Five were evaluated as excellent and 4 were assessed as good. Conclusion The postoperative dosimetric parameters of 3D-PNCT combined with CT guided ¹²⁵I seed implantation of spinal metastasis are basically consistent with preoperative dosimetric parameters. The postoperative plans are evaluated as excellent or good, suggesting that the technology has a good therapeutic accuracy in the treatment of spinal metastasis.

Objective:To evaluate the right ventricular(RV) function by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(2D-STE) in heart failure patients with different left ventricle diastolic dysfunction grade.Methods:Twenty-nine healthy volunteers(control group), sixteen heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF group) and eighty-six heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF group) were enrolled in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from October 2018 to September 2019. HFpEF patients were further divided into four subgroups according to recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography in 2016: normal left ventricular diastolic function group and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction groups with grade 1, 2, 3 (LVDD1, LVDD2, LVDD3). Conventional ultrasonic parameters were obtained in apical four-chamber images, including RV basal diameter(RVD1), RV middle diameter(RVD2) and RV longitudinal diameter(RVD3), RV end diastolic area(EDA), end systolic area(ESA) and fractional area change(FAC), peak systolic velocity(S′), myocardial performance index(MPI), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE). 2D-STE was performed to observe strain parameters, including basal, middle, apical and the whole longitudinal peak systolic strain of RV free wall respectively (RVLSbas, RVLSmid, RVLSapi and RVLSfw). Then 2D strain parameters were compared among these groups, and the correlation between 2D strain parameters and conventional ultrasonic parameters were analyzed.Results:①TAPSE and S′ gradually decreased in normal group, HFpEF group and HFrEF group(all P<0.05). For the four subgroups of HFpEF, compared to LVDD3, TAPSE、S′ increased significantly in normal group, LVDD1 and LVDD2(all P<0.05). ②RVLSbas, RVLSmid, RVLSfw gradually increased in control group, HFpEF group and HFrEF group(all P<0.05). The same trend appeared in group LVDD1, LVDD2 and LVDD3(all P<0.05). ③In control group, HFpEF group and HFrEF group, RVLSfw showed strong correlation with LVEF( r=0.77, P<0.01) and middle correlation with age, TAPSE, and S′( r=0.41, -0.48, -0.40, P<0.01). In the subgroups of HFpEF, RVLSfw had middle correlation with LV diastolic function( r=0.59, P<0.01), and weak correlation with age( r=0.21, P<0.01), and the same correlations with B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP), FAC, TAPSE( r=0.28, -0.29, -0.29; all P<0.01). Conclusions:2D-STE can detect the early subtle impairment of RV systolic function in HFpEF patients.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of three‐dimensional echocardiographic( 3DE) automated quantification technique for assessment of left heart chamber volumes and function in consecutive patients . Methods One hundred and fifty consecutive patients underwent 3DE were enrolled in the cross‐sectional study . According to image quality , the patients were divided into satisfactory group ( n ＝ 102 ) and unsatisfactory group ( n ＝ 33 ) . T he accuracy and reproducibility of automated 3DE for measuring left ventricular end‐diastolic volume ( LVEDV ) , left ventricular end‐systolicvolume ( LVESV ) ,left atrial volume ( LAV ) and left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF ) were evaluated by the traditional manual 3DE as the relative standard . Among those with satisfactory image quality ,the effects of cardiac cycle selection on automatic 3DE were analyzed . In addition ,according to LVEDV index and LAV index ,the patients were grouped as enlargement group and normal group ,and the significance of editing the endocardial boundaries for both groups were analyzed . Results ① One hundred and thirty‐five patients were successfully analyzed by the automated 3DE . T he inter‐technique comparisons showed good correlations ( r‐values :LVEDV 0 .90 ,LVESV 0 .87 ,LAV 0 .86 ,LVEF 0 .67 ;all P ＜ 0 .01 ) and small biases( LVEDV 11 .9 ml ,LVESV 6 .4 ml ,LAV 9 .0 ml ,LVEF －0 .4% ) for all measurements in all patients . ② T he various parameters in satisfactory group had better correlations and consistency than those in the unsatisfactory group( all P ＜0 .05) . ③Between the two different cardiac cycles ,the automated 3DE measurements showed good correlations( r‐values :EDV 0 .96 ,ESV 0 .96 ,LAV 0 .95 ,LVEF 0 .80 ;all P＜ 0 .01 ) . ④ After optimized boundary of the automated 3DE ,LVEDV ,LVESV increased and LVEF decreased in the left chamber enlargement group( all P ＜0 .05) . ⑤All automated measurements were more reproducible than conventional manual measurements in both intra‐/inter‐observer studies . Conclusions Since automated 3DE is accurate and reproducible for the assessment of left heart chamber volumes and function ,it can be widely used in clinical practice as a feasible and objective ultrasound technique .

Carotid artery vulnerable plaque is prone to rupture and thrombosis,which is closely related to the occurrence of stroke.The detection of carotid plaque vulnerability is particularly important for early risk assessment of cerebrovascular disease.Carotid ultrasound is noninvasive,less expensive and with high reproducibility,therefore has become the important method for detecting the vulnerability of carotid artery plaque.The progresses of ultrasound technique for detection of carotid vulnerable plaque in recent years were reviewed in this article.